WAVELL'S 30,000

This film is held by the BFI (ID: 14345).

Synopsis

DOCUMENTARY. The Libyan campaign of 1940-41 in which General Wavell defeated the Italian attack on Egypt.

r.1 British military cemetery in Jerusalem (122). The Pyramids from the air (188). Unloading of military supplies at Alexandria (232). Units of the Mediterranean Fleet (273). Hitler and Mussolini meet at the Brenner Pass (446). Units of the Italian Fleet (505). German Army entering Paris - Hitler at the Eiffel Tower (693). A CU of General Wavell at his desk (750). Brigadier Turner explains the strategic situation in North Africa (847). Admiral Bellairs explains the difficulty of supplying a British force in Egypt (886).

r.2 [Leader has ti. The Defeat of the Italians]. Air Marshall Peck explains the strategic position of Britain's Air Force in North Africa (200). Brigadier Turner shows the routes the Italian Army might take in their approach to Egypt (270). British armoured corps capture Fort Malalena, Fort Capuzzo (375). Action by light armoured forces on Sudanese border (462). Italian attack on British Somaliland (518). Destruction of the town of Berber? left blazing as the British and Somali refugees left (562). British Mediterranean Fleet (600); attack by Italian bombers, British warships in action (850). Wavell pulls back as Grazziani attacks across the Egyptian border (935).

r.3 Reinforcements disembarking at Alexandria (49), tanks being unloaded and driven along the quayside; men and materials move to reinforce Wavell's army (247). Sidi Barrani, the front line of Wavell's defence. Indian troops defusing a land mine (338). Aftermath of desert raids against the Italians (460). Italian prisoners (490). A primitive water wheel powered by two oxen (536). British troops at bayonet practice (600). Tank practice - aircraft preparing for battle (743), bombers returning from a raid (764). Aerial warfare over the desert - wrecked Italian aircraft (878). British warships at sea (918).

r.4 Attack on Italian warships in Taranto harbour (110). A map shows Sidi Barrani and the location of the ring of forts built by the Italians - preparation for British attack on the Italian positions - the attack; the ruins of the camp (474). Some of 32,000 Italian prisoners taken at Sidi Barrani (684). British army move into Libya - to Capuzzo then on to Bardia (948).

r.5 Preparations for the attack on Bardia - the artillery barrage as Australian infantry move forward (138). Bardia surrendered on January 5th. - 42,000 Italian prisoners were taken. Fall of Tobruck brought another 25,000 prisoners (275). Port of Tobruck. Advance to Derna in order to complete the destruction of Graziani's army. Troops clearing land mines - the army entering Benghazi (370). Benghazi harbour (433). Captured Italian weapons, food and drink. A long line of Italian prisoners (566). General Wavell and officers (604).

The End (4291 ft).

 

Titles

  • WAVELL'S THIRTY THOUSAND (Alternative)
  • WAVELL'S 30,000
 

Technical Data

Year:
1942
Running Time:
48 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm Film
Colour:
Black/White
Sound:
Sound
Footage:
4312 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
Great Britain
Director
MONCK, John
Producer
DALRYMPLE, Ian
Sound Recording
CAMERON, Ken
Sponsor
Ministry of Information
Assistant Editor
KRISH, John
Camera Assistant
MASSEY-COLLIER, Gerry
Commentary Writer
WILLS, Colin
Conductor
MATHIESON, Muir
Editor
MONCK, John
Music
Band of H.M. Welsh Guards
Music
GREENWOOD, John
Production Company
Crown Film Unit