Summary: 302 (Dutch) Squadron prepare for, and raid, Caen.
Description: Initially the Squadron's North American B-25 Mitchell bombers are seen lined up on a hard-standing. In front of each aircraft are trolleys with 1000lb bombs awaiting loading. Crews, ground and air, stand in front of each aircraft chatting. Following scenes show aircraft being prepared individually. A Mitchell named 'Grumpy' is refuelled as bombs are loaded aboard. A three-quarter view of aircraft 'X' clearly shows the miniature Dutch national insignia carried on the nose of all 320's aircraft. Bombs rest on their trolleys and are shown being winched up in good internal and external close up shots. Trolleys are pulled away from the aircraft in a mid shot of a number of aircraft lined up as before. Aircrew and groundcrew lounge around on the grass chatting. In the next shot mixed personnel cluster round an officer and look at the map he holds. They disperse giving thumbs-up signs and the aircrew board their aircraft in a good shot. The shot is seen again from above, the camera being on the wing. Other crews are seen entering their machines, especially that of 'Grumpy' are identified. In a hazy shot one of the pilots is seen chatting to an RAFFPU cameraman who is next seen entering the Mitchell in close up. He is holding and Eyemo camera. Good shots of pilots and gunners smiling or giving thumbs-up signs whilst in their flight positions are taken. Mitchell 'N' revs its engines, a bomb trolley in the foreground. The camera pans right along the row of aircraft to the end as aircraft leave their positions and taxi past the camera. Some very good take-off sequences, followed by a good shot of a Dutch Navy 2 Lieutenant pilot at the controls, lead into very nice shots of the Mitchells in flight to the target. Included is a Mitchell EV
Production Details: RAF Film Production Unit (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force, Sqdn 320 (regiment/service)
Royal Netherlands Air Force & Sqdn 320 (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, Sqdn 108 (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, United States - combat: North American B-25 J Mitchell & [Dutch] (object name)
operations, Dutch air - preparation: bombing up (object name)
weapons, Allied air - bomb: 1000 pound (object name)
Caen, Calvados, France (geography)
Colombelles, Calvados, France (geography)
GB, England & Dunsfold, Surrey <RAF Station> (geography)
