The Spitzbergen Raid

Series

Series Name
Pathe Gazette

Issue

Issue No.
41/74
Date Released
15 Sep 1941
Stories in this Issue:
  1. 1Events in the Middle East
  2. 2Escaped from the Nazis
  3. 3The Spitzbergen Raid
  4. 4GPO Trailer

Story

Story No. within this Issue
3 / 4
Summary
A force of Canadian, British and Norwegian troops under Canadian command embark for and land on Spitzbergen, situated between Norway and the North Pole. The rich coal mines on the island were being exploited by the Germans, but on arrival the only inhabitants were the islanders themselves, from whom the troops receive a warm welcome. Later the islanders are evacuated to Britain where new homes await them. After the evacuation the engineers move in and high explosives are deposited in key positions on the island and in the vast coal mines, and at a given signal a succession of explosions split the air. The German plan to seize all coal for war transport to the Far North has been frustrated.
Keywords
Demolition; Military
Locations
Norway; Spitzbergen
Length of story (in feet)
436
Story extras:
Film clip
Production Documents

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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

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