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Title:THE ONE MILLIONTH AMERICAN SOLDIER DEPARTS FROM SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BTF 57
Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: A ferry voyage to deliver a Red Cross ambulance train from Southampton to Cherbourg. There is also an event to mark the one millionth American soldier to embark from Southampton Docks since D-Day, and repair work on Charing Cross Bridge following a V1 flying bomb raid.
Description: (5-8 October 1944) Voyage of the “Hampton Ferry” from Southampton (South coast of England) to the port at Cherbourg (North West France). The sequence begins with the ferry being released from its moorings and views of the quayside as its leaves the harbour. A couple of vessels are singled out crossing a busy shipping lane. Once docked at Cherbourg, a Red Cross ambulance train is unloaded across the linkspan. Cuts to; the ferry moored on the dockside as the train is unloaded, and the wider harbour area as the ferry departs. The engine order telegraph (ETO) lever is moved to “FULL”, the ship’s captain searches the horizon through a set of binoculars and a 20mm cannon is manned for the return voyage. The scene then cuts back to a sequence leaving the docks at Southampton, white cliffs in the distance, before more scenes aboard the ferry as it comes into harbour at Cherbourg. SH359-361
(18 October 1944) Repair work on Charing Cross Bridge, Central London, following a V1 flying bomb strike. Workmen weld supports, whilst electric trains pass overhead. From a position on the River Thames, it is clear the repair work is nearing completion. (5 min) SH362
(19-21 October 1944) A Hospital Ship at sea. Aboard the “Hampton Ferry”; seamen tighten the shackles on and between two lines of railway wagons. (6 min) SH363
(25 October 1944) A ceremony to mark the one millionth American soldier to embark from Southampton Docks since D-Day. The Mayor of Southampton and some American Officers speak from a platform in one of the docks storage sheds to an audience of American troops. An American soldier has a sign reading; “THE MILLIONTH YANK” hung around his neck. Shots pan across the audience, many are in full uniform but the atmosphere is celebratory. They move outside for shots beside a troop ship, before the remaining troops cross the gangplank to go aboard. (6 min 40 sec) SH364
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]