Summary: The story of the camps set up in the Sinai Desert in January 1944 to accommodate Yugoslav refugees from the Nazi counter-offensive against Tito.
Description: Film tells of the original hardships faced by refugees (alien landscape, sandstorms, barely minimal supplies etc) but shows how they eventually succeeded in building a largely self-governing community. The system of administration, UNRRA commandants with camp committees, is explained; a long sequence shows the impressive workshops set up by refugees who had only a few tools and scrap to work from (a carpenter's home-made lathe, a blacksmith, cobblers, etc); schools for children and adults, hospital facilities and special care for orphans; camp newspaper and recreational life (games, traditional singing and dancing etc). Commentary throughout commends the spirit of the people (eg by citing the war record of a 13 year old boy) and their determination to build a better Yugoslavia post-war, reminding the audience that the whole world must be rebuilt to make the sacrifices worth while.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:CVN 234
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1944
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Yugoslav Camp Committees (Production sponsor)
Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND REHABILITATION ADMINISTRATION (Production sponsor)
Merlin (Production company)
Gunn, Gilbert (Production individual)
Hankinson, Michael (Production individual)
Bristow, Cyril (Production individual)
Kemplen, Ralph (Production individual)
Murray, Patricia (Production individual)
Reynolds, Harry (Production individual)
Walsworth, Ivor (Production individual)
Mathieson, Muir (Production individual)
Yugoslav Central Choir (Production individual)
Hatze, Joseph (Production individual)
Calder-Marshall, Arthur19081992 (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (regiment/service)
