Description
Object description
An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
Full description
I. 'NEWS FLASHES-SYRIA.' General Sir Claude Auchinleck (C-in-C Middle East) talks informally to General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson (Commander Allied forces Syrian campaign) during a tour of Syrian battlefields. Auchinleck views the area of recent battle through field glasses. The British Generals break off their tour for lunch which they eat while seated on the ground. General Auchinleck meets General Georges Catroux (Commander Free French forces Syria) who recently took up position as Military Governor of Syria. Auchinleck reviews a parade of Australian infantry as the commentary points out that the troops will remain to hold the country "in trust" for the people of Syria. Auchinleck takes the salute as the Australian infantry marches past, watched by Syrian civilians.
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II. 'EAST AFRICA.' The Empress of Abyssinia, Menin Woizero, disembarks in the rain from a British merchant ship at an undisclosed East African port during her long journey back to Addis Ababa. The Empress is accompanied on her journey by her daughter and a small entourage. The Imperial party board a train that takes them to Nairobi, where they are met by the Crown Prince of Ethiopia, Wossen Asfa. The train continues its journey to an airfield. Commentary states that "With the help of Britain a new Ethiopia will arise", over scenes of the Imperial party boarding a South African Air Force Junkers Ju 52 transport aircraft. The aircraft takes off on the final leg of the return journey to Addis Ababa.
Full description
III. 'NEWS FROM ENGLAND. MR CHURCHILL VISITS ICELAND.' British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on his return journey from Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, and the signing of the Atlantic Charter. The Prime Minister, standing on the deck of HMS Prince of Wales, waves at US merchant convoy shipping. The commentary points out that the convoy stretches over eight miles of sea and is loaded down with supplies vital to Britain's war effort. HMS Prince of Wales overtakes various merchant ships including oilers and cargo vessels. The halyards of HMS Prince of Wales display the signal "Churchill wishes you good luck and bon voyage" as the convoy is left behind. HMS Prince of Wales is met by the British E Class destroyer HMS Escapade (H17) in Icelandic coastal waters. The Prime Minister arrives in Reykjavik and reviews a guard of honour made up of RAF and Army personnel. The Icelandic national flag flies as Churchill makes a speech to the civilians of Reykjavik from the roof of the Regency building. Churchill reviews a contingent of US Marines based on the island. Churchill and Ensign Franklin Roosevelt take the salute of the US marines as they perform a march past. Royal Navy gun crews practice gunnery training as HMS Prince of Wales returns to a British home port without incident. Churchill addresses the assembled crew of HMS Prince of Wales to thank them for their hospitality. The Prime Minister returns to London by train and is met at Kings Cross station by his wife Clementine and the US Ambassador John D Winant. Within a few hours of his return a cabinet meeting is called, and Lord Beaverbrook (Minister of Supply) and Anthony Eden (Foreign Secretary) arrive at Downing Street. Elsewhere, a British infantryman stands guard over a coastal gun as RAF Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 fighter aircraft fly in formation.
Physical description
35mm