WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 111 [Main Title]

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  • Title: WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 111 [Main Title]
  • Film Number: WPN 111
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
  • Description: I. 'PACIFIC.' United States (US) infantry practice unarmed combat techniques adopted, according to the commentary, from those developed by the British Army. US infantry enjoy a bout of neck and stomach strengthening exercises as their physical training instructors look on. US infantry undertake an assault course. Part of the assault training includes the use of live ammunition fired from a water-cooled .30 in Browning machine gun pre-set for height to fire tracer bullets over the bodies of the crawling troops. The commentary states that it is training such as this that will one day "blacken out the Rising Sun and straighten out the Swastika." Elsewhere, in New Zealand, anti-tank crews fire Ordnance QF 2-pounder anti-tank guns from the cover of shrubbery. New Zealand (NZ) infantry drive at speed across uneven terrain in left hand drive US Jeeps towing Ordnance QF 2-pounder anti-tank guns. On reaching a watercourse the motorised anti-tank detachment make improvised rafts out of wooden gates, tarpaulins, ropes and straw filled kitbags. An Ordnance 2-pounder is lowered down a steep river bank to the rafts by use of ropes and manpower. The commentary stresses that the Australians are also under training, preparing for landings on Japanese-held islands. Bare chested Australians row large boats into very heavy surf off Bondi Beach. II. 'WOMEN OF THE RAF.' The commentary introduces an item on recruitment in the Middle East for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). A WAAF Flight Lieutenant oversees a party of female volunteers as they sign on for service in the WAAF at a training depot "somewhere in the Middle East." A female volunteer reads over various documents before signing on. The WAAF volunteers are taken to a barrack room, where they unpack their belongings. The women recruits drink coffee and smoke cigarettes in a refectory. The WAAF's receive a uniform issue from stores as the commentary outlines the variety of duties open to them, including clerical work, accounts, driving, photography, nursing etc. A male Flight Lieutenant gives assembled WAAF's an introductory lecture on the various trade groups open to WAAF volunteers and the areas of responsibility and training required for each role. The commentary proclaims that another batch of WAAF's are ready to get on with the job of helping to win the war over scenes of WAAF's throwing medicine balls and skipping with rope during a physical training session. III. 'UNITED NATIONS DAY IN CAIRO.' The troops of thirty four nations take part in celebrating the second United Nations Day held in Cairo. General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, standing on a reviewing podium, takes the salute from the massed ranks of United Nations troops during the traditional march past. Lord Killearn (Sir Miles Lampson) looks on. British M4 Sherman tanks (three piece noses) forming part of the procession drive past the reviewing podium. Roof-top views show South African Crusader tanks negotiating difficult road curves as Cairo civilians look on from the road side. A Crusader tank drives past the camera flying the South African national flag and bearing the legend "Wildebeest" on its hull. Artillery tractors (Morris-Commercial C8 ?) tow limbers and Ordnance QF 25-pounder howitzers past the reviewing stands followed by ambulances and other soft-skinned vehicles. A detachment of Royal Navy ratings heads the march past that includes contingents from all Commonwealth and Allied countries. General Henry Maitland Wilson presents the Victoria Cross to Brigadier Lorne MacLaine Campbell of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Herbert Le Patourel. The march past continues as a mixed crowd of civilians, British, Commonwealth and Polish officers look on. The commentary stresses the unity of purpose of the United Nations in overthrowing tyranny and vindicating freedom.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: WPN 111
  • Sound: Silent
  • Access Conditions: IWM Film: IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1943-06-21-1943-06-21
  • Production Country:GB
  • Production Details:Ministry of Information, Middle East (Production sponsor) War Pictorial News (Production company) Martin, Charles (Production individual) Keating, Rex (Production cast)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics:Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Title language: English Subtitle language: Arabic
  • Technical Details:35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 834 ft; Running time: 9 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    WPN 111

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