Source L is an excerpt from a film. Is this reliable as evidence about the Blitz? Explain your answer using Source K and knowledge from your own studies.

        From comparing the three sources (L, F and B) we see many similarities in their portrayal of the indomitable British spirit. All of the sources portray to some extent the reaction of the British people, their persistence with daily routine and the Londoner’s inability to panic, whatever the situation. However, as I answered in question 1, source F is a form of propaganda common at the time, and, therefore it would be reasonable to assume that should these two other sources (L and B) conform to the same view then it may be possible to suggest that they too have links with propaganda. Having viewed source A, a photograph which was not published under the censorship laws (due to its representation of ‘defeat’ and ‘carnage’), and compared it to source L it is clear that the only reason that I was a fireman was published was its portrayal of living at the time. This style however, is now under close scrutiny, as, had the mood been as it was represented in I was a fireman what would the need be for censorship?

        Another interesting observation is that the short film has a ‘movie soundtrack’ in it. This would have been very uncommon of the documentaries being filmed at the time, and therefore one has to ask whether the patriotic style music was included in a more subtle attempt to create an atmosphere common in many propaganda works of the era. This was accompanied by a script, an obligation in any film, (one knows this from a further source linked to I was a fireman written by Robert Oliver). This source, combined with that of the inclusion of the soundtrack means that one should be wary of labelling such a source a documentary.

        The further provenance of this source is that it was produced by Humphrey Jennings in an attempt to make a poetic documentary as a training film for the voluntary firemen at the time of the Blitz. However it was dropped as such quickly, as the Blitz ended on release (but not as a cause of!!!) the film. This then gave the opportunity for the government to release the film to the general public which they did to great success. Here I have spoke of a poetic documentary which was found as a source in a film annual reviewing I was a fireman (Haliwell’s Film Guide), more commonly known as Fires were Started.

        With such a provenance, and the reliability inconclusive one may further enquire as to the usefulness of this source. Primarily it is useful to recall the styles, dialogue and equipment required to make a film of any kind during the war. This source is also useful for a historian who may be working in research of styles of propaganda. If one believes this source to be propaganda then it provides an insight into the way Jennings and others were stylise their work to maximise the results. Finally this source may be useful to a historian on the Blitz as it is an accurate source to show how the firemen dealt with fire and other situations.

        To conclude, there are many contradictory sources in the debate over the reliability of I was a fireman, and whichever one is believed will always cause controversy. However, in hindsight it is easy to say that this was a blatant attempt at propaganda by Humphrey Jennings, but  I believe this source most reliable when in the context as quoted by the film guide, that ‘this was a poetic documentary designed for the training of voluntary fire fighters but later released for public viewing’.