"Exercise Lionheart 1984 Vidios" Topic

Hi All,

Here are the links for an excellent weeks viewing. I've probably posted these before, but they are worth a look. This is a set of programmes from the time that show the BAOR doing an exercise. The reporters are very BBC from the time, but the footage is excelllent, showing the BAOR in transition from old equipment to new,The programmes follow an exercise from all aspects: infantry, armour, air, logistics, medical and even religious as the blue force: British fight the orange force: American and German and Dutch. The footage is excellent, but of its time…dodgy VCR.

Enjoy. There is about 2 hours here and well worth watching in small blocks as there is so much to see. Day 1 link added, just follow on from there.

YouTube link

There are 10 days of exercise, and it ends with a paradrop…but it would seem that the video footage is not complete. I wonder what happened after that.

Get ready for NPC suits, lots of moustaches and some very silly monty python moments.

Enjoy.

If any of our regulars were on this please let us know what you think. You might very well see yourself here.

Good stuff, I did Crusader 80, but was on Bored Defender in 84.

Tally Ho!

This is must-watch stuff. There are some great 'exercise moments' to be seen-

-The supremely nonchalant Blue force Stafford Regt Milan operator who has just been awarded eight kills out of eight shots.

- One of his victims- the Orange Hell on Wheels officer whose command has just taken 50% losses, He's putting on his bravest face for the interviewer but seemingly wondering if his staff college place is now in jeopardy.

- the Blue RGJ officer whose men have just ambushed some infiltrating Panzergrenadiers- "and for them, the war is over…."

- The Blue Welch Regt officer who evidently thinks his chaps have been doing rather well, gutted that the Orange forces have been waved on past his position by the umpires to keep the exercise on plan.

- A diplomatically underplayed British disaster at the hands of the Dutch.

Absolutely loads of other great detail too.

Good painting viewing.

That's a great find, thanks for posting that.

Thanks Guys,

Glad you liked the link. I've watched the vids 2 times now over the past year and there is always something new to see and appreciate.

The soldier playing the fife at the service. Could be Napoleonic times.

The real need for camo on vehicles and men.

The class difference between officers and men sometimes, though there are some officers who seem to have come up from the ranks. Not a political statement I would like to add.

I will watch these again I am sure and would like to find the lost days footage.

I will be watching these, I may be on the telly