OPERATION TELIC 1 (RAF MOBILE NEWS TEAM TAPE 27) [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: OPERATION TELIC 1 (RAF MOBILE NEWS TEAM TAPE 27) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: BFR 237
  • Other titles: RAF STRIKE COMMAND MOBILE NEWS TEAM - MAY 2008 DELIVERY [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Members of the Mobile News Team (MNT) and of 51 Squadron RAF Regiment on the Kuwait/Iraq border.
  • Description: I. Large number of British vehicles, mainly Land Rovers, of 51 Squadron RAF Regiment parked in the desert: they fly Union flags and flags of Saint George. Group of soldiers fit anti-tank missile in into its case. II. Night shots (taken with image intensifier) behind camouflage netting in the desert. Members of the MNT chat informally. III. Under camouflage netting in daylight; map briefing by Squadron Leader Jean Sanderson of the MNT. Discussions with Wing Commander Driver over plans. Informal chat with US Marine Corps combat cameraman (identified only as James): topics include equipment and beer. Squadron Leader Sanderson puts on her respirator. IV. Squadron Leader Sanderson is given a haircut by US Marine Corps member. (Camera is pointed at ground, or covered by hand, for much of this sequence.) NBC (nuclear biological and chemical) defence drill: Squadron Leader Sanderson (in her respirator again) picks up the clippings. Soldiers in full NBC clothing and respirators. One hides beneath a camouflaged ambulance. All clear is given. Long shots of engineering vehicles parked in desert. Squadron Leader Sanderson has her haircut finished (it is now much shorter) and tries her respirator again. Troop movements in desert V. Piece to camera by Squadron Leader Sanderson, taken with image intensifier: "with nine hours still to go until H-hour, Coalition forces are massing on the Kuwaiti-Iraqi border. The bombardment overhead has intensified over the last few hours, and Iraqi forces have retaliated with Scud missiles fired towards Kuwait." There are several versions of this piece. Shot of moon overhead. Squadron Leader Sanderson and colleague pose for camera. Dim views of the surrounding area; image is almost impossible to see, but soldier is heard talking on radio. Night shot inside Land Rover; also dark shots of vehicles massing in the desert. Gun is heard being fired once, but otherwise all is calm. Long shots of vehicles and armour as they prepare in the early morning light. CET (Combat Engineer Tractor) advances and digs a pit in the sand. Extended wide shot of desert and vehicles. Engine sounds (and very distant artillery fire) can be heard. Soldiers hide in shell scrapes; one dozes. Helicopters in distance. VI. Image intensifier footage in Land Rover as it drives through desert. Piece to camera, describing how the vehicle is in convoy ready to go into Iraq. Rear reflectors of vehicle in front can be seen through the windscreen. VII. On sandy ridge at the Iraqi border: soldier lies at the top of the ridge, weapon poised. Convoy of vehicles (British and US) prepares to cross over. Early morning views of the desert and mountains in Iraq; Wing Commander Driver walks past (in full battle kit). VIII. Extended, sound only, scene inside the Land Rover (engine and occasional snatches of voices).
  • Alternative Title: RAF STRIKE COMMAND MOBILE NEWS TEAM - MAY 2008 DELIVERY [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: BFR 237
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © Crown copyright. IWM (BFR 237)
  • Featured Period: 2001-2025
  • Production Date: 2003-03-20
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Royal Air Force (Production sponsor) RAF Strike Command Media Services (Video) Mobile News Team (Production company)
  • 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: Mini-DV Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Tape length: 63; Running time: 65 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    BFR 237

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
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