WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 19 [Main Title]

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

I. 'TOBRUK.' British garrison during sandstorm. British Army tents are only just visible during a fierce sandstorm. British troops run to Marmon-Herrington armoured cars at the start of a desert patrol. Commentary explains that desert warfare is similar in many respects to naval warfare over scenes of the British patrol sighting and exchanging fire with a German armoured column (unseen). Cut to a burning German Pz.Kpfw II light tank in the desert. British infantry manhandle a tank drive sprocket past an abandoned German Pz.Kpfw III tank. German and Italian prisoners are searched by British infantry and are then marched into captivity within a barbed wire enclosure. Individual German soldiers receive water and food rations. A German work party carrying picks and shovels marches out of the enclosure. Sullen German prisoners stare at the camera from behind barbed wire. "Life as usual" in Tobruk, as Australian troops occupy themselves with metal working in a forge, cooking and changing vehicle tyres. An Australian soldier washes himself in an outdoor zinc bath when enemy aircraft are spotted, the soldier wisely takes cover under his bath water. Cut to a wrecked German Junkers Ju 87 dive-bomber billowing smoke that has apparently been shot down by the Australian defenders of Tobruk. Helmeted Australian troops at work in Tobruk local newspaper offices as the editor prepares a last minute item for the "Tobruk Truth" newspaper.

II. 'ADDIS ABEBA. [sic]' Views of the main street of the town of Diradawa and the wrecked railway station and train workshops. Cut to Addis Ababa aerodrome as British troops watch an Italian Savoia-Marchetti SM 79 bomber on finals, prior to landing. The Italian aircraft carries an envoy from the Duke of Aosta who attempts to negotiate for the safety of the civilian population of Addis Ababa.

The Italian envoy is met by British officers, and guards are placed around the aircraft. South African sappers work on damaged bridges as the Commonwealth advance to the capital continues. A pontoon bridge is constructed across the river at Awash which is then crossed by British soft-skinned vehicles. Cut to Addis Ababa aerodrome and a burnt-out Italian Savoia-Marchetti SM 79 bomber. Commentary points out that the aerodrome was frequently visited by the RAF and the South African Air Force (SAAF) over views of an Italian Fiat CR 42 fighter blown onto its nose by the apparent effect of bomb blast. South African infantry inspect the burnt-out skeleton of a Savoia-Marchetti SM 79 bomber. A kilted British pipe band marches past an Italian road sign for "Addis Abeba" and enters the outskirts of the city (5th April 1941). Italian motorcycle police escort a British military delegation to the Viceroy's palace. The Italian flag is hauled down, and Sir Alan Cunningham (?) (British C-in-C East Africa) reads the official Italian proclamation of surrender to Abyssinian chiefs. The Abyssinian flag is raised as assembled crowds cheer. Mounted Abyssinian troops and Marmon-Herrington armoured cars lead the procession that brings the Negus, Haile Selassie, back to his capital (5th May 1941). The waiting crowds prostrate themselves as their Emperor passes. The Negus meets Sir Alan Cunningham (British C-in-C East Africa) and makes a speech to the waiting crowds. Item closes with the Negus seated at his desk wearing a pith helmet.

35mm