Summary: Petroleum Warfare instructional film demonstrating the flame barrage (land) system on a shingle beach.
Description: Caption: "The film shows details of construction and operation of the Flame Barrage (Land) which was devised for the defence of beaches against attacking troops, and also for inland defences, at strategic positions. The flame barrage provides a continuous flame front of 30 feet depth, with intense heat up to 50 yards distant. Tankage of about 90 tons is provided, to give at least thirty minutes continuous burning on a 200 yard front, but, normally, two minute firing periods are used. Instantaneous operation can be effected from any suitable observation point, and the barrage can be reignited as required. The maximum number of men needed to operate this barrage is three men per 200 yards frontage."
Colour footage shows the barrage in action on a beach, followed by diagrammatic representations of the operation of the pump house and nozzles. Pump house is seen under construction followed by workshop shots (with cross sections)showing the hawk nozzle, phoenix igniter and eel igniter components. Assembly of hawk nozzle and phoenix igniter, and (separately) the eel igniter, is shown. The operation of the phoenix igniter is shown in slow motion and close up. spraying an impressively wide area with burning fuel. Eel igniter is also shown in operation: the effect is equally impressive. The camouflaged pump house is virtually invisible on a nearby hillside. Close-ups show details of the installation (pipes, valves, switches etc) in the pump house. On the shingle beach, the hawk nozzles are well hidden. The flame barrage in operation: soldier turns the wheel which allows the fuel to go down the pipes to the beach. Valves are opened and the fuel flows. View (from water, looking at beach) shows the fuel being dispensed and ignited: it burns furiously. Second viewing, from the back of the beach, shows the barrage blazing and giving off a wall of thick black smoke. Second ignition sequence is shown, plus a final shot of the barrage being turned off.
