Title:EXERCISE SOLEIL, JUNE 1970 (REEL 1) [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BFM 593-1
Other titles:AMPHIBIOUS TRIALS AND TRAINING UNIT, ROYAL MARINES [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Scenes from this amphibious landing exercise.
Description: Mexeflote acts as a docking platform at the stern ramp of RFA Sir Geraint; DUKWs pull up alongside as do two Royal Navy SRN6 hovercraft. Men embark from the Mexeflote into the hovercraft which then depart. Vehicles - a recovery lorry, various trailers and a Land Rover - emerge from Sir Geraint onto the Mexeflote; Landing Craft Mechanised (Mark 9) L707 docks with the Mexeflote and the vehicles drive on board. Views on the SRN6 hovercraft as commandos, with kit and weapons climb aboard and go below. Land Rover and trailer are lifted by crane on board LCM(9) (image is murky at this point). Lorries, fully laden, are also craned aboard.
Surf trials: a Land Rover attempts to drive through swell onto LCM(9) L707 but gets stuck in the shallows and has to be assisted by a beach armoured recovery vehicle (BARV). (Numerous men are chest-deep in the water, assisting the Land Rover to board.) Trials continue; the swell is very heavy, and the BARV remains on hand to assist. A lorry drives on board L707. Various vehicles also wade through the surf to board through the bow doors of HMAV Audemer (L4061); a lorry becomes stranded. Other vehicles follow, including Land Rovers.
Alternative Title:AMPHIBIOUS TRIALS AND TRAINING UNIT, ROYAL MARINES [Allocated Series Title]
