Major Frank Owen, publisher of SEAC, The 14th Army’s Newspaper,” narrates this video showing how they attempt to distribute a newspaper to the 14th Army. One shot shows a jeep mobbed with soldiers looking for a copy of the paper.
“Title reads: “Front Line Newspaper. Exclusive Commentary by Major Frank Owen, publisher of SEAC. The 14th Army’s Newspaper”.
Burma (Myanmar) and Calcutta, India.
Various shots of soldiers and mules advancing through mud in the jungle of Burma. Various shots of men firing shells. Various M/Ss of British soldiers in jungle seated around fire drinking tea. They look tired and dirty, flies buzz around them.
Various shots of editorial office of the SEAC (South-Eastern Asia Command) newspaper, including C/Us of Owen and Len Jackson, sailor in Royal Navy and editor of the paper. C/U of female typist at work on Remington typewriter. Various C/Us of Photostat copies of overseas edition of News Chronicle, Daily Mirror, Cardiff Times and Belfast Telegraph. C/U of Owen on telephone.
C/U of man looking at photos. Various shots of Indian men casting the moulds for the SEAC newspaper. Various shots of SEAC newspapers coming off printing press. Various shots of Indian men sorting and addressing newspapers.
Various shots aeroplane landing on runway. Various shots of newspapers and mail being unloaded from aeroplane and onto a jeep. The jeep arrives at army camp. There is a big scramble as soldiers clamber onto jeep to get newspapers. C/U of British soldiers looking at cartoon strip ‘Jane’ in paper. M/S of patients receiving newspapers in Burma military hospital. Various shots of newspapers being dropped by parachute to soldiers on front line. Good C/Us of soldiers reading papers.”