Encircled Force (part two)

1961 , Berlin, Germany (Other)

An Anglia Television film narrated by John McGregor, reporting on the life of East Anglian military families in Berlin, and also the Queen's Birthday Parade Trooping the Colour ceremony at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

A Suffolk family, Communications Officer Sergeant Roy Sharpe, wife Pat, and their two children, are at their Berlin home. Hausfrau Hilda helps with the chores. Mrs Sharpe describes her experience of living in military quarters in a German city. Travelling by bus, Mrs Sharpe passes the ‘Freiheit Recht Friede’ inscripted war monument. The family walk around the city centre streets. Off-camera commentary of Mrs Sharpe and then Sergeant Sharpe details the cost of living in the city. Military officers, including Second lieutenant Richard Abbott, tour the grounds of Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, the site of the forthcoming Queen’s Birthday Parade. Lieutenant Abbott, reflects on the poignancy of the situation, the fact that a British military ceremony is to be held at a site that has historical connections with Hitler and Nazi rule. In England, Richard’s parents reflect on their son’s choice of career. His father, at Dereham Cattle Market; his mother, at the family home in the Norfolk hamlet of Hoe. Returning to Berlin, in a jazz club, Richard comments on the city’s nightlife and reflects on how life is for Berliners, particularly its younger citizens. At Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, The 1st East Anglian Regiment - ‘The Vikings’, the Welsh Regiment and the King’s Royal Rifle Corp perform the ‘Trooping the Colour’ ceremony at the Queen’s birthday parade, watched by a vast crowd of Berlin citizens, and British servicemen. John McGregor narrates, providing details at each stage of the ceremony of its symbolic meaning. The East Anglian regiment marching band parade along Pariser Platz, with the Brandenburg Gate visible in the distance.

Featured Buildings

Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany a.k.a. Berlin Olympiastadion; ‘Freiheit Recht Friede’ inscripted War monument, Reichskanzterplatz (road renamed Theodor-Heuss-Platz in December 1963), Berlin; Brandenburger Tor, Pariser Platz a.k.a. The Brandenburg Gate, Paris Square, Berlin

Featured Events

'Trooping the Colour' at the Queen's Birthday Parade, held at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany

Keywords

Army; Ceremonies; Deployment; Europe; Military; Sports stadiums; Trooping the Colour

Intertitles

Presenting some of the East Anglians serving behind the Iron Curtain in Berlin

Other Places

Hoe, Norfolk; Dereham, Norfolk

Background Information

For part one see Cat 205037. The television programme was divided into two parts to allow for the advertising break. Produced in co-operation with the WAR OFFICE.

  • Director : Forbes Taylor

  • Editor : Tudor Lloyd

  • Sound : Charles Earl

  • Camera : Ian Craig

  • Sound : Roy Colwell

  • Script : Forbes Taylor

  • Producer : Stephen McCormack

  • Narrator : John McGregor

  • Production company : Anglia Television

  • Production company : Anglia Television Film Unit

Manifestations

Encircled Force (part two)

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