HM MINELAYER [Main Title]

An impression of the work of Minelayers, in the framework of the story of a 'typical' operation.

Titles and opening shot, mines are loaded - the vessel puts to sea (scenes of shipboard life - sailors sleep, one plays mouth organ, another trims his beard). Ten miles out, the captain opens his orders, to lay mines only 4 miles off the enemy coast. Reaching the destination, 'action stations' is sounded (crews leave hammocks etc) minelaying begins. An aircraft passes overhead - in the interests of secrecy no AA action is taken, and the plane passes, minelaying continues. Mission completed, the minelayer returns to port, the crew singing as they go off duty.

35mm