HMS COLOSSUS ON REPATRIATION DUTIES

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: ADM 1211).

Synopsis

I. Reel One. Task Group 111.3 at sea. LS from cameraship HMS Colossus to task group in line ahead - nearest ship is HMS Argonaut. HA.MS as Corsair 17 comes up on forward elevator. Corsair 114 is manhandled aft. MLS across the flight deck to Corsairs parked with wings folded along the port side. XLS over a rough sea to cruisers Belfast and Bermuda. In the rough weather the parked Corsairs and Barracudas are tethered to the deck with wraps on the engine cowlings.

II. HMS Colossus enters a Korean (?) port. White Ensign flying from ensign staff. Colossus passes a Momi Class destroyer and Ch 28 type submarine chaser. HMS Tumult (D.50) closes on the carrier.

III. Brief sequence showing round up of Japanese war criminals - see ADM 1207/02.

IV. Reel Two. Continuation of episode II. HA from Colossus to bridge of destroyer hove to alongside. British and Commonwealth POWs cross from the destroyer's focsle to the carrier by a gangway to the hangar deck - many of the men are wearing US drill and some are carrying Japanese swords. Crew of the Colossus crowd the deck edge to watch the transfer. POWs baggage is passed across. HA past quadruple 2-pounder aft island over afterbody of destroyer to funnel and bridge - in the foreground is the destroyer's stump mainmast, a crewman having climbed up to a position just below the AW.RDF. Destroyer makes off. HA onto hangar as POWs walk towards rows of bedrolls laid out on the deck. Interior shot of the hangar deck, dark but for the brilliant patches of sunlight where the elevators have been lowered. Cut to flight deck where POWs are being shown details of the carrier's aircraft - including a Barracuda FIGHTIN' PAPPY! decorated with a large cartoon below the cockpit. Ex-prisoners examine a Corsair - a crewman lectures them as he checks the wing machine guns - men look into the cockpit and some climb in to examine details such as the reflector sight. CU of chalked logo on Corsair, GEORGES BRISTOL BEERS. LA.CU of parked Barracuda, engine covers removed for inspection. Cut back to sequence showing Tumult approaching from port to run alongside below island. POWs are transferred across from the destroyer to the strains of carrier's marine band.

V. Manila (?). HA sequence showing the transfer of some of the POWs from Colossus into US LCT(6) 755. The departing men wave to the carrier as the landing craft makes off across the crowded roadstead - LSD and a large two funnelled attack cargo ship in the background.

VI. Revert to sequence IV showing POWs onboard Colossus. CU of two crewmen talking to a POW who is wearing a USN cap and a silk kimono - one of the crewmen examines the POW's souvenir Japanese sword - another POW is in similar gear. MS and CUs as crew and POWs pose for a group photograph - many are holding swords and one man wears a leopard skin.

VII. Entry of HMS Colossus into Hong Kong. HA.MS from carrier's island as the crew man the side - two Corsairs are parked forward, and the RM band plays as Colossus enters harbour - among the shipping is a fleet carrier, probably HMS Indomitable. Entering harbour complete, the men disperse. Reel Three. HA.MS aft from island - two Barracudas are parked aft, and a canvas awning has been rigged over the end of the flight deck - the after elevator is down and the deck is crowded with kit and a parked jeep and DUKW. Groups of crewmen stand or sit amidst the piles of kit - rifles and webbing are laid out on deck. CU as a Sub-Lieutenant (Air), RNVR, examines a sheath knife while his companion struggles to pull a lanyard over his cap. Two jeeps piled with kit, their drivers in position, are parked along the edge of the flight deck - Victoria is visible in the background. Cut to MS from shore to Colossus riding at anchor.

VIII. Street scene in Hong Kong. Japanese unload a lorry parked by 'Edinburgh Castle' - a castle built by a wealthy Chinese businessman as a replica of the one in Scotland.

IX. Sequence shot from a small craft in the Bay - LSs to Victoria and the heights above the city.

X. Kai Tak airfield. Camera vehicle passes parked Corsairs. Nissen huts are being assembled and Japanese have been put to work clearing scrub and levelling the soil for tents - others grade a dirt road.

XI. 'Edinburgh Castle'. A naval officer enters the building - he is limping badly. A Japanese work party passes. Locals attempt to sell bananas to RN personnel. A sailor gives a small hand of bananas to a local gamin, who sits on the pavement and begins to eat them. The boy is also given three thick slices of bread and butter, which he proceeds to sit down and eat, watched by some amused sailors.

 

Titles

  • HMS COLOSSUS ON REPATRIATION DUTIES (Allocated)
Series Title:
BRITISH NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST
 

Technical Data

Year:
1945
Running Time:
27 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
2373 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
[Admiralty]