Summary: French newsreel of incidents on the Western Front, late May 1917.
Description: I. Carrier pigeons in a loft behind the French lines are fed by their soldier-keepers. In the trenches a message is fitted to one pigeon, which flies back to its loft where the message is removed. The pigeons play in a birdbath. II. The recently reoccupied areas of the Somme region. Some soldiers have created an outdoor school under the blossoms on the trees. The children, about 10 years old, dance round the soldiers. III. The observer in a kite balloon attaches his headset and the balloon, which has two baskets, ascends. The view down from the balloon as it goes up is shown. The cable is played out from the control vehicle. The view from one observation basket to the other. The observer in the basket checks what he can see against the map. The balloon descends again. IV. 60th Infantry Regiment is drawn up on parade in open country and its standard decorated with the Croix de Guerre. Smaller unit flags, called fanions, are also decorated. Private Gouvres of the regiment receives the award of Knight of the Legion of Honour (no clear view of the awarding officer) and poses for the camera. The regiment leaves in full marching order led by its scouts and cyclists and with all its equipment.
