Title:RAID REPORT : how the RAF assesses bomb damage [Main Title]
Film Number:RMY 105
Other titles:
Summary: Film explaining how reconnaissance photographs are interpreted.
Description: RAF photographic interpreters are skilled men and women who with the aid of stereoscopes are able to identify bomb damage against enemy targets. Comparison of before and after photographs distinguishes new from old bomb damage and further analysis reveals the separate effect of high explosive and incendiary bomb destruction. Particular targets (Mainz, Düsseldorf, Lübeck, Cologne, Rostock, Renault factory in Paris, naval yard at Wilhelmshaven and Ansaldo yard at Genoa) are next examined and all reveal the accuracy and destructive power of the RAF bomber offensive. Commentary recalls that the "Method of total bombing was of course initiated by the Nazis" and repeats Churchill's advice to the Germans to leave the factories and go out into the fields if they wish to escape the RAF. Final selection of the film is aerial movie coverage of a night raid on Genoa. Films of this sort are being used for experimental purposes - to find out whether cinematography can be an additional aid to interpretation. Slowed-up film shows bombs falling - shows time taken for incendiary to penetrate roof; it is possible that cinematography will become an additional aid in the assessment of bomb damage as "our attacks on the enemy increase in frequency and intensity".
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
British Movietone News (Production company)
Sanger, Gerald (Production individual)
Perrin, Raymond (Production individual)
Bell, Geoffrey (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: destruction, French military - aimed: bomb (object name)
destruction, German military - aimed: bomb (object name)
destruction, Italian military - aimed: bomb (object name)
intelligence, military, British - reconnaissance: aerial target photographs (object name)
Renault Factory, Paris, Département de Ville de Paris, France (geography)
Germany & Cologne, North Rhine Westphalia (geography)
Germany & Dusseldorf, North Rhine Westphalia (geography)
Germany & Lubeck, Schleswig-Holstein (geography)
Germany & Mainz, Rhineland Palatinate (geography)
Germany & Wilhelmshaven, Lower Saxony <naval yard> (geography)
Germany & Rostock, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (geography)
Italy & Genoa, Liguria <Ansaldo yard> (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: 1107 ft; Running time: 13 mins
