WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 15 [Main Title]

An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.

I. 'BRITAIN IS READY.' British Prime Minister Winston Churchill watches army exercises. A convoy of troop carrying trucks drives along an isolated road towards the intended area of the exercise. Infantry then climb out of the trucks and set up Vickers .303-in heavy machine guns and fire. The action is repeated as the machine gun squads practice fire and manoeuvre techniques over rough ground.

II. 'GENERAL DE GAULLE IN CAIRO.' General Charles De Gaulle (Leader of the Free French) arrives in Cairo by flying boat. The aircraft lands and De Gaulle's party is transferred to shore by a British Airways cutter. De Gaulle is met by General Catroux (CinC Free French Middle East) General Wavell (CinC Middle East) and Air Chief Marshal Longmore (AOC-in-C Middle East).

III. 'GIAIRABUB SURRENDERS. [sic ?]' Commentary describes Giarabub as the most remote outpost of the Italian North African Empire. Italian Colonial troops surrender to British forces after their supply lines were cut. Italian Colonial troops are then marched into captivity. Commentary points out that Giarabub was not attacked by the RAF as it held an important Senussi religious shrine within its walls. Civilians cheer as Egyptian infantry take control of main buildings. The Item ends with views of the Senussi shrine under guard.

IV. 'CAPTURE OF KEREN.' Views of the mountainous region around the "natural fortress" of Keren. The bodies of Italian infantry lie on the dusty ground as Indian troops transport wounded by stretcher. Commentary stresses the stubborn nature of the Italian resistance around Keren over scenes of captured Italian Alpini troops being issued water rations. Commonwealth troops use a truck to tow railway carriages loaded with supplies. Cut to an RAF two-seater biplane (Vickers Vincent ?) dropping communication pouches. Dug-in British field guns shell Italian positions on a mountain ridge. A loud speaker system is set up, and a message is transmitted encouraging the Italian defenders to surrender. "Eritrean levies" surrender and are marched to waiting trucks under escort. The advance continues as a British Ford station wagon finds difficulty in passing over soft ground. British soft-skinned vehicles drive rapidly along an Italian shelled road. Cut to wrecked British trucks at the foot of a ravine. Commonwealth troops march through the gates of Keren. Closing shots of an undamaged hospital and church.

35mm