With the indian Troops at the Front, Part 1, Official Pictures of the British Army in France
Item
Title
With the indian Troops at the Front, Part 1, Official Pictures of the British Army in France
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Identifier
5738.mp4
IWMFILM202-01-low.mp4
Creator
War Office
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Abstract
Units of the former Indian Corps, just after its disbandment, in rear areas before their departure from France, November and December 1915. The officers' mess, a building away from the battle zone, of 58th (Vaughan's) Rifles, with officers entering and leaving. Pan over a group of soldiers from 57th (Wilde's) Rifles. An outdoor "durbar" (orderly room) for 47th Sikhs - some officers sit while three new soldiers are paraded before them and perform the ritual of offering the blades of their bayonets for each officer in turn to touch as a symbol of loyalty. An open air workshop for the Sappers and Miners at which they shape wood, making wooden trench periscopes. Gurkhas sharpen their kukris on a grindstone. A demonstration of a "Khattak" or ritual sword dance. Sikhs in formal wrestling bouts which others watch. 34th Sikh Pioneers dig shallow trenches from start to completion with a sandbag parapet and coiled wire in front. 57th (Wilde's) Rifles machine gun section demonstrates setting up its two Maxims in a wood and then retiring with them. At a "refilling point" on a muddy road British and Indian soldiers collect food and fodder for their horses. 4th Cavalry entrains its horses and waits for the order to load its men. This film was the very first of the Official Pictures of the British Army in France and so represents the first British official film record of any of the war zones released for public viewing.
Date
17th January 1916
Date Created
1916-01-17
Spatial Coverage
Source
DVD copy of original film
Medium
DVD copy of original film
Type
Footage
Contributor
Alisa Miller
Publisher
The First World War Poetry Digital Archive
producer
The British Topical Committee for War Films
Subject
Fighting Men
Imperial Forces
Landscape
Medical
Munitions