OPERATION HUNGER: AIR SUPPLY OF RICE TO NORTHERN BURMA [Allocated Title]

At Toungoo, Burma, Douglas Dakota transport aircraft of RAF 62 Squadron are loaded with sacks of rice for a supply mission to inaccessible regions of the Shan Hills.

A parked Royal Air Force Douglas Dakota transport aircraft, serial KN272, with its rear doors open; a lorry laden with sacks of rice reverses towards the aircraft with Japanese personnel waiting. Two shots showing Japanese surrendered personnel unloading the lorry and putting the sacks aboard the aircraft. A shot from the interior of the aircraft showing sacks being put aboard. Shot of the nose and leading edge of a Dakota with a petrol bowser parked in front; an airman walks towards the aircraft with a hose. The lorry, now empty of its sacks, drives away. Dakota taking off towards the camera. Dakota taxiing towards camera; a ground crewman beckons the aircraft forwards and it has 'CR' written on its nose. Dakota turning. Nose of a Dakota with propellers slowing; the aircraft bears an RAF 62 Squadron crest (which shows a shooting star or meteor). Dakota, bowser and crew (?). Crewman on the wing with a fuel hose; fuel spills briefly over the upper surface. Airborne interior footage from a Dakota. Sacks of rice are 'free dropped' without parachutes from the aircraft. A stationary train with stacked sacks of rice alongside. Japanese troops carry sacks from the train. Japanese troops amongst piles of rice sacks. Sacks are carried into a wooden building. Japanese personnel stitch the sacks of rice into larger sacks in preparation for their delivery by air. Sacks are loaded onto a lorry. A Chevrolet CMP lorry passes laden with sacks; Japanese personnel lie on top of them and a train can be seen in the background. Aircraft interior; aircrew rehearse the dispatch of supplies (as noted on the cameraman's dopesheet, the aircraft is stationary on the ground; this can be seen in the shot as the background, seen through the open door, does not move). Shot framed by a Dakota portside undercarriage leg with propeller spinning.

35mm