Title:THE WORLD'S GREATEST STORY - EPISODE 14 [Main Title]
Film Number:IWM 420-27+28
Other titles:
Summary: A continued thematic treatment of the British involvement in the last months of the war on the Western Front, 1918.
Description: (Reel 27) The episode opens with 'Justice'. Scenes of FE2d night bombers (in daylight) interspersed with scenes of a posed group of pilots from 60 Squadron with their recently departed commanding officer Captain William Bishop. Dead horses by the roadside. Five aircraft flying in formation. British troops crossing the battlefield. The capture of various damaged villages, one still under shellfire. British and Canadian soldiers putting out the fires in Cambrai. A tank demonstrates its ability to overcome tank traps, including a land mine. (Reel 28) The unfinished German ferroconcrete defences on the Hindenburg Line, "the nature of the German defences was evidence of their long preparation for their audacious attack upon unsuspecting Europe". The south side of the tunnel on the Saint Quentin Canal and the bridge at Bellenglise where 46th Division crossed. Civilians celebrating the liberation of Ostend. More civilians celebrating the liberation of Lille. British troops clown for the camera, some wearing top hats and pickelhaubes, while two are pushed in a car without an engine. Field Marshal Haig greets the Prince of Wales and Prince Fushimo of Japan at his headquarters train on 11th November, about four hours after the signing of the Armistice. A posed group of Haig with his Army commanders (Generals Horne, Plumer, Byng, Rawlinson and Birdwood) after their final conference at Cambrai on the same day.
