INVASION OF SICILY [Allocated Title]

Fast troop convoy to Sicily and the landings south-west of Syracuse covered by Support Force East. Cameraship may be the LSI Duchess of Bedford.

I. Fast troop convoy at sea. XLS of distant aircraft formations. Various views of other ships in the convoy including Marnix Van St Aldegonde, two LST(1)s and a Glen Class LSI. The Glen Class LSI has difficulty controlling the kite balloon it is towing - the balloon dips down, striking the water, and gyrates wildly in the air. LS of HMS Puckeridge (L.108). LS over sea in low sunlight to distant convoy ships and pan over silhouetted HMS Delhi to a neighbouring LSI, probably Circassia. Circassia signals - the sea has increased and in the background a LCI(L) is making heavy weather of it - also present is a three masted cargo ship, possibly Phrontis or her sister Alcinous - camera pans round to shoot aft down port side of the camera ship, showing Oerlikon and 2-pounder AA positions. Further shots of small craft in heavy sea - a HDML pitches violently and is smothered in flying spray - an escorting Brooklyn Class cruiser appears in the background. Pan over convoy from a distant cruiser (probably Orion) to neighbouring LSI Circassia, which is still signalling. Brief sequence showing flares at night.

II. The landing. LCI(L)s and LCAs head inshore at dawn - smoke screens obscure part of the coast. The sun rises. MS of LCAs racing towards the shore, passing a LCM(3). A LCI(L) passes left to right in front of a LSI of the Union Castle line and the Circassia to pass astern of a Glen Class LSI which lies bows-on to camera, lowering boats - in the foreground are HDML 1301 and a LCM(3), while in the background a destroyer is laying a screen. LS off port beam of the Glen Class LSI and pan right to Circassia signalling through the thickening smoke screen. HA as LCA DB.20 makes away from the cameraship (Duchess of Bedford ?). The cameraman goes ashore in a DUKW.

III. The beach. View of landing craft from the beach - LCI(L)s, a beached LCP(S), DUKWs, a LCA and a LCM(1). Heavily laden soldiers wade ashore from nearby LCM(1) - one has a canvas bag tied to the fore-end of his rifle which he holds across his chest. Equipment is pushed ashore. LS to a small explosion among the invasion craft. CUs of soldiers coming ashore, one carrying a Bren gun - they pose smiling, until dismissed by the cameraman. LS over the invasion beach - men wade through the shallows from LCAs while LCI(L)s and a LCT stand further out - up the beach is a cluster of LCMs. Men assemble behind the rather perfunctory barbed wire defences at the top of the beach and begin to move inland. RN beachmaster issues orders through a megaphone. Two crowded DUKWs run ashore and onto the beach by the cameraman where they disembark troops - one wears a Red Cross armband.

35mm