Summary: Men of 42 Commando Royal Marines construct defensive positions in Kuwait in expectation of a possible Iraqi attack.
Description: Men of 42 Commando have established a defensive perimeter in the wind-swept desert beyond the main airstrip. Two of the half squadron of Centurion tanks landed from the LST Striker are being positioned hull-down behind dunes. Marines dig foxholes and sandbagged positions. A soldier snatches some rest beneath a billowing canvas shelter. An AOP flies over. Two gunners with a Vickers enjoy tea in their canvas-covered emplacement. Cut to scenes in the city of Kuwait - parked in a square are Land Rovers and a Red Crescent ambulance. A party of senior marine officers visit the desert positions - the cameraman is photographed by one of the troopers. The whip aerials of a W/T Land Rover bend in the wind. RN Whirlwinds of 848 Squadron are shuttling between the fleet and the airstrip, where hastily assembled motor transport is waiting - the cameraman travels in a motor convoy ferrying supplies out to the desert, and also takes a trip in one of the helicopters. Visible in the background of some shots on the airfield are the RAF Hawker Hunters flown in from Aden. Marines guard the airstrip - two of them, armed with a rifle and a L4 Bren, sit behind a breastwork improvised out of loose building bricks. A camouflaged Land Rover crosses the field - in the background is a Hastings transport. A Beverley flies in to land on the airstrip and unload more supplies.
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations (Navy) (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, Royal Marines, 42 Commando (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Sqdn 848 (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British naval - helicopter: Westland Whirlwind (object name)
aircraft, British - transport: Handley Page Hastings (object name)
aircraft, British - transport: Blackburn Beverley (object name)
armour, British - tank: Centurion (object name)
weapons, British - smallarm: Vickers machine gun (object name)
Kuwait (geography)
