Title:OFF-DUTY TROOPS RELAX IN NORMANDY [Allocated Title]
Film Number:A70 120-16
Other titles:
Summary: Men serving in an RASC unit that delivers bridging components to RE units in the frontline enjoy a few moments of rest in 12th Corps' sector of 2nd Army's front.
Description: Quartered in fields at Le Fresne-Camilly, men in 12th Bridging Company RASC's No. 1640 platoon enjoy a high tea, consisting of baked beans, fried corned beef, bread, jam, margarine and tea. A corporal has a wash in a bath-tub; his modesty is compromised by the action of a genial French farm worker who removes the wheat-sheaves concealing him from the camera, thus prompting his hasty exit. The energetic members of the platoon take part in a tug o'war match while others lend vocal support. Afterwards they are all issued with half-pint cans of 'Barclay's Export Lager'. As night falls, the platoon turns in; laundry left to dry on a barbed-wire fence is gathered in and a final trip to the latrine is taken. Two men wash and shave by a harvesting machine. An armed sentry keeps watch as the sun goes down.
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit (Production company)
Collins (Sergeant) (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Royal Army Service Corps, Bridging Coy 12 (regiment/service)
British Army, Corps 12 (regiment/service)
Keywords: agriculture, French - arable: harvest (object name)
society, British military - hygiene: ablutions, personal (object name)
society, British military - sustenance (object name)
recreation, Allied military - casual (object name)
Rationing (concept)
Normandy, France (geography)
