RAF EVACUATE ALLIED PRISONERS OF WAR FROM THAILAND (14/9/1945)

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: ABY 140).

Synopsis

RAF Douglas Dakota transport aircraft fly liberated Allied prisoners of war (POWs) to Rangoon, Burma, from Don Muang airfield near Bangkok, capital of Japanese-occupied Siam (Thailand).

A line of Dakotas parked at Don Muang. Aircrews and POWs awaiting transport. Groups of POWs pass camera. A group of sullen-looking Japanese officers and non-commissioned officers at the airfield. Crew standing under the nose of a Dakota named 'Susie Q'. POWs board a Dakota. The aircraft taxis away along the airfield's perimeter track. View from the aircraft's door as it accelerates down the runway. POWs waiting by the parked aircraft. Aerial views of Don Muang and of cloudscapes en route to Rangoon. POWs disemplaning at Rangoon and boarding ambulances. In a garden outside a brick building a sign reads '7 Casualty Air Evacuation Unit'. British women serve tea. POWs sit at garden tables with white tablecloths and enjoy some doubtless long-missed tea, cigarettes, newspapers and female company. A group of POWs share a Thermos flask of tea. A group of POWs pose for photos.

Notes

Dopesheet points out that the clothing the POWs are seen wearing had been recently issued to them, so in this regard the film does not reflect their living conditions.

Of the uniforms seen in this film some distinctive articles are apparent, including Scottish tam o'shanter bonnets, Glengarry caps and kilts.

Dopesheet also adds that on the day this film was shot some 1,500 Allied POWs were evacuated.

At one point a Dakota is seen wearing the badge of RAF 194 Squadron; an image of a winged elephant superimposed on a map of India.

For other film relating to evacuation of POWs from Thailand, see related items.

 

Titles

  • RAF EVACUATE ALLIED PRISONERS OF WAR FROM THAILAND (14/9/1945) (Allocated)
Series Title:
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
 

Technical Data

Year:
1945
Running Time:
4 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
351 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations
cameraman.
Connochie, T D (Wing Commander)
cameraman.
Connor (Pilot Officer)
Production company
Royal Air Force Film Production Unit
 

Countries

 

Production Organisations