Collection search - Target for Tonight

Record information – Brief

1

Target for Tonight

Item number (ISN):

20028

Hierarchical level:

Item (Accession level)

Date:

1941

Item number (ISN):

20028

Type of material:

Moving images

Found in:

Archives / Film, Video and Sound

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Record information – Details

Fonds/collection:

NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA / OFFICE NATIONAL DU FILM DU CANADA: NITRATE

Accession:

1973-0132

Media:

Film

Part:

5 of 5

Production date:

1941

Production company:

Crown Film Unit

Production credit:

director/script, Harry Watt; producer, Ian Dalrymple; editing, Stewart McAllister; recording, Ken Cameron; photography, Jonah Jones

Sponsor:

British Ministry of Information

Description:

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This documentary tells the story of a bombing raid on Germany, how it is planned and how it is executed. The opening text states that every person seen in the picture is a member of the Royal Air Force, from Commander-in-Chief to aircraft hand, re-enacting his own daily life [sic] on the job. It shows the men and women who actually direct, plan and execute the raids. Next, the text explains the structure of the RAF Bomber Command and states that the film concerns the crew of F for Freddie, attached to Group 33 at Millerton Station. The first sequence shows exposed photos are dropped by parachute from an Avro Anson, developed in a secret Bomber Command Photographic Section lab and delivered to Intelligence officers. The officers compare the new photos to photos taken three months earlier of the Freihausen area of Germany, noting the construction of oil tanks, railroad tracks and a pipeline constructed in the meantime, pointing to the establishment of an oil supply depot. The order is given for maximum effort in planning and execution a bombing raid on the oil depot at Freihausen. Officers give the necessary orders and squadrons are alerted and diverted. At Millerton, crew load ammunition and bombs and top up the fuel tanks. Other RCAF members check weather conditions. Officers brief the bomber crews. The crew of F for Freddie is assigned to fly in low and bomb the oil depot. After the briefing, air crews dress up for the flight with the usual banter and good-natured ribbing. The last bits of information from the meteorological and communications people are handed out and the crew boards F for Freddie.~The crew of F for Freddie prepare for take-off. As an airman updates the big board in the Operations room, the bombers take off one by one and disappear into the sky. Next is a lengthy sequence on the flight to Freihausen with shots of a lone Wellington in flight intercut with the interior of aircraft and the crew at work. There are sequences on bombing run over the target, much flack and huge explosions on the ground. Intercut with this are ground views of same and German anti-aircraft batteries in action. F for Freddie is hit by flack, the radio operator is wounded and one of the engines springs an oil leak. A bit of drama ensues as the pilot tries to keep the plane airborne. The navigator plots a course for home. Fog sets in over the airfield. Anxious moments are spent by ground personnel who can hear the aircraft but are unable to see it. A flare path is lit and the Wellington slowly appears faintly through the fog and lands safely. The crew reports to Intelligence on the success of the raid. An officer reflects happily on the telephone that the target was obliterated and all planes have returned safely. <47mn>

Language:

English

Notes:

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1. The final portion of the story, from "A bit of drama..." to the end, is recorded on consultation video V1 8312-0040 (first item on that tape).~2. Harry Watt, the creator of this film, died 2 April 1987. This film is, therefore, under copyright until 31 December 2037.~3. Production credits are taken from description in the film catalogue Films for Television From Britain, Central Office of Information, London, United Kingdom, June 1958, p. 36.~4. Some of the officers and crew shown in the film have Canadian accents, including the officer responsible for the bombs and other ammunition loaded onto the planes, and a pilot named O'Reilly, who is one of the pilots assigned to drop incendiary bombs prior to the attack by the crew of F for Freddie.~5. According to the book Homefront and Battlefront: Nelson BC in World War II, by Sylvia Crooks, Granville Island Publishing, John "Jack" Gray of Nelson appeared in TARGET FOR TONIGHT.~6. The weekly Almonte, Ontario newspaper The Almonte Gazette reported on November 20, 1941, page 1, that an Ottawa newspaper had published a photograph from the film TARGET FOR TONIGH, showing Sergeant Air Gunner Gordon Houston of Almonte in the foreground with a group of fliers behind him. The article stated that he was one of 30 officers and men of the RAF and RCAF in the film.~7. The opening text also states that all figures indicating strength have purposely been made misleading in order not to give information to the enemy.

Detailed holdings information:

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Vault ISN:

13984

Format:

VIDEO

Location number:

V1 8309-0116

Number of items:

1

Status:

REF

Vault ISN:

17624

Format:

FILM

Location number:

8312-0116
8312-0117
8312-0118
8312-0119
8312-0120

Vault code:

GAT

Number of items:

5

Kind of sound:

COMP

Stock:

ANS PRT

Made from:

DEPOSIT

Status:

MASTER

Vault ISN:

17625

Format:

VIDEO

Location number:

V1 8312-0040

Number of items:

1

Status:

REF

Vault ISN:

403084

Format:

VIDEO

Location number:

V1 2004-10-0214

Number of items:

1

Duration:

120:00

Status:

REF

Vault ISN:

979457

Format:

VIDEO

Location number:

V4 2004-10-0048

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

SOF

Made from:

7301-8988
8901-0052
7301-1258
7909-0882
8407-0087
8312-0116
8312-0117
8312-0118
8312-0119
8312-0120

Status:

MASTER
Ordering and viewing options

Conditions of access:

Open

Consultation copy number:

V1 8309-0116
V1 8312-0040
V1 2004-10-0214

GENCAT identity number:

GAD 0FD579

Restrictions on consultation:

~Available Onsite Only / Seulement disponible sur le site

Donor restrictions:

The permission of the donor, the NFB, is required to reproduce this title.

Copyright status:

Under copyright until 31 December 2037.

Copyright owner:

Copyright owner: British government.

Reproduction access:

With written permissions / Avec les permissions écrites

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