News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Warwork News

Issue

Issue No.

S15/1

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. Sir Andrew Duncan, Minister of Supply, Explains Aims of "Warwork News"
• 2. Weapons of War

Story

Story No. within this Issue

2 / 2

Summary

Breakdown of organization and function of Minister of Supply. A complete picture of the weapons and equipment produced by the people to be used by armed forces against the enemy. Shots of men returning from Dunkirk - vast amounts of war materials lost by BEF. Two years later, Ministry of Supply works to produce sufficient weapons for Britain to meet Hitler on his own terms. Diagram shows vastness of Ministry of Supply organization. Meeting of directors under chairmanship of William Rootes. Discussion on supply of arms to Russia, problems of finance, manpower, design etc. How directives are carried out by workers in factory. Production of bombs; production and testing of bullets and every kind of gun. Importance of women workers. Production of guns for tanks. George Usher, head of tank supply, supervises the design and construction of better tanks. Raw materials produced under direction of Kenneth Lee. Through Generals Weeks and Carr the Ministry of Supply keeps in direct touch with War Office. The transportation and supply of raw materials and weapons is supervised by JC Paterson. The production of army stores supplies such as uniforms is directed by Cecil Weir. The operation of the finance section, under Minister Patrick Ashley Cooper; ensures that adequate funds are at the right place at right time. Research, development, inventions - new suggestions for improved methods etc. dealt with. Oliver Lucas has responsibility for efficient weapons and striking power. Machine tools come under the supervision of Sir Percy H Mills. A typical regional controller, JA McLaren. A new rubber mill is opened, and production starts. Production of gear boxes for tanks. "Weapons of war win liberty for generations to come". Four factory workers (from factories of Ministry of Supply) receive British Empire Medals for their efforts.

Keywords

Politics and government; Weapons; Industry and manufacture; Military; Awards and honours

This series is held by:

Film Archive

Name

Imperial War Museum Film and Video Archive

Email

film@iwm.org.uk

Web

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/film

Phone

020 7416 5291

Fax

020 7416 5379

Address

Lambeth Road
London SE1 6HZ

Notes

The IWM also preserves the original nitrate film copies for the World War II period of British Paramount News, Gaumont British News and Universal News.

Series held

View all series held by Imperial War Museum Film and Video Archive