THE GERMAN RETREAT TO ST QUENTIN [Main Title]

The British pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, Western Front, March 1917.

I. (Reel 1) Craters left by the Germans in order to hinder pursuit and the flooding from the Omignon River at Caulaincourt. The wrecked sugar factory at Jeancourt. A battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment resting. A mounted patrol coming to a village, possibly 1/1st Surrey Yeomanry at Vermand. Officers inspect the wreckage of an Albatros DIII, no 2234/16, north of St Quentin. (This aircraft was shot down on April 8, 1917 by Lieutenant A de Laage de Meux in his Nieuport Scout of Esc N124; the pilot, Lieutenant d R Roaland Nauck of Jasta 6, was killed and 2234 was given the British "capture number" G21). Scenes of wreckage and German prisoners being gathered. (Reel 2) A cyclist and mounted patrol at Roisel. A detachment of pontoon wagons moves out of Etreillers.

II. The film is broken here by events on 15 May. King Albert of Belgium and Prince Alexander of Teck visit Fourth Army headquarters at Villers Carbonnel. A day later, with Generals Sir Henry Rawlinson and Sir Hubert Gough, they visit Pozières and Mouquet Farm, and inspect an Australian guard of honour led by Lieutenant-General Sir William Birdwood. On 15 May the King and the Prince inspect 2nd Guards Brigade at Curlu, and are met by its corps commander, Lieutenant-General the Earl of Cavan.

III. The film continues again with patrols of British and Indian Cavalry of 4th Cavalry Division entering another village, possibly Vraignes. The Cavalry patrols bring in German prisoners. (Reel 3) More soldiers, including a Highland Light Infantry battalion, are ordered forward. Men of the Leicestershire Regiment hold a trench. A comic acted sequence of British soldiers holding a position wearing gasmasks. The men play cards, and two officers discover that they cannot smoke in the masks. British and French soldiers rest in the fortified quarry at Le Verguier. A battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment holds a trench near Saint Quentin. The film ends with troops in silhouette marching along a road near Arras.

35mm