I. 'NEWS FROM ENGLAND.' King George VI is piped aboard HMS King George V during a visit to the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow in March 1943. The King is met by Admiral Sir John Tovey, Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet, who introduces him to the ship's officers (cf ADM 546 and 1215). Views from the royal pinnace show Royal Navy (RN) ships at anchor including an unidentified County Class cruiser. King George VI inspects ratings from HMS Howe, views of the main 14-in guns and bridge are shown. Back on shore, the King inspects a Royal Marine guard of honour and watches a march past by members of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS).

II. 'NORTH AFRICA.' Panoramic views show the whitewashed Tunisian coastal town of Sousse, almost untouched by the ravages of war. A street vendor sells corn from a stall. The commentary makes the point that most of Sousse is intact, except for the dock and harbour installations which have been given "the usual pasting by the Allied air forces." Coastal vessels and fishing boats lie partially sunk in the shallow water of the harbour. Panoramic views show the impressive structure of the Roman amphitheatre at El Dgem. Indian Army and United States Army Air Force (USAAF) personnel haggle with a carpet vendor at an establishment owned by Mohammed Mechri in Kairouan, Tunisia. Kairouan street views show its many mosques as the commentary points out that it is for the first time in history that Indian Muslim troops visit this sacred town. British soft-skinned vehicles of the Eighth Army drive past knocked-out German half-track artillery tractors towing anti-aircraft guns (Flak 41 8.8cm ?). United States soft-skinned vehicles drive through the outskirts of Enfidaville watched by interested local inhabitants.

III. 'ON THE BURMA FRONT.' The commentary outlines the difficulties of fighting an effective campaign over rugged Burmese terrain as civilian river traffic and a Royal Navy motor launch navigate a river tributary. Burmese civilians use an improvised pile-driver to drive wooden stakes into a river bank during the construction of a landing jetty. A Universal Carrier drives through a Northern Burmese village as Kachin locals use elephants to transport supplies. The commentary stresses that the Kachins are not alone in their struggle against the hated Japanese, over views of a chocked Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft (no national markings) at an undisclosed location. A British Army Lieutenant instructs Kachin levies in the use of Lee-Enfield Mk III .303-in rifles. Kachin levies stand to attention as they are addressed by Captain of the New Zealand Army. Kachin levies sharpen bamboo stakes and position them in concealed pits for use against Japanese forces. The commentary states that Allied forces are performing a holding action in Burma, awaiting the day that United Nation forces will strike back in full force. Indian troops set up a Bren gun position on a raised embankment as riflemen prepare to offer fire support with their Lee-Enfield 303-in Mk III rifles. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircrews consult maps during a briefing as groundcrews load 250lb bombs into a Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bomber. The essential work of harrying the Japanese and interdicting supply routes carried out by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and RAAF is highlighted, as Blenheim Mk IV aircraft overfly the Burmese jungle. Stockshot footage shows bombs dropping on a forested area.

Notes

Technical : The film is mute although the Film and Video Archive holds a printed version of the English commentary