LANDINGS AT X BEACH NEAR ORAN [Allocated Title]
Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections.
Click here to find out more.
- Title: LANDINGS AT X BEACH NEAR ORAN [Allocated Title]
- Film Number: ADM 588
- Other titles: MEDITERRANEAN OPERATIONS OF THE ROYAL NAVY [Allocated Series Title]
- Summary: Troop convoy at sea, and the landings at X Beach to the west of Oran.
- Description: I. Reel One. Convoy at sea. Cameraman on quarterdeck of Batory pans slowly over the accompanying ships, which include US assault ships, Duchess of Bedford (?), HMS Bulolo, Glengyle, Monarch of Bermuda and another three-funnelled liner - on the quarterdeck are two Army 40mm Bofors and the customary 4-inch gun. A similar shot made in low light, holds on Bulolo which is keeping station on the cameraship's starboard quarter. Long sequence showing US troops going through PT onboard the Batory - PAC rockets are attached to the side rails on the upper deck where the men exercise. After formal PT the men have 'games' and practice at climbing scramble nets in preparation for disembarkation - they wear life-jackets but no arms or kit. GIs and crewmen relax together, sitting on deck and smoking. Further pan over the convoy - on Batory's port side are the LSI(M)s Princess Beatrix and Queen Emma, led by LSI(L) Monarch of Bermuda. Batory signals change of course. Soldier watches distant convoy. Rainbow arc over the sea. MS off the starboard bow of HMS Swale (K.217) - she is pitching heavily in the long swell. HMS Antelope (H.36) comes alongside and passes a message line. LS of LSI Monarch of Bermuda and pan right to the escort carrier HMS Biter, LSH Largs, LSI Glengyle, and then to another convoy group on the horizon. Various views of the different ships as they change their positions slightly relative to the cameraship. A Princess Beatrix Class LSI(M), probably Queen Emma, moves up onto the cameraship's port quarter. Reel Two. CUs of the ship's captain, wearing the uniform of the Gdynia-Amerika line, and the SNOL(X) Captain G R G Allen in consultation. HA.MS over US servicemen crowded on the quarterdeck - they wave and make thumbs up and V-signs for the cameraman - one holds his Red Cross arm-band stretched above his head. Two HDMLs and a Fairmile B motor launch pass Batory. LS to HMS Aurora leading HMS Jamaica through convoy shipping - these two cruisers led assault groups II and III to Y and Z beaches. As twilight gathers a group of Fairmiles and a HDML pass by - off cameraship's port beam is the LSI(L) Llangibby Castle with Warwick Castle (?) in the background, while off the port bow lies Monarch of Bermuda. II. The landing at X beach. LS to the coast in the evening light - landing craft are heading inshore while a HDML stands by. Batory begins unloading. HA onto LCM(3) 625 and LCA 412 as they make off towards the shore while another LCM(3), marked 'XM 72' comes alongside - inshore is the LST Bachaquero which signals by searchlight. Cameraman goes down the side of Batory into LCM(3) - a LCP(R) is also alongside and LCM(3) 625 is nearby. MS of the Batory as LCM carries the cameraman towards shore - he is sitting in the troop compartment of a M3 half-track, crowded with US troops and armed with a .50 calibre and two .30 calibre Browning machine guns. LS to the shore and village by the beach. Cameracraft runs ashore near LCM(1) 102 and disembarks the half-track. LS to the Batory lying offshore with the two Princess Beatrix Class LSI(M)s, LCMs plying to and fro. A LCM disembarks a Dodge Weapons Carrier - the ramp angle is too steep and the truck noses into the water, steam coming off the engine. CU of LCP(R) 254 as human chain carries away its cargo of jerry cans. LS from higher ground inland to LST Bachaquero in the bay and LCMs and LCP(R)s unloading - a M3 half-track wades ashore. LS of US transport and armour assembled on high ground and pan over the village to the beach. MS of supplies stacked on the beach and LCMs and LCAs in the shallows - Group I landing ships and transports lie in the offing. A US soldier talks with the locals. LCM(1) 169 runs ashore to land a Weapons Carrier - possibly the one seen in difficulties earlier as the right-hand engine cover is raised. Locals help unload jerry cans. A Lieutenant-Commander RNR issues orders - presumably a beach master.
- Alternative Title: MEDITERRANEAN OPERATIONS OF THE ROYAL NAVY [Allocated Series Title]
- Colour: B&W
- Digitised:
- Object_Number: ADM 588
- Sound: Silent
- Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
- Featured Period: 1939-1945
- Production Date: 1942-11-07
- Production Country: GB
- Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor)
- Personalities, Units and Organisations: Allen, G R G (person) Royal Navy, Swale (regiment/service) Royal Navy, ANTELOPE (HMS), destroyer (regiment/service) Royal Navy, AURORA (HMS), light cruiser (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Jamaica (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Bachaquero (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LCM 625 (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LCM 102 (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LCA 412 (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Largs (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Bulolo (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LSIM Princess Beatrix (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LSIM Queen Emma (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LSIL Batory (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LSIL Monarch of Bermuda (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LSIL Glengyle (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LSIL Llangibby Castle (regiment/service) Royal Navy, BITER (HMS), escort carrier (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LCPR 254 (regiment/service) Royal Navy, LCM 169 (regiment/service)
- Keywords: ships, British naval - aircraft carrier, escort: Biter & [-] (object name) ships, British naval - cruiser: Aurora & [-] (object name) ships, British naval - cruiser: Jamaica & [-] (object name) ships, British naval - destroyer: Antelope (H.36) (object name) ships, British naval - escort: Swale (K.217) (object name) ships, British naval - amphibious: LCM[3] 625 (object name) ships, British naval - amphibious: LCM[1] 102 (object name) ships, British naval - amphibious: LCM[1] 169 (object name) ships, British naval - amphibious: LCA 412 (object name) ships, British naval - amphibious: LCP[R] 254 (object name) ships, British naval - light forces: Fairmile B ML (object name) ships, British naval - light forces: HDML (object name) ships, British auxiliary - amphibious: LSH Largs (object name) ships, British auxiliary - amphibious: LSH Bulolo (object name) ships, British auxiliary - amphibious: LSI[M] Princess Beatrix (object name) ships, British auxiliary - amphibious: LSI[M] Queen Emma (object name) ships, British auxiliary - amphibious: LSI[L] Batory (object name) ships, British auxiliary - amphibious: LSI[L] Monarch of Bermuda (object name) ships, British auxiliary - amphibious: LSI[L] Glengyle (object name) ships, British auxiliary - amphibious: LSI[L] Llangibby Castle (object name) transport, United States military - truck: Dodge 3/4-ton 4x4 Weapons Carrier (object name) armour, United States - halftrack: M3 Personnel Carrier (object name) operations, British naval - amphibious (object name) operations, British naval - escort (object name) operations, British maritime - sea: convoy (object name) supplies, United States, movement [FA] - POL (object name) Second World War & Operation Torch & 7/11/1942 (event) Algeria & Oran <area> (geography)
- Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None Subtitle language: None
- Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 2 Footage: 1641 ft; Running time: 18 mins
- HD Media:
- Link to IWM Collections page:
- Related IWM Collections Objects: