ATTACHES OUT OF HELICOPTER; GENERAL SHOT OF ATTACHES; TROOPS TAKING PART IN EXERCISE.




Initials JP/V/JH/SGM



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Background: MILITARY ATTACHES FROM 11 COUNTRIES ARE ATTENDING A BRITISH ARMY EXERCISE ON SALISBURY PLAIN, WILTSHIRE, SOUTHERN ENGLAND. FOUR THOUSAND SOLDIERS OF THE THIRD INFANTRY DIVISION ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE WEEK-LONG EXERCISE, WHICH FINISHES ON AUGUST 9. CODENAMED 'IRON DUKE', ITS AIM IS TO FOLLOW THROUGH THE SEQUENCE OF BATTLE LIKELY TO BE MET IN A LIMITED WAR (ONE WITHOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS) AGAINST AN INITIAL ASSAULT BY A NUMERICALLY SUPERIOR FORCE.

THE FORCES TAKING PART INCLUDE TWO ARMOURED REGIMENTS, TWO ARTILLERY REGIMENTS AND THREE INFANTRY BATTALIONS. THE EXERCISE IS INCLUDING TANK BATTLES, HELICOPTER AND PARACHUTE ASSAULTS, SUPPLY BY PARACHUTE, THE PREPARATION AND MANNING OF FULLY DEFENSIVE POSITIONS AND MINEFIELDS, AND FIGHTER AIR SUPPORT.

THE SERVICE ATTACHES ATTENDING ARE FROM BURMA, CANADA, CEYLON, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, GHANA, HUNGARY, INDIA, MOROCCO, USSR, YUGOSLAVIA AND SWITZERLAND. PRINCE MICHAEL OF KENT IS CONDUCTING THEM AROUND THE EXERCISE.