Title:FIRST FULL SCALE MILITARY MANOEUVRES BY THE PORTUGUESE ARMY'S 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION SINCE JOINING SHAPE, 23 JAN 1956 [Allocated Title]
Film Number:NAT 1539
Other titles:SHAPE FILM LIBRARY [Allocated Series Title]
Summary:Field Marshal Montgomery and General Francisco H C Lopes, among others, observe Portuguese manoeuvres. Participants are also shown eating and washing, with further general views of Portuguese people.
Description:Field Marshal Montgomery arrives at (what is believed to be) Tancos Airbase, and is greeted by Portuguese Minister of Defence, Lieutenant Colonel Fernando dos Santos Costas and officers; he reviews honour guard. Manoeuvres are prepared around the city of Aviz; Montgomery and General Pina visit headquarters. General Francisco H C Lopes, President of Portugal, arrives and is briefed. "Campo de instruçao de Sta Margarida": Portuguese tank and crew, headquarters tent with Portuguese soldiers at clerical work. Messenger runs towards jeep and gets in: convoys set off, with jeeps and trucks. Jeep crosses Pont de Sor Bridge, which is strengthened to allow heavy equipment to move over it. Troops move forward, directed by military police. Members of Spanish Mission and SHAPE observers (including General von Kielmansegg and General Gazounaud) receive briefings. Scenes of the manoeuvres in progress: troops advancing across stream, soldier using walkie-talkie, officers reviewing the manoeuvres using maps or binoculars, artillery being used, foxholes being dug, mortars being loaded, paratroops descending. Field Marshal Montgomery heads back to the airport. Meanwhile, the manoeuvres continue: parachute troops on ground, soldiers cook and eat food (soup, sandwiches), wood is cut; soldier has medicine applied to a cut finger, men wash their pans in a river, others attend to ablutions. General views of Portuguese people: women; prisoners at prison window; donkey cart; old people and children etc.
Alternative Title:SHAPE FILM LIBRARY [Allocated Series Title]
