The Somme

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:40 am

Just watched a documentary on the Somme.

Interesting presentation but it was marred by the number of No 4 rifles that managed to appear in the wnong war.

First thing that I noticed was the points of the bayonets which looked a bit Indian. Fair enough I thought, I suppose that the producer got a few Indian bayonets and only a pedant, like me, would notice but as the show went on it became more and more apparent that these 18 inch bayonets were on No 4s. Then further on more and more No 4s appeared with close ups of the actions etc.

The steel helmets seemed to be rather light as well and the lack of any internal fittings was a bit suspicious

KCLRPC · Post by **KCLRPC** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:28 pm

It seems that accuracy in dramatisation doesn't concern people these days

I had it pointed out to me that there is a series of historical novels which, paraphrased, describes the loading of a Martini as putting the round in the groove and working the lever in a manner similar to a Winchester! The person who had found this had talked to the editors, but they didn't seem to care

Sadly, pedantry appears to be a dying art

Nick

Tom-May · Post by **Tom-May** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:19 am

It's partly because much of the footage is set using film 'extras' (sorry! "background artistes") to save money, they get anything the props company throw at them* and are dressed by "the boys from 'frocks'"** who often could tell you everything about a 16th century cod-piece but wouldn't know a rifle from a roof-rack.

The better productions use re-enactors as 'specialist extras', pay the extra & have them bring their own kit (not practical if the scene is very dirty/damaging as everyone wants to use the company gear and save their own+).

Tom

*You can't always blame the suppliers when the film company officials ordering them are often so vague.

** Or the Costume Department, as they prefer to be known.

+ And who can blame them.

bradtx · Post by **bradtx** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:37 pm

I only recall two (one's a series) shows that I didn't spot an Enfield error, tho' they may be there...The Lost Battalion (okay M1917) and Foyle's War.

Brad

Tom-May · Post by **Tom-May** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:35 am

bradtx wrote:"...I only recall two (one's a series) shows that I didn't spot an Enfield error, tho' they may be there...The Lost Battalion (okay M1917) and Foyle's War...."

Being slightly anal here, but there are a couple of occasions in 'Foyle's War' where the Home Guard appear either with SMLEs (I suppose that's feasable in the early days, if they were privately owned) or to have 1914 Enfields rather than the American M1917, the latter being marked (IIRC) with red bands to denote the different calibre.

That's still not as bad as the No.4s with contrived 18" bayonets (converted Turkish<?> pieces fitted to cut down No.4 spike bayonets) seen in some films.

Tom

bradtx · Post by **bradtx** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:58 am

Thanks, Tom. I remember the Home Guard scene with the P14/unmarked M1917 rifles.

There was one other show I thought of after posting, but I can't remember the title. Had to do with German occupation of one of the channel islands. Ring a bell with anyone? Not much of an Enfield presence, however with a couple of No1s.

Brad