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Encircled Force (part one)

1961 , Berlin, Germany (Other)

Cat no. 205037

The responsibilities of serving in West Berlin for East Anglian troops.

The 1st East Anglian Regiment "The Vikings" is serving behind the Iron Curtain in West Berlin. The troops are based in a garrison built by Hitler, now called Montgomery Barracks. Living on barracks, the soldiers can never forget their duty, set, as it is, alongside the Berlin Wall. The men pass the time either on patrol or playing sports such as football or athletics. The city is being rebuilt around them, cranes and scaffolding dominate the urban centre. The birthday of the Queen keeps the regiment in disciplined order as they prepare to Troop The Colour. Lance Corporal Malcolm Harris explains the ever present danger of guarding the British Army Train as it carries men home on leave. Malcolm's father, a Lightshipman, explains the dangers and imperatives of his own job keeping the navigation light going in the North Sea. He mulls on the relative threat present in his and his son's profession. To keep combat ready the regiment conduct regular drills and exercises. The regiment dig anti-nuclear shelters and trenches in Lüneburg Heath before beginning infantry exercises against US Special Forces who parachute in to attack their position. The East Anglians receive a helping hand from a former foe in the form of the German Army.

Featured Buildings

Headquarters Berlin [British Sector]; Montgomery Barracks

Keywords

British Army; Berlin Wall; World War II

Intertitles

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

Other Places

Kladow, Spandau; Charlottenburg; Lüneburg Heath

Background Information

For part two see Cat 218211 which ends with the programme credits. 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 one)

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