In Burma elephants are used to bridge the Yu River, a tributary of the Chindwin.

A jeep slowly drives past camera along a track. The jeep rounds a bend up a steep road. Jeep towards camera crossing a shallow stream. The jeep on a dusty track through close country; another jeep, rigged as an ambulance, follows. Jeep drives down a ramp to the riverside. The men get out of the jeep. Looking at a number of boats. A file of Indian troops passes camera. Indian troops board a Japanese boat. Boats crossing the river, one with an outboard motor. View from a boat as an Indian man tries to start an outboard with flywheel. View from the river. Troops stepping ashore on the far side. Troops advancing up the beach and climbing a bank. Troops moving inland from the bridgehead on foot. Elephants by the Chindwin. An elephants hindquarters, with C painted on its skin. A chain is fixed to a log and an elephant drags it away. Wider shot with five elephants in the water. Local people working logs. Elephants wading and at work. Two elephants pushing a log into position on a bridge. Man with a stake adjusts a log. Shot of the bridge taking shape. More of the elephants at work and the bridge. A lorry, apparently carrying mules, crosses the elephant-built bridge. Jeep crosses.

Notes

While the 1944-45 Burma campaign was in many ways an extremely modern war, this film provides an effective demonstration of the continuing employment of animal power in warfare.

The unit is not identified on the cameraman's dopesheet, but 14th Army's order of battle includes a Royal Indian Army Service Corps' Elephant Company, which is presumably this unit.

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.