THE SEVEN SEAS FRONT : Submarine [Main Title]

Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections. Click here to find out more.


  • Title: THE SEVEN SEAS FRONT : Submarine [Main Title]
  • Film Number: ADM 528
  • Other titles: HMS THUNDERBOLT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN [Alternative Title]
  • Summary: 'Faction' about a submarine patrol against Axis shipping in the Mediterranean.
  • Description: A 'Reuters London Flash' announces that British submarines have scored further successes in the Mediterranean. Cut to HA from depot ship to HMS Thunderbolt refuelling alongside. MS of Commander Bryant at head of accommodation ladder. Crewmen returned from a patrol pose on deck - one has his beard pulled by a colleague. Sequence showing submarine entering port flying skull-and-crossbones flag denoting sinkings, gun engagements and two clandestine operations. This is contrasted with German U-boat crews coming ashore as prisoners from one of Walker's frigates. The submarine prepares for sea. External and internal views as a torpedo is taken onboard. Officers consult charts indicating operations in the Central Mediterranean. Submarine takes on foodstuffs. The patrol begins. Control room interior as the boat goes to Ahead Half. Submarine steaming at sea and then submerging. W/T operator receives a message. Officers plot the submarine's position. Aerial view showing the submarine clearly visible, running just below the surface and prominent feather from the raised periscope. Mix of interior and exterior shots as submarine surfaces. LA from focsle to conning tower. Battery compartment. Day for night shot of submarine on the surface. Officers play solitaire in the wardroom. Man asleep in a bunk. Interior LA from control room as officer dogs conning tower hatch. MS as submarine blows tanks and dives, and cut to exterior HA from periscope to forward deck as submarine submerges. Commander looks through periscope. Submarine surfaces and crew man and fire 4-inch gun - no target is visible. Submarine returns to base and CO goes ashore to report. The crew board a depot ship to enjoy a shower, the shop, a cup of tea in mess. HA of another T Class submarine - this boat is one of the third group with amidships torpedo tubes angled out to fire aft. Thunderbolt lies alongside the depot ship, one of the crew on deck reading a letter from home.
  • Alternative Title: HMS THUNDERBOLT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN [Alternative Title]
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: ADM 528
  • Sound: Silent
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1942
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor) Gaumont British News (Production company)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Bryant, Benjamin (person) Royal Navy, Thunderbolt (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Thetis (regiment/service) Royal Navy, MAIDSTONE (HMS) (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: ships, British naval - submarine: Thunderbolt (object name) ships, British naval - submarine: Thetis (object name) ships, British naval - submarine: T Class (object name) society, British naval - friendship: Anglo-French fraternisation (object name) Egypt & Alexandria (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: English Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 728 ft; Running time: 8 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ADM 528

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
Register