Title:TROOP TACTICS: PART 3: CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY [Main Title]
Film Number:DRA 1032
Other titles:
Summary: A military training film staging an exercise in which Tank and Infantry Units advance, attack and surround the enemy, emphasising the importance of co-operation between commands for a successful outcome.
Description: (Reel 1) Approach to a tactical assault should be as follows: Task (orders and intention), Recce (done by the units involved in the assault and not based on other's reports), Ground (making best use of cover etc), Aggression (fire and movement) and Keep Calm (or you may risk lives including your own). Example No 1: a tank action without infantry across open land with some tree cover. Diagram of assault on an anti-tank screen with four tank troops and a leading squadron. (Reel 2) Tank commander's thoughts on how to best use his troops; point of view from attack and defence. Communication via wireless sets, visual signals and flares. Destruction of anti-tank screen as the tank squadron reaches its target. Example No 2: a tank attack with motor platoon support on a farmhouse surrounded by a copse in which the enemy is "holed up". Emphasising cooperation between the two units, importance of covering one another. Diagrams supplement the live action. (Reel 3) Continuation of tank attack with motor platoon support showing communication and signalling between the two to surround and overcome the enemy. Example No 3: an infantry attack with tank support over hilly and forested land in three stages culminating in rousting the enemy. Royal Artillery and Foresters units are in battle. Aerial photograph used to illustrate the tactics required to achieve the final objective. The tanks advance, supporting the infantry to the first bound (objective) in "leapfrogging" stages. (Reel 4) This tactic is continued to the second bound (intermediate objective). Problems are encountered with anti-tank fire, the platoon commander locates the machine gun position with binoculars and requests the tank commander fire on them. He applies the principles of the tactical approach discussed in reel 1. Under a smoke screen the infantry move forward and the final objective is attained. The tank unit withdraw, refuel, maintain and repair their vehicles, relax with a cup of tea and a cigarette. Reiteration of mutual protection and confidence with constant liaison between units to ensure success in battle. Close cooperation between armour and infantry obtain results with the least casualties.
Production Details: Army Kinema Corporation (Production sponsor)
National Interest Picture Productions Ltd (Production company)
Arthur, A Noel (Production individual)
Hopkins, A E C (Production individual)
Jackman, A F (Production individual)
Rich, T L (Production individual)
Williams, G (Production individual)
Millett, C F (Production individual)
Millett, C F (Production individual)
Mounteney, C L (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
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: 4
Footage: 3665 ft; Running time: 41 mins
