D-DAY ON AKYAB ISLAND [Allocated Title]

Footage from the landings on Akyab island, off the Arakan coast of Burma by 74th Indian Infantry Brigade, part of 25th Indian Division.

[10:09:08:13] Shots from a Royal Indian Navy Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM) underway during a landing on Akyab Island. A Landing Craft Assault running parallel to the cameraman's craft. Water churning at the stern. Wide shots of landing craft and supporting motor launches. On the beach with camera facing the water, a file of troops stands waiting to move off. Troops landing from LCA 249; they move without haste. Wider shot with landing craft unloading. Men landing from an LCM. A mule is led off an LCM but baulks at walking on the bars of the craft's landing ramp. More mules are led off, the ramp having been partially covered. An LCM beaching. Looking into an LCM, with its ramp down; a mule is first in line. Gurkha troops, probably of 3rd Battalion 2nd Gurkha Rifles disembarking from a landing craft. Wide shot of the beach. More men landing from an LCM. An LCM beaching with its ramp partly lowered. Men coming ashore. Gurkha troops march past camera. Indian troops pass. Wide shot landing craft etc offshore. Indian troops pass. Wide shot of the beach, with a military policeman walking towards camera. British troops, probably of 6th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry walking up the beach while Indian (Engineers?) troops work on improving a track. Troops marching up the beach. Troops walking along a path marked by mine tape. Pan following troops walk off the beach; they pass an Engineers' bulldozer and rolls of Sommerfeld steel matting. Pan showing craft offshore. More of troops leaving the beach. Onboard a Landing Craft Tank; looking aft to the bridge with a White Ensign flying. Looking down on artillery tractors and 25-pounder field guns. The vehicles start unloading; jeeps lead followed by tractors towing limbers and guns. An abandoned (Japanese?) light field gun with large wooden wheels. Ox and Bucks troops march along a road with sunken ships in Akyab harbour in the background. Scenes in Akyab Town with damaged buildings. A panel on a building reads 'Custom House – Wharf department' and gives office hours. Damaged buildings. View from the piers at Akyab harbour. More shots of damaged buildings. A building archway marked 'Mackinnon, Mackenzie and Co'. A large warehouse. More damaged buildings (including a view of a mosque (?) beyond trees?). [10:19:41:11]

35mm