Title:EXERCISE HOLDFAST, SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, GERMANY, 18 SEPTEMBER TO 21 SEPTEMBER 1960 - REEL 2 [Allocated Title]
Film Number:NAT 1718
Other titles:SHAPE FILM LIBRARY [Allocated Series Title]
Summary:Canadian and German troops taking part in Exercise Holdfast.
Description:Assault boats and heavy equipment boats come ashore: troops and scout cars disembark (the latter getting stuck in the sand) and head across beach, soon followed by tanks. Troops spread branches on the sand as bedding for wheeled vehicles. DUKW comes ashore. Tractor pulls truck through sand. Jeep and tank also seen. The heavy vehicle transport ship closes its door and pulls away from shore; tractor spreads sand in front of the ship. German truck, towing a mortar, moves into position: the mortar is prepared and camouflaged. Canadian soldiers are seen, including one on a telephone and a Canadian gun crew moving into position; the gun is fired. Miscellaneous scenes of German and Canadian infantry in action. Canadian tank and mortar crew prepare to fire their weapons.
Two additional reels are held. The first [X/01] shows vehicle disembarking from L750 (KROKODIL) and L752 (SALAMANDER) on to the beach. Bundles of sticks are gathered and placed on the beach to aid traction. Subsequent shots show a mesh is being rolled out for use. The vehicles make their way up the beach variously under their own power, or by towage. Signals are made [believed to be from L751 or L753 (VIPER)] as they approach the shore. This reel ends with a montage of vehicles driving down ramps onto the beach and of the landing crafts gun crews in position. The second [X/02] shows L753 departing from a jetty and then in a harbour. Shots of troops onboard a vessel at night. Further views of the beach landing follow. Landing craft approach the shore and troops disembark, dashing up the beach.
Alternative Title:SHAPE FILM LIBRARY [Allocated Series Title]
