Other titles:BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: The 2nd British Division cross the Irrawaddy River in order to carry out the first daylight attack on Japanese positions and to secure and expand the small bridgehead taken in the night at Myinze, Burma.
Description: Troops of 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders walk down the river bank and board small boats powered by outboard motors. The crossing takes place at Myinze and smoke rises on the far bank of the river. More small boats cross the river as three soldiers sit and watch their progress. Major-General C G G Nicholson watches their progress through a set of field glasses. A DUKW enters the water. Ferry construction begins and more DUKWs cross the river. Ferry parts are unloaded from lorries and assembled. The Royal Engineers lift cross pieces onto pontoons and add decking. Smoke rises over Ngazun after an artillery barrage and more DUKWs cross the river. Troops march to the pontoons and board it. A cable drum is lifted into a boat and cable is paid out as it crosses the river. Sandbags are tied to the cable to weigh it down. The cable is tested and laid along the shore. More smoke rises as planes carry out dive bombing missions. Stores and an M3 Grant marked "Assassin" are unloaded from a pontoon. A DUKW arrives crammed with troops. Men walk past a sign reading "Assembly Area." A pontoon is tied up and pulled to shore. Universal Flame Thrower Carriers (Wasps) and a jeep and trailer come off a pontoon. Universal (Bren) Carriers are floated over the river by having empty oil drums lashed to them.
Alternative Title:BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Production Details: War Office Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor)
SEAC Film Unit (Production company)
Govan, Harold WilliamBritish Army sergeant-cameraman with South East Asia Command Film Unit (British) and No.9 Army Film & Photographic Unit, formerly Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), service number 7662913, BEM in London Gazette 37576 published 21 May 1946, pg 2. (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Nicholson, Cameron Gordon Graham (person)
British Army, 2nd Division (regiment/service)
British Army, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 1st Battalion (regiment/service)
Keywords: Irrawaddy (River), Burma (geography)
Ngazun, Burma (geography)
Myinze, Burma (geography)
Irrawaddy Crossing 1945, Burma 1942-1945, Second World War (event)
Burma 1942-1945 (theme)
British Army 1939-1945 (theme)
