THE RAF IN 1942 [Main Title]

I. Film opens by listing outstanding RAF events of the year (then continues with two newsreel items) which show that 1942 was the year of passing to the offensive. Outstanding achievements listed include Fighter Command's great sweeps, 1000-bomber raids, Coastal Command attacks on U-boats, daylight raids on Occupied Europe, Malta's passing to the offensive, Army Cooperation Command, raids on Italy and Allied air supremacy in the Middle East.

II. "Hurricanes find new way to Suez." Construction of an airfield in West Africa enables Hurricane fighters to safely reach the Mediterranean. Film shows Hurricanes in crates being loaded onto a ship, assembled and then flying away shepherded by a Blenheim over jungle, and with supplementary petrol tanks. Firefighting crews stand by.

III. "A powerful force of our bombers attacked." RAF Officer reels off towns attacked - next item on your list - crosses it off. Packing supplies and parachute. Togging up. Crews aboard. Lancasters take off with "cameras of RAF Film Unit". Flashes during air raid. Vindictive commentary "now the Nazis are getting it back... deserve no pity" etc. Lancasters land, crews out. Non-stop attacks on enemy targets continue with a night raid on Bremen, which deserves to be punished for what the Luftwaffe did to Britain, and daylight raids by Bostons (take-off, low over Channel and countryside) on Lille and St Malo. Bombs away (abrupt end).

35mm