Inside Story: From Blighty to Belize - UK Forces in Belize, Christmas 1977

In the 1970s, the British Armed Forces maintained a military presence in Belize to deter potential threats from Guatemala, which laid claim to Belize (then British Honduras) prior to its independence in 1981. The British military presence was both strategic and practical, with troops deployed in various camps and observation posts (OPs) throughout the country.

This program depicts an essentially unreported story of the Cold War.

First transmitted in 1978, this episode of "Inside Story" focuses on the day to day lives of the British troops in the former Crown colony of British Honduras--guarding the Belize/Guatemala border. It also depicts troops celebrating on Christmas Day, 1977. It’s a very different life in Belize than the squaddies are used to, but it’s definitely not a ‘Caribbean holiday’. They struggle to come to terms with the daily routine, the boredom, missing their loved ones and meeting the basic needs of life such as ensuring there is enough fresh food to eat.

Broadcast History:
Fri 12 May 1978 @ 21:30
BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire

Director: Mark Anderson
Producer: Roger Mills
Photographer: Terry Doe
Photographer: Alex Hansen
Sound Recordist: John Pritchard
Film Editor: Tony Heaven

The program was selected, in part, for it's historical context and reflect the broadcast standards and attitudes of the time, which may not follow with current broadcast norms.

Opening Montage Music by John_Sib via Pixabay
"Rock"
https://pixabay.com/music/rock-rock-9046/

More Info on the Guatemala-Belize Territorial Dispute:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belizean-Guatemalan_territorial_dispute

More info on UK Forces in Belize:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Army_Training_and_Support_Unit_Belize