OPERATION FRIENDSHIP [Main Title]

The visit to England in Summer 1959 of 36 officers of the armed forces of the Baghdad Pact countries, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.

Although concentrating on military matters, the visit included opportunities for tourism etc. The party arrives by RAF Comet at Lyneham, and is entertained by the AOC Transport Command, Air Marshal Barnett. At Eastney, near Portsmouth, they watch 'Exercise Runaround' (combined ops) and a hovercraft demonstration; at Salisbury visit the cathedral and meet the Mayor; in Portsmouth, they visit the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious, and Nelson's Victory. Conqueror and Centurion tanks are demonstrated at Bovington; the party is shown St Giles in Dorset; Bournemouth; the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; Ford's Tractor assembly-line at Dagenham; Calder Hall nuclear power station; Eton v Harrow at Lord's; 'Black Arrows' aerobatics display at Wattisham; Royal Hospital Chelsea (Reception by Chief of Defence Staff, Sir W Dickson); V-Bomber display at Marham; Infantry weapon and training demonstrations (West Kent Regiment) at Maidstone. Some of the officers make statements of gratitude etc; visit ends with Gravesend-Tower trip in PLA steamer.

35mm