Summary: An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
Description: I. 'BRITISH BOMBERS RAID MASSAWA.' Initial view of RAF aircrew and stationary Vickers Wellesley Mk 1 bomber. RAF Bristol Blenheims Mk I bombers of 45 Squadron in flight (Squadron code OB). Shot of pilot in cockpit, with a detailed view of the aircraft's instrumentation. Navigator using bombsight. Aerial view of land and bombs dropping. Aerial view of sea and ships. Navigator releases bomb. Aerial view of explosion.
II. 'THE FALL OF BARDIA.' Commentary states "The British advance into Libya continues, Bardia has fallen with all its garrison." over scenes of British trucks with Boys anti-tank rifles on improvised mounts driving through the desert. Alert British infantry wait in defensive sandbagged emplacements armed with Bren guns and a captured Italian Fiat/Revelli 14/35 8mm heavy machine gun. Roadside sign indicates film camera's entry into the Libyan town of Sollum. Gunfire and smoke. British troops drive into shell damaged town centre. Views of the town of Capuzzo in rubble. A British battleship fires its 14-in main guns reportedly bombarding Italian held Bardia. Blenheim Mk I aircraft fly overhead. View of coast line and firing 14-in naval guns. Royal Navy rating with blackboard adds another stroke for number of shells fired at Bardia, then rubs out "Bardia". Views of Italian dead; abandoned Italian equipment including field guns, Fiat/Revelli 14/35 8mm machine-guns, downed Fiat CR 42 biplane fighter. Commentary taunts "Gaze on your works, o Duce, and despair" over shots of smiling British troops congregating around a statue of Mussolini.
Production Details: Ministry of Information, Middle East (Production sponsor)
War Pictorial News (Production company)
Martin, Charles (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: combat, British - air strike (object name)
combat, British naval - bombardment (object name)
destruction, Libyan military - area (object name)
casualties, Italian dead - battlefield (object name)
Ethiopia & Massawa (geography)
Ethiopia & Eritrea (geography)
Egypt & Sollum (geography)
Libya & Capuzzo (geography)
Libya & Bardia (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: French
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 496 ft; Running time: 5 mins