EN ROUTE
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Year Published: 1940s
Creator: motion-picture-division-of-the-french-press-and-information-service
Format: 16mm
Description: This WW2 film; “En Route” captures the spirit of the fighting Free French Army during training in the USA, prior to dispatch overseas. French sailors, soldiers and aviators listen to an address delivered by Gen. Charles Antoine-Luguet which provides the narrative. The film includes a range of image including images of defeat in the form of French warships that were scuttled in Toulon in 1942, such as the battleship Strasbourg. It also shows well as troops more positive imagery, including troops making practice beachhead landings from LVT’s. In the speech, Luguet pays homage to the French spirit; expressing pride in their resiliency and determination to resist complete surrender to the Germans. The film was produced for Forever France (France Quand Meme) in New York by Charles Clement. This was an organization acting to preserve comradeship between France and teh USA in the cause of freedom and democracy. 00:00 “France Forever” (:14). Presented by the Motion Picture Division of the French Press and Information Service, the oldest French Press and Information service established in 1835. New York City skyscrapers (:31) followed by headlines from the newspaper France-Amerique (:33); America’s French newspaper first published in 1943 (:33). The marching band bounces and French flag waves (:48). Shots pass around camp; soldiers stand equipped with brass saxophones and horns (:58). A white suited Luguet marches in amid war generals (1:01). Soldiers salute French and American flags (1:33). Military officials pass soldiers in review (2:00). Soldiers tuck rifles down (2:06). The address begins (2:18), close shots pass over stoic faces of the French fighters. Major General Charles-Antoine Luguet (2:21) stands at the microphone. He calls upon the strength of the French Navy (2:38) over images of warships at Toulon (2:40). Fighting ships sink under flames (2:44). Stunning shots pass over the ship deck as black smoke runs off (2:51) and long range guns fit to aim (2:58). The French Battleship Strasbourg (3:23) is pictured; the second and final member of the Dunkerque class of fast French fighting battleships. The words “Honneur, patrie” part of the motto of the French Navy run over the barracks entryway (3:47). Soldiers sprint from the barracks (3:57) for regular drills, pay daily tribute to the French flag (4:12) and complete weapons training (4:35). A portion of the speech pays tribute to a long history of friendship and understanding between the US and France (4:49). Luguet touches upon the diversity of the soldiers (5:00). Troops run for outdoor training obstacles (5:29). He begins to bid them farewell (6:09) noting many were to join French already stationed in Africa. Images follow from Tripoli (6:19). French play chess for military recreation time (6:34). The Flying Tigers taking off (6:42). Radio men on the ground maintain contact with fighter pilots (6:50). Troops armed with bayonets march with battalion flags (7:11). A sailor notes a patch; the cross of Lorraine on his lapel (7:04). Luguet watches soldiers march (7:47). Young French aim gun sights (8:06). LVT’s push for the shoreline (8:20). Allied troops sit within (8:24). Escort planes drive overhead (8:33). Foot soldiers emerge from the waves (8:34) carting rifles and blowing smoke. More LVT’s deliver troops through the water (8:55). LVT doors spill out (8:58). Tractors and military jeeps unload (9:03). Troops press inland (9:08). Belly flat men squeeze rifle rounds (9:15). They push farther inland through lightly wooded terrain (9:25). Machine guns belts feed automatic weapons (9:30) and heavy shells are loaded (9:35). Headline: French invade Corsica (9:42).
Complete Record: This WW2 film; “En Route” captures the spirit of the fighting Free French Army during training in the USA, prior to dispatch overseas. French sailors, soldiers and aviators listen to an address delivered by Gen. Charles Antoine-Luguet which provides the narrative. The film includes a range of image including images of defeat in the form of French warships that were scuttled in Toulon in 1942, such as the battleship Strasbourg. It also shows well as troops more positive imagery, including troops making practice beachhead landings from LVT’s. In the speech, Luguet pays homage to the French spirit; expressing pride in their resiliency and determination to resist complete surrender to the Germans. The film was produced for Forever France (France Quand Meme) in New York by Charles Clement. This was an organization acting to preserve comradeship between France and teh USA in the cause of freedom and democracy. 00:00 “France Forever” (:14). Presented by the Motion Picture Division of the French Press and Information Service, the oldest French Press and Information service established in 1835. New York City skyscrapers (:31) followed by headlines from the newspaper France-Amerique (:33); America’s French newspaper first published in 1943 (:33). The marching band bounces and French flag waves (:48). Shots pass around camp; soldiers stand equipped with brass saxophones and horns (:58). A white suited Luguet marches in amid war generals (1:01). Soldiers salute French and American flags (1:33). Military officials pass soldiers in review (2:00). Soldiers tuck rifles down (2:06). The address begins (2:18), close shots pass over stoic faces of the French fighters. Major General Charles-Antoine Luguet (2:21) stands at the microphone. He calls upon the strength of the French Navy (2:38) over images of warships at Toulon (2:40). Fighting ships sink under flames (2:44). Stunning shots pass over the ship deck as black smoke runs off (2:51) and long range guns fit to aim (2:58). The French Battleship Strasbourg (3:23) is pictured; the second and final member of the Dunkerque class of fast French fighting battleships. The words “Honneur, patrie” part of the motto of the French Navy run over the barracks entryway (3:47). Soldiers sprint from the barracks (3:57) for regular drills, pay daily tribute to the French flag (4:12) and complete weapons training (4:35). A portion of the speech pays tribute to a long history of friendship and understanding between the US and France (4:49). Luguet touches upon the diversity of the soldiers (5:00). Troops run for outdoor training obstacles (5:29). He begins to bid them farewell (6:09) noting many were to join French already stationed in Africa. Images follow from Tripoli (6:19). French play chess for military recreation time (6:34). The Flying Tigers taking off (6:42). Radio men on the ground maintain contact with fighter pilots (6:50). Troops armed with bayonets march with battalion flags (7:11). A sailor notes a patch; the cross of Lorraine on his lapel (7:04). Luguet watches soldiers march (7:47). Young French aim gun sights (8:06). LVT’s push for the shoreline (8:20). Allied troops sit within (8:24). Escort planes drive overhead (8:33). Foot soldiers emerge from the waves (8:34) carting rifles and blowing smoke. More LVT’s deliver troops through the water (8:55). LVT doors spill out (8:58). Tractors and military jeeps unload (9:03). Troops press inland (9:08). Belly flat men squeeze rifle rounds (9:15). They push farther inland through lightly wooded terrain (9:25). Machine guns belts feed automatic weapons (9:30) and heavy shells are loaded (9:35). Headline: French invade Corsica (9:42).
Transcription
e [Music] the [Music] what d [Music] Soldiers and Sailors of France you are the real representatives of fighting France of the France which has never ceased fighting never bowed before the Invader never accepted the traitor's peace today all of France is tense but hopeful French Resistance grows daily you French Sailors who bear a special affection for the ships of the French Navy for you the memory of the Twisted smoking Rex at tul will forever remain an unforgettable symbol [Music] [Music] [Music] the stor and in her place the ru will go into battle instead of the V the f will face the enemy and all your other ships will live in your deeds and actions Sailors of fighting France and as on the sea so on the land Will You Soldiers of France fight in the name of the unconquered spirit of France you Frenchmen from the West Indies the martinque and guadaloop who have willingly sacrificed all you have overcome all obstacles to join the forces fighting with honor for their mother country your daily salute to our flag brings us ever closer to the day when the tricolor shall once again wave proudly over a liberated [Music] France for not only do you pay your respect to the colors of France but you have trained yourselves learn the way to liberate those colors and keep them free here in the United States land of our Century long Ally you have studied and mastered the uses of force to Vanquish the followers of force and you have learned it in a way the Godless men of Germany could never understand in an atmosphere of hearty cooperation and friendship you came here from all parts of the globe as fishermen as shopkeepers businessmen and peasants and here you have all become soldiers toughened and hardened ready to meet the enemy not only on an equal footing but as superiors superiors not only because of your training and Equipment but superiors cuse of your indomitable Spirit and the knowledge that Victory will destroy forever a myth of the race of Master men [Music] you go to join the heroic fighting French troops who have fought so valiantly at the side of the Allies on the burning and Windswept wastes of Africa at elain and Eritrea at Tripoli and beer Hashem as in the Skies over France and now over the Frozen steps of the Soviet Union where the Normandy Squadron is adding glory to the cross of Lorraine the [Music] Soldiers and Sailors of France today marks the completion of your period of preparation tomorrow you leave for an unknown destination I salute you knowing well that you will defend and uphold the honor of France [Music] the [Music] oh [Applause] [Music] n [Music] the
Metadata Source:University of Georgia Brown Media Archives
2 users have this film:
Periscope Film, University of Georgia Walter J Brown Media Archives and Peabody Collection
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Original permalink · Record added: 2026-01-17 15:17:39