Thousands of British troops are heading to the Gulf to fight Saddam Hussein’s forces.

But getting “desert ready” is no easy task when you’ve spent the 1980s preparing to defend Europe from Soviet invasion.

There are tanks to prepare, aircraft to paint, uniforms to buy and everyone needs to be vaccinated to protect them from diseases such as anthrax and bubonic plague.

On top of all that there’s a LOT of training to do.

Listen as the decision makers, military commanders and ordinary soldiers, sailors and airmen all reflect on their roles in the 1991 Gulf War, 30 years on.

This is an original podcast series from BFBS.

Presented by Jade Callaway.

Produced by Jade Callaway and Jess Bracey

Sound design by Joe Carden

Edited by Josella Waldron

With thanks to Tim Cooper, Emma Davies, James Hirst, Laura Makin-Isherwood and Claire Sadler at Forces News

Archive:

The Gulf War: How did the British Army Prepare (BFBS TV 1990)