Men of 42 Commando Royal Marines construct defensive positions in Kuwait in expectation of a possible Iraqi attack.

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.

Notes

Technical: film quality is very poor