WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 36 [Main Title]

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  • Title: WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 36 [Main Title]
  • Film Number: WPN 36
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
  • Description: I. 'GIBRALTAR.' The Duke of Gloucester and Lord Gort (C-in-C Gibraltar) on a tour of the defences of "Britain's stronghold at the gateway to the Mediterranean". Panoramic views of the Rock of Gibraltar from the sea with Merchant shipping using the busy Straits sea lanes. The Duke of Gloucester and Lord Gort leave an observation post situated on the pinnacle of the Rock and return to their official cars. Commentary points out that the Straits are only nine miles across and that British coastal defence guns control all shipping passing at this point. The visiting party watch a 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft crew in operation, and then inspect a guard of honour made up from Royal Navy sailors. Lord Gort and the Duke of Gloucester walk through one of the many communications tunnels that riddle the interior of the Rock. The commentary explains the strategic importance of the Rock and gives a historical outline of its development as a British outpost. British infantry march past a reviewing podium and form up on a barrack square. II. 'SINGAPORE. ' Singapore recovers after a Japanese bombing raid. Item opens with shots of the "Malaya Tribune" newspaper showing the headline "War Comes to Malaya: Japanese Troops Land at Kota Bahru". Civilians congregate outside the Raffles Hotel. The commentary asserts that the Japanese have avoided military targets and have deliberately bombed civilian areas of the city. Civilians view the results of the Japanese raid, with commercial and shopping areas badly damaged. A Chinese shop owner clears broken glass from a ruined display area. ARP, emergency services and civilian volunteers start the process of clearing rubble from the streets. The raid is described as being carried out by aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy, operating from aircraft carriers. An ambulance drives past civilian dead in a rubble strewn street. Commentary states that the first Australian-built Torpedo bombers have arrived in Singapore, making a welcome addition to the allied striking force in the region. A Bristol Beaufort Mk VIII torpedo bomber lands at an undisclosed airfield in Singapore and a smoking Sergeant Pilot climbs out of the aircraft, to be greeted by an impromptu welcoming committee. III. 'NEWS FROM ENGLAND.' British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, accompanied by his wife Clementine Churchill, and daughter Mary Churchill, visit a 3.7-inch anti-aircraft battery. The Prime Minister is briefed by an army Captain, as they watch women ATS members operating direction finders. The Prime Minister chats to Clementine as the crew of an Ordnance 3.7-in anti-aircraft gun load and traverse their weapon. Elsewhere, a Coastal Minelayer of the Royal Navy sows a string of anti-shipping mines (contact/acoustic Mk XVII ?) from its stern. The commentary describes the crews of such vessels as "Men who strew death to Axis ships". A string of mines slowly float away from the Minelayer. Industrial mine making processes are highlighted by a visit to a munitions factory at an undisclosed location. A factory worker places sheet metal onto a press to form the outer casing of a contact mine. The casing, once welded, is submerged in water to test for leaks. Ammonium Nitrate, used in the manufacture of explosives, is broken down by factory workers using aluminium tools to prevent sparks. The Ammonium Nitrate is mixed with other chemicals and placed into charge cases. The charge cases are then lowered into the outer mine casing and are stacked in an outside store pending delivery to the Royal Navy. Commentary points out that the RAF is no longer outnumbered and that vital stores are being extensively stockpiled. Bristol Blenheim Mk IV aircraft taxi from their hangars (No squadron markings visible). Armstrong Whitworth Whitley (Mk II?) bombers are parked in a review line up. Other aircraft displayed include Lockheed Hudsons, Bell P-39 Airacobra Mk I fighters of 601 Squadron RAF, Boeing B17B Flying Fortress bombers (RAF livery) and Short Stirling bombers. Cut to the interior of an RAF maintenance and storage depot where everything from a split pin to an aero-engine is stored. Commentary points out the immense variety and quality of the stores held in locations such as these. Stores displayed include propellers, wings, gun turrets for Halifax bombers, Browning .303-in Mk II aircraft machine guns in storage boxes, aircraft tyres (Spitfire and Stirling). In the aero-engine section, Wright Cyclone, Merlin, Perseus, Kestrel and Mercury power plants are displayed.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: WPN 36
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1942-01-05
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Ministry of Information, Middle East (Production sponsor) War Pictorial News (Production company) Martin, Charles (Production individual) Keating, Rex1910-02-142005-01British newsreel commentator, WW2 period (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Henry, Prince (Duke of Gloucester) (person) Vereker, John Standish Surtees Prendergast (6th Viscount Gort) (person) Churchill, Winston Leonard Spencer (person) Churchill, Clementine Ogilvy Spencer (person) Royal Air Force, maintenance unit (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: equipment, British air - propulsion (object name) weapons, British air - smallarm (object name) defences, Gibraltarian - emplacement (object name) destruction, Malayan military - area: bomb (object name) weapons, British - gun [AA]: 3.7-inch gun (object name) defences, British - emplacement (object name) industry, British - munitions (object name) operations, British naval - mines: laying (object name) Gibraltar (geography) Malaya & Singapore (geography) Singapore (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: English Subtitle language: Arabic
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 815 ft; Running time: 9 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    WPN 36

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