Australian WWII Survival Training Film - “Living Off The Land“ 1944

Australian WWII Survival Training Film - “Living Off The Land“ 1944 Film “stars“ Q220105 Major VH Chargois, 2IC of the far north Queensland 17th Bn Volunteer Defence Corps. Chargois was one of the Army’s foremost bush tucker experts during WWII and ran survival courses in the Cairns area for AIF and Militia troops as well as for Australian, US and Dutch aircrew, special forces and special intelligence personnel. The film was produced using the syllabus of Chargois’ Special Forces Jungle Food Course and was filmed in Cairns, Mossman and the Yungaburra area on the Atherton Tableland. The film details many types of bush tucker plants found in Northern Queensland and around the Pacific. Importantly, it also provides information on water procurement, firemaking and signalling. Appears to be Reel 1 of a longer film. This film is provided courtesy the National Archives of Australia. Used with permission. Visit our website at Join our Facebook group at