Title:LANDING M/C OFF LCT WITH MODIFIED DOUBLE KAPOK [Main Title]
Film Number:ADM 947
Other titles:INVASION EQUIPMENT TRIALS [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Attempt to drive motorcycles from ship to shore over a floating trackway.
Description: A 120 ft kapok 'bridge' is assembled on the deck of LCT(3) 340, and the crew wade ashore, extending the floating trackway behind them. The final section of the bridge is lashed to LCT doors, while the forward end is staked down in the shallows. Aerial W/NG solo motorcycles are then driven along the bridge - the first manages a speed of 8 mph, but subsequent riders are reduced to a speed of 1 - 5 mph, dictated by the waves passing underneath - the cyclists appear rather nervous as following waves pursue them down the track. One rider, helped by two crewmen, attempts to wheel his vehicle down the track, but it tends to sink beneath their combined weight. When the two crewmen alone push a motorcycle down the track, the vehicle cannot be supported properly and falls over halfway to shore, nearly going into the sea - the driver runs along the bridge from the shore to assist. Because of insufficient length of track, the cycles cannot reach the shore dryshod, but drive into the shallows (18 inches of water), where they promptly stall, and have to be pushed ashore. The long suffering crew of the LCT, who have been standing in the water throughout the trial, bracing the track to prevent its lateral movement, begin the final recovery of the bridge - this proves more difficult than the original deployment, and the film closes before it has been accomplished.
Alternative Title:INVASION EQUIPMENT TRIALS [Allocated Series Title]
Production Details: Combined Operations Headquarters (Production sponsor)
US Naval Film Unit (Production company)
Office of Strategic Services (for) (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, LCT 340 (regiment/service)
Keywords: ships, British naval - amphibious: LCT[3] 340 (object name)
transport, British military - 2/3 wheel: Aerial motorcycle (object name)
engineering, military, British - Mulberry: Kapok floating roadway (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 702 ft; Running time: 8 mins
