Title:THE 43RD (WESSEX) DIVISION ADVANCES TOWARDS THE MONT PINCON MASSIF [Allocated Title]
Film Number:A70 109-6
Other titles:
Summary: After driving out its 21st Panzer Division defenders, 43rd Division's 130th Brigade takes possession of the village of Jurques.
Description: Seven prisoners from the 21st Panzer Division (?) are led through the deserted and derelict streets of Jurques. A universal carrier rumbles through the village along the main road which continues in a straight line down into the valley below and then ascends the ridge overlooking Jurques a half mile beyond; from this view of the countryside some idea can be gained of the advantages enjoyed by an enemy equipped with excellent high- velocity anti-tank guns and moreover usually in possession of the higher ground. A discarded German steel helmet lies among the debris in the burning interior of a house. A Bren gunner serving with the 7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment keeps watch over a rubble-strewn thoroughfare in Jurques. A universal carrier makes a return journey up the main road through the village. A British infantryman (either dead or feigning death for the cameraman) lies before an abandoned Somua half-track APC which belonged to Assault Gun Battalion No. 200.
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit (Production company)
Handford, Peter1919-03-212007-11-06Handford is known as a a pioneer of location sound recording. He was an AFPU Lieutenant photographer during the Second World War. He volunteered as part of the British Expeditionary Force and went to France, though he was evacuated after the German invasion. He returned as a cameraman in the D-Day landings. He was shot during fighting two days later, saved by a diary and silver cigarette lighter in his pocket. He was informant in the "Wartime Filming" interview project. His first major film was in 1949 working for Alfred Hitchcock. However, what he is best known for is his involvment in the English new wave cinema movement of the 1960s. Later he was involved in did the sound for famous films such as Gorillas in the Mist and Dangerous Liaisons. He retired in 1988. (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Corps 30 (regiment/service)
British Army, Bde 130 (regiment/service)
British Army, Div 43 (regiment/service)
Keywords: prisoners of war (object name)
Operation Bluecoat, Mont Pinçon 1944, North West Europe, Second World War (event)
Jurques, Calvados, France (geography)
