1943-1944

A Fighter has Crashed: Quite a movie. David Farrar of the Powell-Pressburger films Black Narcissus and The Small Back Room advises some unhappy locals in a pub. They tried to rescue a downed pilot unconscious in his plane, but succeeded only in bashing him with an ax before the plane caught fire and he burned up. Bad show, that. Farrar explains how to trigger the cockpit latches and access doors on a number of planes and suggests the best way to remove injured pilots. The film is a testament to English trust in its citizens -- American military films would never suggest that a civilian approach a plane no matter how desperate the situation. At the end Farrar says that he doesn't mind trying to give some pointers and advice -- the pilot somebody saves may be him! Missed Date: A cute, sinister little film narrated in rhyme. Some airmen relaxing in a pub make a date with two cute locals -- realistic young women, not picked starlets -- and then foolishly brag about "big doings" back at the aerodrome. Come Saturday night, the boys have been killed in an air raid instigated by info from their own foolish mouths. Effective propaganda, especially because the airmen -- friendly, ordinary guys with bad teeth -- are obviously the real thing. Nought Fleet: A movie about navigation, spelling out the detailed map reading, landmark spotting and course correction skills needed to keep on course during low level raids on enemy territory. The route being investigated is in England, because "the enemy wouldn't cooperate". The movie makes navigating seem both exacting and nerve wracking, and some of the low flying looks very scary. R.A.F. Regiment: Another training film, this time for R.A.F. ground personnel and soldiers who defend the aerodromes from a German invasion, a possibility apparently not ruled out until late in the war. The training footage emphasizes the idea that these rear guard troops are vital as well. Towards the Offensive and We Attack: Both of th

English
  • Runtime 360 minutes
  • Content Rating United States of America TV-PG
  • Created January 19, 2010 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified January 19, 2010 by
    Administrator admin