Summary: An edited film by the RAF Film Production Unit, portraying a morning in the life of RAF 252 Squadron, as its Bristol Beaufighters take off to attack enemy shipping and a motor convoy in the western desert.
Description: RAF Film Production Unit titles. "Beau Geste 1942" with drawing of a man leaning against a palm tree and a Bristol Beaufighter overhead. "A morning in the life of a Beaufighter squadron in the Middle East". Cock crows; tents amongst palm trees and airman walking. Man emerges from tent and washes in a tripod washbasin; he turfs another airman out of his camp bed. The turfed airman comes face-to-face with a scorpion and throws a shoe at it. Mess orderlies (?) preparing breakfast in the open; airmen walk to a tented cookhouse. An airman puts out a plate of seed for the cockerel. A cat eats from a plate. Arming a Beaufighter; .303-inch ammunition is loaded. 20mm guns are prepared and fitted, followed by their ammunition drums. Aircrew walk to their aircraft; voiceover dialogue reveals the mission is an interception of an Italian ship. Crew board their Beaufighter; nose of the Beaufighter with three swastika silhouettes and a squadron badge. Engines starting. Beaufighter X7633 "X" taxis past camera followed by BT:G. BT (no aircraft letter) J5032 takes off. Take off over palm trees. BT:K takes off. Interior aircraft looking forward and aft. BT:K again. Aerial footage; squadron of Beaufighters on patrol. BT:Y engages with gun camera footage for attack on ship. Radio conversation; "ship well ablaze, anything further?". Beaufighters are retasked to attack road convoy. Air-to-ground footage; vehicles crossing the desert. Beaufighters attack; low level gun camera footage. The aircraft return to base; observer with binoculars "Here's B for Bertie". An airman by the "aircraft movements" blackboard notes the time. BT:B lands. F for Freddie lands. Beaufighter taxis in. "Here's the last one"..."13:38, right that's the lot". END over drawing of a parked Beaufighter.
Production Details: Air Ministry (Production sponsor)
Royal Air Force Film Production Unit (Production company)
Clayton, Jack (Production individual)
Wilbur, B (Production individual)
Sayer, S (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force, 252 Squadron (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, Desert Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: Middle East (geography)
Western Desert 1940-1943, North Africa, Second World War (event)
Aerial Warfare (theme)
Royal Air Force 1939-1945 (theme)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 751 ft; Running time: 9 mins
