In northern Burma, a joint patrol of Royal Scots Fusiliers and Royal Engineers of 36th Division sets out to demolish Japanese bunkers.

Sapper officer and Royal Scots Fusilier section commander (1st Battalion) conferring over a map. Priming a square tin of Ammonal (high explosive) with detonator and fuse. Gelignite charges being packed together. Joint Royal Scots Fusilier and Royal Engineer patrol moving off in single file; charges are carried slung on a bamboo pole. Two men pass with the gelignite and amatol charges. Patrol moving up. Man on field telephone. Moving through a bamboo stockade. The patrol returns after and unsuccessful attempt; they pass through a thicket of pointed wooden stakes. Static shot of an enemy bunker position; an explosion blasts wood and debris into the air. Another static shot showing a bunker being demolished; some of the debris flies directly at the cameraman and he noticeably flinches. Inspecting the wreckage afterwards. Two men carrying a wooden ammunition box. Man positioning a charge in a bunker. Two men uncovering a small aircraft bomb as booby trap. Some more light aircraft bombs are found and defused.

Notes

An excellent film, with the close-ups showing the assembly of the charges, and the explosions demonstrating quite clearly the dangers of combat photography. Also an incidental record of the use of bamboo stakes as field defences.

The dopesheet does not give any location more precise than 'Central Burma' (although north-central might be more apt). However, the identification of 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers suggests 29th Brigade, who at the time this film was shot were operating in the Twinnge-Mongmit area.