Title:BOMBARDMENT OF PANTELLERIA [Allocated Title]
Film Number:ADM 536
Other titles:MEDITERRANEAN OPERATIONS OF THE ROYAL NAVY [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Bombardment of shore batteries and harbour on Pantelleria by a force of cruisers and destroyers in conjunction with bombing by Allied air forces. Cameraship is Aurora.
Description: LS from cameraship Aurora to three cruisers in quarter line off the port bow - HMS Penelope, Orion and Newfoundland. A distant L Class destroyer turns to port into the camera. Pantelleria is seen under bombardment, bombs and exploding shells throwing up vast clouds of dust and smoke. Fine MS of HMS Orion steaming at speed. A bomb explodes in the sea astern of Aurora - in the foreground one of the ship's Oerlikons puts up an answering barrage, firing at maximum elevation. Penelope, now making smoke, turns hard to starboard as a salvo of four shells falls across her bows. Aurora lays smoke, black from the funnel and white from a quarterdeck generator - on Penelope the generator is on the focsle. The bombarding ships withdraw - four men of a gun crew enjoy the sea breeze and make V-signs at the receding island. A pair of woman's camiknickers are flown from a staff. Film then reverts to the bombardment, with LS of Penelope running towards the island and firing from her forward turrets. A salvo from a shore battery nearly straddles Penelope (the shots fall either side but a little ahead) just as she fires a full broadside.
Alternative Title:MEDITERRANEAN OPERATIONS OF THE ROYAL NAVY [Allocated Series Title]
Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor)
Gaumont British News (Production company)
Turner, P J (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, AURORA (HMS), light cruiser (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, Penelope (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, Newfoundland (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, Orion (regiment/service)
Keywords: ships, British naval - cruiser: Aurora (object name)
ships, British naval - cruiser: Penelope (object name)
ships, British naval - cruiser: Orion (object name)
ships, British naval - cruiser: Newfoundland & [-] (object name)
combat, British naval - bombardment (object name)
combat, British naval - air strike anti-ship [I] (object name)
weapons, British naval - CBW: smokescreen (object name)
Italy & Pantelleria (geography)