This film is part of Free
British News No. 53
Indian soldiers in Singapore, while their compatriots are trained in the manufacture of war munitions
Overview
This newsreel shows two different aspects of the Indian experience in World War II. The first, in the item titled 'Wings Over Singapore', highlights the Indian involvement in the defence of Malaya and Singapore, months before the Japanese invasion in December 1941. The second item, 'Indian Trainees in Britain', shows Indians being trained to act as instructors of the technical skills necessary for the manufacture of war munitions in India under the direction of Ernest Bevin's (British) Ministry of Labour.
The two India items share a common theme of Britain's Empire in India being mobilised under British instruction and tutelage. It was the zenith of British Imperial aspirations of how Empire could and should be mobilised but also the last time that such sentiments could be so confidently expressed. The soldiers shown (from the 4/19th Hyderabadis) fought with the Japanese for the liberation of India following the fall of Singapore in February 1942. The managed expansion of Indian industry was also abandoned following the imminent threat of Japanese invasion from 1942. Only 640 men were ever trained under the Bevin Training Scheme.
Related
Victory Parade Victory Parade
Documentary 1946 21 mins
Soldiers from the far reaches of the British Empire arrive in London to take part in the official commemoration of the end of war in Europe.
Commonwealth Foundation Commonwealth Foundation
Documentary 1969 12 mins Location: Brixton
Beach, church and carnival – Chief Inspector of Brixton Police sent to Trinidad to learn about West Indian customs.
Child Child
Documentary 1947 18 mins Silent
Advice for village families on raising children to become strong, healthy citizens
Carnival Fantastique Carnival Fantastique
Documentary 1960 18 mins
Vibrant documentary that captures Trinidad's famous street carnival in 1960.
Messages from Bhupen Khakhar Messages from Bhupen Khakhar
Documentary 1983 37 mins
"Good taste can be very killing": personal reflections from the self-trained Indian painter.
Mauritius 1941 Mauritius 1941
Amateur film 1941 14 mins Silent
The film shows Port Louis, the capital; workers on sugar plantations and road mending as well as colonial life in the then British dependency.
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.