The Gulf War 1991 - Milan Platoon 3RRF Battlegroup conducts a dismounted assault

On the 24th February 1991 the ground operation to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait began. The 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Battlegroup was one of the lead armoured units in the UK 4th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats.

The Fusiliers Battlegroup was not a pure infantry organisation. It comprised a squadron from the 14/20th Hussars and numbers of augmentees from other units. Milan Platoon had a significant number of soldiers from the Queen's Own Highlanders alongside the fusiliers.

On the 26th February Iraqi defenders threatened approaching vehicles from the 14/20th Hussars. The Fusiliers directed Milan Platoon to dismount and clear a number of trenches, threatening the vehicles. This is that story.

Some of the interview footage is out of focus, apologies but the story stands out nevertheless.

Recounted in a very self deprecating and under-stated manner by Guy Briselden, the Milan Platoon Commander, the film tells the story from when they received orders to assault until the successful completion of their task. In an armoured infantry battlegroup, the Anti-Tank or Milan Platoon is not configured to dismount and conduct such an attack and the story also describes their concerns about heir ability to do this.

For his actions that day in leading his platoon and clearing a number of trenches himself, Guy Briselden was awarded the Military Cross, in recognition of his composure and bravery during the attack.

This film has been produced for the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers as part of their Fusilier Stories project. this is a project to collect and tell stories of fusiliers, by fusiliers, wherever they have served.

With thanks to:

Members of 3RRF for the photographs they shared.
David Rowlands for allowing us to use his paintings to bring parts of the story to life. www.davidrowlands.co.uk
The Drums Platoon 2RRF for the drumbeat at the end.
Guy Briselden for sharing his story.
Charlie Collicutt for narrating the introduction. https://app.spotlight.com/4859-0164-0123

Produced by Big Ears Productions.
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