INTO BURMA [Main Title]

Edited film with commentary depicting the Chindits setting out on Operation Longcloth, their first raiding expedition behind Japanese lines, under the leadership of Brigadier Orde Wingate.

Titles: 'Public Relations Directorate Indian Command presents', 'INTO BURMA', 'Produced by Army Film Centre'. Pan right showing men and equipment at riverside, probably on the Chindwin. Another pan right with men, equipment and mules. A mule and handler are joined by another (an officer?) with a revolver and kukri on his belt. In a closer shot the second man examines a mule's hoof while the commentary remarks that mules require careful and patient handling. Mules are led or dragged into the water; the commentary relates that the men say they've earned one medal; 'the DCM - Died Chasing Mules'. A signaller with his radio. A corporal wearing a wool cap-comforter uses a foot pump to inflate a rubber boat. Indian (?) soldier wading into the water and others wading with a boat. Medium close-up profile of Brigadier Orde Wingate ('a regular soldier with unconventional ideas') on horseback. Soldiers about to cross the river in narrow local boats. In the jungle troops walk along a jungle path with mules. Troops carry a wooden case or ammunition box on (stretcher?) poles. Men doing personal admin in the jungle; one in the background is shaving and another can be seen scooping up water in a mess tin. Men washing by the side of a stream. A man towels his face dry and mules cross shot from left to right; they can be seen in the reflection of some water in the foreground and man rolls up his sleeves. Looking down on men chopping lengths of wood (?). A man up a tree chops down a branch with a kukri before dropping the kukri and climbing down. A Royal Air Force sergeant signaller ('in constant touch with air bases') at his wireless set; he may be Sergeant Arthur Willshaw. He is joined by an RAF squadron leader (presumably a liaison officer) with a sheet of paper (a message?). Closer shot tilts down to show the signaller operating a Morse key. Scene with a man having his elbow bandaged by (an Indian?) major; mules in the background. Closer shot as the medic ties off a bandage. A staff sergeant and a number of others issue pay; neat stacks of coins are arranged on a table and handed out. Camera pans along the line of waiting men; some have camouflage nets over their bush hats (both bush hats and Gurkha hats can be seen). More coins issued. Dark shot of men operating a mobile printing press. Shot of a printed page with Burmese script. Men position two loudspeakers in trees. A Burmese man described by the commentator as a prince of the Shan States speaks on a microphone. Some unclear shots of an inspection by Field Marshal Wavell. A line of men and mules pass camera in silhouette, on their way to 'harass the Jap from behind his lines, to sabotage his railways, blow up his bridges, smash his roads, raise the oppressed against him, and drive him back whence he came'.

35mm