Summary: The opening titles call the minefield "one of the most important factors in land warfare": the film sets out to show the work involved in launching an attack through mines positions.
Description: Opens with a General stressing the importance of rapid penetration in coming attack... first phase is aerial reconnaissance by Mosquitos (Photographic Unit's mobile laboratory). After analysis of prints by APIU and after suspect areas are plotted on maps, this outline information is filled in by night patrols: a sapper officer gives 'running commentary' as he and his men penetrate booby traps and wire to find position and type of Anti-Tank mines - Debriefing - final briefing (Reel 2) the night of the big attack: infantry go ahead, sappers work in three waves (marking lane, detecting, and neutralising/lifting mines) to clear gap through field, occasional shots of General awaiting news; drama when an unexpected anti-personnel mine goes up. The lane is cleared, green lights are erected along the passage and the attack goes ahead.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Army Film Unit (Production company)
Boulting, Roy1913-11-212001-11-05British film producer-director (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Royal Engineers (regiment/service)
Keywords: intelligence, military, British - briefing (object name)
intelligence, military, British - reconnaissance (object name)
operations, British military - mines: clearance (object name)
operations, British military - sortie (object name)
weapons, German military - mine: anti-personnel (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1292 ft; Running time: 15 mins
