Documentary record of the construction of a supply road through the mountains and jungles of Burma in WWII

This black and white war documentary portrays a great victory of the allies against the Japanese Army during World War II. Japanese troops invaded China, India, and Burma during World War II, and allied forces came together during costly battles to win back the lands from Japan. Throughout the film, we also see the construction of Stilwell Road (also known as Ledo Road) and the expansion of Burma Road during the battles against the Japanese.

“Stilwell Road” title banner (01:18). An illustrated map of Burma Road and the destruction of the bridge to China (01:44). Admirals and generals having a meeting in an office (03:43). C341 Japanese military planes dropping missiles in China (03:54). Soldiers and generals mapping out strategies (04:00). Soldiers of the “Flying Tiger” military group (04:28). “Yangon” in central Burma is destroyed (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). 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). Air cargo 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 and Winston Churchill (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 (23:32). RAF bombers are launching an attack (26:02). “Jungle fighter” soldiers hiking through the jungle (27:31). British General Wingate arrives to discuss further strategies for the war (28:31). Roped of nylon laid out in preparation for the take-off of twin-toed gliders (28:57). Gliders and soldiers lie wounded on the ground (31:09). P-51 airplanes take off (32:48). Japanese troops are forced to retreat into the jungle (33:53). Newspaper headlines reveal that Japan invaded India, and Japan celebrates (34:25). A 673-plane transporting American forces to India to battle against Japan (35:00). Japan declares defeat (37:00). Chinese troops marching through the jungle (38:17). American and Chinese troops offenses against Japan (40:29). Chinese columns and US Army Operational Staff crossing the Salween River and hiking up the Himalayan Mountains (42:19). Wounded Japanese soldiers are taken as prisoners (44:54). B-29 airplanes drop bombs on Tokyo (45:28). The Japanese counterattack leads to roads packed with refugees (45:51). Engineers working on completing the connection of Ledo Road and Burma Road (48:02). A military convoy from India to China across the Stillwell Road in tribute to General Stillwell (49:35). “Victory Loan” emblem (51:14).

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 http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com