The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Relates the story of the building by prisoners of the Japanese of the Burma-Siam Railway during the 1939-1945 war. Uses interviews with survivors, contemporary colour footage of the area and B&W archival footage. Interviewed are: Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop; Frank Rich; Norm Anderton; Lance Lowe; Ken Dumbrell; Alf Monfort; Jack Flannery; Reg Stuart; Bob Beaumont; Les Venables; Bill Cunneen; Bill Dunn; Bert McKay; Saw Yoe Shoo. Historical footage shows a formation of Japanese Aichi D3A ("Val") fighter bomber aircraft and the surrender of Singapore to General Tomoyuki Yamahita by Lieutenant General A.E. Percival. Footage from Japanese propaganda film of POWs. Footage of musical instruments made in the POW camps. Explanation of the 'speedo' period. Footage of local Asians drafted to work on building the railway. Photographs of make shift hospital facilities in camps, decision about amputating limbs, ulcers and treatment of cholera. Footage of bombing of the railway and jungle, survivors from torpedoed ships being rescued. Radio receiver hidden in a mop. Scenes of Japanese as captives at the end of the war. Includes scenes from AWM films F01157, F07336, F07337 & F10215.
Formation, embarkation and arrival of 2 Australian Prisoners of War (POW) Group at Singapore, whose task it was to receive and assist released prisoners of war: mainly 8th Division personnel. Scenes d
Activities of Australian troops before the fall of Singapore. The visit of Senator H S Foll, Minister for Information and others to Singapore. The opening of the Anzac Club and general views of the cl
Many radio receivers were constructed by Lieutenant R Wright of Hawthorne, Vic, during captivity in Changi. Three types are shown being concealed in a broom head, a clock and in a table leg. In additi
Singapore February 1942, shows street scene with abandoned motor vehicles. British light trucks driving through streets. Australian troops marching in a column watched by Japanese soldiers. Close ups
George French's film of his service as a Sergeant with 8 Garrison Battalion Newcastle Defence and later as an officer with Australian Water Transport and British Borneo Civil Affairs Unit (BBCAU). Ope
Pakanbaru POW Camp Sumatra, POWs waiting their turn to be evacuated watch other RAAF aircraft leaving for Singapore. RAAF aircrews loading stretcher cases onto C-47 Dakota transport aircraft. 2/14 Aus
