Sir Oliver Leese, Commander-in-Chief of Allied Land Forces South East Asia (ALFSEA) visits the gunners of XV Indian Corps on Ramree Island, Burma.

At the headquarters of 6th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, Sir Oliver Leese shakes hands and chats with a group of officers. Leese talking with officers of the 6th Medium Regiment. Speaking with officers of the 36th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Leese addresses a large group of gunners of XV Indian Corps. Leese passes an Ordnance BL 7.2-inch Howitzer (a relined version of the First World War 8-inch Howitzer) of 6th Medium Regiment. Speaking with gunners. Leese watches an Indian 3-inch mortar battery at work. Leese departs by jeep with Major-General Chambers, commander of 26th Indian Division. Close-up on the 7.2-inch gun showing the name 'Auntie'.

Notes

Ramree, an island off Burma's Arakan coast, was taken after an amphibious invasion led by 26th Indian Division on 21 January 1945. Fifty miles long and twenty miles wide, it presented a large area to clear and housed a considerable Japanese garrison. Its strategic significance derived from its airfields, which besides having the advantage of being supplied from the sea, would give transport squadrons the range to cover a wide area of central Burma. It would also provide a jumping-off point for Operation Dracula, the amphibious assault on Rangoon, which would also be conducted by 26th Indian Division.