Somewhere in India, a column of the Patiala Infantry (Indian State Forces), sets out on a jungle patrol as part of a training exercise.

Out of focus close-up Patiala officer. Men on parade with their kit on display for inspection. A signallers wireless set. A set of kit including binoculars, Bren magazine, Mills bomb and rifle bandolier (and a rather bashed ration tin). The Colonel inspects the men, and uses his stick to have a look at a two-inch mortar mans jumper. The men set about packing away their gear and putting on their equipment. One man hefts his large pack onto his shoulders, which is obviously bulky and awkward. Men adjusting netting over each others turbans. Closer shot; man lays a camouflage net over anothers head and adds foliage. Inspection of the mens camouflage; they all look suitably bushy and jungle-like. The men, standing in a hollow square, come to attention as the battalion priest says a prayer for a successful patrol. Close-up priest. The men, in full gear and camouflage, kneel in devotion and stand up again. The first scouts lead the way; when stationary their camouflage is reasonably effective. The rest of the men follow. Moving through thick vegetation. Crossing a shallow stream. A porter, carrying a wireless charging set, and the signaller carrying the set itself, climb a steep slope. Smoke billows from a cooking fire. Man with a mess tin of water over a fire. Platoon commander checks position on map. Signaller operates a Morse key. Tilt up a tree to show a soldier in the branches. Men applying mosquito-repellent cream to their arms and faces (their Sikh bangle can be seen). They don mosquito nets. A man opens up his ground sheet and positions his pack as if to sleep. He and his comrades suddenly stand to. Back at brigade the men parade and then sing a hymn of praise (one man, the porter seen carrying the charging set, has a spear). Men fall out and some shake hands, in a display of great comradely affection. Two groups of soldiers meet and embrace or shake hands. One soldier makes a great display of showing off his bayonet. The porter, still carrying the charging set and armed with a spear, speaks with a captain and then makes a display of thrusting the spear into the ground; his comrades are amused. The captain congratulates another man.

Notes

While this is, very obviously, a staged production it contains many interesting and useful details and is well shot. The various religious observances are particularly instructive and interesting. The Patiala Infantry were raised by the princely state of Patiala, rather than by the British Raj, hence the 'Indian State Forces' appellation.

The dopesheet, while providing a fairly detailed shotlist, does not specify the unit, nor a location or date.

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.