7th Indian Division of IV Corps prepare to set up a beachhead across the Irrawaddy River, to coincide with XXXIII Corps advance on Mandalay, Burma, and bring heavy machinery and armour across the river.

Troops of 33rd Indian Infantry Brigade, 7th Indian Division move towards Pakkoku. Armoured scout cars (Daimler 'Dingo') return along the road past troops after a reconnaissance mission. Troops with mules march along a typically dusty track. Ordnance BL 5.5-inch medium guns are towed along a road also throwing up clouds of dust. Airstrikes by RAF Thunderbolts and Hurribombers (Hurricane fighter-bombers) on Japanese positions. Troops from the 4th Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment cross the Irrawaddy River for a second assault on Japanese positions. Signalman J May of Liverpool and Signalman H Barber of Stockport use a radio set (a No.48 Wireless Set) to communicate from one side of the river to the other. The town of Pagan blazes after heavy shelling.

Notes

7th Indian Division's crossing of the Irrawaddy began in the early hours of 14 February 1945 and was according to the official history 'the longest opposed river crossing in any theatre of the Second World War'. Following a covert reconnaissance by a Sea Reconnaissance Unit and a Special Boat Section, a company of 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment were to make a silent crossing, followed as quickly as possible by 33rd Brigade. Despite some initial losses due to enemy machine gun fire, the enemy were suppressed by a concentration of artillery fire, tank fire and aerial bombing.

Armoured car unit seen is probably 16th Light Cavalry.

For other film of the crossing of the Irrawaddy shot by both the British Army (JFU-series) and the RAF (ABY-series) see related items.