1.
GV. Beach near Kota Belud, Borneo.
0.05

2.
GV. Helicopters flying over hill.
0.12

3.
GV. Landing craft.
0.17

4.
GV. Troops getting into landing craft. (2 shots).
0.25

5.
SV. Amphibious tank towards beach.
0.28

6.
GV. Landing craft onto beach.
0.37

7.
CU. Officers talking to British Personnel.
0.40

8.
CU. Officers talking to British Personnel.
0.40

9.
GV's. Amphibious tanks on beach (2 shots).
0.50

10.
CU. Wireless operator.
0.54

11.
SV. Troops getting off tanks.
0.57

12.
GV. Troops in jungle.
1.02



Initials TDH/V/PB TDH/V/AWMMcG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The South East Asia Treaty Organisation's biggest military exercise, code-named "Pony Express", began May 1 when a squadron of helicopters took off from the British Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS 'Bulwark' and landed Royal Marines of the 42nd Commando on the beach at Kota Belud, North Borneo.

Operating a shuttle service between beach and carrier, the helicopters landed 500 British and Australian troops. These were quickly joined by U.S. Marines brought in by helicopters from the US carrier 'Thetis Bay'. After the beaches had been 'secured', more troops and supplies were ferried ashore efficiently by landing craft.

Fighters and bombers from aircraft carriers off-shore swept the coast in mock attacks, as tanks and artillery rumbled ashore in support. On the beach, S.E.A.T.O. troops were dug in to simulate enemy defence forces. Quickly establishing a beach-head, the allied marines moved through the jungle towards their 'target' - a ridge five miles inland.

Nearly 20,000 naval personnel, 6,000 assault troops, 81 ships, fighters and bombers from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the USA, are taking part in "Pony Express", which was designed to illustrate how quickly member nations would come to the aid of the ally.

The U.S.S. 'Coral Sea' (63,000-tons), the largest and most powerful aircraft carrier of the Seventh Fleet, left the SEATO exercise May 2 for an undisclosed destination, rumoured to be near Laos.