NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: MGH 6819
  • Other titles: AMATEUR FILM BY CAPTAIN DAVID GOODWIN [Alternative Title]
  • Summary: Amateur film with intertitles shot by Lieutenant-Commander (later Captain) David Goodwin, Fleet Air Arm officer who took part in the Taranto raid (November 1940), records wartime service in the Mediterranean (June 1940 - July 1941) and Japanese surrender at Rabaul (New Guinea) on 6 September 1945.
  • Description: Reel 1: "The Fleet in Alexandria" Pan across many Royal Navy vessels at anchor, as well as Imperial Airways Short S-23C Empire Flying Boat (G-AETZ) moored in harbour. "The Fleet proceeds to sea from Alexandria" Vessels at sea (underexposed). "The Fleet at sea. Flying from HMS Eagle" Aerial views of vessels below , including HMS Eagle (824 Squadron) filmed from observer position of Fairey Swordfish biplane. Close-ups of fellow officers (presumably of 824 Squadron). Swordfish on flight deck; FAA commander on bridge. Swordfish 5K after crash landing on deck. "The Fleet is bombed by the Italians" Aerial views of bombs exploding at sea. "Battle of Calabria viewed from torpedo strike Swordfish" [July 1940] Reel 2: (Colour) General Sturdee, GOC First Australian Army, accepts the surrender of Japanese forces in the Bismarcks, Solomons and New Guinea on the flightdeck of «HMS Glory» off Rabaul on 6 September, 1945 G-AETZ. Short S-23C Empire Flying Boat. c/n S.842. Aircraft destroyed when shot down off Tjilatjap, Java by a lone Japanese fighter - February 28, 1942 Had been engaged in the evacuation of civilians from Java to Broome, Australia http://www.aussieairliners.org/shortfb/g-aetz/gaetz.html Accessed 23 Aug 2011 NO FEET MINS SUMMARY A 375 24 June 1940- Jul 1941 – Eastern Med war at sea and in the desert, Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor, passage Home in Troop Ship Cameronia - loading Italian PoWs, convoy escort. B 395 24 May 1945-Jul 1947 – HMS Glory - passage to East, Australia, Rabaoul surrender, HMS Implacable passage home, Byfleet, RNC Greenwich, JSSC, Eastbourne, Thorpness, RMC Sandhurst. C ≈400 Jun1953-Apr ‘54 – Coronation events – Naval Review, RAF Review, Royal visit to Cardiff; Dale regatta, helicopter views, N Wales trip, last days in HMS Harrier, Warminster, around Byfleet, Xmas, Dane Court, Clivedene, Byfleet. D ≈400 Apr-Jul 1954 – HMS Duchess - Royal Escort Gibraltar to Portsmouth – views of HM at Gibraltar, HMY Brittania & escort, Rosyth, Gunnery, Shin Falls, Vanguard firing, fleet regatta, Vanguard firing, Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Kiel Canal, Duchess at speed, Duchess in dry dock in Portsmouth. E ≈400 Jul 1954-Mar ‘55 – Summer leave at Byfleet, Douds’ wedding, Duchess undocks and sails for Med, views of Malta & Grand harbour, “Cree” – squid firing, Genoa & Portofino, ship at sped, Farewell to Mountbatten, views of Sliema & Tigne, Algiers, torpedo firing, Palermo, CFX, Polo at Marsa, Naples & views of damage after Duchess rammed by merchant ship, Rome, Pompeii, Stromboli, Malta. F ≈400 Apr-Oct 1955 – Views of Citta Vechia, Duchess in dock & Ships photo, picnic parties at Malta, Summer cruise – Istanbul, Alex, Cyprus, Marmarice (Regatta), Darings leaving Malta, arriving Portsmouth, around Byfleet, Duchess in No 12 Dock, Autumn Cruise in Home Fleet – Hamburg & Lubeck, Xmas at CC, Home Fleet spring cruise – Darings & Carriers at sea, firings; HMS Duchess pays off, Byfleet. G ≈315 21 1970, 1971 & 1973 - Brackens, Tidworth Tattoo, Whitehead wedding, A&N Rugby, Nigel’s wedding, Pembrokeshire, Glastonbury & Wells, HMS Lincoln recommissions, visit to HMS Ark Royal - operating Buccaneer, Gannet & Phantom aircraft. Captain D G Goodwin CBE DSC Royal Navy – 8mm Film List N.B. “Titles” = non inclusive film titling 30’ = approximate elapsed footage Duchess = ship’s name FILM A – no details available FILM B – May 1945-Jul 1947 “Passage to Australia, to joint the BPF” Leaving the Clyde Approaching Gibraltar Alexandria harbour view Bathing scenes near Alex Sri Lanka - Katuburunda(?) - Trincomalee Sydney - views from the Flightdeck 30’ Japanese surrender at Rabaoul - Leaving Sydney, Bridge scenes - Japanese arriving in boats - View of Flight Deck - Japanese on deck - Japanese signing - Japanese officers after signing - Frigate & Barracuda aircraft - Barracuda landing 70’ “Jervis Bay, Australia” views of Jervis Bay – airfield, hotel, beaches, etc 87’ “Around Sydney” Glory passing under Sydney Bridge Glory leaving berth views of Sydney from Club window views of beaches near Sydney 120’ people & views of waves on beach “BPF carriers visit Melbourne Jan 1946” Leaving Melbourne – wharf, flightdeck, ships, etc views of flying from Glory “Disembarked at Williamstown Feb-April 1946” views from Sydney-Newcastle Road RAAF Williamstown – flying, views of airfield & station 150’ “HMS Implacable leaving Australia & passage home May-Jun 1946” Implacable leaving Sydney – streamers, flightdeck, wharfside Aircraft on flightdeck views of Trincomalee & Aden Flightdeck scenes – exercises, deck hockey, etc Sunset off NSW coast
  • Alternative Title: AMATEUR FILM BY CAPTAIN DAVID GOODWIN [Alternative Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: MGH 6819
  • Sound: Sound
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  • Production Date: 1940
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    MGH 6819

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