OPERATION EPSOM - 8TH CORPS' FORMATIONS IN ACTION (PART 5) [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: OPERATION EPSOM - 8TH CORPS' FORMATIONS IN ACTION (PART 5) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: A70 59-1
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: Infantry and armour seen in action during Operation Epsom.
  • Description: I. Stuart IIIs from the 44th Royal Tank Regiment's reconnaissance troop rumble through Norrey-en-Bessin. Stuarts dash forward through a wheatfield past the HQ troop; in the background, shell-bursts can be seen hovering over St Manvieu. The Regiment joins elements of the 11th Armoured and 15th (Scottish) Divisions near the Caen - Fontenay-le-Pesnel road. II. Infantry (227th Brigade) and an anti-tank detachment (97th Anti- Tank Regiment Royal Artillery) make their way along the waterlogged Caen-Fontenay road at La Gaule. An RTR squadron is seen in harbour nearby. Shermans and 25-pounder field guns shell German positions beyond Le Haut du Bosq. Infantry (2nd Battalion Glasgow Highlanders) returns from Le Haut du Bosq after being relieved. The cameraman surveys Le Haut du Bosq and its environs. An Auster AOP flies over a Sherman OP; a dead cow lies in the foreground. Infantry (7th Somerset Light Infantry) and anti-tank detachments (59th Anti-Tank Regiment RA) move up to relieve the 7th Seaforth Highlanders on 'Hill 100'; a SOMLI infantry section lies in wait. Armour - Shermans and Churchill Crocodiles - is silhouetted against bursting smoke shells. Carrier and anti-tank detachments (159th Infantry Brigade) file through Cheux. III. The Regiment is seen in harbour; a corporal shaves by his Humber scout car; Shermans leave for Colleville.
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1944-06-28
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor) Army Film and Photographic Unit (Production company) Palmer, F A W (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force (regiment/service) British Army, Div 15 (regiment/service) British Army, Div, Armoured, 11 (regiment/service) British Army, Div 43 (regiment/service) British Army, Bde 227 (regiment/service) British Army, Bde 159 (regiment/service) British Army, Royal Artillery, AT Regiment 97 (regiment/service) British Army, Royal Artillery, AT Regiment 59 (regiment/service) British Army, Royal Tank Regiment 44 (regiment/service) British Army, Highland Light Infantry, 9th Battalion (regiment/service) British Army, Somerset Light Infantry, 7th Battalion (regiment/service) British Army, Seaforth Highlanders, 7th Battalion (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: armour, United States - tank: M3A1 Stuart III & [British] (object name) armour, United States - tank: M4 Sherman & [British] (object name) armour, United States - tank: M4 Sherman OP & [British] (object name) armour, British - funnies: Churchill Crocodile (object name) armour, British - armoured car: Humber scout car (object name) weapons, British - gun: 25-pounder field gun (object name) aircraft, British - light military: Taylorcraft Auster spotter plane (object name) operations, British military - movement: armour (object name) combat, British - artillery bombardment (object name) destruction, French military - area: artillery bombardment (object name) 01/5(4-16).232 [ Operation Epsom] (event) Norrey-en-Bessin, Calvados, France (geography) Saint Manvieu, Calvados, France (geography) La Gaule, France (geography) Le Haut de Busq, Calvados, France (geography) Cheux, Calvados, France (geography) Hill 100, France (geography) Colleville-sur-Orne, Calvados, 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: 595 ft; Running time: 6 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Notes: Production: part I of the synopsis was filmed on 26/6/1944, part II on 27/6/1944 and part III on 28/6/1944 Summary: 44th RTR's parent formation, 4th Armoured Brigade, was placed under 11th Armoured Division's control for Epsom Remarks: good footage, in which the bountiful and cramped nature of the countryside in the Odon Valley and the despoliation of Cheux are well conveyed. Several good 'cameo' shots - the Sherman parked near the dead cow and the tank crewman shaving next to his Scout car
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    A70 59-1

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