ALLIED INVESTITURE AT HEADQUARTERS SOUTH EAST ASIA COMMAND (17/9/1945)

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: JFU 336).

Synopsis

Lieutenant-General Raymond Wheeler US Army, is invested as an honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE), while Lord Louis Mountbatten receives the American Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) at South East Asia Command (SEAC) headquarters.

The badge, star and ribbon of the KBE lying on a cushion. Wheeler's citation for the KBE being read. Wheeler is decorated. Officers at the salute though out of focus. Citation for Mountbatten's DSM is read out. Wheeler decorates Mountbatten. Wide shot, conductor leads a band. Officers saluting. Guard marches past. Mountbatten and Wheeler pose for the camera. Series of high shots looking down over the parade ground as officers take their positions for the investiture. Wide shot of guard of honour presenting arms. Mountbatten and others taking their place. Mountbatten presents Wheeler's KBE. They inspect the guard. View along a line of British troops; they slope their arms before presenting them. View through the band to conductor. American troops saluting with British troops at the present arms; the British slope arms and the Americans revert to the attention. American colour party wheeling before marching off. Line of officers, apparently including some women (Women's Royal Naval Service/Wrens?), waiting to greet Mountbatten and Wheeler. Very overexposed shot of Wheeler and Mountbatten shaking hands and saluting the various officers.

Notes

Wheeler was Deputy Supreme Allied Commander to Lord Louis Mountbatten from February 1944, having previously served as Chief Administrative Officer at SEAC.

Dopesheet does not specify if the location is SEAC's wartime HQ in Kandy, Sri Lanka, or Singapore.

This piece shot by American cameramen of the SEAC Film Unit (US). Additional coverage by British cameramen at JFU 335 - see related items.

 

Titles

  • ALLIED INVESTITURE AT HEADQUARTERS SOUTH EAST ASIA COMMAND (17/9/1945) (Allocated)
Series Title:
BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
 

Technical Data

Year:
1945
Running Time:
5 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
392 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
War Office Directorate of Public Relations
cameraman
Demaine, J (Sergeant)
cameraman
Fischer, T W (Sergeant)
cameraman
Sprague, J (Sergeant)
Production company
SEAC Film Unit
 

Countries

 

Production Organisations