Title:AUCHINLECK'S OFFENSIVE, NOVEMBER 1941 [Allocated Title]
Film Number:AYY 178A
Other titles:
Summary: The film consists of unedited footage of Auchinleck's offensive and the relief of Tobruk.
Description: I. The British advance. A very large, irregular convoy of trucks is seen dispersed over the desert. Soldiers check map references, receive despatches and telephone messages. They observe distant formations of aircraft. Other soldiers check small arms weapons and construct an irregular line of foxholes. A Matilda tank crew check maps and drive off. Stuart tanks and a column of armoured cars are seen in motion. An artillery battery receives instructions and fires. Distant explosions. A mass of vehicles (trucks) is seen approaching; explosions occur near them, probably bombs as the next shot shows high-flying aircraft formations.
II. Captured material and prisoners. An abandoned airfield with Italian aircraft. Abandoned German tanks and artillery. Column of prisoners, many wearing the Afrika Korps Feldmoetze. Prisoners receiving food. Italians sorting and boiling rags. General von RaVenstein talking to an Allied officer.
III. Aftermath of the attack. A tank transporter is seen bearing a Matilda and towing two Stuart tanks. British troops re-label the Achsenstrasse as "Democracy Lane", and chalk up "under new management".
