1970s British Army Recruitment Film
In this recruitment video dating from the 1970s we see elements of the British Army training to combat a Soviet attack on Western Europe. It shows the elements of the British Army’s battle group stationed in West Germany. Below are some gifs showing scenes taken from the film.
British mechanised infantry advance with their bayonet fixed to their L1A1 rifles
Men fire the Carl Gustav M2 Recoilless Rifle anti-tank weapon
The video showcases the equipment used by the British Army on the Rhine, everything from Chieftain tanks, armoured personnel carriers, helicopters to early aerial drones. With a massive Soviet armour and mechanised attach anticipated by NATO the video shows a variety of the British Army’s anti-tank weapons in action. Everything from the Carl Gustav M2 Recoilless Rifle and Swingfire anti-tank missiles to the MILAN (anti-tank guided missile) and the M72 LAW. The new Rapier and Blowpipe anti-aircraft systems are also shown.
A Chieftain Tank opens fire
Men of the 50th Missile Regiment Royal Artillery deploy the MGM-52 Lance tactical ballistic missile (battlefield nuclear weapon)
British troops deploying from a Puma helicopter
The film shows British field artillery as well as the MGM-52 Lance tactical ballistic missile. It also shows field engineers destroying and laying minefield and fixing vehicles. While the film focuses heavily on Britain’s commitment in Western Europe it also briefly mentions deployments in Cyprus and Northern Ireland. The film shows infantry on exercises and the film concludes by describing recruit and officer training and the exciting places British troops can visit: “There’s not much of the world the Army doesn’t reach in one way or another.”
British troops advance by sections while a L7 GPMG (FN-MAG) provides cover
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