Title:OPERATION THYME, SOUTHERN BASRA, 24-25 DECEMBER 2006 [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BFV 851
Other titles:COLLECTION OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS CENTRE VIDEOS [Allocated Title]
Summary: Preparation for Operation Thyme, a major operation in Basra by 19 Light Brigade to curtail the activities of an Iraqi police unit, the Serious Crimes Unit (SCU), based at the Al Jameat Police Station. The unit was known to have been heavily infiltrated by anti-Coalition elements.
Description: In daylight, a convoy including Warrior armoured vehicles and heavy transporters (containing armour and plant equipment of 38 Engineer Regiment) makes its way out of Basra Air Station and onto the road (views of the convoy from moving vehicle). They park on a bridge; soldier keeps watch. Loss of picture at 04:25, although the sound continues. Picture resumes at 07:43 - night shots taken with an image intensifier as troops move into position outside Al Jameat Police Station. They move forward on foot, backed up by Warriors, and prepare, crouching behind barriers outside the compound. Shots are fired and Warriors move in, breaching a wall of the compound, but there is no resistance. Inside, soldiers take up position and wait before advancing. There is some covering fire. Shots of the damaged compound. Soldiers advance: the police station comes into view. A car, overturned in the advance, rests on its roof; Warrior pushes a tanker out of the way. Armoured vehicle covered in corrugated metal sheeting is inspected, as are various police cars, the boots of which are prised open. Soldiers enter the building (although the cameraman keeps his distance). Heavy digger is brought in to move debris. Normal camera, inside the police station: interview with Lieutenant David White (Royal Engineers) who discusses the breach into the station, the discovery of prisoners (all the police had fled) and the plans to destroy the building "which has been a symbol of corruption and intimidation for years". Bar mines and other explosive are put into place ready for destruction. Piles of police uniforms and riot gear stand in a corridor. A large number of computers and other items are seized. Brackets are rivetted onto ceiling joists and bar mines are attached. Interview with Lieutenant Chris Robertson, a military police platoon commander, whose unit is processing the prisoners and gathering evidence. Image intensifier: outside the station Evidence is stacked up prior to transportation. Various items, including ordnance (shells and bomblets) are present. Preparations for the demolition continue. Prisoners are led out of the building into waiting trucks for transportation. Interview (in Arabic) with Iraqi Army soldier, assisting the operation, followed by Corporal Andrew Riddon, liaison officer with the Iraqi Army (very poor sound, with a lot of background noise). Exterior of the police station: shots of spent ammunition and heavy digger at work shifting debris. Normal camera, dawn shots: trucks move away from the Police Station, final pieces of evidence (computers etc) are collected and boxes. Interior views of the now semi-derelict station. Evidence is loaded into large vans.
Alternative Title:COLLECTION OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS CENTRE VIDEOS [Allocated Title]
Colour:Colour
Digitised:No
Object_Number:BFV 851
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:
Production Date:2006-12-24 2006-12-25
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, 19th Light Brigade (regiment/service)
British Army, Corps of Royal Military Police (regiment/service)
British Army, Royal Engineers, 39 Engineer Regiment (regiment/service)
Iraqi Army (regiment/service)
Keywords: Basra, Iraq (geography)
Operation Telic, Iraq War 2003-2009 (event)
British Army post-2000 (theme)
Iraq post-2003 (theme)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: None
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: DVCam
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Tape length: 40; Running time: 56 mins
