Summary: A report on the Government's special effort, initiated in September 1944 after the V-1 attacks, to restore three-quarters of London's million damaged homes to habitable condition by March 1945.
Description: Opening scenes of bomb-damage, homeless families and tube/shelters; appeal for volunteers circulated to Labour Exchanges, other labour is redirected; Empire Pool Wembley used as reception centre; the workers' hostels. Work begins, but is hampered by supply and weather difficulties, and the continuing V-weapon offensive. (V-1 film; "high explosive slum clearance" is noted as a small compensatory advantage). The difficulties are to some extent met by joint progress committees and the efforts of the London Repairs Executive (staged sequences). The rate of work improves ("efficient working of democracy at war"), particularly with better weather; tolerable repairs in large numbers, rather than individual perfectionism is aimed for, and the target is met (though commentary notes size of remaining task). LCC gives County Hall party for the workers: Minister of Works Duncan Sandys makes a speech of thanks.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:COI 111
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1945
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
British Paramount News (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Sandys, Duncan (person)
London Repairs Executive (regiment/service)
Keywords: destruction, British military - aimed: V1 (object name)
reconstruction, British: rebuilding bombed houses (object name)
weapons, German - missile: V1 (object name)
London, England, UK (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1311 ft; Running time: 15 mins
