Description
Object description
An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
Full description
I. 'JEEPS.' The commentary introduces the "Jeep" (General Purpose utility vehicle GP) over views of British Army officers driving a Willys MB 4x4 Jeep at speed along a Cairo street. The vehicle's ability to negotiate rough terrain is aptly demonstrated as the Jeep is driven over rocky desert terrain and down steep inclines. The commentary describes the Jeep as "A motorised terrier, sharp, tiny and tough." Elsewhere, at the factory of Willys-Overland Motor Inc. in Toledo, Ohio, a Jeep production line is shown. Male factory workers operate cranes to lower Jeep chassis cross-members onto axles and later to lower engines and transmissions into place. The commentary stresses the rapidity of construction using the production line method. Following completion the Jeeps are parked in a large outdoor store to await rail shipment. A large overhead crane lowers crated Willys Jeeps onto railway flatcars, which are then transported by a steam locomotive of the New York Central Line.
Full description
II. 'E-BOATS OF THE DESERT.' The commentary outlines events in a typical day for members of a British armoured car patrol in the Western Desert. Ford CO11 QRF carriers and soft-skinned vehicles are parked position for perimeter defence in a desert terrain. Sikh troops clean their carrier-mounted Boys .55-in anti-tank rifles and Bren gun .303-in machine guns. The commentary states that the armoured car patrol has the job of scouting the flanks of the main battle area and attacking enemy supply columns. The Indian Armoured car patrol moves off from the camp area as the commentary describes them as "The E-Boats of the desert." The Captain commanding the patrol receives information of enemy supply movements and uses his field glasses to identify a column spotted in the desert. The commanders of the armoured carriers are given a briefing prior to attacking the enemy column. A Ford carrier bearing the legend "Ambala" sticks in soft sand during the attack and is freed by Sikh crewmembers using canvas sand tracks lodged under the wheels. Enemy aircraft are apparently spotted and a carrier mounted Bren gun is fired to the sky. A soft-skin vehicle (Bedford?) mounting a captured German 3.7cm anti-tank gun engages the enemy. Sikh gunners in the carriers fire Vickers .303-in machine guns, Brens and Boys anti-tank rifles at the column. The British armoured car patrol returns to its home base at dusk having successfully broken up the enemy column.
Full description
III. 'MALTA CONVOY BLASTS THROUGH.' The commentary introduces an item on operation "Harpoon", taking supplies to Malta by convoy from Gibraltar. Views of merchant cargo ships and oilers are shown as lookouts on the Royal Navy (RN) escort ships scan the sky for enemy aircraft. The commentary describes the convoy as travelling "Through the Straits of Gibraltar to the mouth of hell" and points out the danger of running convoys between enemy-held Sicilian Narrows. Views of HMS Eagle at sea follow as the commentary states that enemy bombers are bearing down on the convoy in mass. A Royal Navy rating uses a range finder to gauge the position of the approaching enemy aircraft and passes the information to a radio operator dressed in anti-flash overalls, who in turn alerts the anti-aircraft gun crews. Various anti-aircraft crews fire 4-in guns and quadruple pom-poms at high altitude Italian bomber aircraft. A Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79-II Sparviero torpedo-bomber of the Regia Aeronautica overflies an RN ship having just made a low-level run to release a torpedo. The commentary describes the attack as an all-out Axis attempt to lock, bolt and bar the Mediterranean against the United Nations once and for all. Enemy aircraft overfly HMS Argus as anti-aircraft tracer fills the sky. Royal Navy ratings hand load depth charges on to stern launchers as the commentary states that enemy submarines attacked even as the bombs were falling. A Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Sea Hurricane fighter aircraft lands on the flight deck of HMS Eagle. HMS Blankney (L.30) lays a smoke screen to thwart enemy air attack. Bombs explode around the convoy as at a distance, an Italian bomber is shot down into the sea (Savoia-Marchetti SM 84?). Elements of "Convoy Harpoon" arrive in the Grand Harbour at Valletta with much bomb damage to surrounding buildings evident. Views of bomb damage in Valletta streets follow.
Physical description
35mm