Title:OPERATION LIGHT: CARRIER-LAUNCHED AIRSTRIKE AGAINST SUMATRA SEEN FROM BATTLESHIP HMS HOWE [Allocated Title]
Film Number:MWY 227
Other titles:INDIAN INTER-SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORATE COLLECTION - INDIAN HOME FRONT AND MILITARY OPERATIONS, AND ALLIED OPERATIONS IN ITALY AND THE PACIFIC DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Footage taken from the King George V Class battleship HMS Howe, showing aircraft launching from the carriers HMS Indomitable and Victorious, to participate in Operation Light, a naval airstrike against Sumatra.
Description: Roll 1, shot on 17 September 1944: Looking towards a Royal Navy Illustrious Class aircraft carrier, possibly HMS Indomitable, which is launching Hellcat fighters and is sailing on a parallel course across shot right-to-left. Another carrier, sailing left-to-right (i.e on the other side of Howe), and also launching aircraft. The first carrier, launching Fairey Barracudas. Aircraft passing the first carrier. Seven Corsair fighters in flight. Aircraft passing over the second carrier. Aircraft launching from the second carrier. Five Barracudas passing overhead. Eight Barracudas in flight. The second (?) aircraft carrier with a small fire burning on its deck with smoke rising; the fire does not appear serious. Wide shot showing several formations airborne and passing over a carrier. An aircraft carrier; shot is framed by Howe’s aft quadruple 14-inch turret. Carrier steaming left-to-right with Barracudas landing on.
Roll 4, shot on 19 September: Barracudas and Corsairs landing.
Roll 3, shot on 18 September: out of focus shots of aircraft launching from a carrier. Focus corrected; an aircraft carrier astern.
Alternative Title:INDIAN INTER-SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORATE COLLECTION - INDIAN HOME FRONT AND MILITARY OPERATIONS, AND ALLIED OPERATIONS IN ITALY AND THE PACIFIC DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Production Details: SEAC Photo Unit (US) (Production company)
Schopp, H (Captain) (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, HOWE (HMS) (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, HMS INDOMITABLE, aircraft carrier (1940) (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, VICTORIOUS (HMS), aircraft carrier (regiment/service)
Keywords: Indian Ocean (geography)
Royal Navy 1939-1945 (theme)
Far East 1939-1945 (theme)
