Oi ! Careful of my Combination ! (4th Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers)

Rich Payne · 02-04-2008, 08:49 PM

Another epic British Pathé newsreel but Adam will have to wait until the end to hear the catchphrase !

Typical of the morale-boosting films of the phoney war period, it dates to March 1940.

4th Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers were amongst the first troops into Belgium and took part in the Arras counter-attack. Perhaps the Grim Reaper watching them train was a warning ?

I'll post some detail shots. This exercise film is another classic.

ShotList NonDigitised - ITNSource

Rich Payne · 02-04-2008, 08:58 PM

A still from the film was used on the cover of the 18th april 1940 edition of 'Motor Cycling' (The Green 'un).

The censor has hidden the "TT" Formation sign. The front Big 4 outfit still has its pre-war UK tax disc holder.

Rich

Owen · 02-04-2008, 09:16 PM

Another gem , Rich.
Can anyone ID that barn on the cover?
Nice to do a "now" shot.

Paul Reed · 02-04-2008, 09:20 PM

The architecture of the chapel looks more like Eastern France rather than the Somme or Northern France.

Rich Payne · 02-04-2008, 09:49 PM

Interesting question. If you can trace it Owen, I'll plod down there when the 16H is up together.

There are shots from the same exercise in the IWM archives stating "Fontaine" - My best guess is that this is Fontaine Notre Dame near Cambrai. Paul probably knows the area. It looks to me like chalky grassland so perhaps the exercise took them off in the direction of Champagne (or perhaps their thirst did !)

Anyone recognise this scarp ?

This picture shows what looks like chalky mud on the front guard. It has a good view of the gas-detector paint on the top of the headlamp. You can also see the "TT" sign and the overpainted census number on the tank. The pre-war number plate is still fitted so this bike must have been one that the unit brought with them.

Rich

Paul Reed · 02-04-2008, 10:03 PM

It could also be Fontaine les Croisilles near Arras - the ground in the area of both Fontaines has places like that.

von Poop · 02-04-2008, 10:34 PM

I see they got Arthur Atkinson in just for that final phrase.

I find myself wondering why on earth that horse is standing in a pond...

02-04-2008, 08:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rich Payne Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 646	Oi ! Careful of my Combination ! (4th Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Another epic British Pathé newsreel but Adam will have to wait until the end to hear the catchphrase ! Typical of the morale-boosting films of the phoney war period, it dates to March 1940. 4th Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers were amongst the first troops into Belgium and took part in the Arras counter-attack. Perhaps the Grim Reaper watching them train was a warning ? I'll post some detail shots. This exercise film is another classic. ShotList NonDigitised - ITNSource

02-04-2008, 09:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK/France Posts: 3,141	The architecture of the chapel looks more like Eastern France rather than the Somme or Northern France. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

02-04-2008, 10:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK/France Posts: 3,141	It could also be Fontaine les Croisilles near Arras - the ground in the area of both Fontaines has places like that. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

02-04-2008, 10:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
von Poop I Like Tanks. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perfidious Albion. Posts: 8,090	I see they got Arthur Atkinson in just for that final phrase. I find myself wondering why on earth that horse is standing in a pond... __________________ It's only the Internet.

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02-04-2008, 08:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rich Payne Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 646	A still from the film was used on the cover of the 18th april 1940 edition of 'Motor Cycling' (The Green 'un). The censor has hidden the "TT" Formation sign. The front Big 4 outfit still has its pre-war UK tax disc holder. Rich

02-04-2008, 09:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,057	Another gem , Rich. Can anyone ID that barn on the cover? Nice to do a "now" shot.

02-04-2008, 09:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rich Payne Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 646	Interesting question. If you can trace it Owen, I'll plod down there when the 16H is up together. There are shots from the same exercise in the IWM archives stating "Fontaine" - My best guess is that this is Fontaine Notre Dame near Cambrai. Paul probably knows the area. It looks to me like chalky grassland so perhaps the exercise took them off in the direction of Champagne (or perhaps their thirst did !) Anyone recognise this scarp ? This picture shows what looks like chalky mud on the front guard. It has a good view of the gas-detector paint on the top of the headlamp. You can also see the "TT" sign and the overpainted census number on the tank. The pre-war number plate is still fitted so this bike must have been one that the unit brought with them. Rich

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