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 FROM ENGLAND.' King Haakon VII of Norway accompanied by Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha mount a viewing podium in Hyde Park to view a march past of Free Norwegian subjects on the occasion of the King's seventieth birthday. Children of Norwegian refugees, dressed in their national costume, curtsey before the royal party. The commentary states that many of the children were brought to England following the German invasion of Norway, whilst others came with the Commandos following their raids on the Norwegian coast (Lofoten and Vaagso). Norwegian Army units wearing British battledress march past the reviewing podium. Evident in the party of dignitaries viewing the march past is Drexel Biddle, the United States Ambassador to Norway (and Soviet Ambassador to Norway ?). Civilians march past the reviewing podium carrying large numbers of Norwegian national flags. The commentary then goes on to outline the innovative introduction of a crêche at a Lancashire Engineering factory in order to combat absenteeism amongst young women workers who have young children. Nannies push children in prams. A female factory worker uses milling machinery to manufacture artillery shells. Nurses and nannies supervise small children playing in sandpits and eating food off small trestle tables. Women workers leave the engineering works at the end of their shift.
Full description
II. 'MORE AND MORE TANKS.' The commentary introduces the essential work of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) in maintaining British Army tanks in a battle-worthy condition. RAOC fitters work on M3 General Grant, Lee and Crusader tanks, attaching .30 inch Browning machine gun to the anti-aircraft mounting in the turret. A Lee tank is driven to the wireless section for a radio test. Fitters attach whip aerials to the Lee tank and attempt to communicate with the crew using exterior radio equipment. Prior to delivery to a front line unit, the RAOC fitters use a grease gun to lubricate the tanks moving parts. The maintenance and personal equipment carried in the M3's hull-mounted stowage box is displayed, items include hammers, spanners, grease guns, spare RT cable, mess kits and spare towing shackles. The tanks are put through a final test run before being released to combat units. M3 General Grant and Crusader tanks raise clouds of sand as they drive at speed across a desert proving ground. A late production Valentine tank with external fuel tanks and sand skirts drives at speed past the camera. An RAOC fitter chalks "OK" on a Crusader tank's front glacis plate. The commentary introduces the United State's latest tank, the M4 Sherman and describes it as another "American headache for the Nazi High Command." Sherman M4A3 tanks with cast turrets and welded hulls are transported by railway flatcar to an undisclosed destination. M4 tanks are put through final tests on a proving ground. An M4 bearing the legend "Brown Bomber" on its hull negotiates uneven ground. The proving ground exercise takes the form of a mock tank attack on defensive infantry positions. An M4 destroys a vacant infantry position in a wooden shed by driving through it.
Full description
III. 'MALTA GETS GEORGE CROSS.' Maltese civilians gather in Palace Square as Lord Gort, Governor of Malta makes speech and formally presents the George Cross to the Chief Justice, Sir George Borg. Maltese civilians file past the George cross, which is displayed on a velvet cushion. The commentary states that for the Maltese people, the presentation of the George Cross signified the full recognition of their "Unexampled courage and fortitude." The George Cross and the letter to the people of Malta from King George VI is displayed for the benefit of the camera. The commentary points out that the George Cross is the highest civilian decoration Britain can bestow and states "Nowhere in the world is there a community of people more worthy of the honour than the defenders of Malta, Mediterranean outpost of freedom."
Physical description
35mm