Tanks and infantry of 63rd Brigade, 17th Indian Division, supported by aircraft, overcome unexpected Japanese resistance at the village of Pyinbongyi, approximately 20 miles north of Pegu (Bago), Burma.

A fighter-bomber strafes a treeline in the distance. An RAF Thunderbolt Mk II fighter-bomber passes low over a number of stationary Sherman medium tanks of the Royal Deccan Horse. View from behind Shermans across open ground towards the treeline with rising cloud of dust. Infantry of 6th Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment and 1st Battalion, 3rd Gurkhas advancing in open order with tank support. A Sherman climbs out of a ditch and crosses a road. Black puffs of smoke from airbursting artillery rounds can be seen. Tanks advancing; one tank is named 'Meramator II' and another 'Chatal'. The remnants of a wooden building smoking. More footage of tanks and infantry advancing into the village. Thick smoke rises from burning buildings. Buildings on fire and aircraft overhead. A Sherman bogged down.

Notes

A good illustration of small-unit all-arms tactics, with the role of infantry, tanks, aircraft and artillery all clearly visible.

The Japanese opposition during this action was scraped together from the remnants of the Rangoon garrison and comprised a marine transport battalion, an NCO school, railwaymen, anti-aircraft gunners and 138th Independent Battalion. These details from the source below, which gives the date of this engagement as 27 April 1945, citing National Army Museum papers.