A Scene from the film 'A Town At War'

A Town at War

A documentary that has been several years in the making takes life in this emotive and moving historical record drawn from what is a vital part of our country’s history.

With a running time of 3 hours, the documentary looks at a typical English Market Town, its residents and the surrounding area between the years of 1939 and 1945, the period known as World War II.

 

The documentary is laced throughout with a mass of archive footage that accompanies the personal stories.  The film hears from residents of the town, both those who fought on the home front as well as those who found themselves fighting the war on foreign soil.

This film captures the memories and experiences of people who lived through the biggest battle ever known to man.

 

On disc one . . .

• a sailors story of how he and his crew took part in the sinking of the German battle-cruiser, the Sharnhorst
• one soldiers heartrending memories of his time as a Japanese Prisoner of War

 

• hear from the men who fought in the jungles of Burma against the Japanese
• learn of the dangers that the men of the Royal Navy faced running the Atlantic Convoys
• hear from those on the home front, of what their war was like and the heartbreaking stories of members of their families who died while on active service during WWII

 

• the Battle of Britain and the part played by nearby Duxford airfield
• and the RAF airfields that surrounded the area
  
  

On disc two the documentary looks at the ‘Friendly Invasion’

• the United States 8th Army Air Force heads for the area and surrounding villages
• memories and experiences of when the Americans came to town
• the 91st Bomb Group (H) at Bassingbourn
• the Memphis Belle B-17
• detailed accounts of the action seen on surrounding airbases by military historians
• colour combat footage showing what air warfare was really like for the men who flew it
• 355th Fighter Group at Steeple Morden
• Glen Miller plays the area
• The 398th Bomb Group at Nuthampstead

Reflections and Hopes for the Future . . .

The documentary concludes by looking at the human cost of WWII and ends with moving and emotional scenes.

From those who saw the documentary . . .

 

“The documentary will itself become part of the Nation's history”

 

“A rollercoaster of a film – powerful and moving”

 

did the filmmakers get it right ?

***** “Spot on”

 

“an incredibly moving experience, so carefully thought out in concept and so beautifully filmed and edited, the ending was so moving, so emotive, it really makes me 'fill up' just thinking about it”

'I would like to say how impressed I was with the DVD and the way that it covered the topics it did. I will ensure that it is viewed by both my young sons when they reach a suitable age, and hope that it helps them to become more rounded and knowledgeable young men as they grow'

 

'A resource that should be made available to all school children, both from an historical point of view and to show just what you owe to that now old man down the street and how he deserves your respect or at least your understanding'

 

A Scene from the film 'A Town At War'

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