大象传媒

Sgt Rawlinson.K.
I/c 16012 Mobile Cinema Unit,
14 Indian Kinema Section,
C/o 505 Military District, 20 Sept 45
S.E.A.C.

Dearest Mum and Dad,

Let us do something different today. You come with me to Burma to put on a film show, all right? We are scheduled to give this show at a place approximately 70 miles away tonight. Don鈥檛 worry that is not far for this country and despite the miles we shall only pass one village.
Now it is 7 a.m. and my assistant IOR (Indian other rank) has already filled the truck/cinema unit with petrol and lots of fresh drinking water plus a day鈥檚 food ration, so off we go. The air is cool and being early quite pleasant. I am dressed in green bush shirt and slacks, brown jackboots (a present from an officer) and my faithful bush hat. All 14th Army issue.
Well, we are 20 miles into the journey and have reached the Irrawaddy River. A ferry will transport us across this mile wide river which is running very fast owing to the heavy monsoons this year. We have to cross by ferry because the bridges were blown up during the British and then the Japanese retreats. A lot of trucks are waiting to cross so I have a word with the Burmese in charge.
鈥淲hat is that, a mobile cinema? You have A1 priority today and can cross next.鈥�
Very gently I drive the unit onto the rather dilapidated boat and slowly it pulls away. A slight bump means we have reached the other side. 鈥淭hanks a lot mate鈥� and off we go again. Now the road or more like a track is really bad, all loose stones and whacking big potholes. We manage approximately 15 mph and no more, otherwise the cine equipment would be ruined as well as the discomfort to ourselves. At least I have the steering wheel to hang on to, but the IOR bounces about, his head keeps hitting the roof.
The country here is desolate and wild with no sign of life. Having just said that a snake has just crossed the road in front, quite a big blighter about 4/5 ft long and black in colour. Nothing else stirs and the sun is climbing higher. Time to remove my shirt as the temperature starts to soar. The engine is running fine though a trifle hot; must keep my eye on the temperature gauge. We keep a good supply of spare water both for the engine and for ourselves. The drinking water is carried on the front of the truck in canvas bags and keeps very cool as we drive along, a great idea. A small group of white wooden crosses by the roadside reminds us of the price paid by others so that we can now travel along here safely. A moment or two ago I was singing but now am very quiet. My thoughts go back to those brave mates and lads and the cause they died for鈥�
At last the village I mentioned comes into view, just a collection of bamboo huts set in a large clearing. All the kids come running out shouting and waving. At a large well a group of women are washing. It is simply done; they just throw buckets of water over each other and the children. They wear a special garment for their ablutions so their and our blushes are spared. Some are doing the laundry (dhobi); just bashing hell out of the clothes on a flat rock with plenty of water. Such appears simple village life, apparently happy and uneventful since the hated Jap was sent packing. On our left are paddy fields where crops of rice etc. are grown; women and some kids are working up to their knees in water planting and preparing the fields for the dry season ahead.
A little further along the road we have a gang of road menders repairing some of the worst potholes. Women, yes women are breaking up huge pieces of rock and then carrying them in baskets on their heads to tip them into the biggest holes. It is quite something to see them because although they are quite small the muscles are there and they look very hardy. Some are smoking large Burmese cheroots and all appear quite happy with their lot.
We stop here for a rest after that bumpy ride. My arms are certainly aching. A welcome snack of cheese and biscuits for me, washed down with a tin of issue beer while my assistant enjoys his plate of curry and rice which he prepares quite quickly.
So off we go again, the road is improving now so progress is quicker and easier. We are starting to climb. It is past midday and bloomin鈥� hot. What a climb, a kind of spiral staircase with many acute hairpin bends. Only about 2000ft but what a view! Don鈥檛 look down, makes you feel quite dizzy. There is the river below shining like a silver streak with the forbidding jungle either side hiding all sorts of horrors no doubt.
The climbing is finished now as we reach the outskirts of our destination. Suddenly a few spots of rain are seen on the windscreen and, oh dear, a heavy monsoon shower descends. The sun is blotted out with a huge black cloud and whoosh here it comes. I can hardly see to drive and the rain finds its way into all the cracks and openings in the cab. And if that is not enough we have a puncture. Blast it! Well, its no good waiting for the AA or the rain to stop as we have a show to put on and a deadline to meet. There is only one thing to do; strip off to a pair of shorts, no sense in getting our K.D (khaki drill) uniform messed up, and get out and change the wheel. It does not take long and after a good rub down with a towel, good as a shower, off we go again.
Six p.m. now and the show is due to start at 7 p.m. so have to make a start setting up the equipment. We are screening tonight in a large basha (a huge barn affair, palm leaf roof supported on bamboo poles). The large screen I carry is erected on a collapsible frame with the sound speakers stood on either side. The power generator on the truck is running 240v OK and I test for light and sound. I play some records and the lads start to drift in as the sound of Bing Crosby singing 鈥楧on鈥檛 Fence Me In鈥� echoes across the still dark clearing.
It is now 7 and trucks arrive from outlying units to see the show. Going to be a full house tonight. They sit on anything they can find; old ammo boxes etc. and can view the film from either side of the screen. We start off with a newsreel. It is a little out of date but still welcome. This is followed by a couple of cartoons and then into the main feature. This time it is 鈥楾he Song of Bernadette鈥� and is very well received. We carry two 16mm projectors and my assistant and I are now very adept at the changeovers at the end of each reel so the show is continuous. All very pukka! .
鈥楾he End鈥� flashes up, lights go on and to a few shouts of 鈥淭hanks Sarge鈥�, they disappear into the darkness. Some do stop to lend a hand rolling up the cables etc. before leaving us alone to finish.
The IOR has already erected my camp bed complete with mosquito net outside the truck, as I prefer this if the weather is fine. He kips inside the vehicle. As we are not working tomorrow Sunday we will drive back then, otherwise it would be a drive tonight, in the pitch-dark, back to base. With a thankful sigh I turn over and am soon in a deep sleep.
Well, that I hope gives you some idea of a day in the life of a mobile film unit here in Burma. It varies of course, sometimes we go further, sometimes nearer and we also show Indian films for the many Indian units, but six days out of seven the show goes on.
We also have cock-ups, of course, and breakdowns etc. but it all adds to the spice of life. I am at least seeing Burma at HM expense. After the scrapping with the Japs earlier on, this is a doddle.
Goodbye for now and God bless.

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