I. French newsreel item on Japanese marines at Port Said, Egypt, November 1917.

The marines, part of the Japanese destroyer flotilla assisting in anti-submarine patrols in the Mediterranean, are rowed ashore from their ship. There are a number of cargo vessels at anchor but no warships.

II. French newsreel item on the visit of a Spanish diplomatic mission to the Western Front, November 1917.

At Verdun the party of diplomats is taken to inspect the main citadel gates and outlying forts. They are presented to a French Colonial unit whose band plays for them. A Tirailleur regiment marches past for them led by its band (note the horsetail musical standard). The delegation goes to Pont--Mousson and looks over the town, meeting the local baker and his family, still baking bread despite the shelling.

III. French newsreel item on the visit of Justin Godard, Minister for Health, to north Italy, November 1917.

After Godard's arrival Italian officers also arrive at the French headquarters ("Hotel Parco") and the various parties then leave. General Diaz, the Italian Commander-in-Chief, escorted by Generals Fayolle and Duchesne, reviews a battalion of Chasseurs Alpins who march past with their band.

IV. French newsreel item on the French contingent of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Palestine, November 1917.

Colonel Piepape, temporary head of the contingent, reads a despatch handed to him. A French column wearing colonial dress and pith helmets marches into "Khan-Yunus" (outskirts of Jerusalem ?). In near silhouette they march past Colonel Piepape in the open, who salutes, and march off into the desert. A final silhouette of a soldier and a palm tree against a setting sun.

Notes

Title: this is taken from the shotsheet

Production etc: see Notes to IWM 508-10