Artillery and air strikes are used to assist an attack by 17th Indian Division on Japanese held positions on the Pindale to Mahlaing road, Burma.

Ordnance BL 5.5-inch Medium Guns fire several times. Mortar crews, in pits, fire; they are dug in right next to a white Buddhist pagoda; the pits are between three and four feet deep. Air burst shells, apparently from QF 3.7-inch anti-aircraft guns, give out bursts of black smoke over a white pagoda. Bombs are dropped on the road and plumes of dust and smoke rise up high into the air. Six North American B-25 Mitchell bombers fly over in formation. More bomb explosions. Smoke and dust fills the whole area. More explosions. Six Mitchells fly over in two formations of three. More large explosions. Infantry run across a field right to left and more explosions occur in the background.

Notes

The dopsheet describes this as an 'earthquake' attack. Earthquake attacks were concentrated aerial bombing attacks, sometimes accompanied by shelling, designed to destroy enemy positions and to shock defending troops.

In the first half of March 1945 17th Indian Division captured the key strategic centre of Meiktila. There then followed a period of consolidation aimed at preventing Japanese forces in the area withdrawing southwards. This film documents part of that consolidation. For other film of these operations, see related items.