Part 1, shot by Tozer: At a forward airstrip the Viceroys aircraft passes overhead with escorting fighters behind. The aircraft (a Lockheed Electra, serial LV700) passing. The Viceroy disemplanes followed by a burly Air Vice Marshal (probably Air Officer Commanding Bengal, Thomas Williams). He meets members of a Royal Artillery 25-pounder gun team. Addressing members of an anti-aircraft battery, who cheer him. At Chittagong docks ammunition is loaded onto a train by local labourers. Ambiguous location; the Viceroy leaves a compound of low buildings with troops on parade in the square. Viceroy and other officers on the steps of a building, possibly Circuit House, Chittagong; Lieutenant-General William Slim is present. He wears a pistol at his hip and a bandolier across his chest. [119 ft]

Part 2, shot on 11 May 1943, by Beauchamp: The Viceroy's aircraft taxiing. He steps out of his aircraft and is greeted by senior officers. He inspects a unit of Gurkha (?) troops. Close-ups of Gurkhas (?). He meets personnel at a hospital. A British anti-aircraft battery going into action. A 3.7-inch gun is fired. Shots of a bombed out building, apparently the Puja Hall in Imphal. A brief shot of a 'pathetic old woman', obviously crying, on the steps of a temple; she had apparently lost a family of six, all killed, when the hall was bombed. The Viceroy in the ruined building. Viceroy meets RAF aircrew. [235 ft]

Part 3, shot by R H Thomas on 12 May 1943: The Viceroy meets senior RAF officers. He leaves an Operations Room after attending a briefing for a heavy bomber squadron. He meets aircrew of a Hudson squadron. He meets an Indian light anti-aircraft gun crew at their Bofors gun. Meeting aircrew of a nightfighter (Hurricane?) squadron. Viceroy by his aircraft with officers. [159 ft]

Three-part film by three cameramen showing the Viceroy of India, Lord Linlithgow, visiting forward areas in eastern India, including Chittagong and Imphal.

Notes

This film is documented on three dopesheets. A W Tozer was apparently shooting for British Movietone News, while Beauchamp and Thomas were shooting for the Indian Directorate of Public Relations.

This material appears in edited form in the Indian Movietone News No 19.

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.