National Geographic appeal:

National Geographic Channel has commissioned a quality documentary about Operation Barras, the successful British assault in Sierra Leone, 2000, and we would like to hear from anyone involved in the operation. 

The intention of this film is to examine events where planning, timing and precision actions are crucial to the successful outcome of the situation, and we feel strongly that the participants at the heart of the operation are essential for the most balanced and well-told end result. We will construct the film using interviews and dramatically reconstruct their actions (as far as is possible) and combine this with archive footage, where appropriate and available, and computer graphics primarily as geographical locators. Of course, all necessary sensitivity will be taken regarding the content of contributions by interviewees.

Contact Marc Tiley,Producer

Darlow Smithson Productions

Highgate Studios

53-79 Highgate Road

London NW5 1TL

United Kingdom

Direct: +44 (0) 207 482 9649

 marc.tiley@darlowsmithson.com <mailto:marc.tiley@darlowsmithson.com> 

Tel: +44 (0) 207 482 7027

Fax: +44 (0) 207 482 7039

www.darlowsmithson.com <http://www.darlowsmithson.com>

The Following information has been received from the BBC. If you can be of help please contact the addresses concerned

The appeal:

The BBC is producing a three-part documentary to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Suez Crisis and would like to hear from anyone involved in the El Gamil assault or from the Guards Independent Parachute Company who landed with the French forces. If you think you can help, please contact Charles Young at the BBC on 020 87524118 or at charles.young@bbc.co.uk.

The BBC is developing a major new documentary series telling the last sixty years of British history through the stories and experiences of individual families. One of the key themes we are to cover is Britain’s involvement in military conflicts since 1945. We’re looking for families who have had 2 or more generations in the Armed Forces since World War Two and have served in some of the key conflicts during that period. So, if you think your family fits the bill then please call Ted White on 020 7855 7501, or email edward.white@diverse.tv

Edward White
Development Researcher

Diverse Production Ltd
an FBC Group Company
6-12 Gorleston Street London W14 8XS
Switchboard:  +44 (0) 207 603 4567
Direct Line: +44 (0) 207 855 7522
Fax: +44 (0) 207 603 2148
Website: www.diverse.tv

FLASHBACK TV Stuart Rose Assistant Producer 0207 490 8996

To Whom it May Concern

I work for Flashback, an independent television production company in London. My colleagues and I are making a 12-part series about the war in Europe for The History Channel. Each programme in the series will cover a different battle fought in the European campaign and will feature powerful archive, historians’ opinions and personal testimony from the men who experienced the action first hand.One of the programmes will be about Operation Market Garden and we are very keen to get in touch with veterans of the Parachute Regiment, particularly 2 Para, who fought at Arnhem.

I have been in touch with the 1944 Arnhem Veterans’ Association and attended their reunion in Oosterbeek in 2005. There I met a number of veterans from many diverse units who contributed to the operation. All of them had great stories and were great blokes to talk to. However, in the short time I was there I was unable to find many Paras who took part in the actual Operation.A second programme in the series will be about crossing the Rhine, of which Operation Varsity is a major part. An action of the war hugely under-represented on television, we would very much like to get in touch with Paras who took part in this Operation and who spearheaded the final trust into Hitler’s Reich.We’re about five or six weeks away from filming interviews with veterans and fully prepared and willing to do the legwork for this project. I was wondering if you might be able to assist me in any small way you can, perhaps by forwarding me your branch secretaries’ contact details so I could go direct to them and if possible by recommending me any veterans in your association who would be willing to take part?

The project is very worthwhile in that it attempts to cover the major battles of the European campaign from the perspective of the frontline soldier, rather than focus on the larger political situation between the Allies leaders and generals. Last year we made eight programmes for the History Channel about the Pacific War, for which we contacted and interviewed dozens of US Marine Corps and US Army veterans who took part in battles such as Guadalcanal, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Leyte Gulf. The series was very well received and we’re hoping to do even better with the Europe series.

Our production team is experienced in speaking to veterans and are acutely aware that many of these elderly gentlemen need to be treated with respect. When we come to interview them we make sure their needs are catered for and do everything we can to make them feel comfortable.

I wish to thank you for your time and I hope that you’re able to consider my request.

Yours truly,

Stuart Rose

Assistant Producer

0207 490 8996