Summary: Demonstrations of the Livens Gas Projector and of gas shells, probably at Chapperton Down Artillery School near Aldershot, spring 1917.
Description: (Reel 1) The film starts with close-ups of the baseplate and tube of the Livens Projector. An instructor shows how the bomb is fused and armed. Then a view of two Livens Projectors buried in a trench and a long shot of the firing range, with the bombs falling on it. The instructor shows the propellant charge for the Livens, taking the charge apart to show its constituents. A number of projectors are then armed with the propellant charge and wired up. 9.2-inch and 8-inch howitzers nearby have been fitted to stable platforms and are being used to fire gas shell at the firing range. A 4.5-inch howitzer is loaded with gas shell and fired. A line of gas shells from 4.5-inch up to 9.2-inch calibre is shown. The loading of the Livens Projectors with propellant charges and gas bombs continues. A view of the firing range showing a camouflaged trench and buried projectors. A repeat of the instructor taking the propellant charge apart. (Reel 2) Views of the target area with gas shells falling on it, showing (in close-up) little surface damage to the ground. Then a Livens salvo falls on the area, producing a large gas cloud.
Production Details: War Office (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Royal Artillery, RGA & Chapperton Down Artillery School (regiment/service)
British Army, Royal Engineers, Special Bde (regiment/service)
Keywords: weapons, British - mortar: Livens Projector (object name)
weapons, British - CBW: gas shell (object name)
weapons, British - gun: 9.2-inch howitzer (object name)
weapons, British - gun: 8-inch howitzer (object name)
weapons, British - gun: 4.5-inch howitzer (object name)
training, British military - weapons: gas (object name)
31/3(41) (event)
GB, England & Aldershot, Hants <Chapperton Down Artillery School> (geography)
Instruction (concept)
