Friday, March 11, 2016

Video: CWACs, Seaforth Highlanders, Messina Crossing, 1943

CWACs, Seaforth Highlanders, Messina Crossing to Italy in Sept. 1943

Troops from 2nd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment wait to board
landing craft at Catania, Sicily, for the invasion of Italy, 2 September 1943.
Photo Credit - Histomil Historica

Introduction: One can find a wealth of excellent quality documentaries (approx. 10 min. length, free for the viewing) at Histomil Historica (along with very good quality photographs) that were produced as Canadian Army Newsreels by the Canadian Army Film Unit at Merton Park Studios (South Wimbledon, London).

Though the film unit's chief subject is the Canadian Army, other branches of the Canadian Armed Forces are seen participating in various aspects of World War II. I will provide links to just a few of the films produced at Merton Park, ones which draw some attention to Canadians in Combined Operations and their work on landing crafts of various kinds in different parts of the war theatre.

This film shows a short (rare) and informative clip of Canadians on landing crafts during the Messina crossing to Italy, Sept. 3, 1943 and more.

Link to Canadian Army Newsreel No. 16 - Messina Crossing, Sept. 3, 1943

Synopsis, in part:

Princess Mary Inspects C.W.A.C.s - The Princess Royal visits the Wellington Barracks to inspect the women’s division of the army corps; Major General P.J. Montague meets Princess Mary with Chief Comptroller Jean Knox; the troops parade by Lieutenant General E.W. Sansom, Brigadier A. Roger, Brigadier J.H. McQueen and Brigadier E.G. Weeks.

Sicily Snapshots - Battalion reunion of the Seaforth Highlanders in a Catania Stadium; pipe bands perform; Mule race with riders in silly costumes, betting booths, and a real horse race; General Bernard Montgomery visits soldiers in Sicily before the Italian invasion; General A.G.L. McNaughton informally visits the 1st Division.

And Now Italy! - Plans for Italian attack; light barrage, landing craft move in on Sept.3, 1943; Messina crossing; 8th Army moves across Calabria Hills; General Montgomery; engineers fix bridge; Carleton and Yorks at captured airport outside Reggio de Calabria; 8th Army on the move.

More Canadian Army Newsreels at Histomil Historica

Please link to Video: Canadians Train for Invasion Day

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