2ND DIVISION BRIDGEHEAD OPERATIONS (25/2/1945)

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: JFU 46).

Synopsis

The 2nd British Division cross the Irrawaddy River in order to carry out the first daylight attack on Japanese positions and to secure and expand the small bridgehead taken in the night at Myinze, Burma.

Troops of 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders walk down the river bank and board small boats powered by outboard motors. The crossing takes place at Myinze and smoke rises on the far bank of the river. More small boats cross the river as three soldiers sit and watch their progress. Major-General C G G Nicholson watches their progress through a set of field glasses. A DUKW enters the water. Ferry construction begins and more DUKWs cross the river. Ferry parts are unloaded from lorries and assembled. The Royal Engineers lift cross pieces onto pontoons and add decking. Smoke rises over Ngazun after an artillery barrage and more DUKWs cross the river. Troops march to the pontoons and board it. A cable drum is lifted into a boat and cable is paid out as it crosses the river. Sandbags are tied to the cable to weigh it down. The cable is tested and laid along the shore. More smoke rises as planes carry out dive bombing missions. Stores and an M3 Grant marked "Assassin" are unloaded from a pontoon. A DUKW arrives crammed with troops. Men walk past a sign reading "Assembly Area." A pontoon is tied up and pulled to shore. Universal Flame Thrower Carriers (Wasps) and a jeep and trailer come off a pontoon. Universal (Bren) Carriers are floated over the river by having empty oil drums lashed to them.

Notes

2nd Division's initial crossings on the night of 24/25 February were disrupted by enemy machine gun fire and a swift current leaving the Cameron Highlanders holding a tenuous beachhead screened with smoke and artillery fire. Difficulties were encountered in transporting tanks and heavy equipment but the Division had linked up with 20th Indian Division by 27 February and by 2 March the divisional artillery had been concentrated on the far side of the Irrawaddy.

 

Titles

  • 2ND DIVISION BRIDGEHEAD OPERATIONS (25/2/1945) (Allocated)
Series Title:
BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
 

Technical Data

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

Production Credits

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

Countries

 

Production Organisations