CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT YAZAGYO (18/12/1944)

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: JFU 229).

Synopsis

The men of 5th Infantry Brigade headquarters (2nd Division) enjoy Christmas festivities at Yazagyo, north of Kalemyo in Burma.

A banner reads 'Xmas Race Meeting All Invited' and below 'Monday 18th December - First Race 9:30'. Another reads 'Tin Hat Turf Club' and a sign reads 'WAS(B) [Women's Auxiliary Service, Burma] - Ladies' entrance'. Another sign reads 'Tote - Get your tickets here'. Another reads 'Tote Double/In-Out/Honest Pete and Honest Dick'. (Much of the following footage is in heavy shadow and difficult to discern.) Men placing bets. Men with the 'horses' on the start line; the horses are cut-out silhouettes on sticks. Men roll a dice to see which horse progresses fastest. Wide shot showing the vicinity of the race. A 'rider' reaches the finishing post. Sponges or Christmas puddings being turned out. Beer bottles on the bed of a lorry, part of the Christmas rations. Men being issued with extra cigarettes. Men seated at a table in the open for Christmas dinner. They are served and waited on by their officers, warrant officers and sergeants, in accordance with Army tradition, who are then seen doing the washing up. Very dark footage shows Brigadier Michael Alston-Roberts-West, commander of 5th Brigade, giving out prizes. A Christmas cake is sliced and served. Man drinking beer. Five men with spoons seen eating (cake?) from the same bowl in a humorous manner. Men sat around a table. Men drinking from enamel mugs.

Notes

While this might have been a cheering record of men observing Christmas under difficult circumstances far from home, the wooded location and resultant poor light make almost all of this film unusable.

The dopesheet remarks that these festivities were held on the 18th due to an anticipated move towards the front around Christmas Day, and that 'after the Christmas Dinner practically everyone went to bed to sleep off the effects'.

 

Titles

  • CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT YAZAGYO (18/12/1944) (Allocated)
Series Title:
BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
 

Technical Data

Year:
1944
Running Time:
4 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
288 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
War Office Directorate of Public Relations
cameraman
Abbott, J (Sergeant)
Production company
SEAC Film Unit
 

Countries

 

Production Organisations