Title:DIE DEUTSCHE WOCHENSCHAU SEQUENCES - 6 [Main Title]
Film Number:GWY 1235
Other titles:ITALIAN MEDITERRANEAN CONVOYS UNDER BRITISH ATTACK [Alternative Title]
Summary: Separate newsreel items shows Marseilles port under German-French guard, five separate Italian convoys warding off British air and sea attacks en route to North Africa and Rommel awarding Ritterkreuz in live desert ceremony.
Description: I. Camera pans over port of Marseilles following German occupation of Southern France. Liner Massilia and freighter Bourges are visible. German quadruple 37mm flak on harbour front and 88mm railway-mounted flak protect port. French sailor mans light flak, while French naval officer "describes the harbour entrance" to German officers. (Part of item 2 of DW 638/49/42 of 25/11/1942) (80 ft)
II. Africa map. Heavy units of Italian Navy escort convoy to Tripoli. Side guns open up against at least two British destroyers. Italian cameraman records scene. Ships continue on through heavy seas to Tripoli "without loss". (Item 11 of DW 606/17/42 of 16/5/42) (147 ft)
III. Africa map. Flak and armour are loaded aboard convoy in Southern Italian port for shipment to Afrika Korps. Germans embark. Convoy is protected by Italian destroyers, including Ugolini Vivaldi, and aircraft. (First part of item 1 of DW 554/17/41 of 16/4/1941) (89 ft)
IV. Africa map. Weapons and armour are loaded aboard convoy bound for North Africa. Italian destroyers and two capital ships escort merchant ships and ward off British air attack with flak. Ships pass through heavy seas before reaching port, where Fiat truck is unloaded onto quayside. (70 ft)
V. Explosion in sea behind Italian (?) minesweeper steaming near shore. Smoke over sea off mountainous Mediterranean (?) coast is described as destruction of enemy submarine. Victory pennant is raised. Same or another item continues on board Italian convoy to North Africa. Savoia Marchetti SM 84 flies over ship's mast and IMAM Ro 43 is catapulted off. Beaufort makes very low pass as flak opens up. (158 ft)
VI. Italian convoy comes under attack from Beauforts in Mediterranean. Planes make repeated passes and release torpedoes (clearly visible) close to camera vessel. Commentary claims that five British planes were shot down. (190 ft)
VII. Rommel stands in desert with German Army officers. View of destroyed British Matilda in desert. In desert Rommel awards nineteen-year old Panzergrenadier Günter Halm Ritterkreuz for having knocked out seven British tanks. Rommel says "I have the pleasure, in the name of the Führer, of handing you this high award. I congratulate you and hope that you return home with it in good health. A hero like you will always remain a hero; I expect this of you naturally." Halm answers "Jawohl, Herr General!" (Last part of item 1 of DW 624/35/42 of 19//8/1942) (104 ft)
Alternative Title:ITALIAN MEDITERRANEAN CONVOYS UNDER BRITISH ATTACK [Alternative Title]
