Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: A variety of different Royal Navy vessels at Southampton Docks, some are destined to be part of the Allied invasion of Europe. There is also a record of the 18-inch railway gun, HMG BOCHE-BUSTER, being used in a practise exercise.
Description: (10 May 1944) The DINARD Hospital Ship in Dry Dock at Southampton, followed by the ISLE OF JERSEY Hospital ship in the outer dock. A long distance shot overlooks the whole of the King George V dry dock, with the “Whale Project” under construction. The “Whale Project” (possibly a Mulberry harbour section) is also shown afloat in the “New Dock”. A shot pans across the harbour showing a row of Landing Craft Tank (LCTs) vessels moored together, some have a camouflage netting across the deck. Jerry cans, full of petrol, are then shown being lifted from dockside railway wagons into barges, destined for “invasion craft”, or LCTs. SH228-229
(14 May 1944) A section of 18-inch railway gun (“HMG BOCHE-BUSTER”) at Halwill Junction, near the village of Beauworthy in Devon. Approximately twenty British soldiers carry-out a firing drill, as Officers watch from the banks of the track. Upon firing, the recoil pushes the railway gun a few metres backward, at which point the soldiers leap aboard to immediately start reloading. The engine pushing the railway gun is a 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter, a second locomotive of the same type is in the middle section of the train (Southern, No. 3). Along the banks of the track a small signal post has been set-up, manned by three British Army signalmen. A radio mast stands approximately ten metres behind them. The reel ends with a mixture of the previous content, including scenes aboard the railway gun in transit. (1 min 58 sec) SH330-331
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
