Summary: Film history of Wavell's victory in North Africa.
Description: General Auchinleck's struggle is the second phase of this campaign. Suez is the "pivot of world strategy" and Wavell's defeat of the Italians a "turning point in history". Hitler's strategy required Germany to attack in the West while Italy invaded Egypt. Review of Italian strength. Germany fulfilled her part and the fall of France secures the Italian position in Libya. Disposition and condition of British forces. Wavell employs delaying tactics to gain time for the reinforcement and training of his troops, while the Navy guards the Mediterranean convoys. Italians invade Egypt but are held at Sidi Barrani. New supplies of 'planes give the British air superiority. Battle of Taranto - "the signal for the Army of the Nile to move". Account of British successes culminating in the capture of Benghazi. Push not continued into Tripoli because of (1) the need to refit the armoured division, (2) the need to supply troops for the Balkans. Wavell has avenged Dunkirk, crippled the Italian army, and dispersed German forces over several fronts. Hitler, realising it will be a long war, makes the "desperate decision" to attack Russia. Film contains considerable material on Italian prisoners and captured equipment.
Production Details: Crown Film Unit (Production company)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (Production company)
Monck, John (Production individual)
Dalrymple, Ian Murray1903-08-261989-03-28 (Production individual)
Monck, John (Production individual)
Greenwood, John Danforth Herman (Production individual)
Mathieson, Muir (Production individual)
Welsh Guards Band (Production individual)
Cameron, Ken (Production individual)
Wills, Colin (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Cunningham, Andrew Browne (person)
Hitler, Adolf (person)
Longmore, Arthur Murray (person)
Mussolini, Benito Amilcare Andrea (person)
Wavell, Archibald Percival (person)
British Army (regiment/service)
Italian Royal Navy (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Handley Page Harrow (object name)
aircraft, Italian - combat: Savoia-Marchetti SM 81 Pipistrello (object name)
aircraft, Italian - seaplane: IMAM Ro 44 (object name)
aircraft, Italian - seaplane: CRDA Cant Z506B Airone (object name)
armour, British - tank: Vickers Medium Mk I (object name)
armour, British - tank: Vickers Mk VI (object name)
combat, British (object name)
combat, British naval (object name)
prisoners of war, Italian - custody (object name)
ships, Italian naval - battleship: Cesare class (object name)
spoils, British (object name)
strategy, Allied: North Africa (object name)
Second World War & Taranto, Battle of (event)
Egypt & Suez (geography)
Libya & Benghazi (geography)
Libya & Sidi Barrani (geography)
Mediterranean Sea (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 5
Footage: 4326 ft; Running time: 48 mins