Summary: An account of the training and an impression of the value of paratroops - a film to provide the background for "forthcoming" newspaper accounts of airborne assault.
Description: The dangers and rigorous preparation involved in this kind of fighting are stressed - paratroops are shown doing PT, unarmed-combat training, landing practice (on ground, jump from captive balloon). A Grenadier Guard watches and participates in the packing of his parachute; a contingent of paratroops in Libya practice landing by jumping from slow-moving vehicles. A sequence shows a paratroop exercise - men check equipment, embark in Whitleys, jump, land (including a slow motion shot) "go into action". Closing shots of radio mast collapsing, a bridge blown up, indicate potential uses of paratroops.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:UKY 442
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1942-09
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Celluloid Despatch (Production company)
Cummins, Sylvia K (Production individual)
Wills, Colin (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, paratroops (regiment/service)
British Army, Grenadier Guards (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - balloon: parachute training balloon (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Armstrong Whitworth Whitley (object name)
equipment, British military - personal: parachute (object name)
operations, British military - preparation (object name)
training, British military - combat (object name)
training, British military - specialist: paratroop (object name)
Libya (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 870 ft; Running time: 10 mins
