We seem to have been absent for several months from The Wire, but hope to be back once again as a regular contributor.

Recently there have been several changes in personalities. We have said farewell to Major BP James and Lt. BM Edwards, both Royal Australian Signals, and to Lt. MJL Bygraves, Royal Signals who sailed to the UK in Sy Tuarwa (how about an article on the journey?)

A number of readers will be interested to know that Major James has returned to Australia to command 1^st Divisional Signal Regiment. Recently arrived are Major AM Hewson, our new OC and Captain IOJ Sprackling, Royal Signals, and also Captain DI Godden and lt. RG Elder both Royal Australian Signals. Other recent arrivals are Sgt. Bell to the Squadron Office, and Sgt Knowles, Cpls Grey, Daniels and Lucas, and Sig Marshall, Nicholson, Remmer and Rourke to Radio Troop and Cpls. Alford and Davis, and Sig. Sealeaf, Simmonds and Williams to Brigade HQ Troop.

We managed one exercise in January and that was originally planned with the RAF, cancelled due to Brunei, and resurrected for HMS Hermes. Two of our Battalion rear link detachments found themselves acting as all purpose tentacles, and thought themselves fortunate to be "base wallahs" for a change – many an interesting comment was heard as operators with stiff wrists wished their Battalion near enough to join!

We raised our hats to the naval pilots – not only did they nearly remove our Squadron HQ shelter (complete with OC and SSM) but they had four aircraft with earth in their jets and one sprouting several pieces of jungle! We trust we will never be on their receiving end!

OC Radio Troop, Captain RJ Costello, has returned from a "swan" to the east coast looking for exercise areas. He took three Australian operators with him and can now vouch for the fact that they do like steak for breakfast! Sig. Klap went to Mersing to buy charcoal and tried his few words of Malay to a little boy in a shop. The reply came back in perfect English –how could an Australian be expected to understand?

Two of our Australian operators went to UK for Christmas and have just returned. We thought that the weather may have upset their holiday but they say they never felt the cold (interior resistance?) and met good hospitality. Their comment on staggering from the aircraft here was, "Wonderful time – book us for next year".

Fresh and fit from our "Jungle Survival Course" in the Cameron Highlands, we all took a large breath of hot, clammy air and prepared for the rigours of the coming month.

On 5^th March, we had the pleasure of a visit from the Representative Colonel Commandant, Brigadier WG Tucker, CBE. Over coffee in the conformable lounge of the Junior Rank’s Club, he was introduced to the wives and members of the Squadron by the President of the Wives Club Mrs. AM Hewson.

After lunch at the Officers Beach Club, he was also able to spend the rest of the day looking over the military aspects of the Squadron. Captain RJ Costello told the Brigadier of his opinion that the C11 is a man-portable set. Two unfortunate members of his troop were forced to prove him correct.

In the early part of the month "A" & "J" troops went on a sharpening-up exercise in Mersing. Although hard work and hard living were the order of the day, the glorious beaches offered plenty of relaxation during "off periods". Contempt for the jungle shown by many "old stagers" was severely shattered one night, by a dubious and indescribable noise issuing from the darkest corner of the camp. Tentative Investigations revealed Sig. Bradley sucking noisily at a bath of crabs claws.

The visit of Colonel PF Pentreath MBE., AAG, War Office (AG11) was of great value and very much appreciated by the officers and senior NCO’s.

Last month we acted as hosts to our "Ever-Readies". Within 48 hours of their arrival they were roughing it on exercise with the rest of the Squadron. Every man was employed at his trade, with one exception: Cpl. King a teleprinter mechanic, came to a Squadron without any teleprinters! We would add that he solved the immediate problem single handed by disappearing for two days without bedding, food or mosquito net. When asked on return how he had survived, he said that he had been logistically supported by an out-station radio detachment, and had kept the mosquitoes away with his "Bud Flanagan" hat! Lt. Benbow has added to his capabilities in many ways, and not least his capacity for beer consumption, although we have since heard he lost half a stone in weight, and now runs for that morning train to town fiercely clutching his trousers. Sgt. Carne proved he could walk into any regular unit and nobody would guess he was a part-timer. L/Cpl. Brazier has kept us supplied with water, and if his Commanding Officer reads these notes we recommend that this NCO be sent on a "water duties" course.

208 Squadron have an interesting story to tell of both work and play when they find themselves in Thailand. Their account ranges from the sterling performance of a C11 set to the startling effects of local whiskey!

208 Squadron had the privilege of being one of the few Commonwealth Units to be fully represented on SEATO Exercise "Dhana Rajata" in Thailand.

The aim of the exercise was to get to know the country and the people and iron out some of the problems generated in a multi-national force of this kind. In the weeks of planning prior to the exercise the increased work-load became steadily more noticeable and the day’s work steadily longer.

On the 7^th May, Captain RJ Costello pulled out of Terendak with the whole compliment of Squadron vehicles and a double dose of drivers. This was one of those not unusual occasions when the advance party of a fully air portable Squadron goes by sea.

The plan was for the vehicle party to stay for about a week in Singapore, sail to Bangkok by lST and then motor the 400 miles of dirt road to Ubon. The sea move on the LST Empire Kitiwwake proved a delightful experience. Cool nights, soft bunks plus films on deck every evening, adding up to a first class cruise.

Bangkok – well, more about that later.

The road journey to Ubon was a wonderful experience not to be repeated. The roads were at times non-existent, certainly bearing no relation to the map, and the convoy nearly choked itself in it’s own dust. The only joy on the journey came from the Thai people. From the elders there was help and welcome, and from the children dignity and good manners.

Soon after the vehicle party sailed, the main party moved to the transit camp at Nee Soon in Singapore, the rail journey went without a hitch. After the tedious and expensive week in Singapore the Squadron left by Hastings on a five hour flight to Ubon.

We flew in to Ubon, down the wavy, muddy line of the Mum River. On one side of the 2,000 yard strip of concrete sprawled the vast tented area of the Commonwealth Transit Camp. Other than the camp admin staff the Squadron was the first unit into Ubon. Almost a week went by before the arrival of the HQ and the first Battalion, and it was, Oh! So peaceful! We had time to explore and get to know our surroundings.

Almost twelve hours after the Squadron flew in, Captain IOJ. Sprackling flew out. Apparently the Squadron Commander jokingly told him that if he felt like going to Bangkok he might as well go. Within an hour he disappeared into the bowels of an American C 123 and was next seen four days later being disgorged from the nose of an RNZAF Bristol freighter. His experiences still remain a mystery.

Ubon was a modest progressive town of about 40,000 people, set in the vast paddy field of NE Thailand. The surrounding country is as flat as a pancake as far as the eye can see, with sparse scrub dotted between the great lakes of paddy.

One of the strongest initial impressions was the number of people in uniform. The bus conductresses were strikingly attractive in their tight grey uniform and white socks, and later we discovered that almost all the basic amenities and public works were controlled and organised by the Army, or the Police or both.

The Thai girls were really something. Opportunities to see more of that something were provided in abundance, particulalry by the three night clubs. The Frolic, The Hula, and the Moonlight. These establishments operated in the next stage down from inky blackness and towards the end of the exercise it was not surprising to see a single stripe and a crown and pip (on the same sleeve) illuminated by the same match.

The Transit Camp itself was very well sited on the side of the runway and occupying the only high ground in the area: Ten feet about the rest of it! Most of the basic amenities which make life tolerable were available. Much to the delight of the local population there was an open Field Shower system and the laundry girls was of the "I must keep a tight grip on myself" standard.

Long before we left Terendak we were aware that a detachment of Americans, one officer and thirty OR’s would be attached to us for the period of the exercise to provide the trunk communications to the Force HQ. One afternoon soon after our arrival in Ubon, a dusty two and a half ton truck pulled into the camp area. 2Lt. Greg Nelson, Top Sgt Austen and their merry band of "Trop Scatterists" had arrived. At the time Major AM Hewson, our OC was dressed casually in an army towel and a pair of basket-ball boots and in the process of washing his underpants. 2Lt. Nelson withdrew and awaited a more opportune moment to introduce himself.

The Americans fitted in perfectly with the Unit and remained with us all through the exercise. True, they had considerable difficulty establishing their communications, but the finally made it on the last day of the exercise, just prior to being swallowed up by the great big Globemaster.

2Lt. Nelson is now the only officer in the 125^th Btn US Signal Corps who goes into a shop and asks "How much is that in pounds sterling?"

During the swapping of uniforms that went on, the most extraordinary deal was struck by Cpl Folbigg. He acquired a brand mew mohair sports coat, straight from the States, for a pair of OG slacks. The Australian slouch hat was at a premium, of course. These were fetching around $30 American before the rot set in. American Sgt. Worley remained a distinct throughout the exercise in his fatigues and a British jungle hat.

On the 1^st June the Brigade Commander, Brigadier RB Dawson, DSO arrived with part of the company of 2 RAR. There was a vast array of photographers and newsmen in attendance, together with a reception committee from Ubon town. Among the reception committee were Colonel Poon, the Thai Army Chief of Staff for Ubon area, Cpl. Dent the Ubon Chief of Police, and a team of Thai dancers. The great Bristol Britannia was an impressive entry for the Brigadier and from the moment he stepped off the aircraft the exercise began.

The local Mekong proved an unexpected stumbling block to the Squadron administration. It consists of an ill-proportioned mixture of neat alcohol and methylated spirit which had a startling effect of some of the troops. It is the only liquid known to man which can keep Sig. Bradley in the position of attention for more than four hours-lying down of course.

During the overland trip from Bangkok the radio equipment took a severe hammering and Radio Technician Sgts. Horton and MacLachlan were kept extremely busy. Sgt. Horton discovered an incredible aptitude for repairing American equipment, which, under the circumstances was a very lucky thing for them. 

On the 7^th June the field force pulled out of the Transit Camp and headed for Amnet Charoen. A few hours later the Battalions were deployed in the field to the NE of Amnet Charoen and the Brigade HQ a few miles to the south. Amnet Charoen was completely different to Ubon. Touched only by the superficial vestige of the national civilisation it was still a considerable event to have a visitor with a fair skin.

The town consisted of a rough football pitch surrounded by shops, houses and a small market place. The Governor’s residence comprised the court room and goal house as well. The people had the most charming manner and every soldier was made to feel like a king. Every day hundreds of town’s folk gathered to watch the Air Supply Drops and the Commonwealth Airforces gave them plenty of thrills with their low level "fly ins".

The civil affairs programme was very extensive here. The Unit MO’s gave medical assistance in the remote areas, the British Information Service providing a mobile cinema and a number of football matches against the local population were organised.

For the first match the whole town of three to four thousand turned out to watch. We were soundly thrashed and at the final whistle there was an expectant hush from the assembled multitude. It was obvious that someone had to make a speech regardless of the fact that no one in the crown understood a word of English. In the prolonged silence that followed, the officers of the Brigade were left completely nonplussed. Suddenly our irrepressible Sgt Knowles mounted the rostrum at the side of the pitch and delivered an unforgettable oration which drew a thunderous applause from every body present. The speech started with, "We of 28 Commonwealth brackets on classified brackets off, etc are very happy….." We never did win a football match regardless of the strong apologies made by a town governor.

On the 11^th June the Squadron was visited by Brigadier ECR Blaker, OBE. He was able to see, first hand some of the problems peculiar to our Squadron in its rather specialised role, and we hope he will visit us again when we are back at Terendak.

On the 15^th June the Brigade withdrew to Ubon for the final phase on the exercise. This was to be Exercise "Dhana Rajata" proper. The combined SEATO Field Force Exercise.

At this stage the only rear link communications to the Task Force HQ at Korat, some 200 miles away, was a one to one C11 link. The lone C11 detachment at Korat, commanded by Sgt R. Harris, provided a voice/CW link for a steady 19 hours every day. This was rather fortunate as the whole of the American tropospheric scatter complex collapsed through engineering difficulties and their 400 watt HF sets just did not get through satisfactorily.

In the flat open country around Ubon, forward communication was a "push over" for the combined efforts of C11 and C24 stations, and from a Signals point of view ran like clock work.

Towards the end of the exercise on the 18^th June the Brigade was honoured by a visit from His Majesty the King of Thailand. During the visit an incident occurred which caused us more embarrassment than the sum total of all the minor errors throughout the exercise. The King was due to speak to the assembled Brigade and we were charged with the duty of fixing up a PA system. The job was given to Sgt Horton, who took to the rather ancient Thai PA equipment like a father to his erring son. He corrected it.

The microphone was on a rostrum in the centre of the main runway. To its front was the assembled Brigade and on its right the Commonwealth Honour Guard. The microphone feed cable ran past the feet of the right marker of the Honour Guard; being not long enough to be out further away. Unfortunately about 30 seconds before the King marched to the rostrum, the Honour Guard did a "right Close" movement. Thirty pairs of boots ground mercilessly into the feed cable and the King’s words were lost in the dead microphone.

Since Our return from Dhana Rajata we have been on a sporting spree. In late July we entered the Brigade Minor Units Swimming Championships and even after an eleventh hour disqualification we just managed to pull through with the title. The ace in the pack of hard –trained swimmers was Sig. BJ Mason, Royal Australian Signals, who turned in three firsts and a lot of support in the relays. The swimming team, under the "non-playing" captaincy of Cpl. Judd is going to go to the Divisional Championships in September.

The Brigade Athletics due to take place on the 8^th August was totally obliterated by an untimely monsoon and had to be postponed for a few days. The squadron came second to 2 Infantry Workshops, who, we must admit were of a superb all round standard for such a small unit.

A very good effort was up in the 4X100 yards relay team who just won the event in 47.6 seconds. The team was L/Cpl O’Donovan, Sig Brister, Warner and Captain Sprackling.

The Divisional championship at the end of August was a repeat performance with the Squadron hard on the heels of 2 Infantry Workshops.