1.
LV Militiamen coming out of tents.
0.04

2.
PAN Militiamen lined up.
0.08

3.
CU Castro soldier instructing militiamen.
0.14

4.
CU Cuban soldier handling back Belgian automatic rifle to militiamen.
0.19

5.
GV Seafront, anti-aircraft gun in f/g
0.24

6.
CU Man looking through viewfinder.
0.29

7.
PAN From anti-aircraft gun to Morro Castle across the bay from Havana.
0.34

8.
BV Militiamen firing machine gun.
0.39

9.
SV Ditto.
0.43

10.
BV Man firing machine gun.
0.47

11.
SV Man loading light gun.
0.52

12.
SV Militiamen receiving food.
0.56

13.
CU Man eating.
1.00

14.
ANGLE SHOT of anti-aircraft gun on seafront.
1.04

15.
GV Troops marching on seafront, anti-aircraft gun in f/g.
1.09



Initials TDH/S/JH/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Since Jan 1, when Premier Fidel Castro announced an imminent invasion of Cuba by American forces, hastily conscripted militiamen have been preparing anti-tank and aircraft guns along Havana's sea-front, and machine-gun emplacements on hotel and villa rooftops, including the British Embassy.

Unfortunately their work was in vain. On Jan 20 Premier Castro announced the end of the "emergency", praised the militiamen's courage and said an invasion would have taken place but for their determination. He then demobilised the 400,000-strong militia and sent them home to their civilian jobs.