the GEN NO 16

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: GEN 16).

Synopsis

I. "Your RAF reporter presenting the truth to the Station Warrant Officers of the world." The reporter introduces: a. Cranwell: the King and Lord Trenchard visit the College during its 25th Anniversary Celebrations. b. A Dakota transport flies over the Himalayas towards Chungking. Supplies are unloaded at Kunming, and the Dakota returns with refugee children to India. c. The specially-modified Lancaster 'Aries', piloted by Wing Commander McKinley, flies north for navigational research at the true and magnetic poles, and receives a rousing welcome on return to England.

II. [Recent developments in war technology.] Film of Bofors gun, flame throwers, V1 flying bomb, and 'scatter bombs.' Not all recent developments are offensive, however - film illustrates Mulberry harbour, PLUTO oil supplies, FIDO runway illumination for fog landings. "Total force" is also required - 'Ten Ton Tessie' bomb (22000lb) shown, in Lancaster raid on Bielefeld viaduct. Explanation of operation uses stop frame technique, first showing crater made before showing explosion.

III. Japan. Film of Japanese dancing girls and peaceful Mount Fuji followed by collage of explosions etc: "farewell to the beautiful islands of Japan."

IV. "Gen Special." "For those in strange lands, under exacting conditions... a message from a home town" (Coventry). Despite bombing, factory life still goes on, commuters may have to walk, and housewives to queue for rations, but relaxation (cricket, tennis, RAF inter-Station sports meeting, greyhound racing) is still possible. Bells ring, and a charred cross stands on the Cathedral altar...

Notes

Footage from Item Ib taken from ABY 60. Footage from intro to Item IV from ABY 28. See related items below.

 

Titles

  • the GEN NO 16
 

Technical Data

Year:
1945
Running Time:
15 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Sound
Footage:
1355 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Production company
RAF Film Production Unit