OPERATION RATTLESNAKE, BASRA CITY, 13 APRIL 2007 (ORIGINAL FOOTAGE TAPE 1) [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: OPERATION RATTLESNAKE, BASRA CITY, 13 APRIL 2007 (ORIGINAL FOOTAGE TAPE 1) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: BFV 914
  • Other titles: COLLECTION OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS CENTRE VIDEOS [Allocated Title]
  • Summary: Members of 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (2 LANCS) take part in Operation Rattlesnake, targetting two militia groups responsible for laying IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) in Basra City. (This is a night operation, and is shot with an image intensifier.)
  • Description: (Opening test shot of faces taken inside an office.) Soldiers (Arnhem Company, 2 LANCS) in the back of a Warrior armoured vehicle, bathed in red light. Outside (green glow): CO gives thumbs up to the camera. Convoy lines up on the road. Further interior scenes; soldiers enjoy a drink then sit during the journey into Basra City. Soldier keeps watch on top cover. Roadside scenes: Warriors draw up near a road bridge on main route; preparations, then the convoy sets off again (filmed from top cover). Soldiers on foot check the roadside, followed by further Warrior scenes. Soldiers dismount from the Warrior. Roadside checks for IEDs. Driving on to next location; further roadside checks - cameraman is urgent to take care and stay back because of the risks. Still photographer is also seen at work. Checks continue. Vehicle checkpoint manned by Iraqi Police - pick up truck is searcher. Warrior commander in turret; gun is raised and lowered. Warriors drive through checkpoint and take up positions with other armour at a vantage point near the city (some distance from the camera) - view of cityscape. Cameraman is told "we're about to fire - thirty seconds". Barrage opens up on suspected enemy militia positions: tracer rounds can be seen followed by large explosions in the distance. Soldiers cheer at a direct hit. (The firing and explosions cannot be heard due to the distance. The Warriors are alongside Challenger II tanks but these cannot be seen clearly.) Further shots of the Iraqi Police checkpoint follow
  • Alternative Title: COLLECTION OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS CENTRE VIDEOS [Allocated Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: BFV 914
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM
  • Featured Period:
  • Production Date: 2007-04-13
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production sponsor) Tilly, Ross (Corporal, RAF) (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's, Lancashire and Border), 2nd Battalion (regiment/service) Iraqi Police Service (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: 26 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    BFV 914

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:

    BFV 915 (OPERATION RATTLESNAKE, BASRA CITY, 13 APRIL 2007 (ORIGINAL FOOTAGE TAPE 2) [Allocated Title]) BFV 916 (OPERATION RATTLESNAKE, BASRA CITY, 13TH APRIL 2007 [Main Title])
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