They Ignored The Wind

New Zealand Listener, Volume 7, Issue 176, 6 November 1942, Page 9

They Ignored The Wind

noon. In the lee of a building near the parade ground 130 members of the W.A.A.C, radio location division were forming up, ready to parade in honour of the 27 who, having finished their course, were now to be sent out to duty points. The word of command was given, and the rhythmical thump of man-sized fe was a very windy Friday after-

boots resounded on the gravel. The squad swung into action, with paces evenly matched and arms raised to the same level. My unprofessional eye found it impossible to tell from the marching which were the veterans of six-weeks standing and which the most recent recruits to the corps. Perhaps facial expression would give some indication, I decided, deducing that the newness of a recruit would bear some ratio to the number of her blisters. But as row after row swung past me, all wearing an expression of bright alertness, I was forced to resign. myself to ignorance of the status of all but the 27 girls in the first detachment. They formed up on the far side of the parade ground, to await the arrival of the Governor-General. The windpierced spectators huddled in the shelter of the buildings. The Governor-General arrived, the spectators emerged, the troops. were duly inspected and the March Past concluded. There were murmurs of appreciation from the guests as each line of girls swept past with step unbroken and files unbent. Briskness and Efficiency Next item on the programme was a demonstration of actual radio location work by the 27 graduates from the training course, and in this the girls showed themselves as thoroughly at home as they had appeared on the parade ground. Beginning with the starting-up of the Diesel power engines, they carried out each order with a briskness and efficiency that spoke well for the thoroughness of their training. The onlookers were restive, they wrapped their coats warmly round them and clutched irritatedly at hats and scarves, but the wind was powerless to penetrate the complete absorption each member of the team brought to her allotted task. A 60-mile-an-hour gale may be considered one of the lésser afflictions that a member of an anti-aircraft unit is required to endure, yet the indifference shown by the girls to this minor inconvenience may be an indication that even more disturbing influences will have as little

effect:

M.

B.