The 59th (Newfoundland) Heavy Regiment RA in action outside Antwerp in support of 53rd (Welsh) Division's operations on the Albert Canal.

A nine-man detachment from the regiment's No. 23 Battery is seen preparing a 155mm "Long Tom" gun for action in a field at Borsbeek by removing branches and camouflage netting and placing a propellant charge in the breech. Two rounds are fired; two pulls at the firing lanyard to send the second shell on its way are seen to fail in their purpose. Note the cloud of dust raised by blast as each round is fired.

Notes

Note: See with A70 159-4, 5, 6, 161-5 and refer generally to footage showing 11th Armoured Division liberating Antwerp, 53rd (Welsh) Division's advance through northern France into Belgium and its crossing of the Meuse-Escaut Canal at Lommel. The 59th Heavy Regiment RA was attached to 3rd Army Group Royal Artillery, a formation normally attached to 12th Corps.

Remarks: Good footage. Best seen with the items of cin material listed above, notably A70 159-4 which contains almost identical, complementary footage.

Documentation/associated material: read 'Battle for Antwerp' by J L Moulton, 'The History of the 53rd (Welsh) Division in the Second World War' by C N Barclay, 2nd Army HQ's 'An Account of the Operations of 2nd Army in Europe 1944-1945 : Volume 1' and L F Ellis' 'Victory in the West : Volume 1'.