Operation Sealion Page 2

As the sun rose we were truly blessed with " Führer weather " making photography for all involved much easier. As we drove down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph in the Half track our first port of call was a drive around Parliament Square which was filmed where we eventually pulled up with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament visible just behind us. The BBC historian Daniel Cruickshank walked around from behind the Half track and started talking about how this would have looked had the Germans invaded Britain during the 1940's. We were told by the director to look around as Daniel continued talking. Standing there in the Half track, parked in Parliament Square, a German Half track full of SS troops, Big Ben and the houses of Parliament on one side, Whitehall and the Cenotaph behind us and clearly visible just a little further up, Nelsons Column and Trafalgar Square, made the whole situation seem bizarre and surreal. I spoke to Daniel numerous times throughout the filming and he was a very intelligent and polite person and was very interested in the uniforms, weapons and Half track. He stated on a BBC web site chat room after the series had been completed and shown on TV that he enjoyed filming the episode with the "Germans" most of all.

As one section of the SBG was filmed in the Half track other members were busy being photographed by the BBC and other members of the press in various poses etc. Once the filming in Parliament Square was finished we moved up to Horse Guards Parade where Strm. Richter and Obgren. Lieberman donned black parade uniforms and stood guard either side of the entrance with Oscha. And Pz. Meyer standing in between them also in black uniforms. The rest of the SBG was then filmed marching past the entrance. Clever camera angles were used to try an avoid any modern architecture etc. coming into the shots.

After some more filming up and down Whitehall It was time for a break and many SBG were treated to tea and biscuits in a local pub and some members took the opportunity to dive into the MacDonald's Burger bar ( in full SS uniform of course ) for some refreshments. The filming soon started again and some of us were posed alongside Daniel Cruickshank with Nelsons Column in the background. These shots we were told could be used for the BBC Radio Times.

Now it was time to move onto another location and our " Men in Black " were then filmed standing outside of the Cabinet Office. As this was taking place Schar. Stoewer, Hscha. Scorgie and myself were filmed in Horse guards parade itself walking across the square and talking amongst ourselves. We were then joined by Strm. Richter and Obgren. Liebermann who posed up in front of one of the entrances whilst other SBG members walked past them. From here we moved onto the Mall and were filmed walking up and down the steps a few times. Once again our men in black provided guards at the statue at the top of the Mall steps and some more march pasts were filmed.

Whilst all this was going on the Half track was busy driving up and down Whitehall, around Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square and finally along side Victoria embankment. The BBC's time limit of midday had now come and gone and some final shots were filmed again up and down Whitehall. As other SBG members filmed some final scenes in Trafalgar Square the Half track ( this time on the Low loader but with the camera crew inside filming outwards ) came tearing around Nelsons Column. Trafalgar Square became a nightmare for our small group as what started as a few tourists asking for photographs with us started turning into a massive queue and this was typical of all the SBG at every location. Of course, we are used to posing with the public for photographs but these are at military shows, not in the centre of London!. The public response was amazing, so much for the " Hated Nazis", the public were almost fighting amongst themselves to be photographed with us and a special mention goes to Schar. Stoewer and Pz. Meyer who handled the public (literally in Pz. Meyers case when it came to cute females ) very professionally.

It was now time to go and eventually at 13.30 hrs all SBG were once again assembled by our parked cars in Whitehall Place. The BBC were extremely impressed with our co-ordination throughout the whole day and I must say that they were polite and extremely grateful for our help in telling them how the uniforms would have been worn, how weapons would have been carried and how certain scenes should have been re-enacted etc. If only all film crews could be like this !.

Although there was no mention of the days filming on the TV that night we did have three excellent newspaper articles the following day in " The Times ", " The Telegraph " and the " Daily Mail ". Three quality newspapers for a quality group no less all displaying superb photos of the SBG and giving an excellent write up as well.

Nothing short of filming a Major movie in Berlin itself ( and don’t dismiss that thought either ! ) will ever beat being in "saving private ryan". With a budget of over GBP £100 million , 2000 extras, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks this was something that couldn’t be re-shot a couple of weeks later if need be and I don’t think the SBG will ever get the chance to be in a major Hollywood epic like that again.

But this event came a close second, more so for the SBG’s sheer audacity ( lets face it, we loved doing it ). 

                               What the national newspapers said !