TOUR OF THE GREEN LINE IN CYPRUS BY 4TH BATTALION THE ROYAL TANK REGIMENT [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: TOUR OF THE GREEN LINE IN CYPRUS BY 4TH BATTALION THE ROYAL TANK REGIMENT [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: WOY 1430
  • Other titles: UNITED KINGDOM LAND FORCES COLLECTION - BRITISH ARMY 1980s [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Five tapes showing members of 4th Battalion the Royal Tank Regiment (4 RTR) patrolling the Green Line in Cyprus as part of UNFICYP (United Nations Force in Cyprus). Also featured are members of 13th/18th Royal Hussars.
  • Description: (Tape 1) Group of four soldiers goes on patrol in the UN-controlled "Green Line" (a buffer zone between the Greek and Turkish side of the island). Interviews with Corporal Stephen Milligan and Trooper Ian McCartney ("if we weren't here who knows what would happen. OP (observation post/observation point: Trooper Graham Lang (?) discusses the need to keep civilians out of the buffer zone. Second OP: still cameraman takes photographs. Sign: "Fort Malawi 6 Troop" written inside a saltire (4 RTR recruits from Scotland). Scenes of desolation in the buffer zone: abandoned houses. At the OP, patrol watches the Turkish side through large binoculars. (Tape 2) Scenes at the deserted Nicosia Airport in the middle of the Green Line: empty terminal building with check in, empty duty free shop, departure lounge. Abandoned airliner on the tarmac outside. Members of 13th/18th Hussars patrol the roads of the Green Line in white UN-liveried Ferret scout cars; UN vehicles also drive through a populated village on the Greek side of the buffer zone. Interview with patrol commander and with Trooper Chris Wilton. (Major discussion topic is the heat in Cyprus.) (Tape 3) Interview with colonel of 4 RTR at St David's Camp, Nicosia, about the unusual nature of the posting compared to the Regiment's usual role. Further scenes on the Green Line (Sector 3) show deserted houses (gunshot marks on the walls) and a child's slipper in the grass. Sign (in English and Greek) saying Trespassers with be prosecuted under the laws of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Canadian soldier with the British patrol. Piece to camera by Scottish reporter who then interviews members of 4 RTR about the situation: Trooper James McDonald, Trooper Derek McDonald, Trroper Neil Williams, Trooper Stephen Mundy, Trooper Martin McKay. (Tape 4) Brief scenes in the garden of a Greek house (small girl watches the cameraman). Exercise Marlish: beach landings in small assault boats by small groups of soldiers, carrying out exercises on a local beach in the Greek side of the island. Soldier does a humorous Alan Whicker impersonation. Interview with Mr Santanas, an archaeologist from the Department of Antiquities, discussing the numerous items (arrows, slingshots, coins) found in the area, and giving advice to soldiers who might find such items. Corporal Mark Stapleton (4 RTR) talks about the exercise which is taking place on "a site of ancient history". (Tape 5) Members of the Queen's Royal Fusiliers are taken on an "Eagle Patrol": deployed by helicopter into a rural area where they assist the Greek Cypriot police in setting up temporary vehicle check points. Beach scenes at Ayia Napa (note there are a large number of topless sunbathers). Piece to camera by the reporter who notes that the heat may be good for sunbathing but "the Jocks" won't have suntan lotion or cooling trunks when they hit the beaches of Cyprus. Final scene shows soldiers relaxing on the beach with members of the television crew.
  • Alternative Title: UNITED KINGDOM LAND FORCES COLLECTION - BRITISH ARMY 1980s [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: WOY 1430
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © Crown copyright. IWM (WOY 1430)
  • Featured Period:
  • Production Date: 1989
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details:
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: U-matic Number of items/reels/tapes: 5
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    WOY 1430

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