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This b&w documentary portrays a great victory of the Allies against the Japanese Army during WWII. Japanese forces attacked the Burma Road in China in January 1942 and a small force of Indian, Burmese, British, Chinese, American, and other soldiers led by British General Harold Alexander and American General Joseph Stilwell fought to win back the land. Throughout the film, we see the construction of Stilwell Road (aka Ledo Road) and the expansion of Burma Road during the battles against the Japanese. Narrated by Ronald Reagan.
The film begins with informational text (00:08). “Stilwell Road” title banner (01:18). Map of Burma Road (01:44). Footage of Burma Road (01:55). Workers during the construction of the road (02:06). Military caravans driving on the completed road (02:40). An animation of the destruction of the bridge to China on the Burma Road (03:22). Leadership staff meeting (03:43). Soldiers marching (03:46). C341 Japanese military planes dropping missiles (03:54), followed by massive explosions on the ground (03:59). Soldiers and generals gathered at their base camp, mapping out strategies (04:00). Illustrated map portraying where Japan cut off important routed to China (04:12). Pilots of the “Flying Tigers” (later 40th Air Force) group and small group of RAF (04:28). More Japanese missiles create explosions on the ground (04:41). Chinese families run to escape the explosions (04:44). “Yangon” in central Burma is destroyed and buildings are in ruins (05:04). Locals are fleeing the war by train or on foot (05:24). A map describing which areas have been invaded by the Japanese (05:50). Thousands of refugees and retreating soldiers walking down Burma Road (06:04). A demolition squad (06:46). Buddhist shrines and temples across Burma, and footage before the war depicting a vibrant life (08:12). The rich jungles, the Himalayan Mountains, and the destructive weather and diseases plaguing Burma (08:33). General Stilwell planning how to win back the land of Burma (09:39). The emblem of CBI China command (09:45). Thousands of Chinese soldiers walking and flying over the Himalayans (09:47). Armies are trained by Field Marshal Sir Archibald and General Sir Claude (10:00). Additional forces arrive from Nepal, east and west Africa, Ireland, Australia, etc. (11:09). Roads are crowded with refugees and soldiers
(11:38). Aircargo planes 394 and 31 are delivering supplies to China (12:24). An illustration of
the new transportation road built in 1952 – “Ledo Road” (13:58). At the docks of Calcutta
supplies are transported by ship and sailed over Hooghly River (15:35). Major General Charles
is leading a secret expedition of British and Indian troops across the Chindwin River into Burma
(16:24). The new “Southeast Asia Command” was formed by Franklin Roosevelt, Winston
Churchill, and chiefs of staff during a conference in England (17:19). “The Phoenix” emblem of
the allies (18:02). The progressing construction of the Ledo Road” (18:07). The construction of a
pipeline from India, across Burma, towards China (18:51). A campaign against the disease of
Malaria and the transportation of wounded soldiers (19:39). Chinese soldiers are training in
preparation for the battle against Japan (21:04). The built of air bases in India and China for the
Boeing B-29 Superfortress propeller-driven bomber aircraft (23:32). Japanese soldiers using
enforces arms against the increasing strength of the Allies (24:05). An illustrated map to
demonstrate the plan for the reopening of the land-bridge in China (24:36). Armed forces are
moving on foot and in caravans towards to towns of Maungdaw and Buthidaung in Burma
(25:36). RAF bombers are flying to launch an attack (26:02). And illustration describing the
developments of the war, including how the Allies won back territories from Japan (26:58).
“Jungle fighter” soldiers hiking through the jungle (27:31). British General Wingate arrives to
discuss further strategies for the war (28:31).
The documentary was released on August 9, 1945, and it is produced by the Army Pictorial
Service – Signal Corps and Col. Frank Mann. Photography is by the United States Army Signal
Corps, Army Air Forces, and British and Indian Film Units. It is written by Lt. Col. Alex Bryce,
India Command, and Robert Presnell Sr., and was narrated by Ronald Reagan. Otto Ludwig
and Sgt. Mann cut the film and Capt. Leffingwell (seac) was the technical advisor.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit [ Ссылка ]
