WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 219 (16/7/1945)

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: WPN 219).

Synopsis

I. 'BURMA - WILD ELEPHANTS TAMED.' Wild Indian elephants are shown in their natural habitat. Burmese woodsmen use tame elephants to herd them into captivity. Film footage shows the capture and training of the reluctant elephants.

II. 'CLOTHING FOR WAR AND PEACE.' Panoramic footage shows the ruins of a textile factory apparently hit by a German "rocket bomb". The speed in which the factory was relocated and returned to production is stressed by the commentary. Interior footage taken in the relocated factory shows female factory workers using Singer sewing machines. Male factory workers stand at tracing tables, chalking cutting patterns onto cloth. A male factory worker uses an electric saw to cut cloth patterns. British servicemen try on civilian suits and coats at a demobilisation centre. An unidentified female commentator takes the viewer through series of seaside fashion shots showing latest female swimwear, beach accessories and sandals (Australia ?).

III. 'PACIFIC NEW GUINEA TODAY.' New Guinean natives use rafts to return to their village following the withdrawal of Japanese forces from the area. Australian New Guinea Administration Unit (ANGAU) officials oversee restoration and disease control work at a New Guinean village. New Guinean natives cut Kunai grass (elephant grass) by hand, others spray the area with DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) as a precaution against malaria. New Guinean children run to their restored schoolhouse. Interior footage show a village court in session with the ANGAU Administrator acting as the presiding officer. An ANGAU non-commissioned officer uses a blackboard to instruct New Guinean medical orderlies in basic human anatomy. Interior views of the village hospital follow.

Notes

Summary: commentary sheet refers to Kunai grass as "Tumai grass".

 

Titles

  • WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 219 (16/7/1945)
 

Technical Data

Year:
1945
Running Time:
9 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Sound
Footage:
797 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
Ministry of Information, Middle East
commentary
Redway, John
film editor
Martin, Charles
Production company
War Pictorial News