Title:THE WORLD'S GREATEST STORY - EPISODE 4 [Main Title]
Film Number:IWM 420-07+8
Other titles:
Summary: A thematic treatment of British rear area services on the Western Front 1916-1918.
Description: (Reel 7) The episode starts with 'Justice'. Men of V Corps unload meat from wagons. A butcher of 16th (Irish) Division cuts up the meat. Various types of supplies are moved from rail trucks and loaded onto wagons. A rail station, probably Arras. Rail transport for soldiers. Leave boats taking soldiers "to that 'jewel set in a silver sea' and known belovedly as 'Blighty'". (Reel 8) Messenger dogs train at XXII Corps headquarters kennels. An RE7 of the RFC takes off on a reconnaissance flight. An observation balloon (this scene is tinted red) is shot down by enemy aircraft, not clearly seen. In response to this two lorry-mounted 13-pounder anti-aircraft guns give chase to a German aircraft and shoot it down. The reconnaissance machine lands. "Then in the silence of the eventide our machine returns home to a well earned repose."