description
Object description
Scenes from recently-liberated Singapore, including aerial views of the harbour, Japanese internees being put to work and the evacuation of freed Allied prisoners by hospital ship.
Full description
A group of Japanese prisoners are escorted along a road in Singapore under armed guard. A large number of civilians crowd around, evidently delighted. Aerial views, taken from an RAF Short Sunderland flying boat, of Singapore and of the harbour with a variety of naval and civilian vessels. Views from the water as the Sunderland taxis; the aircraft passes a Landing Ship Tank, laden with lorries, with its bow doors open. Air Vice Marshal John Breakey, Air Officer Commanding Air Headquarters Malaya, aboard a Landing Craft Personnel (Large) to visit an RAF headquarters ship. Japanese prisoners of war at work filling in trenches on the Padang, home of the Singapore Cricket Club. Buildings in the background appear to include the Supreme Court Building and the Victoria Memorial Hall. Close-ups of the prisoners at work. A crowd of local civilians watch the prisoners work and applaud. Lorries and ambulances driving through the city towards the docks. One of the vehicles is a cumbersome-looking jeep fitted to carry two stretchers and a medic in addition to the driver. Ambulances of various models arriving at the docks; the hospital ship HMHS Amarapoora (No. 7) is berthed. The stern and bow of the Amarapoora; 'Glasgow' can be seen on the stern. Indian personnel, probably of the Indian Army Medical Corps, carry stretcher cases up a gangplank. Sailors carry more stretcher cases; some of the patients are clearly severely underweight. Working party of Japanese prisoners in front of Municipal Hall. Very dim footage of Japanese aircraft concealed under trees near Kallang Airport. A Japanese aircraft parked amongst trees with local children playing on it. One child sits in the cockpit and the control surfaces can be seen moving. A Japanese character on the tailfin suggests 'HQ'.
Physical description
35mm