Summary: Film about RAF, and especially Transport Command, in the Far East.
Description: The only means of supplying troops in the jungle is by parachute drop or helicopter. Beverley para-drops supplies - need for precision to avoid laborious retrieval by ground troops. The base airfield. Britannia lands with a new consignment of troops from Britain. A Beverley unloads artillery. Canberra under-wing rocket pod is reloaded. Informal dress of ground crew is just common sense in tropical conditions. Canberra returns from photo-reconnaissance flight - importance of rapid development of the film to spot new infiltration. V-bombers watch for movement at sea and provide potential heavy strike capability. Javelins armed with Firestreaks - role of interceptors left deliberately unclear; "these chaps don't talk much". Maintenance is the first line of defence in the jungle where there are few emergency landing places. Belvedere supply run. Importance of retaining the good will of the local inhabitants who provide information, heavy labour, etc. Aerial view of Gurkha strongpoint - troops airlifted out for R&R. Whirlwind flying in monsoon conditions. Supply drop by Hastings, escorted by Hunters. Very accurate para-drop - "The motto of Transport Command is 'I strike by carrying'. You might well add to that; 'Anywhere anytime'."
Production Details: Shute, David (Production individual)
Ward, Alf (Production individual)
Marks, Stanley C (Production individual)
Shute, David (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, Transport Command (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: English Electric Canberra (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Gloster Javelin (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Hawker Hunter (object name)
aircraft, British - helicopter: Westland Whirlwind (object name)
aircraft, British - transport: Blackburn Beverley (object name)
aircraft, British - transport: Bristol Britannia (object name)
aircraft, British - transport: Handley Page Hastings (object name)
operations, British air - preparation: bombing up (object name)
operations, British air - maintenance (object name)
operations, British air - movement (object name)
operations, British air - return (object name)
supplies, British, movement [FA] - misc: para-drop (object name)
weapons, British - missile [air-air]: Hawker Siddeley Firestreak (object name)
jungle (concept)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 577 ft; Running time: 16 mins
