Gurkha troops are seen on the march with mules, probably in northern Burma; they meet some Chinese troops, and other Indian soldiers are seen at a concert party.

A dark and grainy shot apparently showing troops struggling with a fallen tree limb which is blocking a muddy road or track; a jeep is parked in the background. Another shot of troops shifting a log. A column of mules and troops coming down a steep hillside track. Mules passing. Mules watering and walking across a stream. British troops and Gurkhas passing on the march. Mules and handlers coming up a steep path. A Gurkha naik (corporal) smoking a cigarette with a holder. More Indian troops passing on foot. Troops crossing a bridge. Troops walk along or climb over a large fallen tree. A collapsed bridge which has buckled in the centre of its span; troops shove a jeep up and off the bridge. Starting temporary repairs. Several shots of Douglas Dakota transport aircraft passing overhead dropping supplies by parachute and by free drop; a thin wisp of smoke (from a marker fire?) can be seen drifting up. A longer-lens shot showing parachutes descending. Men run out into the field to collect the bundles. Troops on the march past a couple of buildings that have been reduced to their frames; some Chinese troops stand at the roadside and wave. A few Gurkhas and Chinese troops; they are examining weapons (in particular a Thompson submachine gun) but it is not clear who is showing the weapon to whom. Troops cross a low wooden footbridge over a river. Footage from an Indian concert party with female dancers, soldiers and young children spectating. Indian soldiers applauding. Some comic sketch. Further shots of the acts, musicians and audience.

Notes

The concert party is also seen in MWY 103. As neither this film nor MWY 103 have surviving dopesheets, however, it is difficult to say where this film was shot, nor when, nor which film it belongs with. The Gurkha troops seen are presumably operating in northern Burma, given the presence of the Chinese troops.

Series note: The MWY series of films is believed to be part of a ‘pool’ of film received by the Government of India from various sources, including South East Asia Command, the Indian Inter-Service Public Relations Directorate, the Ministry of Information, and from Allied governments. This footage would have been considered for editing and release through the Indian Newsreel Parade; see INR series.