I. 'NEWS FROM ENGLAND.' An outline of the new modern curriculum that has been introduced at a mixed-sex school in Ashford, Kent. The new syllabus and teaching methods, with its emphasis on the practical, is held by the commentary to be a fine example of the type of education that Britain will have after the war. Girls enter the main school building at the start of lessons, a male teacher is shown at his blackboard. A schoolboy turns the pedals of an upturned bicycle as another times the revolutions of its rear wheel. In a needlework class for girls, a female teacher demonstrates how to turn an old pair of men's trousers into a wearable skirt. Girls receive instruction at a "mothercraft class" on how to hold and wash a baby using a lifesize doll for practice. Inside the school workshops, boys receive practical instruction in the methods of metalworking and using power tools. In outdoor lessons a male teacher demonstrates the use of surveying equipment and elsewhere, a class of girls enjoy a physical education lesson using a horse and vaulting apparatus.

II. 'WOMEN AT WAR.' Lebanese women receive direction from a Royal Navy instructor in the art of manufacturing and repairing anti-submarine netting. Lebanese women, working on a quayside, use sledgehammers to join the circular metal links of the netting together. A Royal Navy officer dressed in whites, gives a rope splicing demonstration to the assembled women who later work on steel cables in teams of two. Quayside scenes show male and female Lebanese workers making anti-submarine netting and painting the large floats that support the nets in position when deployed at sea. In Russia, women bake bread and hard biscuits at an improvised bakery close to the front, enabling fresh supplies to reach the troops in the field. Dough is placed into wood-burning ovens, the finished product is then put into boxes to await delivery to the troops in the front lines. Brief views of Russian women munitions workers and agricultural workers follow as the commentary makes the point that most Russian women have lost loved ones to the terrible fighting of the Eastern Front, as such they work with a tremendous intensity of purpose and direction in support of the war effort. At the front, female Russian nurses risk enemy fire to drag wounded infantry through the snow and give them first aid. Russian nurses wearing snow camouflage suits pull wounded soldiers towards the rear under enemy shell-fire. The commentary states that womanly bravery and devotion to duty is nowhere more gloriously displayed than on the Russian battle fronts. Stock shot footage shows a Russian artillery barrage with 76.2mm Pushka obr 1939g dual-purpose field guns and an 85mm ZP obr 1939g anti-aircraft gun being fired at unseen ground targets.

III. 'NEW GUINEA.' Map of the Huon Gulf of New Guinea illustrates the Japanese-held positions of Finschhafen, Nadzab, Salamaua and Lae. The commentary outlines the combined United States and Australian operations against Japanese positions at Salamaua. Stock shots show Australian artillery crews firing Ordnance QF 25-pounder field guns and 75mm pack howitzers. US gun crews fire 105mm howitzers at high elevation towards unseen targets. Australian 9th Division infantry stand on the decks of US Navy landing craft prior to their unopposed disembarkation at beach heads near Lae. Once landed, an Australian infantry detachment moves off into the jungle armed with Lee-Enfield Mk III .303-in rifles and Owen 9mm sub-machine guns. Australian sappers stand waist deep in one of New Guinea's numerous watercourses as they construct an improvised log bridge. A caterpillar tractor tows a heavy field gun covered in tarpaulin through cloying mud, illustrating the many problems of movement and supply facing the Allies in this region. Brief footage from the combined US/Australian airborne assault on the Markham River Valley is shown (cf WPN 134). Panoramic views show abandoned Japanese supplies and damaged buildings in the former Japanese stronghold at Lae. Australian troops erect a directional sign reading "Lae" by a roadside. The Australian flag is raised from an observation tower at Lae, to the delight of assembled Australian troops.

Notes

Associated material: item II is repeated at WPN 293