Scenes after the reoccupation of Rangoon including a Muslim parade, troops marching, captured Japanese weaponry and views of Rangoon docks.

A civilian procession staged by Rangoon's Islamic population; they carry flags including the British Union flag and a flag bearing the Islamic crescent and star. Captured Japanese weapons including a Dutch Madsen light machine gun, a number of basket-hilted short sabres, bolt-action carbines, a Type 89 Grenade Discharger ('knee mortar') and a quantity of ammunition, some of it on long stripper clips for use with machine guns. A body of troops marching through Rangoon with the spire of Shwedagon Pagoda in the background. Scenes of devastation at Rangoon docks. A cargo net, lowered from a berthed ship, sets down supplies on the dockside. Coils of wire are unloaded. Men at work unloading supplies; most appear to be tins of petrol. More views of the devastated dockside.

Notes

Rangoon was reoccupied after an unopposed amphibious landing (Operation Dracula) by 26th Indian Division on 3 May 1945.

The captured weapons, which include Dutch arms captured in the Netherlands East Indies, were apparently seized from both the Burma National Army (a turncoat organisation, originally raised by the Japanese, but later supporting the Allies) and the Indian National Army. More captured arms, including demonstrations, can be seen in the film referenced below.

With the impending withdrawal of United States Army Air Force transport aircraft the rehabilitation of Rangoon docks became an urgent priority and this footage gives a very clear view of the extent of the damage caused by Allied bombing. For more material depicting Rangoon docks, see related items.