One of Our Aircraft is Missing
Date: 1942
Director: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Production Company: British National Films, The Archers
Stars: Godfrey Tearle, Eric Portman, Hugh Williams, Bernard Miles, Hugh Burden, Emrys Jones, Googie Withers, Pamela Brown
Location(s): Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk
Region(s): North, South East M-Q
Storyline:
When enemy anti-aircraft fire damages a British bomber the crew bail out and seek help from the Dutch underground.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
Jimmy Snow, special effects technician, for whom we have a fulsome summary of his career written by his granddaughter Brigitte, together with her memories of him, worked on this film. All that she has shared with us can be read here.
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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Helped by Dutch schoolteacher Else Meertens, the crew of downed Bomber 'B for Bertie' cycle across the countryside to church. The Lincolnshire locations featured in this film are identified on the www.powell-pressburger.org website.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
A convoy of enemy armoured cars approaches. Nick Dando locates this as the junction of Welland Bank and Bellingham's Drove near Four Mile Bar and Cradge Bank Road in Crowland Wash to the south of Spalding in Lincolnshire.
- Capture 3
- 26 Jul 2020
The enemy troops pass and the cyclists continue on their way. This is the B1166 running alongside The Lake from Crowland to Fen Bridge. The distant windmill is a disguised water tower.
Taken from below the height of West Bank to show the replaced water tower with the gravel causeway (B1166) lined by flourishing trees running alongside on the right. This replaces Mark Craig's Google from 2015. SJ
- Capture 4
- 26 Aug 2020
Looking out through his window, the Burgomaster sees his son Cornelius (Jimmy Baker) running home. The Parish Office of St. Botolph's church at the corner of Wormgate in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Replacing Mark's Google view, albeit not totally satisfactorily as there is work surrounding St. Botolph's which impedes a really accurate comparison. SJ
- Capture 5
- 07 Dec 2015
Hiding in the back of a covered truck, the airmen are driven through town. Looking into St. Margaret's Lane from the junction with Priory Lane and Nelson Street in King's Lynn.
A Google view from Mark Craig supporting the location. (RL)
- Capture 6
- 26 Aug 2020
Boston Town Bridge seen from Custom House Quay on South Street with the tower of St. Botolph's church rising above the Assembly Rooms.
It seems that there is restoration work on Town Bridge as well. Looking north up the River Witham from a pedestrian viewpoint west of South Street. SJ
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
The truck is stopped at a checkpoint. Facing Hampton Court on Nelson Street, King's Lynn from the junction with St. Margaret's Road and Priory Lane. The location was used in 'The Silver Fleet'.
- Capture 8
- 07 Dec 2015
Jo de Vries (Googie Withers) climbs onto the running board of the truck after it's allowed through the checkpoint. Looking south on Nelson Street.
A clearer and more colourful shot of Nelson Street. Mark Craig/Google (RL)
- Capture 9
- 07 Dec 2015
More guards are passed as the truck continues to the house of Jo de Vries. Nelson Street, King's Lynn in Norfolk. David Ward tells us that his Mother's Grandfather's building company was involved in making alterations to convert Nelson Street into a convincing Dutch setting and was featured in the local press at the time.
Another shot of Nelson Street now from Mark and Google. (RL)
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Leaving Jo de Vries, the airmen row down river. The River Witham as it flows through Boston.
- Capture 11
- 30 May 2017
An enemy soldier opens the swing bridge to allow sailing craft through. The railway swing bridge crossing the River Witham in Boston Docks, Lincolnshire.
Mark Peachey provides this photo of the Boston Docks swing bridge that he took in the summer of 2015 showing the daily train of imported steel on its way to Washwood Heath, Birmingham. (RL)
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Finally, according to IMDb, this is RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire. The airfield was closed in 1974 before becoming an Army barracks.