Other titles:BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Along with other films shot in Indo-China, this item is a useful record of a much-forgotten part of Britain's occupation of south east Asia. British Indian troops of 20th Indian Division were sent to southern Indo-China to disarm and intern Japanese personnel stationed there, recover Allied prisoners of war and internees, and maintain law and order. Before long they found themselves embroiled in violence sparked by tensions between the French population and the nationalist Viet Minh. British Indian forces were withdrawn in early 1946 and responsibility handed to the French.
Description: Two British officers are saluted by a Japanese sentry outside the Continental Hotel. A lorry passes flying Red Cross pennants and there are many cyclists about. Street in Saigon with Japanese sentry and many European [presumably French] civilians. Treelined avenue with banner reading 'Independence or Death'. View from a building over a broad road with banner reading 'Down with Colonisation' on the opposite side. Two pedal trishaws pass, apparently carrying Japanese soldiers. Three Japanese sentries, coming off duty, walk towards the cameraman's building. Two more Japanese approach. Footage from street level; two British officers return a salute from a Japanese sentry, who sits back down after they pass. Armed Japanese troops pass a building flying Allied flags. Another shot of the 'Independence or Death' banner. Japanese sentry standing guard; European civilians crowd the pavements. Closer view of the 'Down with Colonisation' banner. British officer returns a Japanese salute. Japanese troops [believed to be] amongst trees; one of them approaches camera.
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)
Higgins, K G (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Indian Army, 20th Indian Division (regiment/service)
Keywords: Saigon, French Indo-China (geography)
Allied Occupation of French Indo-China, Allied Occupation of South East Asia post-August 1945 (event)
India 1939-1945 (theme)
British Army 1939-1945 (theme)
JFU 338 (MAJOR-GENERAL GRACEY VISITS DOCKS AT SAIGON [Allocated Title])
JFU 339 (BRIGADIER TAUNTON ARRIVES AT JAPANESE AERODROME AT SAIGON [Allocated Title])
JFU 340 (GENERAL SLIM VISITS SAIGON [Allocated Title])
JFU 372 (JOINT GURKHA AND JAPANESE PATROL ON SAIGON RIVER [Allocated Title])
JFU 417 (INDIAN TROOPS IN SAIGON CELEBRATE DASERA [Allocated Title])
JFU 432 (OPERATION SALTMEAT: FOOD CONVOY FROM PHNOM PENH TO SAIGON [Allocated Title])
JFU 439 (ANGLO-FRENCH ARMISTICE DAY CEREMONY IN SAIGON [Allocated Title])
JFU 452 (GENERAL SIR MILES DEMPSEY VISITS SAIGON AND SURRENDER OF SWORDS BY FIELD MARSHAL COUNT TERAUCHI [Allocated Title])
JFU 494 (32ND INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE LEAVING SAIGON [Allocated Title])
JFU 519 (STREET SCENES IN SAIGON [Allocated Title])
JFU 526 (HANDOVER OF LANDING CRAFT FROM ROYAL NAVY TO FRENCH NAVY IN SAIGON [Allocated Title])
JFU 544 (HO CHI MINH IN HANOI AND THE RETURN OF GENERAL LECLERC [Allocated Title])
