CHINDITS AT REST AT TINSUKIA (23/8/1944)

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: JFU 143).

Synopsis

Men of 14th Brigade, 3rd Indian Division (the Chindits), having been evacuated by air from Burma are seen at a rest camp at Tinsukia (in Assam, India) before going on leave.

Men walk away from a number of parked United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Douglas C-47 Skytrains (Dakotas). They enter a tent. A man holds a plate piled high with sandwiches which are quickly depleted by the soldiers around him. Men enjoying 'char and wads' (tea and sandwiches). Men board a lorry. Lorries drive away. A parked USAAF Dakota with '293364' and 'XI Com-Car' (11th Combat Cargo Squadron?) on the tail. Men step down from the aircraft. Two men talking; one of them slings an American M1 Carbine over his shoulder. More men leaving an aircraft. Men removing their boots and stripping off before entering a bath hut. A man at the entrance hands each man a towel as he passes. Men wearing towels emerge and each is given a white kit bag apparently full of new clothing. Men in clean white vests and shorts are given tea. Men queuing outside a hut (a NAAFI (Navy Army Air Force Institute) shop?) and a number of men outside drink from bottles of beer. Close-up of a soldier taking a long drink from a bottle.

Notes

The men of 3rd Indian Infantry Division, as they were officially known, raised for service behind Japanese lines in Burma, were also referred to as 'Special Force' and as 'Long Range Penetration Groups', but the name 'Chindits' (a corruption of 'chinthe', a mythical Burmese guardian creature) has proved most enduring. When this film was shot 14th Brigade had been behind enemy lines for almost exactly six months, having been flown into an improvised landing strip known as 'Aberdeen' (north of Indaw) on the night of 23/24 February 1944.

In keeping with the secrecy that surrounded Chindit operations, the dopesheet is annotated by the censor 'No release on withdrawal of Chindits from Burma'.

For film showing 14th Brigade in action behind the lines, see related items.

 

Titles

  • CHINDITS AT REST AT TINSUKIA (23/8/1944) (Allocated)
Series Title:
BRITISH ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
 

Technical Data

Year:
1944
Running Time:
2 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
168 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
War Office Directorate of Public Relations
cameraman.
Miller, E E (Sergeant)
Production company
SEAC Film Unit
 

Countries

 

Production Organisations