Title:THE DD AMPHIBIOUS TANK: SHERMAN III DD MK II [Main Title]
Film Number:DRA 956
Other titles:
Summary: A military training film describing the versatility of the Sherman III DD Mk II Amphibious tank and its escape apparatus.
Description: (Reel 1) Sea Operating: Diagram of water displacement to illustrate how a solid object can float - the principle of the Sherman tank. Model used to illustrate flotation gear. Loading the tank onto a ship. Checking propellers, hydraulic steering gear, waterproofing, engine, flotation gear. Crew put on Amphibious tank escape apparatus and the tank officer inflates it with oxygen. Periscope placed in position, ramp lowered. Senior Naval Officer runs launching.
(Reel 2) River Crossing: the approach through scrub is protected by a metal shield of movable plates fitted at a workshop. Diagram of navigating a river through currents. Landing when current is pushing you, landing in soft mud.
(Reel 3) Amphibious Tank Escape Apparatus: allows breathing underwater, floating on the surface. CU of man putting on apparatus and inflation (7 minutes oxygen supply). Its operation on land demonstrated. The training of tank crews. Man submerges into training pool. Underwater shots of man submerged and depressurising exercise. Surfacing drill demonstrated. Men fully clothed climb into Valentine tank in dry training pool which is then flooded. Men don escape apparatus as pool floods and carry out surfacing drill (shot from the surface). Escape then made from Sherman tank. The same procedures as for the Valentine are followed (but this time partially shot from underwater). Order of escape as follows: commander, gunner, wireless operator, driver, hull gunner. Inflation of buoyancy bags.
Production Details: War Office (Production sponsor)
Army Kinematograph Service (Production company)
Newbrook, Peter1920-06-29Family origin: Chester, GB (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2536 ft; Running time: 28 mins
