ACTION OF DIVISIONAL CAVALRY [Main Title]

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  • Title: ACTION OF DIVISIONAL CAVALRY [Main Title]
  • Film Number: WOY 4
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: A British army training film to demonstrate how mounted cavalry would seek out, advance upon and engage an enemy.
  • Description: (Reel 1) The film starts with the squadron of Hussars riding in a column past a wood. The unit receives its orders from a motorcycle dispatch rider. The bike is probably a Douglas. The officers spend some time planning their advance on an enemy located five miles away. The relative positions of the Hussars and the enemy, and the proposed axis of advance, are shown on a diagram and a large model. The enemy is situated on a hill top, commanding a sloping open valley, bisected by field breaks and small woods. An advanced section of cavalry is shown moving up to reconnoitre the enemy positions. The film dwells on the forms of communication used in the field, exclusively hand signals and written communiqués. (Reel 2) Some of the squadron are seen engaging an enemy patrol in a road in the woods. The animated model is used to demonstrate the location of the action. (Reel 3) The advanced patrol deploy in open country, spreading out into small groups of four to five riders. They spy a group of the enemy who have dismounted and are unprepared. The Hussar patrol mount a cavalry charge on the enemy with sabres unsheathed. During the attack the only weapon used is the sabre. The enemy is routed. The film cuts to Lieutenant Hound's section who are also advancing across open ground. Hound's point come under fire from a group of the enemy concealed behind a hedge. The Hussars dismount and fire back at the enemy with rifles and a Lewis gun. The enemy make a stand, rallied by their leader who is depicted heroically but insanely, standing and exhorting his men. He is shot and dies dramatically. (Reel 4) The animated model demonstrates the positions of the Hussars as they move up to attack the main body of the enemy. This is shown in the field with the rest of the squadron split into small widely spread groups of riders. Part of one section is seen riding into a position to outflank the enemy. The enemy are shown dismounted and prone firing at the advancing Hussars. The rest of the forward section dismount and hold the line. They are joined by the rest of the squadron who are galloping up to meet them. Eventually the whole troop takes up position in the line. A Lewis gun is used. Cut to the model showing the two forces positioned opposite each other. The film ends with a sequence showing a fresh squadron of cavalry riding up to mount an attack on the enemy's flank.
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1919-1938
  • Production Date: 1934
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: War Office (Production sponsor) British Army, 4th Queen's Own Hussars (Production company) Armstrong, J E (Production cast) Scott-Cockburn, J (Major) (Production cast) Wijk, OEHC (Lieutenant) (Production cast) Robinson (Corporal) (Production cast)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, 4th Queen's Own Hussars (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: GB (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: English Title language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 4 Footage: 3110 ft; Running time: 54 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Notes: Summary: a sub-title describes the film as being 'designed to show the action of advanced sections and patrols in both open and enclosed country in various situations'. Unit: The Queens Own Hussars were stationed in Aldershot when this film was made (having recently returned from India) and were still using horses. They did not become a mechanised unit until 1936 when they were given light lorries in preparation for the move to tanks, which occurred in November 1937 when they received the Mark VIB light tank. Remarks: This is an extraordinary film, as it must have been an anachronism even in 1934 when the experience of the First World War had demonstrated that mounted cavalry had extremely limited use. Thus the film is valuable because it demonstrates cavalry tactics which had probably been perfected many decades previously. Where else can one see an authentic British cavalry charge ? It is also interesting to see communication in the field which makes no use of the radio. Finally, the film has very high production values and even a number of interesting and amusing references to the war film genre. It is clear that many of the regulars enjoyed their dramatic roles and performed them with gusto.
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    WOY 4

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