Title:THE BATTLE FLEETS OF BRITAIN (Year 5 No 6) [Main Title]
Film Number:ADM 1
Other titles:MARCH OF TIME [Series Title]
Summary: A sympathetic portrait of the Royal Navy in the early days of the Second World War.
Description: (Reel 1) An opening sequence indicates British response to declaration of war, stressing civilian rôle - preparation of roads, public buildings for war, and evacuation. British confidence in the Navy. Similarity to First World War naval situation, with the need to destroy German fleet and trade; German reliance on minefields; the need for convoys. US rôle in WW1 recalled. Importance of peacetime planning for Admiralty, rôle of civil servants. Size and structure of Royal Navy outline, tradition emphasised, and the rate of shipbuilding shown (a ship a week). (Reel 2) Training, boy sailors, and RN college Dartmouth. Explanation of the division of the Navy into the China Squadron, the Mediterranean Fleet and the Home Fleet, and the economic and strategic importance of the areas they protect. Good shots of the Suez Canal in war conditions, and the modernised Egyptian army. Passing mention of French squadrons and the economic importance of Morocco, Algeria. The principal theatre of operations is the home waters, since 150 ships a day dock in British ports, and U-boats remain a threat. Anti-submarine measures shown, though no public statement of their effectiveness as this could aid the enemy. Rôle of carriers and naval aircraft. Shots of the German Fleet. Explanation of minesweeping operations.
Alternative Title:MARCH OF TIME [Series Title]
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:ADM 1
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1940
Production Country: United States of America
Production Details: Time/Life (Production sponsor)
RKO Radio (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy (regiment/service)
Keywords: strategy, British naval (object name)
society, British naval - history: Second World War (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1732 ft; Running time: 18 mins
