Summary: The work of Coastal Command is illustrated by the story of a single (fictional) operation, and of the various ground and flying personnel involved, particularly the crew of Sunderland 'T for Tommy'.
Description:The crew is introduced in the course of a routine convoy-escort patrol, which is uneventful for them though their relief (a Catalina) sinks a U-boat. The main story concerns the shadowing of a German raider (the Düsseldorf) and the Coastal Command attacks which leave it ready for a naval death-blow. The raider's attempted break-out is first spotted by a Catalina, which watches a torpedo attack by Beauforts from Iceland before turning for home. 'T for Tommy', the relief 'shadow', briefly loses the Düsseldorf but then guides in a Hudson bombing strike. Flying low to spot damage, the Sunderland is itself damaged by flak; returning home it is attacked by four Ju 88s. Rescue arrives, first with another Sunderland, then four Beaufighters. 'T for Tommy' gets home with two crew members slightly injured; a closing sequence shows its departure for duty in West Africa.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:COI 426
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Film: IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1942-11-1942-11
Production Country:GB
Production Details:Crown Film Unit (Production company)
Holmes, J B (Production individual)
Dalrymple, Ian Murray (Production individual)
Jones, Jonah (Production individual)
Gamage, Fred (Production individual)
Elton, Ralph (Production individual)
Lee, Jack (Production individual)
McNaughton, R Q (Production individual)
Mathieson, Muir (Production individual)
Gordon, Michael (Production individual)
Cameron, Ken (Production individual)
Carrick, Edward (Production individual)
Bryant, G (Production individual)
Wright, Dora (Production individual)
Pargiter, Isobel (Production individual)
Vaughan Williams, Ralph (Production individual)
RAF Orchestra (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics:Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details:Footage: 6581 ft; Running time: 70 mins
