WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 225 (27/8/1945)

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: WPN 225).

Synopsis

I. 'BRUSSELS.' Elements of the Guards Armoured Division (British XXX Corps) march through the streets of Brussels as civilian spectators look on from the windows of surrounding buildings. A Guards Armoured Division pipe band makes its way towards the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Major-General Allan H S Adair (commander Guards Armoured Division) lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. March to Palais de Justice. Cardinal van Roey; Prince Jean of Luxembourg; Sir Hugh Knatchbull-Hugessen (British Ambassador) and the Belgian Queen Mother watch the presentation of colours to Guards Armoured Division members by the Burgermeister of Brussels.

II. 'MONSOONS IN BURMA.' Heavy monsoon rains and wind lash a tented Royal Air Force (RAF) encampment in Burma. The commentary outlines the difficulties of operating aircraft in such conditions. RAF ground crews prime the engines of a South East Asia Command (SEAC) Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber "Miss Jeanette". Protective tarpaulins are pulled from the twin .50-inch Browning machine gun turret of a B-24. A B-24 Liberator runs up its engines in driving rain. SEAC B-24 Liberators take off for a sortie against Bangkok. Operational footage shows bombs dropping and impacting over the target area. B-24 aircraft land on their return from Bangkok.

III. 'NEWS FROM ENGLAND.' United States (US) enlisted men embark on the British liner Queen Elizabeth for their return journey to home, family and civilian life. US servicemen wave to camera from the decks of Queen Elizabeth. The Queen Elizabeth sets sail from the Clyde on its long journey to New York. The liner Queen Mary also on troop relocation duties, navigates the Hudson River on its arrival at New York Harbour. The liner is shown passing Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty on its journey to its mooring point (East River ?). Film footage taken from an airship shows thousands of US servicemen crammed on the decks of Queen Mary. HMS Renown is shown at anchor in Plymouth Sound during the visit of US President Harry S Truman to the ship to meet King George VI. A contingent of the ship's Royal Marines form a guard of honour for the visiting US President. President Truman and King George VI shake hands on the deck of the British battleship.

Notes

The raw footage for Item II was shot by the RAF's No.3 Film Production Unit based in Calcutta. This footage is also held by the IWM as ABY 121. See related items.

 

Titles

  • WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 225 (27/8/1945)
 

Technical Data

Year:
1945
Running Time:
10 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Sound
Footage:
892 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB