the OCCUPATION OF ES SALT

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: IWM 26).

Synopsis

The occupation of Es Salt by 60th (London) Division, Palestine Front, March or April 1918.

British troops of 60th Division occupied Es Salt twice, between 26 and 28 March, and between 30 April and 3 May. This film may show either or both occasions together with some stock material. It opens with camels carrying supplies over the pontoon bridge at El Ghoranyeh, followed by troops of 179th Brigade and 181st Brigade, 60th Division, on the march. A brief view of "the world famous Imperial Camel Corps" (in fact showing an Arab camel train) followed by British soldiers on the march in hill country halting to shoot at a Turkish aeroplane (not in shot). Camels bearing stretchers, known as 'cacolets', on the march. A panorama of Es Salt with 2/14th Battalion, the London Regiment, better known as 2nd London Scottish, of 179th Brigade, marching through its streets "headed by their famous band of pipers" (not in shot). One company commander tells his men to march to attention as they pass the camera. There are brief shots of a captured German 77mm field gun, a Ford Model T car "arrived from GHQ", and an ASC soldier showing a copy of the newspaper 'The Daily Mirror' to a group of Arabs. Continuing with a camel train at El Ghoranyeh bridge, a Rolls-Royce armoured car advancing against shellfire, and more troops of 60th Division marching up the road to Es Salt. The film ends with two mule carts and some Indian soldiers transporting stores.

Notes

Remarks: a valuable piece of historical evidence for the Palestine campaign. But this film contains too many obvious stock, staged and faked items to make its remaining material entirely credible.

 

Titles

  • the OCCUPATION OF ES SALT
 

Technical Data

Year:
1918
Running Time:
18 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
1042 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
Ministry of Information
cameraman
Hurley, Frank (?)
cameraman
Jeapes, Harold
Production company
Topical Film Company