Description: "THE INDO-BURMA-CHINA ROAD - FIRST PICTURES OF REOPENING OF CHINA'S OVERLAND SUPPLY ROUTE" Scenes of the first convoy to cross the Irrawaddy river in Burma, built by General Pick. featuring the news cameraman Oscar Bovill. Commentary notes that this was "the greatest feat of engineering since the Panama Canal". Soldiers gather at the Shewli river as trucks cross temporary bridge to meet enemy threat. At night, convoys become "roadside hotels" with European and Chinese cuisine prepared for soldiers. Later, the Japanese artillery attack and Chinese infantry engage the enemy and silence the guns. Scenes of convoy reaching Old Burma Road and approaching Wan Ting on the Chinese border whereupon they were met by Chinese with a sign in flowers. Also present is China's acting Premier T V Soong. Convoy passes along narrow mountain pathway reaching a market place. Scenes of driver trying chopsticks and "wondering why the Chinese don't starve". Convoy continues along narrow mountain roads and crosses the four hundred foot bridge across the Salween river. Soldiers prepare for Japanese bomber attack in Salween valley but are able to continue without losses to the China's road port of Kunming. General Pick is received by General Lung Yan who salutes. Commentary notes that for the allies, it was " hop, skip and jump on the road to Japan". A procession is led through a triumphal arch as Pick is given "terrific reception" by the people of Kunming.
Alternative Title:INDIAN NEWS PARADE [Series Title]
Production Details: Department of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India (Production sponsor)
Moylan, William J (Production individual)
Moylan, William J (Production individual)
Bovill, Frederick Oscar1891-04-18Bovill joined the film industry in 1906 with Gaumont, then moved to Barker Motion Photography in 1909. He joined the army in 1914 and served with the 1st City of London Regiment, Royal Field Artillery. When he was discharged in 1916 he was made official photographer/cameraman for the Canadian War Records Office at the Western Front. Whilst his earlier work was praised his later work was greeted with criticism and he was discharged in June 1917. In November 1917 he joined the Royal Air Force as an observer. After the war worked for Goldin and Lloyd's 'Horseshoe Comedies' series and as a cameraman to the London Underground and Omnibus Control. In the Second World War he joined the PATHÉ GAZETTE and filmed in Iceland and the Far East. (Production individual)
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Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 717 ft; Running time: 8 mins
