Title:3RD DIVISION CAPTURES THE VILLAGE OF OVERLOON DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF 8TH CORPS' OPERATION CONSTELLATION (PART 1) [Allocated Title]
Film Number:A70 177-1
Other titles:
Summary: As 3rd Division's 8th and 185th Brigades consolidate their hold on Overloon, armour moves up to participate in 9th Brigade's push through difficult tank country towards Venraij.
Description: Churchill tanks belonging to the 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards - notably its RHQ troop (whose tanks are conspicuous by their array of wireless aerials) - motor slowly through the wrecked village along a track cleared of mines and marked off by white tape accompanied by infantrymen (mainly from the 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment) marching towards their FUP; seen near the mine-free lane is a Churchill knocked out by either a landmine or an anti-tank gun during the Coldstreams' assault on Overloon the previous day. Seen accompanying the Coldstream Guards along the mine-free track are several special purpose AFVs, namely two Churchill AVREs ("2E" and "2B") from 617th Assault Squadron RE, a Cromwell or Centaur ARV from 8th Brigade's REME recovery section, two Sherman Crab minesweeping flail tanks from No 3 troop in the Westminster Dragoons' C Squadron and, lastly, two Churchill AVRE fascine carriers from the Assault Squadron RE, with the lead vehicle towing another fascine in an armoured sledge.
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit (Production company)
Grant, Ian James1917-04-16Family origin: Edinburgh, Scotland (Production individual)
