Description
Object description
An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
Full description
I. 'BRITAIN MIGHTIER YET.' A demonstration of Britain's "military muscle". Tank units exercise in the British countryside. Mixed formations of Matilda Mk 2, A9 Cruisers and Mk 6 light tanks on range firing exercises. Line astern tank battle formations move over rough and muddy terrain. Cut to 12-in railway howitzers (Mk 3, Mk 5) loading and firing. A Vickers 3.7-in anti-aircraft gun in concrete emplacement. Commentary states that the "open season" on "Nazi birds of prey" has been particularly successful. An RAF low-loader truck brings German Junkers Ju 88 aircraft wing to a scrapyard. General views of aircraft scrap. A line of German Dornier Do 17Z cockpit sections. Messerschmitt Bf 109E fuselage section with "All good Germans are dead Germans" chalked on its side. A German Junkers Ju 88 bomber with the Edelweiss Squadron insignia of KG 51 and dismantled engines is displayed. Cut to an aircraft hangar with an intact German Heinkel He 111 bomber with RAF assessors on board.
Full description
II. 'NEW GOVERNOR OF CYRENAICA.' British General Sir Henry Wilson chats with local dignitaries before setting out on a tour of his new area of responsibility. The Governor's party leave in a Ford Sedan and a Station Wagon on the first stage of the tour. Inspection of Camel Corps. Views of Benghazi harbour with partially sunken ships. Abandoned Italian field pieces including 75mm 75/27 modello 06 and 75/32 modello 37. Scores of Italian 13/40 medium tanks. The cockerel feathers of an Italian Bersaglieri soldier lie discarded in the dust. The desert graves of three British soldiers. "A victory for which men died that freedom may live".
Full description
III. 'MR ANTHONY EDEN VISITS TURKEY.' Mr Eden (British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) and Sir John Dill (Chief of the Imperial General Staff) are met at airport by Knatchbull-Hugessen, British ambassador to Turkey, and by Turkish officials. Train journey and arrival in Ankara. The official party gets a warm welcome from Turkish civilians who line the streets. Eden lays a wreath at the tomb of Kemal Ataturk followed by an official photograph session.
Full description
IV. 'ERITREA.' Views of wild Eritrean scrubland. British QF 25-pounder Howitzers in action. A Universal Carrier stops abruptly and troops run for cover. Commonwealth troops in Pith helmets form skirmish lines in the scrub. Commentary explains that the enemy strong points of Agordat and Kelmet have fallen to the British advance and that the key town of Keren lies within reach. Ruined houses, abandoned huts and destroyed vehicles.
Full description
V. 'WENDELL WILKIE (sic) VISITS ENGLAND.' Willkie (Republican candidate at the 1940 US Presidential election) arrives at an airport on a DC3 aircraft of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and speaks briefly on theme of "I'm glad to be in England". Commentary describes Willkie as "A dynamic and popular opponent of Roosevelt in the last election". Willkie (live) describes his visit as a fact finding mission. A visit to the Ministry of Information, followed by a Press Conference ; Willkie (live) explains he wishes to see British aircraft production. Willkie then meets Ernest Bevin at Ministry of Labour and expresses the admiration of "all classes of American people" for Bevin. Meeting with Churchill at Downing Street.
Physical description
35mm
