OFF-DUTY TROOPS RELAX IN NORMANDY [Allocated Title]

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  • 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.
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1944-08-11
  • Production Country: GB
  • 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)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Footage: 348 ft; Running time: 4 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Notes: Note: For other ciné material showing off-duty troops relaxing, see A70 83-3, 112-1, 120-16 and 121-2. Five bridging companies, including 12th Company RASC seen here, were attached to 21st Army Group; each consisted of ten platoons (3 Bailey, 2 Pontoon, 2 Folding Boat Equipment, 1 Assault Equipment, 1 Raft and 1 Heavy) and supporting RE and workshop detachments. Remarks: Best seen with the items of ciné material listed above and A70 161-2 which features an RASC bridging company in travelling order.
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    A70 120-16

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
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