WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 21 [Main Title]
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- Title: WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 21 [Main Title]
- Film Number: WPN 21
- Other titles:
- Summary: An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
- Description: I. 'AMERICAN SUPPLIES FOR THE MIDDLE EAST.' Containers marked "Chevrolet" are unloaded by crane from a docked cargo ship. Commentary points out that the United States understands the need to supply countries actively involved in fighting the aggressor. Dock workers dismantle containers to reveal Chevrolet 2cwt open-topped trucks. Troops assemble vehicles on quayside. Cut to dock warehouse area as scores of trucks stand parked waiting for collection. Dock workers stack vehicle tyres and display a mountain of petrol cans. II. 'SYRIA.' Rural scenes of goat herders in typical Syrian countryside. A British tank crew load ammunition on to a Vickers Mk VI light tank in preparation for the invasion of Syria. The tank crewmen wash their socks and clean their Vickers .303-in heavy machine gun. Three British Vickers Mk VI light tanks negotiate open border country as part of British and Free French "peaceful entry" into Syria (8th June 1941). Australian troops smile as they pass a road sign for Jerusalem, Nazareth and Mas-Ha in Arabic and English. A British Marmon-Herrington armoured car passes through a Syrian farm yard. Cut to British cavalry units fording a river as commentary highlights the ruggedness of the Syrian terrain. British Pioneer work parties repair a blown up bridge while Sappers destroy approach roads with explosives to prevent flanking attacks by the enemy. A British motorcycle despatch rider arrives at a forward Australian communications position with a message that needs communication to supporting artillery positions. the message is passed and an artillery barrage ensues. British infantry assault the enemy held hill of Kiame as smoke rises from the constant explosion of artillery shells. A Free French officer waving a tricolour, attempts to persuade the Vichy French defenders of Merj Ayoun (Marj'Ayoun) to surrender. Commonwealth troops armed with Thompson .45-in sub-machine guns cautiously enter the town of Merj Ayoun. Lieutenant-General Sir John Lavarack, Commander 7th Australian Division, arrives to formally take the surrender of the town. III. 'NEWS FROM BRITAIN.' British Prime Minister Winston Churchill Visits Bristol. Churchill arrives by car at Bristol University to a jubilant welcome from Bristol crowds. The Prime Minister, wearing academic robes, is present to bestow honorary degrees to the Prime Minister of Australia and the US Ambassador. Churchill takes part in academic procession and then gives a speech on the theme of Britain having a "Spirit bred in freedom and strength through tradition". Churchill then visits Bristol's bomb-damaged areas A tour of the ruined houses as Sir Robert Menzies (Australian Prime Minister) takes private "home movies" of the event on a hand held camera. On viewing the extent of the bomb damage Churchill is alleged to have said "We shall give it them back."
- Alternative Title:
- Colour: B&W
- Digitised: Yes
- Object_Number: WPN 21
- Sound: Sound
- Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
- Featured Period: 1939-1945
- Production Date: 1941-06-30
- Production Country: GB
- Production Details: Ministry of Information, Middle East (Production sponsor) War Pictorial News (Production company) Martin, Charles (Production individual) Taylor, F H G (Production individual)
- Personalities, Units and Organisations: Lavarack, John Dudley (person) Churchill, Winston Leonard Spencer (person) British Army, Pioneer Corps (regiment/service) British Army, Royal Engineers (regiment/service)
- Keywords: destruction, British military - area: bomb (object name) ceremonies, British - customary (object name) delegations, British national - political (object name) supplies, British, movement [RA] - POL (object name) operations, British military - sortie (object name) operations, British military - preparation (object name) destruction, Syrian military - aimed (object name) Syria & Merj Ayoun (geography) Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, UK (geography)
- Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: English Subtitle language: French & Arabic
- Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 902 ft; Running time: 10 mins
- HD Media:Yes
- Link to IWM Collections page:
- Related IWM Collections Objects: