Description
Object description
Soviet newsreel containing five items.
Content description
I."NEWSREEL REPORT FROM THE FRONT OF THE FATHERLAND WAR. WESTERN SECTOR" Scenes of Russian heavy artillery camouflaged by hay and soldiers on duty. The commentary states, "In the region of the advance line on the front, the staff of one of the forward units of the Red Army has been ordered to clear Hitlerite bandits from the area of 'R'. A prolonged artillery offensive begins." Scenes of heavy artillery in action. Russian infantry soldiers run forward with fixed bayonets attached to their rifles. "The glorious troops advance, a forward group from the unit approaches the enemy. The results are what was required. The settlement is taken. The enemy retreat leaving trophies in the fields." Scenes of Russian soldiers examining capturing German equipment, mortar bombs, machine guns and a half-track vehicle with the registration plate WH 13903. A small number of German prisoners are searched.
II."COMMUNIST FIGHTERS OF THE NORTH WESTERN SECTOR" The commentary states, "the soldiers, the officers and the political officers of this very small military unit are holding a meeting, because today on hill 'N' there died candidate member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Comrade Makarishian Romassnov. A fascist bullet passed through the middle of the papers carried by this heroic soldier. He sacrificed his life for the correct ideals, for Soviet soil." Scenes of an officer addressing troops, Party membership card with bloodstains and a bullet hole. Cut to a grave in deep foliage. "Communists and Komsomol's are doing a lot for the Motherland. The high calling of a Communist has been fulfilled in battle by Lieutenant Ivan (?)" Scenes of Party cards being handed out to soldiers whilst manning their posts. Soldier embraces another as he hands him a Party card.
III."KOMSOMOL TRANSPORT COLUMN" Scenes of youths carrying spades and other equipment, march away from a camp through woodland. Cut to railway track laying sequence, trains pass over the rails. The commentary states, "This transport column which provides help is made up of travelling Komsomol members from the town of Gorkii. These young patriots have quickly grown skilful in their new tasks, and are here seen in the process of building a new railway line. Many of them are highly qualified and have left highly skilled occupations behind them. This work was completed in two days, and this particular column is working to the full in the defence of the country.
IV."THE BEST HORSES OF THE RED CAVALRY" Scenes of horses on a stud farm, tended to by soldiers. The commentary states, "Greys and chestnuts. These horse are bred in Soviet Kazakhstan. Much labour and care goes into the work in the horse breeding Kolkhoz, producing fine animals to supply to the Red Army. On these horses, the Red Calvary go bravely into the attack against the foe."
V."PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM FIRE" Scenes of a small wooden hut burning. Other wooden huts are painted with a mixture made from the contents of a small packet and water. A small incendiary bomb is then placed inside a hut and ignited. The hut is shown to be fireproof. An army officer looks on. The commentary states, "Unprotected houses easily catch fire and quickly burn down. This fire protecting material can be applied: just mix it with water and apply a covering layer a few millimetres thick. Into this hut, now protected against fire, an incendiary bomb is placed. The bomb burns out, but the hut was scarcely harmed. Protect your home by applying a protective covering."