Motion Pictures at Glatton

The men at Glatton were blessed to have a huge amount of activities to choose from when not flying or training. There were sportsgames, like track, baseball, boxing, to watch or to participate in, dances, social events, USO shows, swimming nights (although not a favorite activity for the men) AND there was an almost full weekly program with the newest motion pictures.

“These motion pictures were distributed all across the world and by the war’s end, the U.S. Army operated one of the most sophisticated and expansive movie distribution networks in the world, coordinating the transport of thousands of film reels from its 260 film libraries to 60 military bases on six continents. Films arrived to bases worldwide by boat, plane, train, automobile, motorcycle, and even camel caravan and Arctic dog sled.” (written by Tanya Goldman, guest blogger National Archives)

The main purpose for showing motion pictures was to boost the morale of the troops. Apart from motion pictures the army also distributes instruction and training film and war documentary films like Target for Today (1944) and Combat America (1945, Clark Gable)

We have yet to find out where the motion pictures where shown. Did Glatton have a cinema or was there a building that could be used as a cinema, like the Aero Club. We do know that in April 1945 some motion pictures were shown in the Officers Club. We will continue to research this ‘cinema mystery’.

The list with motion pictures is composed from information that is in the groups daily reports. Unfortunately there is no mention of movies in the any file before July 1944. That is why the list starts from July 1944 until April 1945. Movies were being shown before July 1944. There is also no mention about visitor numbers for the motion pictures but men had plenty of movies and days to choose from. Motion pictures were shown almost every day except for sundays. Although sometimes an exception was made.