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. RĂ´le 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