PEGASUS - THE STORY OF AIRBORNE FORCES [Main Title]

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  • Title: PEGASUS - THE STORY OF AIRBORNE FORCES [Main Title]
  • Film Number: COI 262
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: The history, training and equipment of British parachute and glider troops.
  • Description: A pre-title introduction recalls the myth of Bellerophon and the ancient military dream of flying behind enemy defences. The birth of Britain's paratroops is traced back to June 1940 (Churchill's memo to Ismay). Accompanied first by shots of training, then of preparation for action and an airborne operation (supposedly the Rhine crossing), the commentary lists the various uses to which airborne troops can be put. Coming up to date, the training of glider pilots and parachute troops is depicted in some detail; Regulars are seen in camp in Germany, but audience is reminded of trained paras in Territorial branches (demolition exercises). A survey of current equipment and techniques; Valletta transport; gliders ('modified' Horsa, Hadrian and Hamilcar) and new non-landing glider pick-up technique; equipment for supply drops, especially heavy matériel (8-chute 'Paratechnicon' container); twin-door Hastings troop-carrier. Closes with a conventional tribute to importance of the individual soldier.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: COI 262
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Film: IWM
  • Featured Period: 1945-1989
  • Production Date: 1950-1950
  • Production Country:GB
  • Production Details:Verity (Production company) Army Kinema Corporation (Production company) Clarkson, Stephen (Production individual) Jackman, A F (Production individual) Wintle, Julian (Production individual) Rich, T L (Production individual) Busby, Geoffrey (Production individual) Clarkson, Stephen (Production individual) Lestocq-Wooldridge, E (Production individual) Wiles, John (Production individual) Ashfield, Ken (Production individual) Clarkson, Laurence (Production individual) Emanuel, Ronald (Production individual) Sumner, Geoffrey (Production cast) Guyler, Deryck (Production cast)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics:Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: English
  • Technical Details:Footage: 2848 ft; Running time: 32 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    COI 262

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
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