High ranking French government official visits the camp of French troops in Algeria. He speaks with some soldiers, reviews a formation of troops, and views terrain from fortified lookout point, through telescopic binoculars.
Aerial overview of several French military outposts in Algeria. French Legionnaires constructing a new fort on top of a hill. They set barbed wire at periphery; crack rocks with sledge hammer; pass building stones in a brigade, passing them along a line of soldiers. They mix mortar with shovels and pass it to masons using it to set stones. A field kitchen feeds the troops. Touch of humor noir: they name the mess tent: "Restaurant Mort delice." Views from outpost. French Legionnaires raise the tricolor over finished outpost. A large white cross held on ground with stones, marks helicopter landing site.
Helicopter lands in field and French soldiers load fuel cans and military supplies into the helicopter. A soldier speaks briefly to the pilot, and then the helicopter takes off. View from the helicopter, as it flies away, with French troops below. The helicopter passes over horses grazing in fields, and descends to waiting French soldiers, who rush to unload the fuel and supplies. Aerial view from helicopter at altitude, over the terrain.
French office and soldiers ride on dirt road, in a jeep, followed by a tank. They pass damaged building and encounter barrier of downed trees across the road. They examine the barrier. French Foreign Legionnaires set explosives to break up the trees, and then drag them aside using cables and military vehicles. Truck full of soldiers seen moving along the cleared road. The jeep and tank proceed.
Scenes of hilly countryside. A road sign points directions to places: "Lambese; Arris; Biskra; Timgad;Khenchela." A French military airfield. A helicopter lands and then takes off again. French armored vehicles in courtyard of a French military compound. Armored vehicle and truck with French troops on street of town. Car parked on roadside next to sign reading: "Arris." Overview of town.
French tanks enter Algerian town. Residents lined up on streets, cheer, as they watch French armor drive down dusty street of town. They greet soldiers. Officers look through binoculars. French artillerymen fire 75mm field guns. Explosions occur. Hills in the background. Brushfire on hillside. French officer, in beret, with unit crest, smiles and looks through binoculars.