CIVIL AFFAIRS SERVICE (BURMA) ACTIVITIES IN AKYAB [Allocated Title]

After driving the Japanese out of the Akyab area of Burma the British-run Civil Affairs unit moves in to help the local population recover from the occupation and to recruit and equip volunteers for the Burmese police.

Local Burmese men, women and children congregate outside a monastery building. The building is large, made of wood and stands on stilts. The priest and his retinue leave one of the monastery buildings. The priest carries a large palm fan. He walks through the congregation. The priest sits in front of the crowd. Close-up of the crowd gathered; they hold their hands together in prayer. Close-up of the priest who sits cross-legged on a deckchair and is surrounded by flowers in vases. Close-up of the congregation praying. Four women walk towards the camera in traditional dress; they join the group. The priest leaves; he is followed by three people carrying the flowers in vases. The priest and the group of followers climb the wooden steps into the monastery. The congregation disperse. Five British soldiers sit on a jeep; they are surrounded by locals and at least half a dozen children who sit on the jeep with them. Close-up of three of the soldiers; one holds a young baby, the others hold young children. Women of the congregation stand up and walk away from the monastery. Volunteers for the Burmese police stand in a line with their blankets and clothing piled in front of them (they receive the clothing when they sign up). More blankets are handed out by a British soldier. Boots are handed out. Close-up of the boots being tried on for size. More boots are emptied from sacks. A Gurkha hands out bootlaces. The volunteers pick up their bundles and walk away. A Red Cross flag hangs limply from a pole. A child takes his shirt off; he is at the head of a queue of locals. The child is examined with a stethoscope; the doctor taps the child on the chest several times. A group of local men wait. High shot of the local bazaar. The sellers are mainly women and they sit on the ground selling food, fruit and tea. They wave branches over their goods to keep flies away. Close-up of some of the women. Close-up of some of the food being put into small dishes on a tray. A man eats a small bowl of noodles. A woman puts something into a palm leaf and wraps if up for a customer. A small boy eats the contents of the leaf. A woman eats the same and examines her change closely. A man wearing a white turban weighs out some vegetables. He is surrounded by piles of nuts and fruit. General view of the market.

35mm