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Summary: I. Belgian armoured car 'in action' and troops on the move by bicycle and on foot. Horse-drawn field kitchen units.
II. Major-General Sir Desmond O'Callaghan inspects the 1st London Volunteer Engineers.
III. Orthodox priest prepares sacrament before open-air mass for Russian regiment.
Description: I. 'OFFICIAL BELGIAN FILM. ARMOURED MOTOR IN ACTION. A Belgian armoured car firing at the German lines. Cyclists moving off to a new position.' An armoured car reverses across a road as two-man gun crew fire a Hotchkiss machine gun from its open compartment. MS as a third man, clinging to the side of the vehicle, reaches over to feed a fresh strip into the gun. Bicycle troops led by bicycle buglers move along a narrow road - cycling four abreast they fill the whole width of the track. 'OFFICIAL BELGIAN FILM. FIELD KITCHEN. The travelling 'cook house' attached to the Belgian Army this kitchen cooks the meals whilst travelling. Men marching to their billets after a spell in the trenches.' Infantry column passes along a road lined with shade trees. The men rest having stacked their arms along the roadside. Horse-drawn kitchen units pass diagonally left to right along a cobbled road.
II. 'INSPECTION OF ENGINEER VOLUNTEERS. Major-General Sir Desmond O'Callaghan inspects the 1st London Volunteer Engineers.' Elderly Major-General inspects the ranks and takes salute during march past on scrubby open ground.
III. 'SACRAMENT IN THE TRENCHES. Preparing the Wafer by pouring wine over it, according to the ceremonies of the Greek Church.' Priest stands swinging censer by small table bearing a flat sacramental loaf decorated with crucifix pattern - before him stand four officers their heads bowed. In the background stands the massed ranks of the regiment. 'OFFICERS HELP THE PRIEST. Officers assisting the Russian Priest in preparing the Sacrament for the troops.' Priest scores the base of the loaf and holds it inverted as an officer pours wine over it. The priest and three of the officers then lay hands on the loaf, turning it between them. The priest then breaks the loaf in two and he and the officers kiss the opened bread.
Production Details: War Office (Production sponsor)
Topical Film Company (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: O'Callaghan, Desmond (person)
Belgian Army (regiment/service)
British Army, London Engineer Volunteers, 1 (regiment/service)
Imperial Russian Army (regiment/service)
Greek Orthodox Church (regiment/service)
Keywords: armour, Belgian - armoured car (object name)
transport, Belgian military - 2/3 wheel: bicycle (object name)
weapons, Belgian - smallarm (mounted): Hotchkiss machine gun (object name)
operations, Belgian - movement: bicycle troops (object name)
operations, Belgian - movement: marching troops (object name)
equipment, Belgian military - environmental: field kitchen (object name)
ceremonies, British - display: inspection of troops (object name)
religion, Christian - military, Russian: preparation of sacrament (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 320 ft; Running time: 3 mins