Description
Object description
A record of the on-going mobilisation of troops to support the Allied invasion of Europe. The sequence follows a continuous flow of troops arriving into train stations on the South coast of England and boarding vessels bound for the European theatre of war. The second half features wounded men being returned by hospital ships.
Content description
(9 June 1944) British Army troops disembark from a troop train at Newhaven Station, the South coast of England. The troops, approximately thirty, fill the platform and are fully equipped for overseas duty. Once transferred over to Newhaven Harbour, they load aboard a Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) vessels. The decks of the vessel are crowded with troops, many of whom appear to be in confident mood, displaying a "FIRST STOP BIRLIN" sign. Troops continue to flow aboard, some stop to acknowledge the camera whilst crossing the gangplank. The scene cuts to shots of British troops marching along the quayside, followed by a Landing Ship Infantry (LSI) vessel (the SS BIARRITZ?), leaving the harbour. The SS ISLE OF GUERNSEY is also shown leaving, with Landing Craft Assault (LCA) vessels suspended from its davits. Additional shots feature; troops board Landing Craft Infantry (Large) (LCIL) vessels, and the SS WORTHING. SH332-334
Content description
(12-24 June 1944) Wounded troops evacuated from the European theatre of war, are being unloaded from the LADY OF CONNAUGHT Hospital Ship at Southampton Docks. A mixture of British and American service personnel are gathered around the dockside. Black American service personnel carry stretchers towards a long line of American ½-ton Dodge ambulances. Followed by a black American GI aboard one of the Hospital ships, with his right arm in a sling, smoking a cigarette. The sequence then cuts to the ISLE OF JERSEY Hospital Ship in dock. Followed by the ST JULIEN and the DINARD Hospital Ships in the dry dock being repaired for mine damage, some Landing Craft Tank (LCT) vessels are also in dry dock for repairs. Various military vehicles line the roads outside the docks, including lines of American (Willys) Jeeps queued outside the pillared Southern Railway Docks gates. Truckloads of American service personnel are being transported through the local area, passing two large propaganda posters ("Salute the soldier" and "You can't be too careful") displayed on billboards. An American tractor is loaded aboard a vessel via a loading ramp into the hull. More wounded service personnel being unloaded from a hospital ship, some are slid across a ramp through a side door, whilst others are lifted off by on-board cranes. The sequence continues with the wounded being loaded onto ambulance trains (Technical: underexposes in parts). American troops board dockside vessels, and black service personnel load boxes into freight railway wagons using a fork-lift truck. (6 min 18 Sec) SH335-338
Physical description
35mm