This black and white World War II-era short newsreel film is a compilation of five newsreels on an array of wartime topics. This particular film opens with “Ashcans for Adolph,” a newsreel by Canadian Paramount News and with voice over by Winston Barron. This segment offers insight into wartime mobilization and artillery production on the home front with both men and women coming together to produce depth charges or “ashcans” as they were called by U.S. Navy servicemen. The film includes two other segments by Canadian Paramount News discussing Canadian R-5727 Lancaster Bombers as well as Russia on the Eastern Front. Amidst these clips is a segment of one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s wartime fireside chats addressing the American people. Lastly, the film also includes a segment from Paramount News with voice over by Vincent Connolly on Winston Churchill’s 69th birthday celebration in Tehran, Iran.
Opening credits (0:15). Factory workers at a mass production center for depth charges or “ashcans” in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada inspect a piece of sheet metal (0:23). Factory worker operates a pressing machine (0:34). Close-up of a machine shaping a depth charge (0:43). Completed parts of depth charges stacked in the factory (0:45). Metalworkers welding completed parts together while voice-over describes the characteristics of the depth charge (0:56-1:30). Female factory worker packs a complete depth charge with explosive material (1:05). Footage of depth charges being shot off the decks of U.S. Navy American Flower-class corvette ships and destroyers (1:33). Explosions as seen from above water (1:42). Roosevelt Reports (1:53). President Roosevelt gives an on-air address with updates on fighting across Europe and Africa – the Red Army’s offensive on Germany’s Eastern Front, the Allied powers in Africa and Italy, and American and British forces in other parts of Europe (1:56). Roosevelt discusses the plans of the United Nations for post-war punishment of Germany (2:22). Air Power: Canada Keeps ‘Em Flying (3:05). Spectators watch as Canadian R-5727 Lancaster Bombers take-off from Malton Airport (today Lester B. Pearson International Airport) in Ontario, Canada for their trip to England (3:10). R-5727 Lancasters flying above the clouds (3:25). R-5727 Lancasters fly next to the Peace Tower/ Tower of Victory in Ottawa, Canada (3:36). Good News: Churchill Back On Job (3:54). Winston Churchill stands amongst British and Indian soldiers as he receives gifts in Tehran, Iran to celebrate his 69th birthday on December 1, 1943 (4:02). Russia: Winter Drive Opens (4:40). Red Army soldiers march through snow and ride on battle tanks (4:48). Story of the recapture of Novorossiysk (5:05). Red Army soldiers and their equipment move into the city (5:17). Red Army soldiers operating stationary big guns and rocket guns (5:26). At daybreak Red Army soldiers charge every part of Novorossiysk, destroyed homes and buildings in the foreground (5:47). Footage surveying destroyed Nazi artillery, pillboxes, and dead soldiers (6:05). The Red Army and Marines leave Novorossiysk after liberating the city (6:17). Flag of the Soviet Union raised over the city gates of Novorossiysk (6:32). Firework celebration over Moscow (6:35).
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapon. It is intended to destroy a submarine by being dropped into the water nearby and detonating. Depth charges were used heavily in world war II to, as the film says, “beat the U-boat menace” Germany. During wartime, depth charges were referred to as “ashcans” because of their cylindrical shape.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
