Dover at War: 1942 is a 10 minute (approx) British Ministry of Information film, released by the Office of War Information, about Dover and the Second World War during the year of 1942. This version (for US consumption) is narrated by the American journalist and media figure, Edward R. Murrow.
Approximately the last third of the film is concerned with the Air War although aerial footage is included throughout. Types of military aeroplanes mentioned include: German Messerschmitt 109 (ME 109), Spitfire, Blenheim, Boston, Stirling, Manchester, Lancaster, Manchester, Hurricane, Wellington, and Halifax.
Original titles: Dover (1942) and Dover Front Line.
The film gives a resume of the Battle of Britain and Dunkirk Evacuation, Royal Navy training (including commando raids and landing craft operations), Army Infantry training in the preliminary build-up to D-Day, and the predicted future of the Air War.
Stills from the video (click for a larger image):
Dover Castle
Pencester Gardens
Unidentified Shore Battery
Town Centre (Center)
Town Hall
The video contains interviews with, and contributions from, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel and a female member of a mixed Anti-Aircraft Battery. A shore battery, similar to that of St Martin’s Battery, is shown ‘in action’.
A brief appearance by Winston Churchill and interviews with local residents (including the Mayor).
Farming and other rural scenes feature, along with general views of Dover. Specific bomb damage to the Grand Hotel and Burlington Hotel is shown. There is a scene of the Salvation Army playing amid the ruins. At that time the town of Dover was considered part of the front-line – ‘Hell-fire Corner‘.
If anyone recognizes any of the military installations or street locations then please let me know!
John Latter
Dover’s other hidden Castle:The Court’s Folly
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June 17, 2007 at 11:02 pm