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.' An item outlining the changing trends in recreation in wartime Britain making the point that the traditional holiday has been replaced by the occasional week-end break, with workers often electing to stay near home. Two Royal Navy (RN) ratings walk along a deserted stretch of seafront at a traditional South Coast holiday resort (Worthing ?). Footage of busy London streets contrasts with the previous South Coast scenes. The commentary states that Londoners are lucky in having the river on their doorstep which enables them to indulge in many of the pursuits to be found at the seaside. Young Londoners sail small dinghies on the River Thames, others queue for a Thames riverboat at a landing stage. Civilians enjoy a days recreation at a fairground as others watch a cricket match on a village green. Large civilian crowds watch the Inter-Services Cup Final held at Stamford Bridge Football Ground in Fulham (Royal Air Force 2, Army 2). Civilians enjoy a flutter at the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket, Suffolk, despite the fact that betting is officially discouraged in wartime. German aircraft wreckage that has fallen in a village street is guarded by a member of the constabulary. Civilian crowds gathered in Hyde Park watch a march past by the Home Guard on the third anniversary of their formation. The commentary makes the point that in three years the Home Guardsmen have come along way from their bowler hat and sporting gun image.
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II. 'PARATROOPS IN MIDDLE EAST.' The commentary introduces an item on paratroop training in the Middle East, drawing parallels with British Commando training. Bare chested Paratroop trainees listen to an introductory lecture given by a Royal Air Force (RAF) officer. The Paratroop trainees practice landing rolls on cushioned floor matting, later enjoying instruction in unarmed combat given by a burly and enthusiastic physical training instructor. The trainees then jump from a training tower (inertia wheel type) and practice exit procedures from a mock up of an aircraft's hold. An RAF Flight Sergeant demonstrates his skill in folding and packing parachutes. Paratroopers check their equipment as they prepare for their first jump from a C-47 Dakota transport aircraft. Brief internal views show bucket seats in the cargo hold of the C-47 aircraft. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) C-47 Skytrain take off from an undisclosed location with supply canisters mounted on wings racks. Internal views of the C-47 aircraft hold shows tense paratroopers readying themselves for the drop. The paratroopers exit the aircraft using the fuselage side-entry door. Air to air and ground to air footage shows a stick of paratroopers exiting their mother aircraft and floating to earth. On landing, a section of paratroopers move off on patrol from the drop zone armed with Lee-Enfield .303-in Mk III rifles and a Bren light machine gun.
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III. 'SUPPLEMENT: TRIBUTE TO A GREAT LEADER.' A tribute to General Wladyslaw Sikorski following his death in a flying accident (July 4 1943). General Sikorski and Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspect Polish troops based in Britain, and equipped with British kit and weapons. Polish Troops drive past Sikorski and Churchill in soft-skinned vehicles. The commentary states that Sikorski's death will be mourned not only by his countrymen but also by many of the Allied statesmen with whom he came into contact. Stock shot footage shows Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, and Russian Ambassador Ivan M Maisky at the signing of the Anglo-Soviet Pact in the Foreign Office (May 26 1941). General Sikorski is met by R.G Casey (Minister of State Resident in the Middle East) at Heliopolis Airport during a visit to Polish Contingents based in the Middle East theatre. General Sikorski addresses assembled Polish troops somewhere in the Middle East.
Physical description
35mm