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Summary: The Luftwaffe/RAF combat is seen as part of the larger struggle between Hitler, bent on world domination, and Britain, the incarnation of democracy.
Description: Animated maps and Hitler and his army on the French coast show how close the Germans came to invading Britain. Defence preparations in Britain are as much a civilian as a military concern, the army having lost its equipment at Dunkirk, the Navy being needed to guard supply lines, the RAF being outnumbered 10-1 in both men and machines. Home Guards drill on the village greens while women man guns and run the railroads. Churchill's broadcasts strengthen the people's spirit in their darkest hour. The terrifying air attacks begin on August 8, first on shipping, then on cities: "just savage destruction". Dramatic visual and small sequences show waves of Luftwaffe bombers and fighters, RAF scrambles, sirens screaming and London ablaze Statistics detail the Luftwaffe losses (2375). The victory of Britain is seen as much in terms of the victory of the British way of life (very democratic here) as the victory of the Royal Air Force. RAF bombs Bremen.
Alternative Title:WHY WE FIGHT [Series Title]
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:ADM 10
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1943
Production Country: United States of America
Production Details: War Department Special Service Division SOS (Production company)
Signal Corps (with the cooperation of) (Production company)
Capra, Frank (Production individual)
Veiller, Anthony (Production individual)
Capra, Frank (Production individual)
Hornbeck, William (Production individual)
Epstein, Julius J (Production individual)
Epstein, Philip G (Production individual)
Tiomkin, Dmitri (Production individual)
Steiner, Max (Production individual)
Lava, William (Production individual)
Jackson, Howard (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
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: 6
Footage: 4919 ft; Running time: 54 mins