Description
Object description
A series of videos on the fall of the Berlin Wall in November and December of 1989. The Royal Military Police film camera crew (cameraman named 'Toft') were in a good position to record the event as it occurred, being stationed along the British sector of the Berlin Wall at this time, as part of the Military Provost staff. The British sector covered about two and a half miles from Checkpoint Charlie and it is from here that the views are shot.
Full description
I. Crowds of 3-4,000 people in a celebratory mood, surrounding and climbing on the west side of the Berlin Wall, defacing and attacking it with hammers at night time on 10th November 1989. Occasional commentary (casual observations) by Royal Military Police film crew. Some video taken from a viewpoint 60 metres above ground overlooking the crowd on the west side of the wall, juxtaposing with a view of a single row of East German Military border guards standing in front of the Brandenburg Gate in East Germany.
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II. Unedited views of the wall and crowds from 12th November 1989. East German Police are the only ones on the wall at the start of the tape and at this point the crowds are held back from the wall by a temporary barricade. Policemen on the wall are presented with flowers by the crowd. At 8am on 13th November the Royal Military Police radio for assistance to stop people from climbing onto the wall at the Brandenburg Gate. Heavily policed crossing point (Checkpoint Charlie(?)) shown at obvious opening in the wall (no date shown).
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III. The evening of Tuesday 14th November with a 'mood of anticipation' from the crowd (now kept at ground level) gathered in the area near the Brandenburg Gate. The following days are shown through to 17th November 1989, including a distant glimpse of officials on 15th November visiting the east side of the wall. Final views of an unspecified crossing point being cordoned off by the erection of metal cladding on 17th November 1989.
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IV. German police activity at a large gap in the wall close to the Brandenburg Gate, date unspecified. No crowds present. Both East and West German border Police shown.
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V. Officials assemble to view demolition work being carried out on the wall in the daytime on 22nd December 1989. Evening footage follows with the removal of the top facing of the wall by men with a crane. The remaining section is finally released by cutting concrete reinforcing bars with blowtorches from the East side. The section is then lifted out in a controlled manner by the crane and laid horizontal, leaving an opening to the other side. Huge cheer from the crowd gathered to watch. The section of wall is lifted clear by the crane and placed on the East side.
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OPENING FOOTAGE ON THIS REEL CONTAINS FOOTAGE PRODUCED BY ITN PRODUCTIONS.
VI. This tape contains some material on the Berlin Wall (following on from the above series) and other later material regarding closures of British RAF bases in Germany:
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I.) New Year's Eve celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate and in the square surrounding it. Huge crowd of revellers on the evening of the 31st December 1989 and joggers shown freely crossing the former border the following morning, 1st January 1990 (being welcomed by the East German police).
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II.) Two items referring to the closure of RAF Wildenrath in 1992, indicating the reduction of UK military based in Germany.
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a.) Ceremony for the disbandment of RAF 19 Squadron from Germany.
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b.) Royal Engineers 52 Field Squadron disbandment. Views of the empty hangars and offices at Wildenrath.
Physical description
Beta-SP