Filming for Channel 4

BATTLE-ACTS

Filming Day, Kent. 16.01.00

reproduced from Signal Nr. 177

The basis for this project got underway some time ago when four short films were planned by "Clanvisions" based in Northern Ireland focusing on Viking, Roman, Border reiver re-enactment and W.W II. The working title of the series was "Swords of A Thousand Men" ( Theme music by Tenpole Tudor ) but was eventually changed to Battle-Acts. It was broadcast from April 10th after the Channel 4 News (approx. 7pm). The Border reiver was particularly interesting as it shows the re-enactors wife as a "Re-enactment widow" rather than the member himself. For the W.W.II section who better to choose than the SBG and none other than Strm. Fehling (Yves) was picked as the candidate. Yves is a city banker and was filmed at work doing his day job and then in uniform as a member of the SBG. Over the years I have been approached by many TV companies and newspapers requiring a similar subject but after hearing Channel 4's proposals for this project and the fact that only Yves voice would be heard during the film (with no interviewer asking awkward questions) the proposal was accepted.

The plan was for Yves to be filmed at Longmoor with lots of  SBG members, bangs, explosions and action going on around him but the army's instructions that there was to be no further filming at the camp started to cause problems. Then a last minute date change by the film company meant many members had to drop out as they were working. Eventually we had to use our vehicle storage park in Kent . 14 members of the SBG turned up to help out with the filming. During the week Yves was filmed at work and on Sunday it was "Camera" and "Action" (words the SBG are more than familiar with now).

The SBG put together a mini scenario for the cameras and a special thank you goes to those members that took time of work at short notice and/or travelled long distances to help out as well as giving other members without transport lifts etc. Strm. Wörner brought along his original Kübel and endeavoured to start the Half track but unfortunately the batteries were not suitably charged. But never a group to admit defeat the SBG, now adding a third motto to its repertoire that being "The show must go on" improvised as best it could.

Filming started at 9am around the Half track using close up camera angles to avoid getting the other vehicles parked alongside it in the frame. The 3.Kp SBG as ever looked 101% the part and a long trudge uphill ensued with the cold and damp weather along with the muddy ground and a light sprinkling of rain giving a good feeling of authenticity. Once in the woods the Half track had to be substituted with the Kübel and the cameras rolled as the vehicle entered the woods flanked by Grenadiers. Stubaf. Jury looking more like an SS Officer than the real thing then dashed out of the Kübel, shouted " Attack" and the Grenadiers rushed forward and took up positions using an MG 34, Panzerschreck and Panzerfaust as heavy weapons whilst the remainder used MP 40s and K.98 rifles. Hscha. Siegels expert combat training paid of well as all members knew their roles in combat and no rehearsals or retakes were needed (except to use different camera angles).

Once deployed the group was filmed charging into action with short bursts of fire from section leader Schar. Meyers MP40 and numerous rifles sending off volleys. We were restricted to the amount of gun fire we could lay down but fortunately two or three short takes was all that was needed to complete these scenes. Of course Gren. Fehling was the main subject throughout the filming but many other members were also filmed close up. Once the filming was over everyone assembled in the car park for tea and a chat. Thus ended a most productive day and the end result of the filming was a short but very interesting documentary.