Title:THE GEN NO 13 : Battle of the Seas [Main Title]
Film Number:GEN 13
Other titles:
Summary: A survey of the defensive (and offensive) work of the RAF, and especially Coastal Command, over the seas around Britain.
Description: Convoy protection (an essential prelude to the invasion of Europe) is illustrated briefly with film from the Atlantic and Mediterranean. A Sunderland of Coastal Command flies over. Captured film: a U-boat torpedoes a cargo vessel, and a Ju 88 bombs a convoy (good shots within the German plane - the pilot looks pleased as survivors struggle onto rafts); Hitler decorates U-boat commanders, and crewmen are also decorated; Admiral Doenitz, with senior colleagues, addresses assembled U-boat crews. But Coastal Command begins to "find and strike" from bases in Britain, Gibraltar and the Azores. A U-boat captain attempts to dive before a Catalina can attack; a Mosquito tackles a Condor (FW 200K); various dogfights are shown. Hitler smiles as the 'Bismarck' is launched, but the battleship at sea is observed by Coastal Command Catalinas - sequence on the sinking (use of 'reconstruction'). As convoys get through, and Britain equips for the invasion, focus shifts to the Channel. The U-Boats' steel and concrete pens are attacked by Bomber Command with 12000 lb bombs; S-boats (shown arming with torpedoes at Le Havre) are also bombed. German observers sound alarm as the invasion approaches; U-boats and S-boats rally. Film of Lancasters, Beaufighters; US troop carrier fighting off German air attack; the beach, after successful landings. Allied land advance forces greater German reliance on coastal shipping - but leaves the RAF also more free to attack. The 'Tirpitz' is bombed and crippled. A Catalina flies into the sunset...