Title:TRANSPORTING AND FIRING RAILWAY GUNS [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BTF 49
Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: A record of transporting, setting-up and firing railway guns at a quarry in Devon. There is also a record of increased naval activity at Southampton Docks, primarily featuring Landing Ship Infantry vessels.
Description: (14 April 1944) Landing Ship Infantry (LSI) vessels in and around Southampton Docks, the South coast of England. Following on from the previous reel, the content is a jumbled mixture of Landing Craft and troops ships, replicated in BTF 48. Featured vessels include: the SS ISLE OF GUERNSEY, the SS CANTERBURY and the HMS MAID OF ORLEANS. The “Whale Project” (possibly a Mulberry harbour section) and concrete work on the dry docks also feature in this sequence. SH320
(23 April 1944) Meldon Quarry in Devon, a railway gun ("howitzer") is being fired by British Army troops (or Home Guard?). A row of shells are lined-up in the foreground, followed by a sequence which demonstrates the firing process; from loading to the smoking barrel. The railway gun sits on a flat railway wagon, leaving Okehampton (Devon) en route to Meldon Quarry. The train is being hauled by two 0-6-0 locomotives (No. 197 & 198). Once stationary the railway gun is prepared for firing several of the troops pin it down with steel cables, whilst others prepare shells for firing. The process of setting-up the gun appears complicated and labour intensive. The railway gun and other carriages are shunted at the quarry, followed by shots from on-board the moving train. The sequence includes shells being loaded and the gun being fired from a variety of different angles. There is also a record of the “Command Post” carriage and multiple railway guns in a row, most of which are secured in position for transit. (3 min) SH321-323
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
