Collection search - Canadian-British Armies Gain on Western Front = Canadian First Army Launches Western Front Offensive

Record information – Brief

1

Canadian-British Armies Gain on Western Front = Canadian First Army Launches Western Front Offensive

Item number (ISN):

20864

Hierarchical level:

Item (Accession level)

Date:

1945-02-19

Item number (ISN):

20864

Type of material:

Moving images

Found in:

Archives / Film, Video and Sound

Link to this record

Add to My Research

Link to this record

This link identifies the web page describing this particular record. Unlike the temporary link in your browser, this link will allow you to access, and reference, this page in the future. To link to this descriptive record, copy and paste the URL where ever needed (wiki, blog, document).

Sign in

Sign in to start saving records using My Research

Sign in
Record information – Details

Fonds/collection:

TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX FILM CORPORATION

Accession:

1980-0175

Media:

Film

Part:

1 of 1

Production date:

1945-02-19

Production company:

Canadian Edition #27/49
Fox Movietone News

Production credit:

photography, Barney Barnett; Mike Angelo; Kenneth Dougan

Description:

Show detail Hide detail

Footage filmed by Canadian Army film units from January 22 to February 2, 1945. These are the first films showing the vast preparations preceding the Canadian and British offensive against the Siegfried Line. Launched by British and Canadian troops of the Canadian First Army, with Nijmegen as the hub of operations, the offensive had a typical "Monty touch" in conception and execution, the principal feature being the terrific artillery curtain laid down for 11 hours. Canadian engineers ensure safety of bridges over the River Waal, heavy with ice which is blasted free. Tanks are camouflaged white to provide added protection against the snow. Roadside signs indicate the spirit of the troops. At Kapelscher, Canadians use landing craft and even canoes to cross narrow steets, while mortars and other guns cover the early stages of their advance into Germany. The sequence of scenes is as follows: Footage filmed on January 22, 24 and 30: Ice menaces Bailey Bridges over the River Waal as swift curent piles up heavy ice at the pontoons. Dynamite charges are prepared by Sapper P Cartwright of Wilkie, Saskatchewan and Sapper F.J. Byers of Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island. Charges are packed in waterproofed wax paper, hung in holes cut through the ice and then exploded. Ice crowds around the bridge pontoons and is speeded by the swift current while an ice breaker clears upriver ice. Footage filmed January 27 shows: talks are painted white or spotted, as camouflage protection against enemy detection. The tanks move out over the fields. Tanks are deliberately skidded to find out how much traction is possible. Ice and snow covered fields make treacherous going. Terrain is sanded to provide safe progress for tanks and other armored equipment. Footage filmed on February 2, 1945: In and around Nijmegen, hubv of the Canadian-British operations, sign-posts speed operations of all traffic. Humorous signs read: "Spend your holidays in the Nijmegen Salient", "Luxurous Flats (mud)" and "Tours to Berlin". Ambulances and first aid units move forward to prepare for casualties. Footage filmed on January 26, 1945: At Kapelscher, north of Tilburg on the Maas River, first units make contact with the enemy. Covered in white camouflage suits, Canadians push assault landing craft and even canoes up the side of a dyke. Craft slide into the water after the portage is completed and troops climb aboard. A procession moves along the canal. Machine gun fire is concentrated in areas believed mined. New type smoke generators cover the movement of the troops. Huge clouds of smoke blanketed the area during this oepration. Footage filmed on January 26, 1945: Flame throwing tanks and mortars go into action to support the progress of infantry units.

Language:

Mute with English intertitles

Original number:

54-155

Notes:

Show detail Hide detail

1. NFB dope sheet lists this as Canadian film material submitted by the NFB and gives the title as CANADIAN FIRST ARMY LAUNCHES WESTERN FRONT OFFENSIVE. ~2. Dope sheet says that this was filmed from January 22nd to February 2nd, 1945.

Detailed holdings information:

Show detail Hide detail

Vault ISN:

19171

Format:

FILM

Location number:

N-3846

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

SIL

Stock:

NITRATE

Technical description:

POS

Made from:

DEPOSIT

Status:

MASTER

Vault ISN:

19172

Format:

FILM

Location number:

8101-0042

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

SIL

Stock:

DUPE

Technical description:

NEG

Made from:

N-3846

Status:

PRT.ELEM

Vault ISN:

19174

Format:

FILM

Location number:

8101-0046

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

SIL

Stock:

ANS PRT

Made from:

8101-0042

Status:

REF

Vault ISN:

19177

Format:

FILM

Location number:

8101-0050

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

SIL

Stock:

DUPE

Technical description:

POS

Made from:

8101-0042

Status:

MASTER
Ordering and viewing options

Conditions of access:

Open

Restrictions on consultation:

No Restrictions / Pas de restrictions

Reproduction access:

With written permissions / Avec les permissions écrites

You can order materials in advance to be ready for you when you visit. You will need a user card to do this.

Cannot visit us on site? You can purchase a copy to be sent to you. Some restrictions may apply.

Report a problem on this page

Date modified:: 2024-07-24