TRI-SERVICE ACTIVITY IN CAMBODIA (TAPE 1) [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: TRI-SERVICE ACTIVITY IN CAMBODIA (TAPE 1) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: ADM 6889-1
  • Other titles: MISCELLANEOUS OLD ADMIRALTY BUILDING TAPES [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Activities of British personnel from all three services on a visit to Cambodia (Kampuchea) in October 1992 assisting UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia).
  • Description: I. In Phnom Penh, Royal Engineers MCTU (Mine Clearance Training Unit) train members of the CPAF (Cambodian People's Armed Forces) in mine disposal methods; they are carrying out a route clearance (a pathway through a potential minefield, using tape to mark the boundaries and edging along inch-by-inch, searching with their fingers and also with mine detectors). Markers are set beside uncovered mines. Interview with Lieutenant-Colonel Alan Roland Price (RE), CO MCTU and senior officer of the British Contingent, about his role, the challenges faced by UNTAC and the situation in Cambodia. Interview with Corporal Stephen Lapsley of 26 Engineer Regiment about his role training ex-Khmer soldiers in demining techniques. II. Mine class instruction on the different types of mine to be found in Cambodia; British officer displays mines (including fragmentation mines) and gives details to Cambodian soldiers using an interpreter. Interview with Sergeant Geordie Howe of 48 Field Squadron (Construction), second in command of the Training Squadron about his role, the area clearance drills which are being carried out in the background and the general progress of the mine clearance programme. III. Scenes at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, originally the Tuol Svay Prey High School but used as the S-21 Prison during Pol Pot's regime. British soldiers tour the museum, and view pictures of the victims, displays of torture instruments and paintings of the torture painted by ex-prisoner Vann Nath. Soldiers make donations at "Contributions" box; in the background is a map of Cambodia made up of human skulls. Tour guide is interviewed in the Museum's grounds about the prison, her job and also her opinions of UNTAC (which are favourable). IV. General views of Phnom Penh streets. V. British soldiers visit the graveyards of Choeung Ek near Phnom Penh, one of the Khmer Rouge's "Killing Fields"; in the centre is a memorial stupa. Mass grave of "166 victims without heads". Views of the ground; camera focuses on teeth which are lying on the grass. Inside the stupa, soldiers view a glass memorial containing some 8,000 skulls. VI. Major Abe, a Japanese engineer here as part of the UNTAC contingent, inspects surrendered weapons and AFVs and discusses equipment handling in the cantonment camps with British and US officials; he is interviewed for the camera about his arrival in Cambodia and his role as a military observer in Sector 2.
  • Alternative Title: MISCELLANEOUS OLD ADMIRALTY BUILDING TAPES [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: ADM 6889-1
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions:
  • Featured Period: 1990-2000
  • Production Date: 1992-10
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Royal Navy (Production sponsor) Directorate of Public Relations (Navy) Film and Photographic (Production company) Giles, Roger (Production individual)
  • 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: Beta-SP Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 30; Running time: 35 mins (ca)
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ADM 6889-1

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