This film is part of Free

Red Cross Barges
Travelling with the Red Cross ambulance flotillas through Montereau in central northern France.
Overview
Montereau, where the River Yonne and the Seine meet, bears witness to a Red Cross Ambulance Flotilla in these short scenes from WWI. Although far from speedy, the flotillas provided a smooth evacuation for the most injured of allied soldiers - a far less traumatic route than by the shell-torn roads of northern France.
WWI ambulance flotillas consisted of six barges - one for personnel, one for stores and four for patients. They were equipped with 30 beds, a kitchen, a dispensary, operating facilities and a generator for electric light. The hospital barges were converted from a range of general use barges such as coal or cargo. Access hatches were cut into the roof and hand operated lifts were installed so that stretchers could be lowered below. They retrieved the most seriously injured and conveyed them to awaiting hospital trains within allied territories.
Related

Patrol in the Desert Patrol in the Desert
Non-Fiction 1915 3 mins Silent
Shades of Lawrence of Arabia in a worn but often beautiful film of WWI desert exercises in Egypt.

Outposts of Empire Outposts of Empire
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent
British troops try to coax and cajole their pack animals on to a military supply train, but they're stubborn as mules...

Anti-German War Cartoons Anti-German War Cartoons
Trick film 1915 5 mins Silent
Follow the lightning-quick hand of the artist behind a series of comic cartoon sketches poking fun at the enemy during WWI.

Preston and District Roll of Honour, 6th, 7th, 5th Series Preston and District Roll of Honour, 6th, 7th, 5th Series
Non-Fiction 1915 14 mins Silent
A rare surviving WWI memorial film, featuring poignant images of men killed or injured serving in the armed forces.

Little Pippin Little Pippin
Drama 1915 14 mins Silent
An abandoned baby girl is found in an apple barrel and adopted by a humble grocer in this sentimental wartime fiction.

In Ancient Sussex In Ancient Sussex
Non-Fiction 1915 7 mins Silent Location: Chichester
Attractive travelogue exploring famous old Sussex landmarks, taking in views including Chichester, Lewes, Arundel and Bosham.

Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.

Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.

Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.

Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.

Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.

Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.