Summary: Naval instructional film describing the Vaagso Raid and the lessons learnt during the operation.
Description: Objectives of the attack. Planning by Combined Operations HQ. Allotted naval forces. Importance of proper preparation: "There can't be too many rehearsals." Commando equipment. Importance of good weather for combined operations. Voyage to Norway. Preliminary naval and air attack. Smokescreen laid by aircraft. Rôle of LCS(M)s. The landings. High rate of fatalities due to German snipers - suggests future precautions. First oil tanks destroyed. Importance of visual signalling to back up W/T. Commitment of British reserves and the end of effective resistance. Luftwaffe activity hinders the ferrying of supplies. Evacuation of casualties. Local population reassured. Withdrawal - embarking troops should be dispersed to avoid casualties. British destroyers sink enemy merchant vessels - but capture neither ships nor confidential papers. Need for "complete ruthlessness" in dealing with German crews. Air support - improved communications between aircraft and the HQ ship would have reduced air losses. Abortive German air attack on departing ships. Lesson of Vaagso - "...cooperation between the three services must be whole-hearted and efficient." Germans reinforce Norwegian garrison, tying down valuable troops. the film ends with a recapitulation of those factors which contributed to the success at Vaagso.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:ADM 162
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1942-01
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Combined Operations Command (Production sponsor)
Gaumont British News (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Commando, 3 (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, CHIDDINGFOLD (HMS), destroyer (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, Kenya (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, Offa (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, HMS ONSLOW, destroyer (1941) (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, Oribi (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Bristol Blenheim (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Bristol Beaufighter (object name)
aircraft, German - combat: Heinkel He 111 (object name)
aircraft, German - combat: Messerschmitt Bf 109 (object name)
combat, British naval - bombardment (object name)
ships, British - cruiser: Kenya (object name)
ships, British - destroyer: Onslow (object name)
ships, British - destroyer: Oribi (object name)
ships, British - destroyer: Offa (object name)
ships, British - destroyer: Chiddingford (object name)
ships, German - : Prince Albert (object name)
ships, German - : Prince Leopold (object name)
ships, German - : Anhalt (object name)
ships, German - : Norma (object name)
weapons, British - gun: Bren (object name)
weapons, British - gun: Lewis (object name)
weapons, British - gun: 12 pounder naval gun (object name)
weapons, British - bomb: 1000 pounder WP bomb (object name)
weapons, British - mortar: 3 inch mortar (object name)
weapons, British - CBW: smokescreen (object name)
weapons, British - smallarm: Thompson sub-machine gun (object name)
weapons, Belgian - gun: 75mm gun (object name)
Vaagso 1941, Commando Raids, Second World War (event)
Norway & Vaagso (geography)
Norway & Maaloy (geography)
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: 4
Footage: 2720 ft; Running time: 30 mins
