WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 105 [Main Title]

Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections. Click here to find out more.

  • Title: WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 105 [Main Title]
  • Film Number: WPN 105
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: Twenty Five Years of RAF Progress.
  • Description: I. 'TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF RAF PROGRESS.' (Title is preceded by the Royal Air Force crest) The commentary gives an outline of the development of the Royal Air Force since its inception in 1918 to its twenty-fifth anniversary year of 1943. Early footage of one of the Wright brothers experimental flights (Kitty Hawk, North Carolina) is contrasted with footage of Royal Air Force (RAF) Short Stirling bombers of 7 Squadron. RAF ground crews manhandle GP 1000lb bombs from a trolley into the bomb bay of a Stirling. Footage from 1917 shows a posed group of pilots from 60 Fighter Squadron Royal Flying Corps (RFC), a Nieuport 27c scout aircraft is evident in the background (cf IWM 141). Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) members march past the camera as other women sew fabric onto the airframe of a single engined aircraft (Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft ?). Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) personnel load an Admiralty Type 184 seaplane with 112lb bombs. A Handley Page 0/400 heavy bomber is loaded with bombs prior to a sortie. In contrast to the small size of bombs used during the First World War period, 4000lb and 8000lb canister bombs are displayed, towed on trolleys past an appreciative civilian crowd. RAF de Havilland Mosquito bombers of 139 (Jamaica) Squadron start their engines and taxi, watched by ground crews. RFC and RNAS initials and crests are displayed, showing how stylistic elements taken from both were combined and incorporated into the design of the RAF crest. Stock shot footage shows a Supermarine S5/25 seaplane taxiing on still water in 1927 (piloted by Sidney N Webster ?). The commentary highlights the airspeed record set by the RAF at the 1931 Schneider Trophy competition as an example of the rapid development of aircraft design. King George V drives past Hawker Hart bombers of 12 Squadron during his review of the RAF at Mildenhall, Suffolk on the 6th of July 1935 (cf RMY 103-1 and NMU 317-3). A Supermarine Spitfire Mk I fighter aircraft with a fixed pitch wooden two bladed propeller and factory-fresh day fighter camouflage scheme is displayed for the benefit of the camera. Spitfire Mk I fighter aircraft are parked and chocked on a flightline (Duxford Press Day 4th May 1939 ?) as RAF pilots perform a Squadron scramble, running to their machines. Stock shot camera gun footage shows the demise of a Luftwaffe Heinkel He 111 bomber and Junkers Ju 87 dive-bomber as the commentary outlines events leading to the Battle of Britain. Brief footage and still photographs of famous RAF personalities follow including Squadron Leader J B Nicholson VC of 249 Squadron, Sergeant J A Ward VC of 75 Squadron RNZAF, Squadron Leader B Finucane DSO DFC (2 bars) of 602 Squadron and Wing Commander J Nettleton VC of 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron. Bomber Command activities, described as being "more in the public eye in 1943" are illustrated by mission footage from raids against targets in Germany, occupied France and Italy. A member of RAF groundcrew paints another mission symbol on the fuselage of a 15 Squadron Avro Lancaster bomber based at Mildenhall in Suffolk. Mission footage shows RAF Bomber Command attacks on Genoa, Paris, Eindhoven, St Mâlo, Cologne and Essen. The commentary describes the Essen raid as one of the biggest and most concentrated raids to date and ends by wishing the RAF many happy returns for its Silver Jubilee.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: WPN 105
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1943-05-09
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Ministry of Information, Middle East (Production sponsor) War Pictorial News (Production company) Martin, Charles (Production individual) Keating, Rex1910-02-142005-01British newsreel commentator, WW2 period (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: George V, King (person) Nicolson, J B (Squadron Leader) (person) Ward, James Allen (person) Finucane, Brendan Eamon Fergus 'Paddy (person) Nettleton, John Dering (person) Royal Air Force, Royal Flying Corps (regiment/service) Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: weapons, British air - bomb: 8000-pound (object name) Second World War & Anniversary of RAF, 25th & 4/1943 (event) Schneider Trophy Contest & 1931 (event) Hendon Air Display & 1937 (event) Mildenhall, Suffolk, England, UK (geography) GB, England & Hendon, Middx (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 702 ft; Running time: 8 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    WPN 105

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
Register