Title:LA GUERRE ANGLAISE : grand film documentaire en 4 parts - les tanks anglais a la bataille de la Scarpe [Main Title]
Film Number:IWM 233
Other titles:SONS OF OUR EMPIRE (export version) [Alternative Title]
Summary: British propaganda film, almost entirely stock or fake material, purporting to show their involvement in the Battle of Arras, Western Front, April 1917.
Description: Mostly taken, scene-for-scene and caption-for-caption, from the series IWM 130 SONS OF OUR EMPIRE, which itself purported to show the last stages of the Somme offensive of 1916. British troops disembark at a French port and the various arms, Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry, prepare for battle. The role of the tanks is stressed, and several Mk I and Mk IV types are shown. The preliminary bombardment runs from 18-pounder field guns to 12-inch railway guns. Two FE2b aircraft fly a patrol. The attack takes place and the troops reassemble afterwards.
Alternative Title:SONS OF OUR EMPIRE (export version) [Alternative Title]
Production Details: War Office Cinema Committee (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army (regiment/service)
Keywords: combat [simulated], British (object name)
operations, British military (object name)
01/3(4-15).63 (event)
Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France (geography)
propaganda, British & [+] (concept)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: French
Subtitle language: French
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 4
Footage: 3683 ft; Running time: 62 mins
IWM 130-01+2 (SONS OF OUR EMPIRE EPISODE 1 : Winter on the Western Front [Main Title])
IWM 130-03+4 (SONS OF OUR EMPIRE EPISODE 2 : Glimpses of the British Navy in war time [Main Title])
IWM 130-05+6 (SONS OF OUR EMPIRE EPISODE 3 : the King's message to his troops [Main Title])
IWM 130-07+8 (SONS OF OUR EMPIRE EPISODE 4 : Preparations for the Great Offensive [Main Title])
IWM 130-09+10 (SONS OF OUR EMPIRE EPISODE 5 : Attacking hard [Main Title])
