Description: I. "Normandy Battlefront": Allies have to rebuild Caen railways station, ruined by bombing, clear away rubble, and repair bridges in the path of the Allied advance across France. French refugees wander back to their villages. Views of troops taking it easy in Caen, including a group of Desert Rats, soldiers in a NAAFI canteen, and German prisoners.
II. "The opening of An Offensive on Two Sectors": An offensive begins at Periers on the Cherbourg peninsula. British, Canadian, and American troops advance. Women of the ATS arrive in Normandy. The Americans advance through Coutances.
III. "Allied Armies surge forward on all sectors": Montage of advances made by British troops (under Montgomery) and Americans (through Avranches). Civilians welcome advancing troops in Rennes, Brittany. Collaborators are arrested, and celebrations continue.
IV. "The Big Advance Continues": Americans liberate Laval, advance to Falaise. Field artillery is brought into operation in the open countryside.
V. "French Solders Return to Fight in France": French civilians welcome their own soldiers.
VI. "Holidays in Britain and Normandy": August Bank Holiday at home and abroad (cut).
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:No
Object_Number:MGH 376
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:
Production Date:1944-08
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Gaumont British (Production company)
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: 1
Footage: 1175 ft; Running time: 13 mins
