MARITIME ANTI-AIRCRAFT (ROYAL ARTILLERY) BOFORS AND ROCKET GUNS; ALLIED CONFERENCE, ALGIERS CONVOY AND BRIDGE CONTROL WATCH; ANTI-AIRCRAFT BARRAGE AT NIGHT, EMBARKING INTO ALGIERS; ALCS LOADING AND DEPARTING FROM TROOPSHIPS; AERIAL ATTACKS ON THE TROOPSHIP DEMPO; THE DEMPO ARRIVES AT ALGIERS DOCKS [Allocated Title]

Events during Operation Torch, the Battle of Algiers, filmed from the troopship «Dempo».

28 October. Bofors gun firing. Three rounds are loaded into the gun. Rocket gun firing two rockets against the sky. An air sentry, a member of the Anti-Aircraft personnel of the Maritime Royal Artillery, searches the skies and gives an alarm. Ammunition is handed to the loader. The crew swing the gun to aim. The order to fire is given by the loader. The crew receive an alarm from the air sentry and pass the message to the bridge by telephone.

6 November. Allied commanders have a conference in the bar of the «Dempo» to discuss details of the forthcoming assault landings on Algeria. They are Captain F P K Burnett, Royal Artillery; Group Captain G H Appleton, RAF; Commander R I Honey, Royal Navy and Captain M K Ratteree (USA Army). The convoy spreads out over a wider area after leaving Gibraltar. A DEMS (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships) rating.

7 November. Anti-aircraft barrage from the escorted guns of the fleet and convoy. Technical troops made up of the Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery Signals, the RAF and Field Security climbing down the scrambling nets into the waiting landing craft.

8 November. Troops leaving «Dempo» and other troopships east of Algiers to board amphibious landing craft and arrive on shore. Landing craft ferrying troops.

9 to 11 November. Enemy bombing attacks on the «Dempo» and the American troopship the «Leedstown» filmed by Sergeant Wilson from on board the «Dempo» (the «Leedstown» was torpedoed and sunk). Anti-aircraft barrage in response. A bomber coming down in flames. A corvette in the bay.

11 November. Shots taken from the «Dempo» as it makes its way into Algiers harbour. Part of the town is visible in the background. American and British troops on the ship throw English coins to laughing local children at the dock as the ship pulls in.

35mm