AN RAF WING ON THE MOVE IN BURMA [Allocated Title]

Part of an RAF Wing and an RAF Regiment Squadron moves across some difficult terrain to a new forward base in Burma.

Wrecked bridge at Toungoo. A Bailey bridge under construction; various engineering stores scattered about with men at work. A bulldozer drives slowly towards camera levelling the ground as it goes. A file of local Burmese walk in the opposite direction. Close-up of the bulldozer blade pushing earth and muddy water. Local Burmese civilians trade chickens for clothing. An AEC Matador lorry, with the name 'Jumbo' above the cab, tows two prefabricated huts. A lorry drives into the river and fords across. The lorry mounts the opposite bank. A Chevrolet CMP lorry drives out of the river. An RAF Flight Lieutenant with a pipe. A CMP lorry gets bogged down in mud and is towed out by a bulldozer. A column of assorted motor transport with local bullock carts passing. A Chevrolet lorry moves off laden with airmen. It is followed by a CMP and later a staff car or station wagon. The convoy pauses for tea. A Medical Officer checks well water for potability. The scene at Penwegon (spelled 'Penwegan' on dopesheet); vehicles parked amongst trees with a wrecked railway locomotive (according to the dopesheet 'recently strafed by the RAF') in the background. Close-up of the locomotive. The vehicles moving off again; locals carrying baskets on their heads walk along the verges. Local children with airmen at an impromptu 'NAAFI' (Navy, Army, Air Force Institute) stall; a table is stacked with small tins and boxes marked 'Lux' (presumably Lever Brothers' Lux-brand soap). Men gather around a large cabinet radio to hear news of the war in Europe. Close-up of men listening to the radio. Wider shot; the men throw their hands up in the air, cheer and wave their hats at the news of Allied victory in Europe (VE Day). An airman tightens nuts on a wheel of a jeep while a very small Burmese child squats on the jeep's bonnet. A duck in a basket is loaded onto a vehicle. An airman picks up a piglet and stows it in a small compartment on the underside of a lorry. A second airman fastens wooden slats across the compartment.

35mm