"Maximum Effort" - 75 Sqn film

[smithy]

Firstly I was in two minds about whether to post this here or in the film section but I thought it might fare better here.

Just wondering whether anyone here may have seen the film "Maximum Effort" which was a semi-propaganda one produced in 1944 about a 75 Sqn crew.

Also, anyone know where it might be possible to pick up a copy?

[Dave Homewood]

I have seen it. It's pretty good. Not quite as dramatic as The Memphis Belle (1944) but almost a kiwi equivalent. One side of the Lancaster at MOTAT is painted in the scheme of the No. 75 (NZ) Squadron Lancaster that was used in the film.

The National Film Archive probably has it, at a price.

[smithy]

Thanks Dave, I'll look into the Film Archive.

It sounds very interesting and had piqued my interest after it was mentioned in a book I was reading recently.

Cheers,

Tim

[Dave Homewood]

The Brayshaw Park Museum at Blenheim screen the film in their aviation section.

I seem to recall SkyhawkDon mentioning the pilot in the film was his uncle.

[skyhawkdon]

You can purchase a copy from the Air Force Museum at Wigram.

Yes the pilot is my late great uncle, Flt Lt Eric Witting. At the end of their tour they were used to make the film before the crew were split up and all went their separate ways. It is narrated by the Navigator, the late Ted Anderson, who lived in Christchurch and only passed away last year. The Flight Engineer, Reg Gunn is still alive in the UK.

[strikemaster]

They haven't got it online. :-( Just found this,

cas.awm.gov.au/item/F01575

Its PD now.

[smithy]

Jul 5, 2011 10:06:07 GMT 12 skyhawkdon said:

You can purchase a copy from the Air Force Museum at Wigram.

Yes the pilot is my late great uncle, Flt Lt Eric Witting. At the end of their tour they were used to make the film before the crew were split up and all went their separate ways. It is narrated by the Navigator, the late Ted Anderson, who lived in Christchurch and only passed away last year. The Flight Engineer, Reg Gunn is still alive in the UK.

Thanks for the pointer to Wigram Don. I'll look into that.

Your great uncle must have been mighty proud of you carrying on the family tradition by being on 75.

Thanks as well Strikemaster for the link to the AWM collection. I'll just have to stump up the cash for the DVD version from Wigram!

[oggie2620]

I will have get a copy sent to Glen for when I come over next March...

[Ykato]

Video's From YT channel: Golfkilokilo

[smithy]

Many thanks for posting those ykato!

Very much appreciated.

[fwx]

Ditto! Reading Max Lambert's "Night After Night" at the moment, and the film fits beautifully. Great to hear that c. 1940 Kiwi accent!!

[oggie2620]

You are a star. Thanks for that...

[Keith S]

Also, anyone know where it might be possible to pick up a copy?

I can send you a copy if you haven't got one by the end of the year, am a bit remote right now but back in civilisation around December. Let me know if you are still chasing one and if so an address etc.
cheers
Keith

[oggie2620]

Thanks Keith I think I may have sourced a copy but if it doesn't pan out I will come back to you. Apparently excerpts were used in something else-I think it was called Two Sisters-but will confirm that...

[Keith S]

Aug 19, 2011 10:20:16 GMT 12 oggie2620 said:

Thanks Keith I think I may have sourced a copy but if it doesn't pan out I will come back to you. Apparently excerpts were used in something else-I think it was called Two Sisters-but will confirm that...

No worries. I'm not on-line often so if you are still chasing a copy flick me an email at keith.springer at gmail.com and I should be able to sort one out.

[waynem]

Incase anyone is interested the following from the ORB mentions the making of the film.

Visits.
16/5/44. Mr Hankinson of Spectator Short Films Ltd, accompanied by S/Ldr Lloyd, Air Ministry P.R.O. visited the station in connection with making a film about this squadron, and film staff remained for the purpose of preparing and taking the film.

Wayne.

[Dave Homewood]

I just came across this article from the Gisborne Herald, dated 18 Oct 1945, that gives a little bit of detail as to who was in the film.

“O FOR ORANGE”

NORMANDY VETERAN

AUTHENTIC FEATURE

75 SQUADRON PILOTS

Several Gisborne families have been looking forward with particular interest to the featurette “Maximum Effort,” included in the week-end programme at the King’s Theatre, and portraying many aspects of the operations of 75 Squadron, Bomber Command.

This was the squadron in which R.N.Z.A.F. personnel established a great record of service, and three Gisborne pilots had a direct hand in the making of the film.

The feature was filmed at Mepal, within five miles of Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, the air station of 75 Squadron, and personnel attached to the station gave their time off-duty to assist the cameraman in obtaining absolutely authentic “shots” of activities on the aerodrome. The flying sequences include landings and take-offs at Mepal, and the aircraft seen in these shots are actually setting out for and returning from operations over enemy territory.

In one case, the planes seen taking off from the aerodrome were heading for targets at Cagny, in support of Field-Marshal Montgomery’s “left hook” offensive which opened up the way to the Rhine crossing by the British and Canadian armies.

Landing on Fighter Strip
A keen personal interest in the feature is taken by Squadron-Leader N. Williamson, D.F.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Williamson, Gisborne. He was one of the pilots whose aircraft figured in the “shots,” and he believes that “O for Orange,” which has a special place in the film is the Lancaster which he landed on a fighter strip in the Normandy beach-head in the first days of the Chanel coast landings.

The landing there was made in order to secure immediate hospital aid for a member of the air-crew who was severely wounded and bleeding to death. The emergency landing and his swift transfer to expert supervision saved the life of the wounded man, and it was a day or two before it became possible to take the Lancaster off the ground again.

In the meantime Squadron-Leader Williamson and the unwounded members of his bomber crew took full advantage of their unique opportunity to see something of the war on the ground at close quarters.

Two other Gisborne airmen who took part in the making of the film were Squadron-Leader F. Ormerod. D.F.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Ormerod, Waimata, and Flying-Officer Jack Aitken, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Aitken, Stout street, Gisborne.

Also of Gisborne interest is the part taken by Wing Commander R. J. A. ("Jack) Leslie, D.S.O.. A.F.C.. a brother of Mrs. C. Corbett, Almadale, Gisborne .

[fwx]

Thanks Dave, interesting to read.

According to Bomb Aimer Ron Mayhill, the Aitken crew flew a few more flying sequences for the cameras after the tour-expired Witting crew had been posted out. Ron says he also took part in the scene where several airmen walk out of the Crew Room and jump aboard a truck to be taken out to dispersals.

The Lancaster “O for Orange” that Nick Williamson landed in Normandy was ND917, JN-O, not ND752 AA-O, which in the film the crew refer to as "Oboe".

[Antonio]

Thanks for clearing that up.
I had always believed it to be ND752