Summary: The work of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Description: Film sets scene with shots of heavy army traffic movement in Africa, and extracts from other MOI film about manufacture, stressing complexity and relative fragility of machines - REME founded to follow and maintain machinery. Various aspects of REME work are featured in Africa - mainly work on 5.5" guns. Sherman, Crusader (and some Churchill) tanks. Supervising unloading and assembly (of jeep ?) on quayside - transport - final fitting. "Real test begins after battle": setting out to recover overturned tank, ditched gun etc. Advanced workshop for simple repairs, Brigade workshop for heavier jobs and more specialist work (watchmaking, binoculars, welding, blacksmith). Film ends with sequence on Army's preparations for "an urgent appointment somewhere in Europe" and "REME's on the job" of seeing the appointment is kept.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Army Film Unit (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (regiment/service)
Keywords: armour, British - tank: Churchill (object name)
armour, British - tank: Crusader (object name)
armour, United States - tank: M4 Sherman & [British] (object name)
operations, British military - maintenance (object name)
operations, British military - preparation: assembly of equipment (object name)
weapons, British - gun: 5.5-inch (object name)
North Africa (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: 1
Footage: 680 ft; Running time: 8 mins
