The Mediterranean - A Background for War

Series

Series Name

The March of Time 4th Year

Issue

Issue No.

13

Date Released

1939

Length of issue (in feet)

1628

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1The Mediterranean - A Background for War

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 1

Summary

The March of Time synopsis: The new issue of the March of Time ... is a dramatic pictorial story of events behind the French-Italian crisis over Tunisia. By swiftly tracing the happenings of the past few months, the film reveals that the moving spirit in the Mediterranean unrest is Benito Mussolini, whose ambition is a new and mighty empire as in the days of the Caesers and Ancient Rome. Through exclusive pictures, it is shown that Mussolini has long been at work with carefully planned propaganda, and that he has already made strides towards his goal. Four years ago Ethiopia, unconquered in 2,000 years, was a sovereign kingdom. Three years ago, Francisco Franco was little known outside of Spain, his revolt doomed to failure but for Italian support. But it was in 1938 at Munich that Mussolini gained his greatest strength - the pledge that for services rendered, German arms would be ready when needed. Assured of Hitler’s support, he boasts of the strength of Italy’s modernized army, parades his new fleet up and down the Mediterranean, and announces that Italy is also a naval power to be reckoned with. He boasts too, that with his new shore bases, Britain’s great Mediterranean fortresses, Malta and Gibraltar, are no longer effective.

The March of Time explains why Tunisia is strategically and economically important to Mussolini’s plans, why of all Mediterranean prizes this French protectorate is the most tempting to land-hungry Italy, whose own colonies are arid and barren in comparison. For even primitive farming in Tunisia produces a rich harvest of grain, olive groves yield an abundance of oil, and in a normal year a million and a half tons of phosphate ore are exported. French geologists and engineers predict that new sources of petroleum will be opened up in this country - one of the raw materials Italy needs most. But most important is Tunisia’s strategic position. Just across from Sicily is the harbour of Bizerte, where an entire fighting fleet can be sheltered. And with the island of Pantelleria, Mussolini’s southernmost fortification, only 35 miles away, Bizerte is the one link needed to stretch an Italian barrier across the narrowest part of the Mediterranean.
However, as "The Mediterranean - Background for War" shows, France, long aware of Mussolini’s plans, has been determined to defend her own territory, and has built a "little Maginot Line" along the Tunisian-Libyan border. Manning these fortifications is a well-equipped French army, including many thousands of highly trained native troops. Food and amunition are already stored in the desert, for France is determined that any invasion of French territory will be met with the full strength of a nation united and confident in its skill in arms.

Researcher Comments

This story was included in Vol.5 No.8 of the US edition.

Keywords

Politics and government; Foreign relations; History and archaeology; Religion and belief

Written sources

The March of Time Promotional Material   Publicity brochure, Used for synopsis

Credits:

Production Co.

Time Inc.