Summary: An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
Description: I. 'THE FUNERAL OF GENERAL METAXAS.' Formal parade and guard of honour. The reception of visiting dignitaries followed by the arrival of the widow and family of the deceased. Greek civilians wait in line to pay their respects. Commentary outlines the importance of General Metaxas as a General and as a statesman. Views of the General's body in an open coffin lying in state. The coffin, draped with the Greek flag is placed on a ceremonial gun carriage with limber. Civilian grief at the solemn funeral procession.
II. 'BENGHAZI.' Aerial view of Benghazi. Australian troops wearing slouch hats march into town. View of "Municipio" (Italian Town Hall) and "Proclamation of British Military Government". Posters announce the introduction of British administration. A Union Jack is hoisted as Benghazi locals watch. General shots of the town, including an Italian run cinema. Views of the ruined harbour and deserted streets.
III. 'ERITREA.' British Morris 6x4 tractors with limbers drive along dusty and potholed road. Film camera passes a signpost for "Barentu km36". Damaged Italian Fiat trucks lie abandoned at roadside. Italian corpses. British infantry give water to wounded Italians on stretchers. Indian troops advance along road (5th Indian Division ?). Italian prisoners. A Corporal of the Italian Colonial Army is questioned by an officer of Commonwealth forces. Signposts for Agordat and Cheren. A British radio operator works in an isolated mobile communications centre. Indian infantry armed with Bren guns and Lee-Enfield rifles march into a village followed by dusty Karrier 4x4 tractors towing field guns. Smiling Sikh infantryman stands guard over a telegraph office. Interior view of the telegraph office showing abandoned Italian equipment apparently left in working order. A formal photograph of Mussolini in civilian dress hangs on the wall.
Production Details: Ministry of Information, Middle East (Production sponsor)
War Pictorial News (Production company)
Martin, Charles (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Metaxas, Joannis (person)
Keywords: ceremonies, Greek civilian - event-related: funeral (object name)
administration, British - military (object name)
operations, British military - movement: road (object name)
casualties, Italian dead (object name)
casualties, Italian wounded (object name)
Libya & Benghazi (geography)
Ethiopia & Eritrea (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: French
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 620 ft; Running time: 7 mins
