The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' (REME) Light Aid Detachment of 8th (Belfast) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery have set up an improvised workshop in the jungle of Akyab, Burma, to service weapons and transportation for the regiment.

A large gun, an Ordnance BL 7.2-inch howitzer nicknamed 'Uncle' (it's counterpart being called 'Aunty') is being repaired for Corps Artillery who are using it in support of troops fighting in the Arakan. Tents have been set up in the jungle for the various different repair crews. 'Uncle' sits in front of a tent in the jungle as repair work is carried out. Welding is carried out on various parts of the gun. A mechanic has his tools laid out on a white cloth on the tail of the gun. Two men, both shirtless, work on the breech, reassembling it and then slamming it closed. A rubber tyre is rolled to the side of the gun and the gun is levered up. Two men, one the officer commanding, come to inspect the wheel. They gently spin the wheel. A blacksmith forge has been set up in a tent and a piece of glowing hot metal is worked by the blacksmith and his mate. Canvas dust covers are put on the breech and muzzle of 'Uncle'. Ramps are loaded onto the AEC Matador which is used to tow the large gun. The Matador is driven up and the gun is hooked to it. The gun is then pushed by the truck into a clearing and unhooked. The Matador, now laden with men, drives off towing the gun. It drives down sandy tracks until it meets a more substantial looking road. The REME camp under trees. The electricians' work area. A man works on something that looks like a generator. A panel beater works with his hammer on a truck mudguard. Armourers work on the backsight of a .303 rifle in their tent. A breakdown crane, probably a Scammell, moves an engine for a 15 cwt lorry into place and men manhandle it into position in the truck. Two men repair a canvas tilt from the back of a truck by sewing the fabric. A Scammell Explorer approaches camp. The driver jumps out of the cab showing how high off the ground it is. A trailer has been set up for radio repairs and a sign reads "Radio Shop". A cathode ray oscillograph is used to repair a piece of radar equipment. The administration tent with typists at work. General views of the camp with palm trees in the background.

Notes

The 7.2-inch howitzer was a relined version of the First World War-era 8-inch howitzer, which was introduced as something of a stop-gap to counteract a shortage of heavy artillery. It had a range of 17,000 yards with a 200lb shell, but the weight of the gun limited its mobility and the ammunition was too heavy to be supplied by air.