At Wessex Film and Sound Archive you can see and hear history, from late Victorian times to the present day, through moving images and sound recordings. The Archive contains over 36,000 film and sound recordings relating to Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including film and tapes of local TV and radio.
This film is part of Free
Bomb damage and Home Guard in Hythe
After a visit from the Luftwaffe, Hythe's factories and houses inspect the terrible damage done to their town in a film, which also shows the local Home Guard in fighting form.
From the collection of:
Overview
This remarkable film shows the terrible effects of Luftwaffe bombs on the British Powerboat Company in Hythe, near Southampton. Despite camouflage and barrage balloons, the buildings may be shattered but the cheery workforce still raise a smile. Houses close to the works are also terribly damaged and the clear up is in full swing. We then see the local Home Guard parade for a naval visitor before displaying their fighting skills in a local park.
The Hythe based British Power Boat Company, set up by Hubert Scott-Paine, was one of many likely targets for the Luftwaffe in the Southampton area. At the time of this film, the company was manufacturing fast motor-torpedo boats, often used for rescuing downed pilots in the Channel. The Americans also used the company’s designs to build their own high-performance PT Boats. Other targets included the Supermarine Works at Woolston, where RAF Spitfires were manufactured, and the industrial and shipping facilities that lined the Solent. The damaged aircraft seen in the film was a retired Imperial Airways Sea Eagle flying boat, which had been used on services from Southampton to Guernsey until October 1928.
Related
Watch for free
Home Front and Home Guard - Wartime Woking Home Front and Home Guard - Wartime Woking
Amateur film 1938 10 mins Silent Location: Woking
Woking gears up for war in this remarkable film about the Home Guard and its contribution to the town.
Watch for free
Sea Fort Sea Fort
Documentary 1940 7 mins
Surrounded by water and manned to defend the coastline, sea forts were remote outposts of Britain’s home front.
Watch for free
Ack-ack Ack-ack
Documentary 1941 9 mins
‘ACK ACK’ is a profile of the soldiers who manned anti-aircraft positions on the home front during the Second World War.
Watch for free
Citizen's Army Citizen's Army
Documentary 1941 10 mins Location: London
Ordinary men from all trades and professions lead double lives to hone their soldiering skills in Britain during the Second World War.
Watch for free
Civilians in Uniform Civilians in Uniform
Amateur film 1946 21 mins Location: Leatherhead
Leatherhead applauds and thanks its Civil Defence Service volunteers for their sterling efforts, in this fascinating film made during the last months of the Second World War.
Watch for free
Clandon Home Guard - drills and stand down Clandon Home Guard - drills and stand down
Amateur film 1942 12 mins Silent Location: Clandon Park
Dad's Army, Clandon-style, are at it again in this fascinating film about life in Surrey's Home Guard.
Watch for free
Building the new library in Hythe Building the new library in Hythe
Amateur film 1962 2 mins Silent Location: Hythe
Hythe is the location for this short film which features a new library under construction as well as other views of this attractive Kent coast town
Watch for free
The Marchwood Park Training Centre and power boats The Marchwood Park Training Centre and power boats
Amateur film 1939 13 mins Silent Location: Hythe
Women train for war work at Marchwood Park House in this remarkable film which features camouflaged factories, barrage balloons, gas masks and a netball match.
Watch for free
Last Year of Peace Last Year of Peace
Amateur film 1939 17 mins Silent Location: Egerton
An amazing film that contrasts the last months of peace in 1939 with scenes from the first year of the war - featuring dog-fights over Sussex and the effects of falling bombs.
Watch for free
Broadstairs and Margate Items Broadstairs and Margate Items
Amateur film 1930 22 mins Silent Location: Broadstairs
The Thanet coast features in this film by Enid Briggs - a woman filmmaker of the 1920s and 1930s - featuring boat rides, horses and family outings.
Watch for free
Hythe Coronation Memories Hythe Coronation Memories
Amateur film 1953 14 mins Silent Location: Hythe
The town of Hythe is smothered in bunting as the townsfolk celebrate the Coronation of Elizabeth II.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.