Summary: An edition of United News, featuring a naval offensive in the South Pacific, an American padre earning his parachutist's 'jump wings', the baptism of Dutch Princess Margriet in Ottawa, the use of a trans-Atlantic cargo-carrying glider, and the visit of French General Henri Giraud to see President Roosevelt.
Description: United News main titles. Part 1: 'US opens a new drive on Japs in South Pacific'. In the Pacific a line of cruisers underway. Lookouts at work. A biplane seaplane is launched. An anti-aircraft gun traverses. Aerial views of ships firing. Firing at night (some of the gun flashes illuminate a Stars and Stripes flag in a quite evocative manner). On deck sailors pass the time by playing backgammon. Ramming a gun clean. Preparing cartridges. On an island the preparation of a dump of fuel etc. A radio mast erected amongst palm trees. A seaplane parked amongst wooden thatch-covered huts. A coastal gun on the beach.
Part 2: 'Invasion tactics: Paratroop padre flies with troops'. Brief shot Catholic padre at an altar. American paratroopers run to their aircraft and emplane. Aircraft takes off. Paratroopers exiting and descending. At a parade the padre receives his jump wings.
Part 3: 'Queen Wilhelmina attends baptism of Baby Princess'. Footage of the service in progress (at a cathedral in Ottawa?); singing hymns, sermon, the baptism (presumably of Princess Margriet).
Part 4: 'Air glider spans ocean with war cargo for Britain'. A Hadrian (Waco) glider is loaded (from a trolley marked RAFFC, Royal Air Force Ferry Command). Close-up name 'Voo Doo'. Royal Air Force squadron leader. Close-up a letter addressed to Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill, head of Ferry Command. Close-up 'This is the first letter to be delivered by Trans-Atlantic glider aircraft'. Take off with Dakota tractor aircraft. Aerial footage.
Part 5: 'General Giraud in US to see President Roosevelt'. A Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft taxiing. Guard of honour at the salute. General Giraud steps down and is greeted. He departs by car. He arrives. Giraud with Roosevelt. End titles.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:UNY 59
Sound:Silent
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1943-07
Production Country: United States of America
Production Details: Office of War Information (Production sponsor)
United Newsreel Corporation (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Seys, Richard Godfrey (person)
Gobeil, Fowler Morgan (person)
Royal Air Force, Ferry Command (regiment/service)
Bowhill, Frederick William (person)
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano (person)
Giraud, Henri H (person)
Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands (person)
United States Navy (regiment/service)
