BRITISH PARAMOUNT NEWS (items) [Main Title]

British Paramount News newsreel compilation, featuring items featured from various issues released in October 1940.

I. "New Air Chief will keep bombers busy." Newly-appointed Chief of the Air Staff Sir Charles Portal is seen walking together with two members of his staff. Behind the scenes activity shows a rubber dinghy (self-inflating) being tested and a Wellington taxies on an airfield, is repaired in hangar and takes off. At Buckingham Palace a VC is awarded to RAF Sergeant Hannah (seen here with father and brother), the most youthful recipient of the award in this war, and the DFC is awarded to Pilot Officer Connor (seen here with wife and sister). Filmed by Newman Sinclair.

II. "The big barrage you never hear." Barrage balloons are towed out of their hangars by winch trucks, inflated and positioned, some from vessels at sea in the Thames estuary. Item also gives brief glimpse of instruction in balloon maintenance, including use of sewing machine.

III. "RAF prepares for big offensive." Bomber crews practise loading ammunition, firing and turret control. Then aeroplanes (Fairey Battle Is) bomb smoke targets at sea.

35mm