WITH THE FORCES IN MESOPOTAMIA - SERIES 1 (?)

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: IWM 61).

Synopsis

British forces on the Mesopotamian Front during and after the Battle of Ramadi, 28-29 September 1917.

(Reel 1) An Indian Infantry battalion (probably from 7th (Meerut) Division, as are all identifiable troops) marching down 'New Street' in Baghdad. This is followed by the bridge of boats built by the Royal Engineers over the River Tigris at Baghdad to replace that destroyed by the Turks. "A motley crowd" in the bazaar, followed by refugees from the countryside boarding a steamer in Baghdad to take them to Basra. A further Indian battalion, possibly 20th Punjab Infantry, followed by 2nd Battalion, the Black Watch, led by its pipers. A regimental soda-water making machine in operation. The Guides Infantry Regiment, crossing a pontoon bridge over the River Tigris not far from Ramadi. Gunfire from 60-pounders and a 6-inch 26cwt (?) howitzer. (Reel 2) A scene (acted) of Indian troops moving into a sandbagged trench system, cleaning their rifles, one man in a sniper's position with a fixed rifle, and a Lewis machine-gunner firing from a dug-out. An 18-pounder position in the desert, not far from Samarra, with a mobile observation post and two guns. A captured Turkish shell-dump near Ramadi. A 60-pounder being pulled by a Holt tractor. An advanced position workshop shrinking a heated iron tyre onto a light spoked wheel. 60-pounders and 18-pounders firing with the shell bursts seen in the distance. A 2-inch 'plum pudding' mortar being fired by British soldiers from a trench. A Lewis machine gun team firing from their trench, with the sergeant acting as a spotter. Indian troops crossing a pontoon bridge at Ramadi. Three wagons full of Indian troops being pulled along a light railway by a mule team, and the troops disembarking. Turkish prisoners being led through 'Piccadilly Circus', and 'New Street', Baghdad. The film ends with the partially destroyed railway station at Samarra, with its rolling stock.

Notes

Title: only the series title appears on the film. The episode number has been added from the shotsheet.

Summary: see also IWM 59, IWM 63, IWM 68, IWM 79, IWM 80 and IWM 82.

Technical: the P 2 version of reels one and two is nearly identical but about 50 feet shorter.

Series continuity: there is no film held as IWM 62

 

Titles

  • WITH THE FORCES IN MESOPOTAMIA - SERIES 1 (?)
 

Technical Data

Year:
1917
Running Time:
31 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
1834 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB, United States of America
Sponsor
War Office Cinema Committee
cameraman
Varges, Ariel L
producer
Jury, William F
Production company
International Film Service