Title:THE ROYAL MARINES IN LATVIA, FEBRUARY 1995 [Allocated Title]
Film Number:ADM 6747
Other titles:ROYAL NAVY VIDEOS: 1990s [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Unedited scenes of Royal Marines helping to train soldiers from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (the Baltic Battalion joint infantry battalion) at an ex-Soviet camp in Latvia.
Description: (Tape 1) After brief sequence of soldiers digging trenches, a scene shows soldiers from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia being taught in a classroom (in English). Interviews with some of the soldiers taking part in English courses and other training with the Royal Marines. Interview with the (British) teacher. Life at camp - dormitory accommodation , gymnasium, weapons training; soldiers remove parallel bars (for gymnasium) from the back of a flatbed lorry. Mealtime in refectory. Piece to camera by British presenter, alluding to the Royal Marines training the Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian soldiers. Soundbite interviews with soldiers from the three nations, and with a Royal Marine Commando instructor.
(Tape 2) Briefing (for press ?) in lecture theatre with panel of representatives from Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Norway, UK and USA. Latvian officer speaks (through interpreter) about the training. Posed outdoor shot of soldiers holding a Baltic Battalion flag. Interview with Lieutenant-Colonel David Stuart about the operation in Latvia, and also with the interpreter seen earlier, who is an English soldier on secondment to the Latvian Army to assist chiefs of staff. General views of the camp, with small group of soldiers marching.
Alternative Title:ROYAL NAVY VIDEOS: 1990s [Allocated Series Title]