HMS NUBIAN OFF SALERNO [Allocated Title]

Cameraship HMS Nubian forms part of the support group for the Northern Attack Force at Salerno.

LS from Nubian to shoreline and town of Salerno. The cameraship moves among anchored merchantmen offloading into LCTs. LS to the beach where a LCT is drying out - a column of DUKWs make out into the bay. HA into a US LCP(R) which has come alongside to transfer a party of newly liberated British POWs carrying cases and bags. Smoke screens are laid among the LSTs in the bay. A LST approaches the beach trailing smoke from a quarterdeck generator. Local rowing boats approach Nubian carrying other ex-POWs to be taken onboard. The destroyer gets underway with its passengers - also onboard is the American officer from the LCP(R) who chats with his British colleagues. The ex-POWs relax, talking with the crew, smoking and reading newspapers - one of them notices the cameraman and points him out to a companion. Film then reverts to LS pan over the landing site where LSTs and LCI(L)s are unloading. Vehicles and men move inland from the beach. LST 388 runs in to lie in the shallows at an angle to the beach, DUKWs grouped around the vehicle ramp - two smoke floats near her port bow produce a screen which blows inshore to cover the landing, and a third canister begins to burn on the LST's quarterdeck. MS off the starboard beam of a LST underway with a kite balloon. MS silhouette of HMS Orion. Passing shot as Nubian overhauls LST 167, vehicle deck crowded with motor transport. LS to the coast - LSTs lie offshore and a LCG(L) (3) lays smoke. LS to a LST as it turns, almost obscured in its own screen. Sequence of shots showing the support forces - HMS Loyal (G.15) lies near a Hunt Type I escort (probably HMS Quantock). More smoke is laid down as shells fall among the assembled shipping - a LCG(L) (3) stands out against a white screen. HMS Blankney (L.30) lies stern to camera, Salerno town in the background. MS silhouette of HMS Tartar lying hove to with a Hunt in the background, and pan right over LSTs massed in the bay to the monitor HMS Roberts. Sequence showing HMS Mauritius escorting fast troop convoy - among the transports are a Princess Beatrix Class LSI(M) and a Royal Scotsman Class LSI(H). MS of an Algerine Class minesweeper, seen in silhouette in low sun. HA.MS as LCI(L) 211 passes cameraship. LS of two distant explosions in the anchorage (bombs or depth charges ?). Miscellaneous shots of LSTs and LCI(L)s, ending with MLS broad on the starboard bow of LCI(L) 269.

35mm