Description
Object description
An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
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I. 'ALBANIA.' Greek pioneers construct a wooden bridge using a pile driver, Greek infantry then cross the bridge and march on to an undisclosed destination. Commentary stresses the hardships of the Albanian campaign over scenes of Greek troops on mules attempting to advance along mud-covered road. Greek infantry dressed in greatcoats enter a shell damaged village and examine abandoned Italian weapons including a Breda Modello 30 6.5mm light machine gun. Assembled Greek soldiers watch Albanian civilians clamber over damaged stone bridge. Greek troops advance through mountainous terrain with blanket backpacks and slung rifles. The Greek "march to the sea" continues.
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II. 'ABYSSINIA.' Haile Selassie (Emperor of Abyssinia) reviews Abyssinian troops, accompanied by two white officers. Abyssinian troops prostrate themselves before the Negus. The Emperor then reviews Abyssinian infantry armed with Enfield Pattern 17 rifles and bayonets. Commentary states "The enemy garrisons of Abyssinia may well tremble in their shoes when they hear that the patriots are coming" over a salute to the colours and a final march past by Abyssinian troops
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III. 'EL ADEM.' Wrecked aerodrome at El Adem, Libya. Interior view of an aircraft hangar with numerous Italian aircraft including Fiat CR 32 and CR 42 biplane fighters in various stages of disassembly. Commentary suggests that the Italian aircraft have been damaged by British bombing.
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IV. 'LIBYA.' View from the sea of fires and damage caused by British shelling in Tobruk. General scenes of destruction to houses and ships. Commentary states "The fires are burning in Tobruk, and their black smoke hangs high in the sky as a beacon to the never ending British advance", as smoke from burning ships obscures views of Tobruk harbour. British troops wander through the town. The advance continues past a signpost for Derna. Bedford trucks towing limbers and covered artillery pieces on the road to Derna. British Infantry take cover from accurate Italian shell-fire. Australian troops enter the deserted outskirts of Derna. Australian troops search for land mines using bayonets. British infantry march down a main street watched by the occupants of Derna. Commentary states "So Derna fell...more bad news for Mussolini".
Physical description
35mm