Title:FIGHTERS OF THE VELD : the Union of South Africa from peace to war [Main Title]
Film Number:CSA 200
Other titles:
Summary: An impression of South Africa's mobilisation in 1939-40.
Description: After the outbreak of war (film of Smuts and his cabinet) men and women join up and commence training in the services - shots of medical inspection, drill and training, and of a troop train taking men on manoeuvres ("They left their homes to make sure they've got homes to come back to"): also flying training and the naval reserve on patrol duty. A long sequence as the army exercise (including interesting shots of manhandling field guns on and off trucks as part of the 'action'), route marches etc. Smuts addresses a pre-departure parade; concluding scenes show hectic dockside activities as troopships leave. "It's a great adventure for these men and they're thriving on it... There isn't a man aboard who isn't proud to be going off to fight for his land."
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:CSA 200
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1940-10
Production Country: South Africa
Production Details: Government of South Africa (Production sponsor)
African Film Productions (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Smuts, Jan Christiaan (person)
South African Army (regiment/service)
Keywords: medical, South African military - preventative (object name)
operations, South African military - movement (object name)
propaganda, South African - inspirational (object name)
operations, South African military - routine (object name)
recruitment, South African (object name)
training, South African military - combat (object name)
South Africa (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Running time: 22 mins
