Title:FIGHTING IN FLANDERS : with the Australian Imperial Forces on the Western Front [Main Title]
Film Number:IWM 158
Other titles:
Summary: Australian troops preparing for and in action during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), Western Front, 1917.
Description: (Reel 1) Australian 2nd Division at outdoor physical training and Swedish drill, followed by bayonet training and Lewis machine gun practice, probably in 'W' training area, Bouvelinghem, August 1917.
18-pounder field guns of 2nd Division (?) come into a park. Field Marshal Haig (on horseback) reviews 5th Division in 'W' area on 29th August. Men of 2nd Division, in slouch hats, march down a road towards the front. (They are probably 28th Battalion.) An extended sequence of a 6-inch howitzer being fired. (Reel 2) More of 2nd Division marching to the front. Australians in battle equipment move through the ruins of trenches carrying supplies close to the front at Ypres. A Mk IV Male tank, HMLS 'Amethyst' of 'A' Company, H/MGC, moves up. Supporting troops of 2nd Division (?) consolidate their position, digging supports and having a brief meal. Stretcher-bearers helped by a chaplain bandage wounded of 1st and 2nd Divisions, who are taken to a dressing station. German POW's used as stretcher bearers carry wounded through Hillfire Corner. German prisoners are marched to the rear, fed, and talk with their guards. (Some of these scenes may be of the Messines area rather than the Ypres salient.)
Production Details: Australian War Records Section (Production sponsor)
Hurley, J F (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Haig, Douglas (person)
British Army, Machine Gun Corps, Heavy Branch, Coy A (regiment/service)
Australian Army, Australian Imperial Force, 2nd Division (regiment/service)
Australian Army, Australian Imperial Force, 2nd Division, 28th Battalion (regiment/service)
Australian Army, Australian Imperial Force, 5th Division (regiment/service)
Keywords: weapons, British - gun: 6-inch 26cwt howitzer & [Australian] (object name)
weapons, British - smallarm: Lewis machine gun & [Australian] (object name)
armour, British - tank: Tank Mark IV Male (object name)
casualties, Australian wounded (object name)
medical, Australian military - movement: stretcher (object name)
religion, Christianity - military, Australian (object name)
prisoners of war, German - movement (object name)
supplies, Australian, movement [FA] - misc (object name)
operations, Australian military - preparation (object name)
operations, Australian military - routine (object name)
training, Australian military (object name)
society, Australian military - sustenance (object name)
01/3(4-15).74 (event)
Bouvelinghem, Pas-de-Calais, France (geography)
Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium (geography)
Messines, West Flanders, Belgium (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1502 ft; Running time: 26 mins
