SOUTH BURMA AREA ATHLETIC MEETING

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: JFU 569).

Synopsis

In Rangoon, capital of Burma, an athletic meeting is held at which troops from Rangoon and 454 Sub-Areas compete at track and field events.

Three shots of the high jump contest in progress; one attempt is unsuccessful. Runners start the mile race. Wide shot of the mile runners with one noticeably lagging; spires can be seen in the background. The mile race in progress. The end of the mile; the winner, Havildar Major Chaman Singh, a Sikh, of 25th Battalion Burma Regiment, quite literally takes the tape. He is followed by another Sikh, Lance Naik Haman Singh of the (94th?) Faridkot Field Company (Indian State Forces). Two shots of the shot being putted. Measuring the distance. View of the 110 yard hurdles. Three competitors in the long jump, including the winner (Havildar Clerk Pritain Singh of 202 Motor Ambulance Convoy) and the runner-up, a West African soldier, Private Prince, of 152 West African General Hospital. Film of the 100 yard dash taken from the finishing line; Havildar Nawaz of 103 Corps Delivery Squadron takes first place with a time of 11 seconds. A close second is Lance Naik Chit Kin of the 1st Battalion Karen Rifles. Tug of war; a team of 6th Battalion 15th Punjab Regiment, representing 454 Sub-Area, take the strain against a team of 202 Motor Ambulance Convoy representing Rangoon Sub-Area. The Rangoon team, of Sikhs seen without their usual turbans, gives ground. The team is exhorted to greater efforts but still gives ground. Wide shot of the tug of war. Wide shot, slightly out of focus, of the mile relay in progress with a baton pass seen. View from behind the crowd of a baton pass. Havildar Major Chaman Singh, evidently a superior athlete, takes victory in the relay for Rangoon. A sign gives the scores. Singh is presented with a silver medal by a Mrs Perry. Another shot of the scoreboard which reads 'Points: Rangoon Sub-Area 38 / 454 Sub-Area 25'.

Notes

Cameraman's dopesheet gives the location as the 'BAA ground' so possibly the Burma Athletic Association.

This competition formed a heat of a wider contest between 82nd West African Division, 17th Indian Division, North Burma District, South Burma District and HQ Burma Command. The final was held in Rangoon on 22 April 1946 and saw 82nd West African Division win by a wide margin.

 

Titles

  • SOUTH BURMA AREA ATHLETIC MEETING (Allocated)
Series Title:
BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
 

Technical Data

Year:
1946
Running Time:
4 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
296 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
War Office Directorate of Public Relations
cameraman.
Wilson, A (Sergeant)
Production company
SEAC Film Unit