POST-WAR MINESWEEPING OPERATIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: POST-WAR MINESWEEPING OPERATIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: MGH 4576
  • Other titles: CAPTAIN BLUNDELL AMATEUR FILM [Alternative Title]
  • Summary: Silent 8mm colour footage taken by Captain G C Blundell, commander of the minesweeper HMS Rifleman, during the clearing of wartime naval minefields off Greece with the 2nd Minesweeping Flotilla, 1948-1949.
  • Description: START 00:40:51 Very under-exposed shots. 00:00:11 Shots of the troopship HMT Cheshire docked at Liverpool and (very briefly) the Royal Liver Building. 00:00:39 The crest of the Algerine Class minesweeper HMS Rifleman commanded by Captain Blundell, featuring the heraldry of the Light Infantry. Algerine Class minesweepers from the 2nd Minesweeping Flotilla in line abreast in an 'A' sweep formation for underwater contact mines off the coast of Malta, the nearest vessel to the camera is HMS Rowena (pennant number 'M384'). The trio of black balls in the signal lanyards indicate minesweeping is in progress; there also appears to be misteltoe hanging from the mast. A view of the air warning radar antenna on the foremast of HMS Rifleman. 00:01:45 Blundell's Algerine Class minesweeper, HMS Rifleman (pennant number 'M299'), in drydock in Valletta naval dockyard and three Maltese dock managers (?). 00:02:38 Views of Algerine Class minesweepers steaming in a column in rough seas astern and ahead of HMS Rifleman en route from Malta to Greece. A section of under-exposed film. In calmer, sunnier conditions, minesweeping is seen taking place, with wires trailing in the sea from the minesweeper nearest to HMS Rifleman. Other minesweepers are in line abreast in an 'A' sweep formation; the nearest vessel is HMS Chameleon (pennant number 'M387'). An Isles Class naval trawler is also taking part. Marker buoys, each carrying different patterned flags, have been dropped in the sea to indicate a channel which is being swept. The minesweepers steaming alongside HMS Rifleman include HMS Plucky (pennant number 'M295') and HMS Rattlesnake (pennant number 'M297'). 00:05:42 Views of HMS Rifleman in harbour and views of a large Greek town located on steep hillsides around the bay where the harbour is situated - location unknown. 00:06:28 Another Algerine Class minesweeper alongside HMS Rifleman on her port beam - the red pennant number on her hull, 'M382' - and her name plate, HMS Sylvia, are clearly visible together with the oropesa floats she carries at the stern. An 'A' sweep formation by the minesweepers off a coastline of massive cliffs rising steeply out of the Aegean Sea. A distant view of Athens. 00:07:19 A ship's funnel painted in green, white and red stripes. Views of an unidentified harbour and its oil storage tanks. A Greek soldier in national costume on duty at his sentry box outside the Royal Palace in the centre of Athens. The views of classical ruins near the city centre, the Acropolis and in the distance Likavitos Hill. The camera lingers on the Acropolis, singling out the Parthenon, the Caryatid Porch of the Erechtheion (featuring pillars in female form) and the theatre of Herodes. 00:10:57 An oropesa float in the water astern of HMS Rifleman. Two more oropesa floats - one with a green nose for starboard and the other with a red nose for port - are lowered into the sea from the aft deck of Blundell's ship at the start of a sweep, followed by a multiplane cutter (either an 'Otter' or a 'Kite'). Three back balls indicating that minesweeping is in progress fly from the foremast. Another oropesa float is lowered into the sea. A column of minesweepers battles with rough seas off the Greek coast; in the background a long low cloud formation lies like a shroud over a coastline consisting of a formidable wall of cliffs. 00:12:55 Views of a harbour on an unidentified Greek island and a monastery overlooking much of the site. Two Greek Orthodox priests or monks. Views of windmills and a church on high ground and the harbour. 00:13:34 Depth charge firing practice on board HMS Rifleman - both depth charge side projectors and depth charges in the stern rail are prepared. Two depth charges fired from the side projectors are hurled into the sea, Out-of-focus shot of underwater explosions astern. 00:14:49 The minesweeper flotilla steams towards the entrance of the Grand Harbour at Valletta, Malta. Already moored in the harbour is the battleship HMS Vanguard. A view of an old harbour breakwater in a port somewhere in the Mediterranean and the Loch/Bay Class frigate HMS St Austell Bay, the battleship HMS Vanguard and a submarine depot ship, possibly HMS Forth, with three submarines moored alongside and other warships visible in the background. A naval rating at the helm of a motor launch, the White Ensign behind him at the stern jack fluttering in the breeze. A view of a basilica or church and its campanile through a stone archway. Out-of-focus shot of minesweepers astern of HMS Rifleman. 00:16:00 Shots of jellyfish with unusual shapes swimming underwater - these look like the harmless mastigias species normally found in the Pacific. Slow motion views of a ring of foamy water after an underwater explosion and four big plumes of water and spray thrown high into the air as sea mines are detonated - in each case, the cameraman misses the precise moment of detonation but the results are impressive to look at. END 00:16:58
  • Alternative Title: CAPTAIN BLUNDELL AMATEUR FILM [Alternative Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: MGH 4576
  • Sound: Silent
  • Access Conditions: IWM Film: IWM
  • Featured Period: 1945-1989
  • Production Date: 1948-1949
  • Production Country:GB
  • Production Details:Blundell, George Collett (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics:Colour format: Colour Sound format: Silent
  • Technical Details:Footage: 16 mins 58 secs (16 fps); Running time: 203 ft (ca)
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    MGH 4576

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