Title:A BUSY CROSSING OVER THE ZUIDWILLEMSVAART CANAL IN SOUTHERN HOLLAND (PART 1) [Allocated Title]
Film Number:A70 207-4
Other titles:
Summary: An unending procession of trucks and lorries crosses the Zuidwillemsvaart Canal at Nederweert in both directions as 49th (West Riding) Division leaves 12th Corps to re-join 1st Canadian Army at Nijmegen.
Description: Filming from both sides of the canal, the cameraman observes two Class 40 Bailey bridges in use. The Bailey, resting on sections of an old bridge blown up by German demolition teams and seen here carrying westbound transport from West Riding Division, was built by 756th Field Company RE; the second, purpose-built, Bailey carrying eastbound traffic towards the Venlo-Roermond sector of 2nd Army's front was assembled by a 12th Corps RE unit. A Class 12 saddle-bridge built by the same unit over the entrance to the eastbound traffic Bailey carries southbound vehicles along the west bank of the Zuidwillemsvaart Canal. Dutch civilians wheeling bicycles are seen using the pedestrian plankways on 756th Field Company RE's Bailey to get to Nederweert. Among the multitude of vehicles seen using the bridges are Dodge 3-ton lorries from a 2nd Army RASC unit heading across 12th Corps RE's Bailey, and two Bedford QL lorries from 147th Brigades's RASC unit, a Bedford MWC water truck from another 49th Division unit and a 'Phantom' jeep, all leading west.
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor)
Army Film Unit (Production company)
Gordon, J (Production individual)
