Scenes of an Allied victory parade, mounted in monsoon weather, in the Burmese capital Rangoon, 15 June 1945.

Views from a high point overlooking the saluting post. Two Humber Armoured Cars pass. Spectators in rain capes against the heavy weather. A military band stands waiting. A contingent of the Royal Navy and Royal Indian Navy heading the parade. Various bodies of troops, some in berets or bush hats, others in steel helmets; some carry their arms at the slope and some at the trail. A Union flag hangs limply from a flagpole. A band playing. More troops passing and the band playing. A contingent of American troops led by a US flag. A unit of Chinese troops. A Chevrolet lorry carrying a 20mm Hispano light anti-aircraft gun and a number of gunners on its bed, and towing a second behind. These weapons and personnel probably of the RAF Regiment. Armoured cars (probably Humber Armoured Cars) escort a staff car; Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command, gets in and departs. The car is followed by two motorcyclists. More troops passing the saluting base. Jeeps passing followed by Chevrolet CMP lorries towing limbers and Ordnance QF 25-pounder guns. More CMPs towing Ordnance QF 6-pounder anti-tank guns. A rather grey view of troops on parade at Rangoon golf course; a Union flag is run up the flagpole. Very distant view of a body of troops giving three cheers. Second view of the parade shot from ground level; a unit of Indian soldiers marches past, followed by a unit of Gurkhas, a unit of Sikhs and another Gurkha unit. Sailors marching in heavy rain. A unit of soldiers with rifles at the slope with fixed bayonets.

Notes

Of the soldiers seen at the end of the reel, some are seen to be wearing the 'crossed keys' patch of 2nd Division, while others wear a Light Infantry cap badge, but the exact regiment is not clear.

This parade was also covered by other cameramen and photographers of the RAF (CI/ABY series) and British Army (SE/JFU series). See related items.

This and related events also filmed in amateur colour footage by Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Outram Hodgkinson. See related items (MGH series).

The IWM's Department of Documents holds a copy of the programme for this event, along with programmes for two related Services of Thanksgiving. See related items.