Summary: Documentary compilation recalls the British-based activities of exiled Belgian fishermen, merchant seamen, sailors of the Royal Navy Belgian Section (RN Section Belge) and their ships during the Second World War.
Description: After Dunkirk, fishermen and their families are welcomed at Brixham. Their children, "future fishermen", receive instruction in navigation, seamanship and English, as well as practical experience at sea. Each fishing trip is a risk. Boats are guarded by British soldiers. Belgian merchant ships play important part in ocean convoys, while other vessels carry barrage balloons for coastal defence. Royal Navy forms a Belgian Section for Belgian volunteers to man corvettes. Men are trained in various trades and skills, and at sea, before they encounter "hard reality". Belgian Merchant Navy fleet takes a heavy toll and is given new ships: Belgian Airman and Belgian Crew. One ship returns from an eventful voyage to North Africa. After participating in D-Day, Belgian sailors return to liberated Belgium, although one in six have lost their lives during the war.
Production Details: Le Service Cinématographique du Gouvernement Belge à Londres (Production company)
Boogaerts, Louis R (Production individual)
Boogaerts, Louis R (Production individual)
Boigelot, Jacques (Production individual)
Vy, Paul (Production individual)
Hagon, André (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: French
Title language: French
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 1077 ft; Running time: 32 mins
