1.
GV Smoke rising from Dacca.
0.11

2.
AIR V Indian bomber overhead.
0.21

3.
GV Bombs drop on Dacca
0.24

4.
SV Women and children like cover in streets (2 shots)
0.30

5.
AIR V Indian bombard overhead and bombs dropping (2 shots)
0.50

6.
SV Rescue workers clear bomb damage from orphanage (5 shots)
1.05

7.
LV Troops search wreckage for bodies (4 shots)
1.22

8.
SV Bodies covered with blankets.
1.25

9.
SCU Old man watches
1.30

10.
SV PAN OVER Wreckage
1.39

11.
GV Tanker on fire in dock (2 shots)
1.47

12.
SV Pakistani flag ZOOM OUT TO CU buildings (3 shots)
2.03

13.
SV Refugees leaving city (4 shots)
2.29

14.
SV Care refuelling with petrol and people leaving in rickshaws
2.37

15.
GV Intercontinental Hotel (2 shots)
2.43

16.
SV Rickshaws bring food to hotel and chef collects food (4 shots)
3.04

17.
GV PAN FROM Intercontinental Hotel to people digging trenches
3.13

18.
SV Red Cress officials put neutral sign on hotel
3.19

19.
SV Evacuees outside hotel and Pakistani Commander in Chief talking (3 shots)
3.30

20.
AIR V RAF transport 'plane arriving Dacca (2 shots)
3.51

21.
SV Evacuees walking towards aircraft, mainly women and children (5 shots)
4.12



Initials BB/2348



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The is the first file out of Dacca since the fighting flared into all-out war lest week. The film is of incidents in and near Dacca, capital of East Pakistan and main objective of the advancing Indian and Mukti Bahini troops. While their troops advanced, Indian aircraft bombed the city, attacking the airfield and weakening the city's defence.

Of the film, received by satellite from Hong Kong, we have used items that illustrate the dramas of the last week that made world headlines--the orphanage hit by Indian bombs, resulting in, according to Pakistan official reports about 200 dead; sinking ships in a nearby port; the deserted towns in the path of the advancing Indian army; the neutralisation of the Intercontinental Hotel; and the evacuation of foreign national from Dacca airport.

The film was flown out of Dacca on one of the Hercules R.A.P. transport planes seen in the film. The planes were the first to land in Dacca, thank to a truce to evacuate foreign nationals. Now, the fighting continues.

SYNOPSIS: From East Pakistan, the first film out of Dacca, the beleaguered capital. Dacca is the main objective of the Indian army and the Mukti Bahini, the Bangladesh liberation army. And while the troops advance on the ground, the Indian air farcy softens up the city, weakening the defences.

The bombers concentrated on Dacca airport, trying to put the runways out of action. At the same time, women and children shelter from the bomb that fall in the city itself. The bombers concentrated first of all on low runs over the airport, firing rackets. New they're flying at high level, and they seam to be having sore access. In the ten minutes of filming. twelve or fourteen bombs dropped. India is in complete control of the air.

The bombing hasn't always been accurate. Hers, rescue workers are clearing away the wreckage of an orphanage. Nearby is a railroad and railway cuttings, of some strategic importance. But the bombs fell hers...and when they fall, there were between five hundred and six hundred children in the orphanage. The authorities estimated that nearly 700 of them died. The cameraman saw seventeen bodies.

An old man, head in hands, watched the rescuers go about their hopeless task. Behind him, slogans of the confrontation ...." crush India."
The town of Naryanganj, some twelve miles out of Dacca. boats carrying fuel and other vital supplies were the first victims of Indian bombers. The damage was not great, but it was a sign that the battle for Dacca was beginning in earnest. The Bengalis began to leave. Shops were locked up, to be append again when it's over.

The city emptied.....the people looking for what they hoped would be safer places The town is last before Dacca, and directly in the path of the Indian and Mukti Bahini forces, advancing on Dacca. Despite assurances they would be safe, the population left. Now, the fall of Dacca itself in imminent.

Petrol was rationed, though the ration wouldn't take the cars far. But it kept the city moving, with the traditional rickshaws.

The Intercontinental Hotel, neutralisation of which was recognised early in the past week by the Pakistani government. It continued to receive supplies of fresh food from fairly distant markets, in spite of the complete disruption of communications an transport. At least here, there was enough food for the people and for the evacuees waiting for transport to safety.

The foreign nationals living in and around Dacca had several disappointments during the week waiting for 'planes to take that out of the fighting. Trenches were dug, on the advice of Red Cress officials, so that the guests could shelter should it come to street fighting. And while the Indian troops advance on Dacca, the Pakistani commander-in-Chief said that his men would fight to the last man to keep the city in Pakistani hands.

The foreigners waiting for evacuation he to wait until the Pakistan and Indian authorities would agree to a truce for aircraft to land and take them out. Arrangements were made, then cancelled Pakistani officials who said no 'plans from Calcutta, in India, could land in Dacca. Finally, on sunday, after all hop had been given up, this British Air Force transport 'plane appeared, from Calcutta. The runway was cleared of rubble, yet again, and the 'plane came in to land. drew up only feet in front of a bomb crater. After days of disappointment and escape was offered. Then came sudden customs and passport checks for the evacuees, but there were no problems. Of this plane 110 left, and altogether about 400 left on three 'planes for Calcutta...with them came this film.