BRITISH ARMY/IRAQI CHECKPOINT, BASRA, APRIL 2003 [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: BRITISH ARMY/IRAQI CHECKPOINT, BASRA, APRIL 2003 [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: BFA 2375
  • Other titles: OPERATION TELIC 1, FEBRUARY-JUNE 2003 [Allocated Series Title] HEADQUARTERS LAND COMMAND ARMY 2003 COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Joint British Army - Iraqi Police checkpoint in Basra, Iraq.
  • Description: Interview with Major David Kemmis Betty, Battle Group Chief of Staff for the Black Watch, discussing the distribution of the free newspaper Azzaman - this paper, written predominantly by Iraqis, is the first example of a free press, not dominated by the Ba'ath Party, for decades. Members of the Black Watch assist members of the reconstituted Iraqi Police (who do not have uniforms as yet) in setting up a vehicle checkpoint (VCP). Vehicles are stopped and inspected to ensure that they are not stolen and are not carrying concealed arms. Interview (through interpreter) with ex-policeman Hamza Abdul Hassan Hussein. Interview with Corporal Cameron Leslie, who explains that this is the "very first buildng block in a very long process" to reassemble the Iraqi police force. (Ex-policemen are being employed because of their skills and experience; however, due to the authoritatrian nature of the previous regime not all the police are trusted by the local population and they must therefore be overseen, partly for their own safety, in these early stages of reconstruction.) Corporal John Lane searches for hidden munitions on a bus stopped at the VCP. He discusses his role. Group of soldiers (the Black Watch) emerge from the back of a Warrior; local people watch, and one says "thank you" to the camera. Further VCP scenes. Ruined building in Basra (much bomb damage); in the grounds is an improvised sangar covered in camouflage netting. Challenger tank by flooded pool next to the main Basra road - vehicles drive past. Children stand watching the Challenger, and wave at the camera. ------------------------------------------------------ ARMY MOBILE NEWS TEAM SHOTLIST (The following data has been copied, without amendment, from Army Mobile News Team computer files.) 01-00-00-00 Tone & Bar 01-00-16-00 IV Maj Davis Kemmis 01-01-58-00 First joint Blackwatch/Iraqi police patrol vehicle 01-07-57-08 IV Iraqi Police man 01-10-55-07 IV Cpl Cameron Casley 01-12-31-02 IV Cpl John Lane 01-13-47-00 Blackwatch Accomodation 01-17-07-18 GV Challanger II tank in Basrah at VCP
  • Alternative Title: OPERATION TELIC 1, FEBRUARY-JUNE 2003 [Allocated Series Title] HEADQUARTERS LAND COMMAND ARMY 2003 COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: BFA 2375
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © Crown copyright. IWM (BFA 2375)
  • Featured Period: 2001-2025
  • Production Date: 2003-04-11
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Headquarters Land Command (Production sponsor) Headquarters Land Command Mobile News Team (Production company) Capon, Kevin (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: DVCPRO Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Tape length: 33; Running time: 23 mins 37 secs
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    BFA 2375

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