
Advance to Libya
Overview:
A short wartime propaganda film documenting the initial progress of the AIF 6th Division during the Western Desert Campaign of WWII. The film records the rapid allied advance across the desert before the fall of Bardia. Released as a "newsreel scoop", it was heavily cut down beforehand as the government prioritised fast-paced propaganda over Hurley's cinematic approach. Some of this cut footage was later distributed into global newsreels, such as British Pathé's "Rapid Advance in Libya".
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