THE 2ND ESCORT GROUP RETURNS TO LIVERPOOL [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: THE 2ND ESCORT GROUP RETURNS TO LIVERPOOL [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: ADM 576
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: The 2nd Escort Group returns to Liverpool after a successful cruise in which six U-boats were destroyed three of them within 16 hours. They are greeted by cheering crowds. The First Lord of the Admiralty, A V Alexander, congratulates Captain Walker and his officers and men.
  • Description: Reel One. WRNS line the side of the lock cheering and waving, as HMS Magpie (U.82) comes alongside - other well-worn frigates of the 2nd Escort Group are already berthed. U-boat prisoners are disembarked and marched off under armed guard. Captain Walker introduces his officers to the First Lord of the Admiralty, A V Alexander, who goes on to inspect the men. After Alexander has delivered a short speech (not shown on this reel), Captain Walker leads his men in cheering the First Lord. HA.CUs of smiling ratings and warrant officers - they wave to the camera. After enjoying Captain Walker's hospitality, Alexander departs the Starling, accompanied by Admiral Sir Max Horton, C in C Western Approaches. Final CUs of the crew - one gives the cameraman a vigorous thumbs-up. Reel Two. HMS Starling (U.66) is cheered as she approaches her berth - Captain Walker acknowledges the ovation by standing on the bridge mounting. Alexander and Horton greet officers and men, and Alexander gives a short speech from a rostrum set up on the quayside. He congratulates Captain Walker and his men, and contrasts the current position at sea with that in 1940 - "I feel that we have achieved, in the changing of the position at sea, as much if not more than in any of the great and notable historical naval victories." Alexander is cheered dutifully. A number of anonymous warrant officers and a rating are then brought before the camera to explain their roles in a U-boat sinking - they are Petty Officer W H Kelly, Senior Asdic rating on HMS Starling, Able Seaman Riley, one of the depth charge party, the Gunnery Instructor Petty Officer Dann, and Petty Officer West, a gun director. Reel Three. Sequence showing Starling entering the lock, cheered by massed crowds of WRNS and Navy personnel. Magpie is also cheered home. U-boat survivors are landed, the officers exchanging salutes as they step ashore. After the U-boat crewmen have been marched away, the frigate's own crew disembark. Cut to HA view as the German prisoners are escorted away, crossing in front of the frigate's crew, now massed on the quayside ready for the First Lord's visit - in the background are berthed frigates, including HMS Mourne (K.261), while on the quayside stands a landed quadruple torpedo tube mounting. Alexander and Horton arrive and the First Lord, after being introduced to the officers, delivers his speech - behind him is a tier of four Black Swans. After his speech Alexander goes onboard Starling, then returns ashore to depart.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: ADM 576
  • Sound: Silent (part Sound)
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1944-03
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Horton, Max Kennedy (person) Walker, Frederick John (person) Alexander, Albert Victor (person) Kelly, W H (person) Riley, W (person) Dann (Petty Officer) (person) West, A (person) Royal Navy, Starling (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Magpie (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Escort Group, 2 (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: ships, British naval - escort: Starling (U.66) (object name) ships, British naval - escort: Magpie (U.82) (object name) celebrations, British - event-related: return of 2nd Escort Group (object name) Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent (part Sound) Soundtrack language: English Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 3 Footage: 1602 ft; Running time: 18 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ADM 576

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