SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR ATTENDS A DEMONSTRATION OF AIRLIFTING AND PARATROOPING GIVEN BY 848 SQUADRON

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: ADM 1503).

Synopsis

848 Squadron demonstrates deplaning by rope, parachuting, and abseiling (necessary if a parachutist becomes entangled in jungle trees). The Secretary of State then goes on to inspect the 2nd Battalion Kings African Rifles at Benta. Second Reel shows one of 848's helicopters airlifting a patient from a hospital.

Reel One. The Secretary of State for War, The Right Honourable Anthony Head, arrives and is introduced to officers. Three paratroopers stand ready for inspection, a SAS Major pointing out items of the mens' equipment to the Secretary. Suspended from a mobile crane, a man demonstrates the abseiling technique necessary to descend from jungle tree tops should a parachutist become entangled. Across the field a Whirlwind hovers while men deplane by rope from a height of about 15 feet - they run across the sodden ground to take up positions in a prone firing line at the edge of the field. A demonstration of parachuting follows - the men jumping from the helicopter against a smoke marker laid on the field below. The Secretary talks with the officers of 848 Squadron - all dressed in whites for the occasion. Further shots of helicopter demonstrating airlifting and deplaning by rope. Cut to HA aerial of helicopter 'B' in flight over the jungle, the Secretary sitting by the open starboard cargo door. Whirlwind 'B' alights at Benta in Pahang where the Secretary is to inspect units of the 18th Infantry Brigade. He is greeted by an officer of 10th Gurkhas, and watches honour guard of 2nd Battalion, King's African Rifles, present arms - Auster AOPs and a Pioneer are visible in the background. Reel Two. LA of Union Jack and Red Cross flags flying outside hospital buildings. A party gently push a stretcher on a wheeled trolley up to the edge of a grass field, where helicopter 'A' of 848 Squadron is waiting. The stretcher, accompanied by mobile support equipment for the patient, is lifted into the aircraft. A nurse crouches beside the patient in the open doorway of the helicopter. 'A' lifts off. Final aerial view of the hospital complex as the cameraman leaves by helicopter.

 

Titles

  • SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR ATTENDS A DEMONSTRATION OF AIRLIFTING AND PARATROOPING GIVEN BY 848 SQUADRON (Allocated)
Series Title:
POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - SOUTH EAST ASIA
 

Technical Data

Year:
1954
Running Time:
6 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
554 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
Admiralty