Title:ACTIVITIES IN THE ORNE BRIDGEHEAD, JUNE 1944 (PART 14) [Allocated Title]
Film Number:A70 67-7
Other titles:
Summary: An examination of the German coastal defences along one of the invasion beaches in Normandy reveals their essentially improvised - if tactically efficient - nature.
Description: The cameraman surveys badly damaged cottages and seaside villas (which may well be German-built strongpoints disguised as such) and a mass of steel anti-tank obstacles (some conical in shape) set in concrete just behind the beaches between Lion-sur-Mer and Ouistreham. The cameraman examines an intact French-manufactured Hotchkiss 25mm anti-tank gun (fitted with a large flash cover at the end of its gun barrel) found behind the beach; nearby stands a 5cm anti-tank gun position (also intact) linked to others of its kind along the top of the beach by a series of communications trenches. A White Ensign denoting the presence of a Royal Navy Beach Commando HQ serving with No 102 Beach Sub-Area flies over an abandoned concrete gun casement. The firing embrasure and the adjacent area of reinforced concrete on this prepared position have been peppered by 75mm and AVRE Petard shot and are now blocked up with discarded palliasses and wooden beams.
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit (Production company)
Gross, A C (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: defences, German - emplacement: [captured] & [damaged] (object name)
weapons, French - gun [AT]: Hotchkiss 25mm gun & [captured] & [impressed] (object name)
Second World War, North West Europe & Operation Overlord & 4/7/1944 (event)
Sword beach, Calvados, France (geography)
