Description
Object description
Second World War British newsreel trailer instructing the public as to how to deal with incendiary bombs.
Full description
The film opens with a close-up of an incendiary bomb with the commentary explaining that it "takes fire on impact and may burn for 15 minutes and may ignite anything in its vicinity". A member of the AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service) demonstrates how to use a stirrup hand pump, operating the stirrup pump in a bucket of water and showing how to adjust the hose nozzle (jet for tackling the fire and spray for tackling the bomb itself). For the jet, the stirrup pump should be to be pumped at 65 double stokes a minute and for the spray the stirrup pump should be pumped at 35 double strokes per minute. Two AFS members demonstrate the correct use of the hose with commentary reminding the viewers to "keep low" where there is "less heat and smoke". The film then cuts to interior shots of the Brown family's suburban home. Mr Brown hears an aircraft overhead and then an incendiary drops through the slate roof into a bedroom. Mr Brown runs up the stairs to check the damage and sends his son next door to the Smith's for the stirrup pump that they share. Miss Smith arrives. The commentary notes that she had received training from the local authority. Whilst Mr Brown operates the pump in the bucket of water, Miss Smith tackles the fire, keeping low to avoid the smoke and heat. Meanwhile Mr Brown's son has run to call the Fire Brigade and a fire engine drives out of the fire station (engine marked "Barnes AFS"). The fire in the bedroom is swiftly extinguished by Miss Smith using the jet and spray. The commentary continues "three or four families can club together to share the cost of the pump and can apply to the local authority for training". Miss Smith leaves the house after completely extinguishing the fire. Mr Brown waves at the now not needed Barnes AFS crew. The commentary concludes "By being thus equipped to deal with the emergency these people have saved their houses and perhaps their lives. You can do the same, it is up to you".
Physical description
35mm