Title:THE VICEROY VISITS FORWARD AREAS INCLUDING CHITTAGONG AND IMPHAL [Allocated Title]
Film Number:MWY 7
Other titles:INDIAN INTER-SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORATE COLLECTION - INDIAN HOME FRONT AND MILITARY OPERATIONS, AND ALLIED OPERATIONS IN ITALY AND THE PACIFIC DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Three-part film by three cameramen showing the Viceroy of India, Lord Linlithgow, visiting forward areas in eastern India, including Chittagong and Imphal.
Description: Part 1, shot by Tozer: At a forward airstrip the Viceroys aircraft passes overhead with escorting fighters behind. The aircraft (a Lockheed Electra, serial LV700) passing. The Viceroy disemplanes followed by a burly Air Vice Marshal (probably Air Officer Commanding Bengal, Thomas Williams). He meets members of a Royal Artillery 25-pounder gun team. Addressing members of an anti-aircraft battery, who cheer him. At Chittagong docks ammunition is loaded onto a train by local labourers. Ambiguous location; the Viceroy leaves a compound of low buildings with troops on parade in the square. Viceroy and other officers on the steps of a building, possibly Circuit House, Chittagong; Lieutenant-General William Slim is present. He wears a pistol at his hip and a bandolier across his chest. [119 ft]
Part 2, shot on 11 May 1943, by Beauchamp: The Viceroy's aircraft taxiing. He steps out of his aircraft and is greeted by senior officers. He inspects a unit of Gurkha (?) troops. Close-ups of Gurkhas (?). He meets personnel at a hospital. A British anti-aircraft battery going into action. A 3.7-inch gun is fired. Shots of a bombed out building, apparently the Puja Hall in Imphal. A brief shot of a 'pathetic old woman', obviously crying, on the steps of a temple; she had apparently lost a family of six, all killed, when the hall was bombed. The Viceroy in the ruined building. Viceroy meets RAF aircrew. [235 ft]
Part 3, shot by R H Thomas on 12 May 1943: The Viceroy meets senior RAF officers. He leaves an Operations Room after attending a briefing for a heavy bomber squadron. He meets aircrew of a Hudson squadron. He meets an Indian light anti-aircraft gun crew at their Bofors gun. Meeting aircrew of a nightfighter (Hurricane?) squadron. Viceroy by his aircraft with officers. [159 ft]
Alternative Title:INDIAN INTER-SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORATE COLLECTION - INDIAN HOME FRONT AND MILITARY OPERATIONS, AND ALLIED OPERATIONS IN ITALY AND THE PACIFIC DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Production Details: Public Relations Directorate, India (Production sponsor)
Indian Public Relations Film Unit (Production company)
Tozer, Alec (Production individual)
Beauchamp, Antony19181957 (Production individual)
Thomas, R H (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Hope, Victor Alexander John (2nd Marquess of Linlithgow) (person)
Williams, Thomas (person)
Slim, William Joseph (person)
British Army, Royal Artillery (regiment/service)
Keywords: Imphal, Manipur, India (geography)
Chittagong, Bengal Province, India (geography)
India 1939-1945 (theme)
Indian Army 1939-1945 (theme)
