News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Pathe Gazette

Issue

Issue No.

44/53

Date Released

3 Jul 1944

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. The Fall of Cherbourg

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 1

Summary

Local labour is put to work by American troops on repairing marshalling yard which was heavily bombed by the allied air force during occupation. In the town of Valognes, buildings which have not been completely demolished are finished off with the aid of dynamite. At a captured German equipment dump, US troops sort through damaged tanks, cars, guns, etc. Aerial views of the heavily bombed area near the Normandy coast, and various of troops looking at damaged gun emplacements along the Atlantic Wall. Massive concrete structure which was believed to be Hitler’s giant rocket shell lairs, but which was captured before completion. Camouflaged V1 store and launching platform. Naval barrage is laid by British and American ships off Cherbourg, and they are engaged in a gun duel with shore batteries. HMS Glasgow comes under heavy German fire, and has to make a run for it. RAF Stirlings drop urgently needed supplies and RASC men move out to retrieve the supplies from containers. US infantry move along the road on the last leg of their march to Cherbourg. On the outskirts of the town they come under attack from snipers bullets and fire back in a running street battle. Prisoners start to come out with white flags. Inside a medical tent a woman gives birth to a baby assisted in her confinement by an American doctor and nurse. The final act of surrender takes place in a tunnel 30 ft underground when Lieutenant General Wilhelm Von Schlieben capitulates to General Collins. Rear Admiral Hennecke, Sea Defence Commander of Normandy, is also there. Cherbourg is returned to the French.

Keywords

Health and medicine; Weapons; Aviation; Ceremonies; War damage; Navy; Photography; Military

Locations

France; Cherbourg; Normandy; Valognes

Length of story (in feet)

823

Story extras:

Film clip

Pathe Icon Pathé

Production Documents

• Commentary
• Shot List

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This series is held by:

Film Archive

Name

British Pathe Ltd

Email

info@britishpathe.com

Web

https://www.britishpathe.com/

Phone

0207 665 8340

Address

3.29 Canterbury Court
1-3 Brixton Road
London
SW9 6DE

Notes

Pathe now also handles the Reuters Historical Collection, which includes the British Paramount, Empire British, Gaumont Graphic and Gaumont British newsreels.

Series held

View all series held by British Pathe Ltd