Description
Object description
Exploration of the various types of combat roles available within the British Army; the first of three films aimed at helping new recruits to choose which area in which to specialise.
Full description
THE RIGHT MAN: PART ONE Britain still maintains a large conventional army, which "exists to keep the peace both within the United Kingdom [Northern Ireland: Queen's Regiment in convoy on road, soldiers armed with rifles patrol terraced street]... fulfilling treaty obligations... in Europe [Ferret armoured cars patrolling East German border - "The Russian Zone" - and the Berlin Wall by the Brandenburg Gate]... and other members of the Commonwealth [troops deplaning from Hercules and on jungle on patrol in Singapore]". All soldiers are trained to fight - troops, FV432 troop carriers and heavily-camouflaged SPG (being loaded) on manoeuvres - but combat needs large number of technicians in supporting roles. To help new recruits, these have been divided into eight occupational interest areas: 1. Combat; 2. Outdoor crafts and transportation; 3. Mechanical maintenance and workshop crafts; 4. Specialist operators and storemen; 5. Scientific and precision maintenance; 6. Survey, printing and photography; 7. Administration; 8. Special interest. Each will be shown in detail "not only so that you can find out more about them but even more important, so that you can look at yourself and see if you think you're the right man for the job". COMBAT. The fighting wing, over half the army. Coverage of infantry manoeuvres show the various combat roles. Gunnery: soldiers fire 7.62mm machine guns (vehicle mounted and free standing) and L1A1 rifle; note Royal Green Jackets cap badge. Mortars: 81mm (?) being fired from back of FV432 carrier. Anti-tank weapons: AT rifle grenade fired, AT gun on carrier. Paratroops: seen jumping from Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, landing on the ground. Artillery: 105mm field howitzer is assembled, loaded with RDX shell and fired at ruined building. SPG drivers: M107s and Abbots in action. Guided missiles: Thunderbird and unidentified lorry-mounted rocket. Specialist gunnery jobs: battery surveyor with sextant, soldier operating FACE (Field Artillery Computer Equipment) installation, SPGs (camouflaged Abbots ?) firing, radar operators, light field gun. Driving armoured fighting vehicles: Saracens (camouflaged), Ferrets, Chieftain tanks (full crew of driver, radio operator and gunner shown). The Combat Engineer: modified Chieftain ARV tows trailer containing explosive cable which is fired across minefield, bridge is blown up at night, M2 floating bridge assembled in sections. Signallers: radio operators, seen in Comms Land Rover and setting up special equipment. Front line drivers: FV432 carriers, Abbot, Centurion bridgelayer tank, Alvis Stalwarts. As well as their combat role, all soldiers have a ceremonial function, too: examples shown are gunners firing the salute on the Queen's birthday, cavalry trooping the colour. "Have you got the right qualities for this kind of life?" Montage of gruelling combat manoeuvres featuring infantrymen, FV432s and Scout helicopters; amphibious assault using Mark V assault boats; girder bridge being built; troops (Royal Green Jackets) on manoeuvres in woods; AEC Militant transporter in desert colours brings Land Rover and tractor into desert (?) camp; men board plane, others disembark with Ferret; Centurion tank has tracks repaired; assault course, abseiling, rock climbing. The qualities needed are summarised using an animated pair of scales to balance (on one side) the options available with (on the other side) the requirements for combat troops. Final mix of images includes paratroops jumping from Hercules, camouflaged FV432s in convoy, 105mm howitzers in action, and helicopter's eye view of convoy on road, as commentary trails other options to be shown in parts two and three.
Physical description
35mm
