Title:THE ARMY AIR SERVICE IN NORMANDY (PART 1) [Allocated Title]
Film Number:A70 72-1
Other titles:
Summary: Aerial observation for army and navy artillery on 1st Corps' front.
Description: Filming from a Taylorcraft Auster from 652nd Army AOP Squadron's 'A' Flight, shortly after take-off, the cameraman surveys the countryside around the villages of Plumetot and Cresserons in which the following are seen occupying outlying fields and orchards; a POL dump, vehicles under camouflaged netting, an AFV and MT park (with Sherman tanks, M10 self-propelled guns clearly identifiable), an Austin K2 ambulance column, an ammunition dump, two B-17 Flying Fortresses on Plumetot Advanced Landing Ground, a Bedford OY lorry column and a field hospital (denoted by Large Red Cross panels). Referring to large mapboards, spotter pilots (all RA captains) and other RA officers hold a briefing session around their mobile HQ (a wireless truck); a pilot and his bombardier observer study a map of the Caen area, focusing on the Noyers-Brettevillette sector. Royal Navy signallers man wireless equipment at an FOP, relaying target information to their ship off 'Sword' beach; nearby, an RN captain and his orderly (both in army battledress) spot for the guns of a cruiser (HMS Emerald); note the Bren gun on hand in case of emergency.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:A70 72-1
Sound:Silent
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1944-07-06
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor)
Army Film Unit (Production company)
Gross, A C (Production individual)
