As troops of 36th Division advance towards Pinwe in northern Burma, aerial footage shows aircraft attacking in support, footage of Chinese medium artillery in action, and a Japanese soldier is captured.

Aerial footage showing thickly wooded terrain with a railway cutting through it. Clouds of smoke rise from bombing by American aircraft. Attacking aircraft are seen. A minor river meandering below. Various terrain shots. Troops of 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (29th Brigade, 36th Division) moving up; they walk through a stream with some of their gear carried on jeeps, or on ox or mule carts. Ox carts passing. Troops crossing a shallow stream on stepping stones. Light lorry passes. A Chinese-manned American M1918 155mm gun is fired. Loading and firing the gun, which recoils violently towards camera. A wounded Japanese prisoner is carried along a railway line by British troops. He is given water. Close-up Japanese prisoner drinking from a water bottle held to his lips; he has three stars on his collar (therefore a Superior Private?). The man giving him the water (mostly out of shot) has a small pouch or wallet marked with Japanese script in his hand. The prisoner is treated to a cigarette. The prisoner looks distressed and bewildered and is leaning against a British soldier who has his arm around him.

Notes

According to the dopesheet, the gun was fired prematurely and its recoil injured a member of the crew.

For other footage relating to operations at or near Pinwe, see related items.

Series note: The MWY series of films is believed to be part of a ‘pool’ of film received by the Government of India from various sources, including South East Asia Command, the Indian Inter-Service Public Relations Directorate, the Ministry of Information, and from Allied governments. This footage would have been considered for editing and release through the Indian Newsreel Parade; see INR series.