THE ROMANCE OF R.L.

Flak, 1 July 1943, Page 27

THE ROMANCE OF R.L.

This is secret, so you can’t read it. At least, you won’t know what I’m writing about, unless you are a W.A.A.C. and a No. 3. But I’m going to write about it just the same. I have always wanted to write about the life of a No. 3. I think it is a thrilling life, full of romance, worthy of books, poetry, novels, etc., etc. Some day I shall write a poem about it, but this will do for just now. You have to be clever to be a No. 3. Radio location is fascinating work, but you must be clever to do it. You have to go on a course and for six months or weeks or something study how I equals E over R, and even harder things than that. The Army spends pots of money on you. And then, at the end of it all, you become a specialist in R.L., perhaps a No. 3. Your work is very specialised. It consists almost entirely of sitting on a little seat and keeping one pointer on top of another one that moves round. This is very interesting

and difficult. You do it by turning two handles like bicycle pedals. The pointer spins round like mad one way and you chase it like mad; then it suddenly turns and goes back the other way. Then it stops still for half-an-hour. You sit as still as a rock with your eyes glued to it all the time. Then you glance up for a second to see if it is still daylight. When you look back, the pointer has moved and is nearly round the other side of the dial. You chase it like mad, then it stops still for another half hour. This process then repeats itself, and goes on repeating itself for the duration and six months after, or something. Sometimes it seems even longer than that, but that is really long enough. It is really fascinating work, being a No. 3. At least, that is what they tell you when you join the W.A.A.C.’s. But, of course, you really have to do it yourself to realise just how fascinating it is. —SPARKS.