1st Battalion 17th Dogra Regiment prepare to leave Surabaya (Sourabaya/Soerabaja) in Java, Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) on the troopship HMT Nevasa, for return to Calcutta.

Two shots of the 'Cruiser Quay' at Surabaya with Nevasa alongside. Indian troops carrying cases up a gangway. Indian troops carrying cases; frame right a photographer (presumably Sergeant Coates of the Army Film and Photo Unit) jumps down from the back of a lorry and the camera follows two Indian soldiers as they carry a box up a gangway. Small group of soldiers unloading a lorry. Looking down a gangway staircase as a soldier climbs up towards camera. Troops and their baggage on the quayside. Troops sitting on their baggage. Close-ups of Indian soldiers, with one showing a cloth 'Dogra' shoulder title. Ship's name plate 'Nevasa'. Tilt up a large dock crane. Crane traversing. A box showing its destination 'Calcutta' in stenciled paint. Piled kit bags. Small arms and personal equipment on the ground; a soldier lies sleeping in the background. Closer shot of the soldier apparently asleep. Aboard a ship (the Nevasa?) a crane hook is lowered towards an open hatch. Looking into the open hatch. Crane swings a large load towards the dockside. On the quayside an Indian soldier climbs aboard a lorry carrying his pet cat. Troops formed up for the march to the quay. Marching off. The Dogra pipe band, playing 'Highland Laddie', leads the battalion towards the docks. Column on the march; a number of the men unsling their rifles. View of the dockside with long lines of men waiting. Shots of troops up gangway. The shadows of men climbing the gangway cast on the quayside. Brief shot of troops passing camera. A group climbs the stairs; one the men is wearing a pith helmet and appears to be carrying a wreath or bunch of flowers. As they climb up Sergeant Coates, camera in hand, comes down the same gangway. Local women waving to the departing soldiers. Looking up a gangway; obliging soldiers wave for the camera. Men on the ship's railings. Gangway lowering. Dockers cast off a heavy mooring line. Waving men with pan along the deck. Nevasa moving off into the Madura Straits.

Notes

This battalion fought during the Battle of Surabaya in November 1945 and during the Burma campaign. For film of this battalion on patrol in the vicinity of Surabaya, see related items. According to the cameraman's dopesheet this sailing also included Indian Engineers units that had built the record-breakingly long Bailey bridge over the River Chindwin in Burma.