Description
Object description
After successfully taking the Al-Faw peninsula, members of the Royal Marines 40 Commando Brigade Reconnaissance Force advance further into Iraq through villages on the road towards Basra.
Content description
Daylight views from top cover of WMIK Land Rover, one of a group of vehicles advancing into Iraq through small villages as local people watch. Slow drive along country road, gunner keeping watch. Further groups of local people are passed; all are friendly. Lynx helicopter flies past in support, and occasional (British) armoured vehicles are seen. Pause while the gunner attempts to fix a problem with the WMIK's gun mounting; local children watch. Rural area with date palms and reeds. A group of men approach the vehicle waving a white flag; they are ordered to lie down in case they are soldiers. One of them can speak English and insists that they are civilians: "no soldiers - soldiers all in Basra". The advance continues along tree-lined road. A village is reached: enthusiastic local men wave. Scimitar armoured vehicle drives past; commander talks with WMIK driver. Liaison with local men in the village, where a cheering crowd has gathered. Driving along the banks of a canal: further WMIKs are parked on the opposite banks. Cheering men wave at the WMIK; a Cobra helicopter flies past at speed. Back on the desert road: gunner keeps watch as the sun begins to set. Groups of WMIKs bringing up the rear and parked by the roadside. WMIKs park next to a line of telegraph poles and fire at target: camera cuts to shots of distant buildings at which the Marines' fire is aimed (tracer can be seen). Target is then by an air strike, but firing continues. Underslung grenade launcher is fired by member of WMIK crew. After the encounter, the WMIK patrol continues along the desert road towards Basra and into another village, where the villagers are gathered in groups to welcome the troops. Discussion with local man. WMIK parks up beside a monument showing Saddam Hussein weilding an automatic weapon. Vehicle nearby engages offscreen target. A nearby abandoned clinic/hospital is searched and an arms cache is found (mainly AK variants and magazines). Patrol continues: further cheering Iraqis. Burning vehicle is seen by the roadside. Soldiers inspedt an abandoned light Iraqi gun. Scimitar armoured vehicles drive past. Back on the main route to Basra, the journey continues at speed. On the road, a white car is stopped; the occupants get out (waving a white flag) and lie prone on the ground; the car is routinely searched, and the men are allowed to continue their journey. A pick-up truck is also stopped and searched. Convoy of Coalition vehicles towing artillery passes.
Physical description
Mini-DV