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Summary: Introduction to landing craft and tactics for amphibious assault.
Description: Reel One. General views and detailed CUs of various landing craft: LCA, LCS(M)(1)and LCM(1). Plans for Heavy Support Craft(LCS(L)(1)). LCM unloads Bren gun carrier of 1st Infantry Division and Valentine tank. The three craft manoeuvre in company. MS and CUs of LCT(1); Matilda I wades ashore through 7ft of water and Valentine demonstrates dryshod embarkation. MS of LCP(L), a fast unprotected craft for raids. Various MS and CUs of Glen-line LSI(L) and a LSI(M), either Princess Beatrix or Queen Emma.
Reel Two. Film follows the fortunes of an imaginary expedition. Description of tactical stowage of LSI, messing arrangements for troops, accommodation, importance of regular physical training and weapons training. Graphics sequence, showing an attack launched from an advanced base on the same coastline as the enemy-held territory, demonstrates the importance of disguising the route of the invasion convoy, the use of beacon submarines and various tactical dispositions for the landing - this is intercut with film of LSIs and LCAs exercising. Troops overcome wire entanglements and clear mines.
Reel Three. Importance of good ship-to-shore communications, enabling the floating reserve to be committed to the most successful landing area. After securing an anchorage, bulldozers clear ground for wire mesh tracking and LCMs unload light anti-aircraft and armour. runways are used to bridge water-gap when landing wheeled vehicles from LCTs. Heavy anti-aircraft is landed. Importance of air support. The armoured landing craft provide many opportunities for raids and landing operations but teamwork is essential.
Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor)
Army Film Unit (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2725 ft
HD Media:Yes
Notes: Summary: in this early film, British designations are used for the landing craft and not the definitive Allied classifications, eg: ALC not LCA.
