Summary: A post-war operation film giving an account of Operation Oasis, an attempt to find routes through the Qattara Depression and salt marshes in Libya, produced for the General Staff by 827 Ground Photo Reconnaissance Unit GHQ MELF (Middle East Land Forces).
Description: (Reel 1) After experiences in the Battles of El Alamein, Operation Oasis was set up in Cairo in association with the Mechanisation Experimental Establishment to see if there was a path through the Qattara Depression. The expedition assembled imn Mersa Matruh before moving to Siwa where a camp was set up; later, the main camp was moved to the Qara Oasis on the edge of the Depression. The next four days were spent in reconnaissance around Qara. The salt marshes in the Qattar Depression are encountered; a small Bailey bridge is built over one salt stream. Experimental sand anchors are used as winch points to extract vehicles caught in the sand. Various unsuccessful methods are used to try and extract a stricken Comet tank.
(Reel 2) The expedition moved northwards and was able to find a good crossing over the salt marshes and the "smooth sand". An Avro Anso aircraft was able to land safely on the sand. The expedition did encounter problems with the rocky escarpment on the edge of Qattara. A route was discovered that would allow vehicles of up to three tons to pass through the salt marshes. The company returned to Siwa for vehicle maintenance, and eventually back to Mersa Matruh and on to Cairo.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:MGH 157
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:
Production Date:1947-02
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Middle East Land Forces, General Headquarters (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1700 ft; Running time: 19 mins
