Summary: Soldiers of the Parachute Regiment, dressed up as Arabs, take part in an exercise near the evacuated village of Imber (Wiltshire) intended to simulate a typical overseas confrontation between local dissidents and the British Army. 16mm and 35mm cameras record the exercise, as they might report actual confrontations in Aden and other territories where British power was being challenged.
Description: Soldiers eat and rest before the start of the exercise. Those impersonating dissidents bear a variety of humorous and provocative banners - "Neurosis", "Imperialists", "Death to the Infidels", "Keep Amnesia Brown" - and appear to offer prayers to Mecca. "Curse Crooked Cookenden" (referring to Brigadier Napier Crookenden commanding 16th Airborne Brigade), "Wanted Dead or Alive - The dreaded Hairy Macgregor. 30000 Ackers or Free pass for life to Muktah's Harem" "Join the Amnesian army. Imber Recruiting Office. Good Pay. Free Women. French Leave. Free hashish after 20 years". One "Arab protestor" is dragged along the ground with some violence; his comrades, half-undressed, wait under guard in a compound.
