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Title:HMS FIGHTER DIRECTION TENDER 217 (location, used as title on shot lists) [Main Title]
Film Number:APY 32
Other titles:RADAR FILM [Alternative Title]
Summary: Secret film records and demonstrates sea borne radar equipment (Type 11 and Type 15, RCM Beacon, Naval Beacon, ASR Beacon) used to provide ground controlled interception of German aircraft.during the Normandy landings, mounted on the deck of one of the three US Tank Landing Craft specially converted for this purpose by John Brown shipyards, after her return to Loch Fyne and prior to her intended deployment to the Far East. Includes interior plotting scenes.
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2156 ft; Running time: 24 mins
HD Media:Yes
Notes: Summary: based on voiceover commentary recorded on DVD kindly supplied by son-in-law (Geoff Slee) of former crew member, who also identifies fellow crew members, including Canadian personnel. Voiceover DVD available for use.
Summary: for further details see FLOATING RADARS IN THE CHANNEL - The Fighter Direction Tenders and Radar Units with Operation Overlord/Neptune - June 1944 (Revised Edition 2004. Prepared by Horace R. (Red) Macaulay
Date: After operating for 17 days off the British and Canadian assault beaches (Gold, Juno and Sword) on the Normandy coast, FDT 217 was withdrawn on 23 June 1944, then remained anchored off Cowes until mid-November, when she sailed to Loch Fyne, where she remained until June 1945, prior to fitting out for her intended deployment to the Pacific theatre. On the night of 27/28 April 1944, she took part in Operation Tiger in Lyme Bay, an amphibious landing exercise fatally interrupted by German E-boats.
Production: Based on diary entry for 25 November 1944 of LAC Karl Work (A. I. Radar mechanic on FDT 217) quoted by Macaulay, "picked up S/L Larkley and two RAF film bashers to take motion picture of ship for Air Ministry"; 28 November "I took part below deck in filming various radar operations in the radar receiving and filter rooms, showing RAF personnel operating the equipment as though they were in action".
