Title:FRANCE ACTUALITES GAUMONT JOURNAL NO 20 [Main Title]
Film Number:COI 1094
Other titles:
Summary: I. French forces respond to German invasion of Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg.
II. Germans bomb French territory on 9 and 10 May 1940.
III. French frontier patrol and religious field services.
IV. General Georges sees British Army heavy artillery and anti-aircraft guns with General Gort in France.
V. President Raczkiewicz and General Sikorski attend Polish Army celebration in France prior to marchpast.
VI. Royal Navy aircraft carrier and destroyer escort (H93 - HMS Hereward) for convoy to Norway come under German air attack in North Sea. Fairey Swordfish take off and land as ack-ack fires and bombs explode in sea near carrier.
Description: I. French answer appeal of invaded neutrals on 10 May by despatching armour and mounted forces to Flemish and Walloon areas of Belgium. Hotchkiss H-39 tanks and motorised artillery drawn by Somua MCG5 (one reassuringly marked "Nous reviendrons") and Laffly S-15T tractors pass through towns and country, watched by Belgian bystanders and followed by Renault UE supply carriers with trailers. Called-up Belgian men set off to join their units, as do Belgians departing by train from Gare du Nord in Paris for Brussels. Other Belgians, mainly in family groups with women, children and elderly, leave country by train, car, farm cart and on foot, passing French customs post for France, "eternal refuge of the oppressed". Across border and customs point of undefended Luxembourg, a French military truck with Red Cross marking and a H-39 tank pass through town. Damaged church in unidentified location shows effect of German air attacks against open towns.
II. Results of German attacks on peaceful targets are damaged housing and wounded civilians (148 dead not shown). Exterior of school shelter. Clearing up rubble from gutted houses. Wreckage of German bomber in field is one of 44 enemy planes reportedly shot down.
III. Supplies and ammunition are delivered to front line by mule and Renault UE supply carrier, which automatically detaches loaded trailer. Soldiers stow hand grenades prior to setting out on patrol through wood and across wire defences. Freedom of religion in French forces is manifest by Protestant and Catholic services held in field by celebrant soldiers.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:No
Object_Number:COI 1094
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1940-05
Production Country: France
Production Details: Gaumont (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: French
Title language: French
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 967 ft; Running time: 10 mins
