The Lion Has Wings (1939)

Hinzugefügt: 2026-06-03

[00:00:08]Quickly, quickly settle down.

[00:00:40]Heat. Heat.

[00:00:48]Heat. Heat.

[00:01:27]Heat. Heat.

[00:01:44]This is Britain where we believe in freedom.

[00:02:02]For over 800 years, we have kept our shores safe from invaders. And for 800 years, we have opposed every dictator who arose and tried to enslave Europe.

[00:02:11]For this is Britain, where we believe in freedom. We also believe in peace. Peace to develop our inheritance.

[00:02:20]This was the Britain we inherited from the industrial revolution. And this is the sort of Britain we have been trying to build during the years of peace. A new Britain in which every one of us might have a home of which he was proud.

[00:02:31]A gigantic task we undertook to rehouse the urban population in well-built, well-lighted, wellventilated flats to replace the tumble down slums of the past in new settlements of neat houses with gardens pleasant to look at, delightful to live in, easy to work. We had no use for war. We had no designs on others. Our only enemies were the common enemies of mankind, poverty, bad conditions, the rigors of the northern climate, disease, and we had them on the run. It seemed to be the beginning of a new age. And is it to stop because one man chooses to try and force his outworn ideas on Europe? A Britain of new factories as well as new homes where people can work in healthy surroundings?

[00:03:13]A Britain of new schools where our sons and daughters are equipped for life and taught to be good citizens of their country and of the world. In which the importance of physical health and clean living are taught.

[00:03:25]In the old days at school, they used to tell you men's sauno incorpor.

[00:03:29]That old phrase used to be mumbled to boys who didn't know what it meant by old men who didn't mean what it said.

[00:03:34]Nowadays, we say you can't enjoy life or pull your weight if you're ill. And the consequence is we all try to keep well and everybody's much better off all round. Yes, even school teachers have become human. They realize that children had a right to be happy, that the youthful mind was a delicate instrument to be trained for the future good of all. Is this to stop because one man wishes to dominate the world? A Britain of new hospitals where disease can be prevented as well as cured. Where the old atmosphere of gloom and ignorance has vanished and even very little people can enjoy their cure.

[00:04:13]Nowadays, it's quite a pleasant adventure to be listened to with a stuffy scope.

[00:04:18]And here's somebody taking the waters.

[00:04:26]A Britain of new infant schools and welfare centers where busy mothers can leave their children while they work.

[00:04:32]Where the children themselves learn to become busy mothers, know his father.

[00:04:40]This ridiculous modern craze for washing.

[00:04:45]a new Britain where leisure and pleasant surroundings in which to enjoy leisure plays an increasingly important part in everyday life. For we believe that when the day's work is done or when bank holidays come round, life is meant to be enjoyed by all. And we were trying to make it possible for everybody to have the time and the means to enjoy it in their own way. Holidays with pay for all. When those who live in towns can get away to the coast and refresh themselves in the sunshine and sea air, or at weekends can get out into the country, play games, go swimming. We think this is a life worth living. Are we to lose it because one man seeks to destroy civilization?

[00:05:23]Better conditions have brought about an enormous improvement in our national physique. Our enemies snare at us. They say we are a feat and decadent. A characteristically unfortunate lie they will find to their cost.

[00:05:35]Though we have our champions, we don't claim to lead the world in athletic records. We think it more important that people should get enjoyment out of their favorite form of exercise, rowing, running, jumping, or in Scotland, throwing heavy things about in a way that only Scotsmen can understand.

[00:05:54]Apart from tossing the cable, there is nothing unusual in all this. We have long made up our minds that we should use our bodies for games and sports and not for building up vast armies with which to terrorize and ultimately subdue our weaker neighbors. We like to win matches, not wars. Although if we must have wars, we can win those too.

[00:06:13]But unfortunately, the new spirit was not universal. While we played or swam or cycled or walked, others preferred to march.

[00:06:31]While our young men fought friendly battles, they marched in grim regimented hordes stirred by false ideals inspired by the blatant trumpet of power. They were soaked in the creed of force with its black and sinister emblems while we practiced good fellowship.

[00:06:58]They spent their days in mechanical stepping before a leader whom they worshiped as a god. He gave them the choice of guns or butter and he made them choose the guns.

[00:07:12]Still the youth of Britain preferred the arts of peace. Still it was our public choice to watch football or go racing.

[00:07:22]Still the chief use for our horses was exercised not to carry cavalry.

[00:07:43]Still we believe that the best government was that which allowed the maximum freedom to the individual. The Nazi system crushes the individual. Are these men or is this dipping day on the sheep farm?

[00:07:58]What is your idea of a holiday? This or this?

[00:08:09]Would you rather hear this going on?

[00:08:14]Oh, this >> the most wonderful race of the year.

[00:08:22]The the spotter kings has tied you in.

[00:08:24]Fox the man with the whiskers blue.

[00:08:40]They are the best money can buy. Lovely food accommodation.

[00:08:44]>> What is your idea of a ruler? A man who must be protected by armed guards like this.

[00:08:51]>> Or a man who need not fear to walk freely like this.

[00:09:01]I should be under.

[00:09:12]>> The funny part about this song is the more you do it, the harder it gets.

[00:09:26]>> I should be under When Hitler came to power, he publicly stated his position. In his speech of June the 1st, 1933, he referred to the past war in the following terms. Another outbreak of such a crisis of madness would necessarily involve the destruction of society and the public order.

[00:10:00]He gave his word that he would uphold the Lano Treaty. Yet on March the 7th, 1934, he broke the Lano Treaty. He sent the German army into the Rhineland.

[00:10:21]All Europe was deeply stirred, but Hitler hastened to set fears at rest. In his honorable open fashion, he said, "We shall strive for an understanding between European peoples. We have no territorial demands to make in Europe."

[00:10:35]Has his own people listened to him? Was there the seed of doubt?

[00:10:41]Europe was reassured. What of the Austrian chancellor?

[00:10:49]Good. Goodbye.

[00:11:02]Hitler had no territorial demands to make. Not in Austria.

[00:11:14]And Hitler gave the answer in his honorable open fashion on May the 21st, 1935.

[00:11:20]Germany neither intends nor wishes to interfere in the internal affairs of Austria or to conclude an anelus.

[00:11:27]A year later, Hitler signed an agreement with Austria guaranteeing the complete sovereignty of the vianese government.

[00:11:33]Chancellor Shushnik followed Dr. Dulus, but Hitler summoned him to back his garden to be bullied and threatened. The system of power politics was working.

[00:11:41]March the 12th, 1938. Thus went Austria.

[00:11:57]With Austria gone, Czechoslovakia was gripped in the wolflike jaws of the new boundaries of Germany. The tactics that had crushed Austria were used again.

[00:12:06]Hitler declared that by the 1st of October he must have the territory occupied by the Sudatan Germans in Czechoslovakia. Thus went Sudatan land.

[00:12:28]It went all the more easily because on the 27th of September 1938 he had said if this problem is solved there will be no further territorial demands in Europe by Germany. We do not want any checks.

[00:12:41]The Munich agreement was signed. Sudatan land went back to Germany and Hitler guaranteed the integrity of the rest of Czechoslovakia.

[00:12:49]But on March the 15th, 1939, he broke his word again and enexed Bohemia and Moravia. Thus went Czechoslovakia.

[00:13:13]Who was next? Next was Memel. The German press cried out that Meml was free. They call it freedom.

[00:13:28]By this time, the world had ceased to believe any of Hitler's honorable open declarations. For the real Hitler, turn to the revealing pages of his book, Mine Camp. Read the story of his true ambition in this, the Nazi Gospel. Page 754 tells you, "Never allow two continental powers in Europe to arise.

[00:13:47]Look upon every attempt to organize a second military power on the frontiers of Germany, even though it'd be only susceptible of military development, as an attack upon Germany, and think it not only a right, but a duty to prevent such a state from arising, or to smash it, if it has arisen, by every means, including armed force. That is why Poland has been smashed." And on page 742, read why any power but Germany should be smashed.

[00:14:14]Germany will become a world power or it will not be at all.

[00:14:20]Hitler says he loves peace. But on page 315, he tells you what kind of peace he loves. The ideas of pacifism and humanity may be quite good after the supreme race has conquered and subdued the world in such measure as makes him its exclusive master. Therefore, first fight and then perhaps pacifism. So, history repeats itself. As in 1914, the world has no choice. We remember the famous words of Bethman Halveg.

[00:14:49]>> The step taken by the British government is terrible to a degree. Great Britain is going to make war against a kindred nation who desired nothing better than to be friends with her just for a word.

[00:14:58]Just for a a scrap of paper.

[00:15:03]>> Britain awoke. It was clear that war could not be avoided by negotiation.

[00:15:08]Britain must be strong. Hitler's real ambition lay naked in the cold light of truth. The German leader aimed at dominating the whole of Europe, and Britain must defend her freedom once again.

[00:15:27]Britain's Navy in 1939 was still the greatest navy the world had ever known.

[00:15:32]The proud tradition of the army is that it always wins the last battle and the introduction of compulsory service added enormous reserves of manpower to the efficient regulars of peace time.

[00:15:58]600 years of tradition from Cressy to Compen have covered the British soldier with glory. Add to that modern mechanization.

[00:16:07]British industry is second to none. And in building up its new equipment, from anti-aircraft guns to tanks, miracles have been accomplished which amaze the world's military experts.

[00:16:19]Our famous cavalry regiments employed their qualities of dash and hard riding in driving mobile forts at everinccreasing speed.

[00:16:31]Artillery was motordrawn and infantry was no longer trained merely to work on foot. Speed in moving, tremendous striking power and power where the deadly machine gun largely took the place of the rifle. And with the regulars and the militia worked the territorials, a voluntary army of young men who gave their leisure to their country's defense. Young men who became a vital factor in the gigantic war machine. Then the youngest service of them all. In the war of 1914 1918, the Royal Air Force grew from a small experimental force to become undisputed masters of the sky. Each following year, the Hinden pageant of the Royal Air Force demonstrated breathtaking skill and parade ground precision in this new element of war.

[00:17:31]Heat. Heat.

[00:18:01]So rapidly have we advanced that these pictures taken 2 years ago at the last Hendon Air display are already out of date. But what a story they tell of skill and relentless striking power.

[00:18:31]Heat up here.

[00:19:03]These people are becoming air- minded.

[00:19:05]>> Yes, but not warminded.

[00:19:07]>> Hello, Schillingburg. How do you like the show?

[00:19:09]>> Oh, marvelous.

[00:19:11]Bundar. Huh? Bundar.

[00:19:14]>> Oh, Germany might scoff. These pictures are still the old pictures. But since that time, the Air Force has expanded into the magnificent service that it is today. Once again, second to none, ready for anything, no matter how difficult and dangerous.

[00:19:36]Britain founded her greatness on the sea. The spirit of those great names of old lives once more in those who dare the uncharted heights of heaven. Nelson, Drake, Frobisha, Raleigh.

[00:19:49]The dauntless courage that made them famous is born a new in these young captains of the clouds.

[00:20:28]Well, gee, it's worthwhile coming all the way from little old Montreal to join these boys. Here's your husband. You ought to feel like a million dollars.

[00:20:35]>> Fees, darling.

[00:20:36]>> So, so not bad. Some of those new buses are quite good. Chulenberg says it's Vunderbar.

[00:20:41]>> Do you believe him?

[00:20:42]>> Shouldn't Vunder.

[00:20:47]>> All honor to these pilots and their crews. An honor too to the ground staff.

[00:20:52]For to their knowledge and experience and devotion to duty, the flying men trust their lives. Every part of every machine must be tuned to concert pitch and ready to bear the strain of battle at 6 miles a minute. They must never make a mistake.

[00:21:06]Nor must the craftsmen who make the machines. We learned early in our history to study our weapons as well as our men. Presley and Azenov were one partly because the English archers were the best in the world, but partly also because they carried the best bows. So today into our fighters go the soundest material, the most careful workmanship.

[00:21:26]In the construction of aircraft, there is the choice of two policies. You may decide to build the best possible machine, a machine to last its natural life apart from the risk of war. or you may calculate what is the average life of a machine in wartime and build only to that. The advantage of the second method is that you economize both in materials and in labor. The aircraft, you say, is only likely to last for so many flying hours before being shot down. So why waste time and money and good material and craftsmanship to make it any better than it probably need be?

[00:21:56]Probably. That is the test word.

[00:21:58]Probably is not good enough for our air ministry who have turned down that specious policy and argument flat.

[00:22:05]British pilots and crews shall have only the finest aircraft that our factories can produce. The British Royal Air Force shall never be let down by its aircraft.

[00:22:14]As with the fighters, so will the bombers. Here you see the famous Wellingtons, the type that went out on the Keel raid. Designed on the remarkable geodetic principle of construction, they carry a formidable weight of bombs for an immense distance at high speed. And they're manned by a crew of five, pilot, navigator, wireless officer, gunner, and bomb aimer. A corridor runs the entire length of the aircraft. The pilot is able to maintain contact with the whole crew. Great tasks have already been carried out by these aircraft, and there are more to come.

[00:22:44]From aircraft to anti-aircraft guns, The modern bomber cannot be compared with that of 20 years ago, but nor can the modern AA gun. Guided by the modern search light, by the new detectors and rangefinders, their fire is truly formidable.

[00:23:33]Shall we be short of material? No. We have natural resources within our empire that can scarcely be exhausted no matter how long the struggle.

[00:23:50]The furnaces in our foundaries will not die, nor the lathes in the shop stop turning until there is no more need for these weapons of defense.

[00:23:59]At the beginning of the last war, guns were starved of ammunition. We have not made that mistake again.

[00:24:28]Bombs. So many already in storage that manufacture could almost be suspended.

[00:24:33]Bombs not for defenseless towns, not to break the morale of the civilian population, but for military and naval objectives, to let frightfulness have a taste of frightfulness.

[00:24:45]Factory upon factory feed the insatiable machine guns.

[00:24:58]This is the strength of the nation.

[00:25:00]Bullets, guns, shells, bullets, guns, shells.

[00:25:07]And production is expanding with a momentum that day by day increases until it reaches vast proportions held to undreamed of. For a long time now, Germany has been producing war materials on a wartime scale. Her administration has been intoxicated by power of armaments. Her national energy has been exclusively concentrated on turning out the dreadful engines of war.

[00:25:28]Such a program over a period of peace time years could only show one result.

[00:25:32]That long, dreary, selfish road trodden by her rulers could only lead her people to bankruptcy and want. But even in peace time, in the year that followed the disillusionment of Munich, Britain was catching up. Britain was overhauling the Nazi production machine, and Britain is now working up towards a new peak. We are fresh. We come into this race that was made necessary, fit and confident.

[00:25:56]Production has not yet grown stale and begun to tire. If it should be a long war, if that forecast of a three-year struggle should really come true, it is not hard to calculate which side will endure. We have at our disposal resources that far outstrip the German.

[00:26:11]The wheels of their industry are slowing down. Ours are starting up. On top of that, we know that our cause is just.

[00:26:18]Every man and woman knows why we are fighting. We have not been misled by false promises. We have not been tricked into a world catastrophe by deceit and vanity and lies. Not for us the terrible awakening that must come sooner or later to the German people.

[00:26:39]We hoped that reason might prevail, but the fate that had overwhelmed Austria and Czechoslovakia enveloped Poland, too. For 2 days, we waited in suspense while the prime minister made one last effort for peace. He gave Germany until 11:00 on Sunday, September the 3rd, to withdraw their troops from Poland. 21 years after the end of that war to end war and then he spoke to the nation >> up to the very last it would have been quite possible to have arranged a peaceful and honorable settlement between Germany and Poland but Hitler would not have it.

[00:27:15]He had evidently made up his mind to attack Poland whatever happened. We have a clear conscience. We have done all that any country could do to establish peace.

[00:27:27]But a situation in which no word given by Germany's ruler could be trusted and no people or country could feel itself safe had become intolerable.

[00:27:39]At such a moment as this, the asurances of support which we have received from the empire are a source of profound encouragement to us. Now may God bless you all.

[00:27:53]And may he defend the right. For it is evil things that we shall be fighting against. Brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression, and persecution.

[00:28:07]And against them I am certain that the right will prevail.

[00:28:46]What was that?

[00:28:48]A weird wall?

[00:28:51]Prime Minister just broadcast.

[00:28:55]H >> What did he say yesterday?

[00:29:00]to satisfy one man's vain, senseless ambition.

[00:29:04]>> He did his best to stop it, if ever a man did.

[00:29:06]>> Yes.

[00:29:07]>> Now we're in it.

[00:29:09]>> Well, I'm glad. At least we know where we are.

[00:29:13]>> What are you doing here, darling?

[00:29:14]>> We're on our way to a new station. We've only got one second, >> darling.

[00:29:20]>> Are we ready?

[00:29:20]>> What do you mean? Are we prepared? We've never been better prepared, darling.

[00:29:33]Good luck, >> darling.

[00:29:36]>> Yes. Let's get married when I get back.

[00:29:40]>> Yes.

[00:29:44]>> God bless you, my dear.

[00:29:46]Come on, Bobby. We've got to go.

[00:30:05]God bless you, darling.

[00:30:14]>> Bye.

[00:30:34]Well, Ariad, are you ready?

[00:30:49]First aid post. Get your things quick.

[00:30:50]I'll get the car.

[00:30:56]>> So it began. That first air raid was false alarm. But so it began. All the filthy inhumanity of war.

[00:31:14]Yes. Whether we liked it or not, it was war. An unbelievable catastrophe had visited this peaceful countryside, but we were prepared. Behind each bushy hedro, a battleship of the sky stood ready. Massive, forbidding, deadly, the symbol of modern power, waiting for the word to go. And while pilots passed the time, waiting for orders to avenge the outrage of the Athena, orders were on the way.

[00:31:42]>> Bomber command.

[00:31:43]>> Yes, sir. Ministry here, sir.

[00:31:47]Yes.

[00:31:49]>> Check your time, will you? Is that right? Zero hour 19 hours.

[00:31:54]>> Very good, sir.

[00:31:59]>> Number one group operate 0 R1 1900.

[00:32:03]Number two group operate 0 R1 1900.

[00:32:06]>> Z R1 1900.

[00:32:12]Ambry, you will commence RA table number one at zero. 0 R1 1900.

[00:32:18]>> Great Milton, you will commence Ray table number three at 0 + 10. 0 R1 1900.

[00:32:23]>> 0 R 1900.

[00:32:25]>> Right. Thanks. You heard that?

[00:32:28]>> Yes, sir.

[00:32:28]>> Have you got all the necessary information?

[00:32:29]>> Yes, sir.

[00:32:30]>> I expect you'd like a flight for raid number one?

[00:32:32]>> Yes, sir.

[00:32:33]>> And I suppose you would like your B flight for raid number two?

[00:32:35]>> Yes.

[00:32:35]>> All right. Carry on.

[00:32:38]>> Baron, can I have your pilots and crews here in quarter of an hour?

[00:32:40]>> Right. Out of their lofty hangers came the flights selected for a hazardous job. Sky battleships armed and equipped with all that military science and technical skill could devise. Messengers of havoc. Yet it had not been our will that sent them forth. Inexhaustible supplies of petrol, the lifeblood of modern war. Fewer cars and buses on the home front. More planes on the warfront.

[00:33:05]Millions of gallons of alcohol. and not a hiccup in a tank full.

[00:33:11]For and after they carried machine guns, guns that spit out a double stream of bullets swifter than thought itself.

[00:33:17]Next to go in is the complicated apparatus for bomb aiming. For bombing now is exact and mathematical. Speed of flight, strength of wind, altitude. A 100 factors must be taken into account before the pressure of a thumb lets loose these tons of roaring chaos. With the utmost care and precision, they load up their cargo of destruction. No mistakes. They don't want any dropping out too soon. Nor do we. But even on a job that carries a 50/50 chance of death, these wonderful boys start out with a light heart and a joke.

[00:33:51]>> And pilots and crews go in to receive their orders.

[00:33:58]>> All the people here.

[00:33:59]>> Yes.

[00:34:00]>> How many aircraft?

[00:34:01]>> Full six.

[00:34:02]>> Right. Well, you're in luck. No propaganda leafers this time. It's the real thing. Good.

[00:34:08]>> Now, we've received information that the German pocket battleships are making towards the mouth of the Keel Canal. By the time you get there, they should be just inside. Your job is to secure direct hits on the battleships. Six copies of your route and weather forecast. They've crossed the coast at Sheringham. Fighter command will be informed. Change the course to 110°.

[00:34:28]From there on, you can expect air resistance from silt.

[00:34:31]Now, your final course is 145° for those on target one, 121° for those on target two. You'll see here where you're likely to encounter gunfire. The red pins indicate heavy anti-aircraft.

[00:34:46]The black pins 2.7.

[00:34:49]About 10 miles from your target is a hospital.

[00:34:52]>> It's a large white building. You can't possibly mistake it.

[00:34:56]>> But you must get those battleships.

[00:35:01]Okay.

[00:35:02]>> As you'll be over your objective in daylight, I want cameras taken, of course. Exact data of what we achieve is particularly important.

[00:35:09]>> Now, anything else?

[00:35:10]>> Well, there's just one thing. I take it there's no balloon barrage there.

[00:35:14]>> Not if you stick to your route.

[00:35:15]>> Got it.

[00:35:17]>> Well, that's for good luck.

[00:35:20]>> Thanks. Good luck, boys.

[00:35:21]>> Thanks. What about our little party tonight?

[00:35:23]>> What are you doing tomorrow?

[00:35:24]>> Okay, make it tomorrow.

[00:35:27]>> Captains of aircraft, your roots and forecasts.

[00:35:31]Get your maps marked out.

[00:35:34]Now, you heard what was said. We've got to get direct hits. Type of attack will depend on local conditions, but I'm pretty certain it'll be low-level bombing. I'll let you know in the air.

[00:35:43]Stick to me if you possibly can, but if anybody gets lost, must make his way home independently and dump his bombs in the sea. Now, we'll be heavily loaded, so individual takeoffs, of course. All happy about your machines?

[00:35:55]>> Yeah, I am.

[00:35:56]>> Good. Carry on.

[00:36:18]Engines throb and leap to life. They start out for kill.

[00:37:20]Raid number one airborne sir.

[00:37:24]Group operations.

[00:37:26]Raid number one, airborne 0 + 32.

[00:37:30]>> Fighter command. Our first raids have taken off. Here are some details for your plotting table.

[00:37:37]Raid table number one. Raid number one start at 0 + 1. Raid number two. 0 + 3.

[00:37:50]They're heading east on a great adventure. The bow gunner ready in the forward turret. The navigator of midshipips busy at his charts plotting the course. And in the tail, another gunner, a solitary sentinel protecting the ship from attack from the rear. But it's a long time before there's any excitement yet, except for the wireless operator. See if you can pick up Mr. Middleton.

[00:38:19]>> It's vibrating a bit in the tail, sir.

[00:38:22]Bear rest up for a bit. Wait a minute.

[00:38:26]>> Well, >> what's our latest position?

[00:38:30]>> Well, about another hour at our present speed before we change the course.

[00:38:47]>> All right, Chanders.

[00:38:52]Bill, take over for a minute, will you?

[00:38:59]>> Anything doing?

[00:39:00]>> Nothing from our side, of course, sir.

[00:39:02]Wireless silence was ordered. Seems to be some activity from German station A2, but it's all in code.

[00:39:09]>> Saunders back in the tail. Half an hour.

[00:39:20]They've been on their course now for an hour of steady flying. The sight of a ship below is a welcome break in the monotony of sea.

[00:39:34]>> Destroyer head, sir. House of eyes, I think.

[00:40:19]roaring through the sky. Getting close now. Time to take up battle stations.

[00:40:24]The pilot goes back to his controls.

[00:40:27]The navigator now constantly at his elbow.

[00:40:31]>> Changing course in about 5 minutes. Let me know.

[00:40:34]>> Time for the rear gunner to go back to the tail.

[00:40:40]The bomb hamer leaves the forward gun.

[00:40:44]The wireless operator goes forward. No need for wireless now. He steps over the bomb aimer who crouches down getting his sights lined up and he makes his way to the gun turret.

[00:40:55]>> Halter co to 110°.

[00:41:03]>> Going down to 100 ft for the run into the coast.

[00:41:06]>> Going in low to avoid the arches.

[00:41:36]Some excitement down there. See that?

[00:41:38]Chips crews bathing. Kind of expected us.

[00:41:46]There she is. Signal for Liner Stan.

[00:41:59]Right. Here we go.

[00:42:11]Right.

[00:42:15]Right.

[00:42:18]Steady.

[00:42:49]Get him.

[00:42:56]>> Good show. Got him right in the hop. Now we're home. What's the course?

[00:43:04]Step message.

[00:43:31]The German pursuit planes were shaken off. The flight of bombers returned home. They had dropped their bombs not upon unfortified towns, but on a heavily protected naval base, a legitimate target of modern warfare, an objective bristling with anti-aircraft guns and guarded with fighters.

[00:43:48]They came back to their home aerodrome.

[00:43:51]But not all came back. But they had achieved what they set out to do, and they drew first blood of the war that was none of their making.

[00:43:59]It was an epic of the skies, carried out with brilliant dash and matchless courage. And although you have been watching a reconstruction of that raid upon the Keel Canal, the men you now see stepping out of these bombers are the officers and men of the RAF who actually carried out that heroic raid. These are the men who flew the planes and dropped the bombs on Hitler's battleships.

[00:44:33]Heat. Heat.

[00:44:56]We have seen how Britain can strike when she chooses, but we do not expect to read of such exploits every day. What is of constant interest is to learn how we can protect our own country from undesirable visitors.

[00:45:11]What is the organization that exists to counter and eventually to conquer German bombing attacks? Fast machines, fighters, interceptors, pursuit planes.

[00:45:20]And of course, personnel. There is no lack of men for the machines. Men who will prove themselves worthy successes to the great war aces, Leaf Robinson and B and Bishop, and leaders who have the confidence of the rank and file, and men of experience. And a new form of defense never before tried in warfare, the balloon barrage. A chain of blimps that trail invisible steel wires. Death to the invader.

[00:45:50]The object of the balloon barrage is to force enemy planes to a height at which they can become a better target for anti-aircraft fire or an easier victim for defending fighters. Not only that, accurate bombing becomes impossible.

[00:46:05]Anti-aircraft guns. The range and volume and rapidity of fire of the latest anti-aircraft guns are official secrets, closely guarded.

[00:46:17]It is sufficient to know that they fling up at a hail of metal that changes the sky into an inferno.

[00:46:23]Search lights pierce the darkest corners of the heavens. Scientific equipment works out the height and speed of approaching planes. While at every point on our coast, watchers are always on the lookout.

[00:46:35]So come to Berlin. Let's begin in at the start as an order for a bombing raid is wrapped out by the German chief of air.

[00:46:43]>> The chief of the Nazi bomber group hands on precise instructions to a German bomber station.

[00:46:49]>> And the commanding officer of the bomber station addresses his officers. A striking contrast to the friendly atmosphere that is Britain's way.

[00:47:00]I'll hit her.

[00:47:03]>> The necessary activity on the aerdrome may be kept undercover, but Britain too has undercover methods of getting advanced information.

[00:47:10]>> On the intense, >> what's that?

[00:47:12]>> A match.

[00:47:14]>> Oh, yes.

[00:47:16]>> Activity at pirate squadron AZ 2.

[00:47:21]>> Activity pirate squadron AZ 2.

[00:47:23]>> A Z2.

[00:47:25]>> Code group X74479.

[00:47:28]674479 >> Ministry. Yes, sir.

[00:47:36]>> You are half the old man.

[00:47:37]>> Right.

[00:47:47]>> Hello, Barrett.

[00:47:48]>> Chief of Air Staff speaking. I've just received information that an enemy attack is expected tonight. Where's your Barrett? Very good.

[00:48:05]Somewhere in Britain, its existence and communications completely protected from the enemy, is an organization known as fighter command.

[00:48:15]It is in direct communication with the air ministry and all defense units. In supreme control is the air officer commanding in chief.

[00:48:23]He is the brain. The whole of the rest of the organization are his nerves, his limbs, his fingers. A large staff of telefanists remains on duty night and day to receive reports as they come in from every post in the country, observer posts, and all other sources of information. Each individual section of the fighter command is in a separate soundproof compartment behind glass. And spread in front of them all on this huge table is a map of the eastern half of Britain, the North Sea, and the German coast.

[00:48:59]A message comes through to the air officer CNC.

[00:49:02]>> Chief of Air.

[00:49:05]>> Yes.

[00:49:06]>> I've just received information that an enemy attack is expected tonight.

[00:49:10]>> Tonight's the night.

[00:49:12]>> Give me number one.

[00:49:13]>> We're already observer standing by.

[00:49:17]>> Yes. Checking up, sir.

[00:49:21]To think that for years I've been wanting a dark room for developing. And now that every room in the house is dark, I'm stuck out here in the bushes listening to the birds. Listening for them. You mean?

[00:49:31]>> Hello. Yes, sir. Standing by. They speak them tonight.

[00:49:39]>> Observers post numbers 115 to 127 in Reesees.

[00:49:44]>> All observers standing by sir. ARP, standby. They're coming over tonight.

[00:49:55]Anti-aircraft, we've just received news that tonight's the night.

[00:49:59]General call.

[00:50:04]>> Very good, sir.

[00:50:06]>> All right, boys. Get your boots on and get ready to give old Adolf a kick in the fence.

[00:50:10]>> Yes, sir. It's time by, boys, to welcome the nasties.

[00:50:19]Northern group standing by.

[00:50:21]>> Northern group standing by, sir.

[00:50:24]>> Midland group all set.

[00:50:26]>> Midland group all set, sir.

[00:50:29]>> Southern group all standing by.

[00:50:31]>> Southern group all ready, sir.

[00:50:38]>> Stand by everyone. Stand by.

[00:50:40]>> Back at fighter command.

[00:50:45]All is ready.

[00:50:54]Almost hidden in the darkness, the British fighters are waiting for the word to take off.

[00:51:03]Anti-aircraft batteries at the ready.

[00:51:05]Sound detectors train to hear the drone of enemy engines.

[00:51:10]Search lights stab the blackness with a silver sword.

[00:51:15]Britain, soldier and civilian stands on guard as it was three and a half centuries ago when the proud armada sailed up the English Channel.

[00:51:54]night sunk upon the dusky beach and on the purple sea. Such night in England never had been, nor air again shall be.

[00:52:03]From Edon to Beric Bounds, from Lynn to Milford Bay, that time of slumber was as bright and busy as the day. For swift to east and swift to west, the ghastly war flame spread.

[00:52:19]Then bugle's note and cannons roar, the death-like silence broke, and with one start and with one cry, the royal city woke.

[00:52:31]Broader still became the blaze, and louder still the den. As fast from every village round, the horse came clattering in.

[00:53:00]my people.

[00:53:02]I am come to live or die amongst you all, to lay down for my god and for my kingdom and for my people my honor and my blood even in the dust. I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and valor of a king and of a king of England, too. Not Spain, nor any prince of Europe shall dare to invade the borders of my realm. Pluck up your hearts. By your peace in camp, and your valor in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory.

[00:53:38]Floor, sir. Floor. First clock coming on the table, sir.

[00:53:49]>> How many? And at what height?

[00:53:52]>> 8.

[00:53:55]At 8,000 RP London area number one.

[00:54:06]Hold on a minute. RP, >> watch our previous instructions. Warn all areas.

[00:54:15]>> London, all areas.

[00:54:16]>> London, all areas.

[00:54:20]>> Northern group, raids four and five entering your sector. Carry on and deal with them. Midland group, raid three entering your area. Carry on and deal with it. Southern group, >> raids one and two entering your area.

[00:54:34]Carry on and deal with them.

[00:54:35]>> Yes, sir. Raid one and two.

[00:54:37]>> Two raids are anticipated in the southern group command. For them goes the order to repel the raiders.

[00:54:42]>> Brexit.

[00:54:44]>> Group command brings Braxton fighter station.

[00:54:47]>> Station confirmed.

[00:54:49]>> Serial number one, flight A, squadron 299, raid number one.

[00:54:54]>> Okay.

[00:54:56]>> The arrow representing the German raid is transferred from the plotting table to the action table.

[00:55:05]A flight 29 mile.

[00:55:08]Take off.

[00:56:08]flight A airbor. Okay, put B flights.

[00:56:12]>> B flight 299.

[00:56:18]>> Cornflower red calling station control.

[00:56:20]Cornflower red calling station control.

[00:56:22]Over to you. Over.

[00:56:24]>> Conflower red. Confer red 80° 2,000 ft a minute. Speed 180. Speed 180.

[00:56:36]>> Okay, Ted.

[00:56:36]>> Right with you, Bob.

[00:56:38]>> Okay, Dopey.

[00:56:39]>> Hey, Dopey. Are you okay?

[00:56:41]>> What? Good lord. Yes. Also in confl level level speed 360 >> okay gang let's go >> autoc course sir over cornflour Red. Cornflour. Red. Alter course. 92°.

[00:57:17]92°. Level. Speed 360.

[00:57:33]Confl. Cornflour. Red. Five.

[00:57:37]6 miles southwest.

[00:57:39]>> Southwest. Circle. Should be any minute now.

[00:58:08]Here we go.

[00:58:13]Good pass.

[00:58:16]>> Number one attack. Go.

[00:58:20]>> All right. You lousy.

[00:58:39]Heat.

[00:58:57]Heat.

[00:59:03]Heat. Heat.

[00:59:44]Cornflower red calling station control.

[00:59:46]Cornflower red calling station control.

[00:59:48]Have brought down two bandits. Have brought down two bandits. Remma proceeding east. May I continue action?

[00:59:53]Over to you. Over.

[00:59:56]>> Red. Compl. Good work. Carry on. Two.

[00:59:59]>> Red.

[00:59:59]>> Not so dusty.

[01:00:01]>> The first raid has been driven back, but a second is on the way.

[01:00:06]>> OP127 here. Enemy aircraft overhead.

[01:00:12]>> Rexed.

[01:00:13]>> Serial number two, flight B, Squadron 299, raid number two.

[01:00:18]B flight, raid number two.

[01:00:23]Take off.

[01:00:30]Search lights and anti-aircraft go into action.

[01:00:55]You got him, Charlie.

[01:00:58]>> Hold him. Hold him, Charlie.

[01:01:23]on our double, can't you?

[01:01:24]>> Right.

[01:01:41]John, there's a job for you on square K29. Better warn your people before we cop it from your guns.

[01:01:50]>> Cease fire. Cease fire.

[01:01:53]>> Cease fire.

[01:01:54]>> Cease fire.

[01:01:54]>> They would. A blinking raw swipes all the fun.

[01:02:24]It's the worst part of our job. Just waiting.

[01:02:29]>> Are you flight to be back soon?

[01:02:32]B flight has taken over in the air. A flight returns to the aerodrome to refuel and restock with ammunition.

[01:02:38]Ground staff are waiting and they race out to the machines that have come back for second breath.

[01:02:44]The ghostly shrouded blackness of the aerodrome. Everything goes with clockwork smoothness as if they were working in broad daylight.

[01:02:55]Cornflour blue calling station control.

[01:02:57]Two bandits down. Two bandits down.

[01:03:00]Remaining two have entered clouds over sea and are heading east. Two of our aircraft forced to land. Should we proceed with action over to you? Over.

[01:03:07]>> Maybe not after must be short of petrol.

[01:03:09]>> Confl blue. Confl. Discontinue action and return.

[01:03:13]>> Any luck?

[01:03:13]>> No more sir. Guns run out.

[01:03:15]>> You did very well. Get your craft available and rest.

[01:03:17]>> Well, they're working on them now, sir.

[01:03:18]We'll be ready in 20 minutes time. You set up my fight against >> I said rest.

[01:03:21]>> Very good, sir.

[01:03:23]>> More gallons of petrol go into the fighter tanks. Fuel for the engines.

[01:03:33]Food for the guns.

[01:03:39]The flight commander took a crack from one of the bombers's guns, but it only tore the fuselage and he's ready for duty again when he's wanted.

[01:03:46]Now we pick up German raid number three.

[01:03:53]Southern group.

[01:03:56]Raid three entering your area. is now allocated to you.

[01:03:59]>> Yes, sir. Raid three.

[01:04:02]He's coming into the bloom balge. Heat.

[01:04:04]Heat.

[01:04:34]They climb and climb. They dare not face the entanglement of those awful strands of steel. The balloons have forced them up too high for accurate bombing. They turn and make for home.

[01:04:50]>> And their departure is recorded at fighter command. Heading east.

[01:04:56]They're on the run.

[01:05:00]>> Braxton.

[01:05:01]>> Station control.

[01:05:02]>> Serial number three. Squadron 301. Raid number three.

[01:05:06]>> They're good, sir. About time, too.

[01:05:08]Hello. Take off.

[01:05:11]Yes, they're on the run, but a new squadron of Spitfires leads the Roman hurdles up into the inky sky. They're racing out towards the coast like black bullets while every mile is followed on the chart, closing the distance between the fighters in pursuit and the bombers heading for home.

[01:05:54]over the coastline.

[01:05:56]>> Ah, easy in >> out over the sea to home and safety.

[01:06:02]>> But the fighters are coming up fast.

[01:06:09]>> They should be due east. to the front wheel.

[01:06:12]>> Turn the sail in front.

[01:06:21]>> Yo, >> your luck.

[01:06:34]>> What's that on our right?

[01:06:37]>> Thank you. Calling station control.

[01:06:39]Enemy sighted. I'm overtaking fast.

[01:06:42]>> Some damn good chaps in this station.

[01:07:02]Don't holding station control. I'm about to engage. I'm about to engage. Number three attack. Go.

[01:07:17]This is my car. May I hear something?

[01:07:56]Sunflower calling station control.

[01:07:58]Sunflower calling station control. Four bandits down. Four. Good work. The remainer have escaped in class. No casualties. Repeat, no casualties. May I have permission to return? Over to you.

[01:08:09]Over.

[01:08:09]>> Sunflower. Sunflower. Station control.

[01:08:11]Calling Sunflower. Return at once. Good work. Four. Four. What the hell are you doing here?

[01:08:16]>> Well, sir, I thought I told you to rest.

[01:08:18]>> Yes, sir. Um, that makes eight for this station, sir.

[01:08:20]>> Jo, yes, it does. Eight.

[01:08:22]>> All clear signal, sir.

[01:08:23]>> All clear. Eh, command, chief, sir.

[01:08:25]>> Ah, he's very pleased with the work of all stations. I bet none of the others got eight. All units engaged in tonight's action to take their spell of rest off immediately on return.

[01:08:33]>> Very good, sir. That includes you. We're supposeding they come over again.

[01:08:36]>> Get out. Very good. And give her my love. Very good, sir.

[01:08:39]>> Well, your spell off.

[01:08:40]>> Fine. Well, good night. Good morning.

[01:08:42]>> Good night, sir.

[01:08:43]>> Good morning, darling.

[01:08:49]Hey, that's Where have you been?

[01:09:30]>> Night shift.

[01:09:31]>> This is a fine war. Women go out and the husbands waited home for them.

[01:09:36]>> How long have you been waiting?

[01:09:37]>> Must be a full minute.

[01:09:39]>> How long have you got?

[01:09:40]>> 12 hours. We've had a pretty concentrated stretch lately.

[01:09:42]>> Any luck?

[01:09:43]>> Oh, yes. Everything went according to schedule. very much to schedule.

[01:09:46]>> Poor darling, you must be tired. I'll get you some breakfast and you can go to bed.

[01:09:49]>> No, no, look. Let's take the car out down the river for a couple of hours first, shall we? Oh, no. I'm a selfish pig. You must be dead.

[01:09:55]>> Oh, no. Darling, I was hoping you'd suggest it. And we just got enough petrol ration.

[01:10:00]>> Darling, isn't it nice to be together again?

[01:10:04]>> Get a warm coat, will you? Come on.

[01:10:12]>> Isn't this perfect?

[01:10:16]Darling, >> I couldn't help thinking as I sat in the restroom last night.

[01:10:21]>> There was nothing to do. We're getting used to alarms with nothing happening, only listening to the drone of our own engines.

[01:10:29]>> Well, I was thinking about women.

[01:10:32]For centuries in this country, they've given their lovers, husbands, sons, first to the earth to defend their land, and then to the sea.

[01:10:43]And now they've got to give them to the air.

[01:10:46]They've never complained.

[01:10:48]Often and often they've lost the one man in the world that counted, that expressed the whole of life to them.

[01:10:55]They've bitterly resented the stupidity and brutality that made it necessary.

[01:11:00]But that it was necessary. They never questioned.

[01:11:05]We must keep our land, darling. We must keep our freedom.

[01:11:10]We must fight for what we believe in.

[01:11:12]truth and beauty and fair play and and kindness so that even if we don't live to enjoy life founded on the good things at least our children may.

[01:11:27]Hey, darling.

[01:11:50]No longer do we fight wars for jealousy or greed, nor do we fight in anger.

[01:11:56]We fight because we must for just those things that we hold so dear.

[01:12:02]We can learn from the motto of the Royal Air Force that ara ad Astra through ordeal to the stars through endeavor to triumph through trial to victory.