WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 16 [Main Title]

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  • Title: WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 16 [Main Title]
  • Film Number: WPN 16
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
  • Description: I. 'GENERAL DE GAULLE ENTERTAINED AT BRITISH EMBASSY, CAIRO. General Charles de Gaulle (C-in-C Free French) is entertained by Sir Miles (British Ambassador) and Lady Lampson at a garden party in the grounds of the British Embassy in Cairo. General de Gaulle is introduced to the Egyptian Premier, Hussein Sirry Pasha. Cut to a British military band in pith helmets playing for the benefit of the distinguished guests, as camera pans across the verdant maturity of the landscaped gardens. General de Gaulle chats informally to the Egyptian Premier over tea and scones. II. 'MALTA'S AIR DEFENCE.' Aerial views of Valletta. Commentary points out that Malta may be small in size but it is strong in spirit. Views of Valletta's streets with Maltese civilians going about their daily business. Cut to Maltese civilians pointing to a sky that is rapidly filling with anti-aircraft flak explosions. Commentary states that enemy aircraft are overhead, as civilians make for the cover of air raid shelters in an orderly fashion. Junkers Ju 87 dive bomber (Italian markings ?) overflies rooftops pursued by anti-aircraft flak bursts. Bombs explode as British anti-aircraft emplacements fire on (unseen by viewer) enemy aircraft. Commentary declares "the Maltese people stand undaunted and unshaken. Bravo Malta!" over scenes of Maltese civilians emerging from air raid shelters as the all clear sounds. III. 'CAPE MATAPAN.' British Mediterranean Fleet prepares for "greatest naval engagement fought in this war". Royal Navy sailors receive ammunition for naval gun by hoist, which are then stowed in the hold. Commentary explains the naval strategy behind the victory at Matapan over views of a smiling Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham (C-in-C Mediterranean fleet). Elements of the British Mediterranean fleet at sea, including HMS Barham. Commentary describes Italian losses, but there is no battle footage. Shots of "blackened gun muzzles" that are the only signs of action on the British ships. Italian naval personnel, identified by the commentary as being survivors of the Matapan engagement, are marched into British captivity. IV. 'REINFORCEMENT FOR GREECE.' British troops board ships bound for Greece as part of Churchill's "aid-to-Greece" programme. British and Commonwealth infantry congregate on a dockside prior to embarkation. Various shots of British troops on deck as merchant vessels put to sea. British Royal Tank Regiment soldiers collect life vests from sailor on the deck of a Royal Navy ship. Lookouts on the bridge of the vessel spot aircraft and the 4.7-inch anti-aircraft, and pom-pom guns swing skywards. The alarm is called off as British Fleet Air Arm Fairey Fulmar fighters fly overhead. The convoy reaches its destination and the troops disembark. A crowd of British soldiers and sailors congregate on a quayside watched by Greek dockers. Cut to a British heavy tractor towing a limber and heavy field gun as it leaves the dock area and heads for its destination in the interior. The crew give a "thumbs up" as they drive past the camera. British soft-skinned vehicles reportedly carrying British, Australian and Palestinian troops, pass through Greek streets lined with locals. British infantry march along an isolated country road and are overtaken by British soft-skinned vehicles and Bren gun carriers. V. 'FALL OF ASMARA.' The last stage in the battle for Italy's southern Empire; the capture of the Eritrean capital, Asmara. Royal Engineers and Indian troops remove earth and rock using picks, shovels and pneumatic drills from a large Italian roadblock on the road to Asmara. The advance continues as British soft-skinned vehicles pass abandoned Italian artillery shells and boxes of provisions. British Bren gun carriers pass a road sign for "Ad Teclesan" followed by supporting Indian infantry. Cut to Italian envoys bringing news of the Italian capitulation to the British line. Italian colonial troops lining the road to Asmara wave white rags at the advancing British and Commonwealth forces in an attempt to surrender. Camera passes road sign for "Asmara". The British advance is halted as an Italian delegation from Asmara arrives to discuss surrender terms. Members of the delegation include : the Secretary General to the Governor of Asmara, the Chief of Police and the Bishop of Asmara. An Italian flag flies next to the white flag of surrender. The Italian delegation and British officers use an abandoned coach as an improvised conference room. The British convoy advances past abandoned Italian Molotov cocktails and food supplies. Cut to Asmara aerodrome as commentary points out that it has been visited often by aircraft of the RAF and SAAF. A partly burnt-out Italian Savoia-Marchetti SM 79 bomber is parked at one end of the deserted aerodrome. Interior views of a bomb damaged aircraft hangar with large holes in its roof. The final capitulation of Asmara ; British motorised infantry sweep into Asmara past an Italian Guard of Honour. Views of Government house and its gardens, as commentary points out that it was one of Italy's show places of which they were so proud. British infantry arrive to liberate the prisoner of war camp at Adi Ugri. Unshaven British prisoners celebrate their new-found freedom. A Union Jack is hoisted over the prison compound.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: WPN 16
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Film: IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1941-04-21-1941-04-21
  • Production Country:GB
  • Production Details:Ministry of Information, Middle East (Production sponsor) War Pictorial News (Production company) Martin, Charles (Production individual) Keating, Rex (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:Gaulle, Charles AndrĂ© Joseph Marie de (person)
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics:Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: English Subtitle language: French & Arabic
  • Technical Details:35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 1131 ft; Running time: 13 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    WPN 16

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