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.

FORWARD THE LIGHT BRIGADE - British Pathe

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Haven't you found it yet Rich...Than 'Than and Now' would even impress Pallud

 

I now know from the War diary that it was Fontaine Bonneleau.

60360 Fontaine-Bonneleau, Oise, Picardie, France - Google Maps

It's a very small village without that many right hand bends and ponds so I'm optimistic of finding it in the area. The plan is to get my 16H and Lex Schmidt's Big 4 Outfit there so it will need some research and co-ordination.

This is the entry relating to the film. It doesn't seem that the Adjutant thought very highly of 'cinema propaganda' but the film has actually immortalized the battalion.

 

That's what I thought Owen. The Pathé film is captioned as Fontaine but that's probably where they're lined up in the field. I think that this one's going to require a look on the ground.

 

Try Rue d' Empire

 

I know but the bend looks promising as the only possible match I could see. If that is the place the pond has been filled in like you suspected but the is a river/stream quite close to that bend.

 

Rich,

Any particular day/s you are interested in? I found a cabinet file the other week at Kew on this Battalion.

Andy

 

Here's a starter for you-Its a 28 page document so too many to post the lot.

 

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

As Rich identified at Message #9, this is the 4RNF at Fontaine Bonnelieu - in March 1940. The picture is included in the Illustrations (number 6) in the Regimental History; The History of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in the Second World War (Brig. CN Barclay CBE, DSO), N&M Press.

One of my great granddads was with 4NF (later RNF) in WWI; KIA 12 April 1918 at the Battle of the Lys.

Best,

Steve.

 

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

For the now shot you may have to replace the horse with a white Citroen CV!

 

Just for you Rich: