At Umbertide, in Perugia, Italy, King George VI visits troops of 10th Indian Division.

High shot looking over a street in Umbertide, the Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, with troops in single ranks on the curbs. The circular buttressed Santa Maria della Reggia stands in the background and closer to camera is a building marked ‘Field Cashier’. The troops appear to be waiting and are at ease. Closer shot; Sikh troops waiting. Three British officers waving from small individual balconies. An Indian officer waves from a window. Troops looking towards the oncoming motorcade. The King’s car passes and the men cheer him. The King meets a Viceroy’s Commissioned Officer. A very brief shot appears to show the King meeting Gurkhas, with the officer behind them. The King sitting on the back of his staff car, probably about to depart and talking to an officer; Lieutenant-General Sir Oliver Leese is sitting in the driver’s seat.

Notes

Umbertide, in Perugia, formed part of the defended Trasimene Line and was consequently badly damaged. Umbertide was taken on 5 July 1944, two weeks after the fall Perugia, with troops of 3rd Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment (10th Indian Infantry Brigade, of 10th Indian Division) being first to enter.

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.