Title:CAPTURE OF SAGAING AND AVA BRIDGE [Allocated Title]
Film Number:JFU 71
Other titles:BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: After the capture of the Ava Bridge and the city of Sagaing in Central Burma officers from the British capturing forces meet from opposite sides of the bridge and work to inspect the damage to the bridge is carried out.
Description: A small bridge, which has been blown up, has rubble cleared from beneath it in order to let ox drawn carts and vehicles pass through. A Burmese man, with an enormous white cheroot in his mouth, drives his cart under the bridge. The cart is loaded with ammunition. A jeep passes through the rubble followed by a truck. On top of the bridge a guard post is manned by two soldiers with a Bren gun. A representative, Major Chettle, of 2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment, meets representatives of 268th Brigade; Captain Baker (commander of B Company, 10th (Pathan) Engineer Battalion, Indian Engineers) and Subedar Aslam Khan on the Ava Bridge. The officers smile and chat. A soldier walks along the railway line which is carried by the bridge. A view of the shore and the city of Sagaing. Brigadier G M Dyer, commander of 268th Brigade and Brigadier Alston-Roberts-West, commander of 5th Infantry Brigade (2nd Division) chat on the bridge. A blown span has fallen into the water but a footbridge has survived and British troops walk along it. Major G A Clayton of Royal Engineers surveys the bridge by being dangled over the side, his feet are held by two Indian soldiers. A view down the length of the bridge. A view from the shore of the bridge with the blown span clearly in view. Indian troops march through Sagaing. Burmese irregulars parade and march off. A British soldier patrols the walls of the Buddhist Kaunghmudaw Pagoda which was used as the Japanese HQ.
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)
Beech, P M (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Alston-Roberts-West, Michael (person)
Indian Army, 268th Indian Infantry Brigade (regiment/service)
British Army, 2nd Division (regiment/service)
British Army, Dorsetshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion (regiment/service)
British Army, 5th Infantry Brigade (regiment/service)
Indian Army, Indian Engineers, 10th (Pathan) Engineer Battalion (regiment/service)
Japanese Forces, Burma National Army (regiment/service)
Keywords: Irrawaddy (River), Burma (geography)
Sagaing, Burma (geography)
Irrawaddy Crossing 1945, Burma 1942-1945, Second World War (event)
Mandalay 1945, Burma 1942-1945, Second World War (event)
Burma 1942-1945 (theme)
British Army 1939-1945 (theme)
