EVACUATION OF FIRST INTERNEES BY AIR FROM CENTRAL JAVA TO BATAVIA [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: EVACUATION OF FIRST INTERNEES BY AIR FROM CENTRAL JAVA TO BATAVIA [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: JFU 612
  • Other titles: BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Douglas Dakota transport aircraft of RAF 31 Squadron evacuate internees from Solo in central Java to Batavia, capital of the Netherlands East Indies (now Jakarta, Indonesia) and some of the RAF's aircraft markings cause offence to the Indonesians.
  • Description: A Dakota aircraft transporting freed internees landing at Batavia airfield. At Solo airfield a Major Soedibyo (Sudipyo (?) spellings questionable) argues with a British liaison officer, Major West, about a Dakota's markings, believing them to be Dutch. Sudipyo, West and an RAF Group Captain talking. Close-up of the offensive marking on the Dakota's tail (red, white and blue bars with serial number KN611) and tilt to RAF tricolour roundel. Aircraft with propellers spinning. Group of freed civilian children with more people getting off a lorry behind. More internees off a lorry. Indonesian guard with British-supplied Lee Enfield No.4 rifle. An Indonesian cine cameraman. Car with label 'Indonesian Film News'. Badge on a car; red and white background with 'TKR' over it (TKR: Tentara Keamanan Rakyat or 'People's Security Army'). Close-up Indonesian guard. More internees off lorry. Looking towards internees with the undercarriage of a Dakota in the foreground. A young girl. British liaison officer and an Indonesian Red Cross representative with list of internees. Internees walk towards Dakota KN501 ('Snake' marking; see note). Internees climbing aboard, as seen from outside and inside the aircraft. Civilians sheltering in the shade of the aircraft's wing. Internees receive K rations. Two young internees with their K rations. Children with K rations. Dakota loading with the undercarriage of another aircraft in the foreground. Indonesian guard with rifles. An RAF nursing orderly aboard a Dakota pulls up the ladder and closes the door (note the SEAC roundel). Engines starting up. Aircraft taking off. An elderly Dutch woman on a stretcher in the shade of a wing, with an Indonesian Red Cross nurse. Stretcher case into an ambulance. Group walking across Batavia airfield. Internees sit at tables decorated with Dutch flags and refreshments are served by members of the Dutch Red Cross.
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1946-05-21
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: War Office Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) SEAC Film Unit (Production company) Davis, Desmond (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force, 31 Squadron (regiment/service) Dutch Red Cross (regiment/service) Indonesian Red Cross (regiment/service) Indonesian Army [NEW TERM] (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: Solo, Java, Netherlands East Indies (geography) Batavia, Java, Netherlands East Indies (geography) Allied Occupation of the Netherlands East Indies, Allied Occupation of South East Asia post-August 1945 (event) Recovery of Allied Prisoners of War and Internees 1945, Allied Prisoners of War Far East 1939-1945, Internment (event) India 1939-1945 (theme) British Army 1939-1945 (theme)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 538 ft; Running time: 6 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Notes: According to the cameraman's dopesheet, the red white and blue markings of one of the RAF Dakota's caused a 'strained and frigid' reception, the Indonesians being suspicious of the colours as being similar to those of the Dutch flag. A relief aircraft, bearing the blue and white roundel of South East Asia Command (SEAC) was then sent for, after the arrival of which proceedings went smoothly. This sensitivity about markings forms an interesting contrast with the prominent display of flags put on at the internees' reception at Batavia. For film of internees being evacuated by rail and sea, see related items. The 'Snake' marking indicates that the aircraft had been sent direct to South East Asia Command and had not previously been deployed in any other theatre. The 'K ration' was an American prepackaged ration designed to be used by troops during the assault phase of an operation.
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    JFU 612

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:

    JFU 596 (EVACUATION OF INTERNEES BY SEA FROM CHERIBON TO BATAVIA [Allocated Title]) JFU 585 (FIRST TRAIN OF RELEASED INTERNEES ARRIVES AT BATAVIA [Allocated Title])
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