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Hurriedly each section organised the cooking and eating of its hard
rations to be ready for dusk stand-to. Weapon pits were manned and
silence with the darkness descended on the perimeter.
Eyes strained to identify each shadow; ears were attuned to catch
noise not belonging to the orchestration of mosquito, cricket, wind and
wave. As minute followed uneventful minute each new minute became
pregnant with fearful anticipation.
Nothing happened.
The perimeter settled to sleep. Ponchos were unfurled. Machetes
carved hip-holes in the soil. Blind hands felt to arrange blankets and to
place arms and ammunition within instant reach. Sentries groped their way
to weapon pits to strain weary eyes at the darkness while comrades slept.
Through the long hours friendly eyes looked outward from the perimeter.
Enemy eyes looked in.
The first attack came at 0130 hours. This time the attack was launched
by Mother Nature. A sudden drenching downpour overwhelmed the flimsy
protection of ponchos erected with unskilled hands. Water ran cold and
clammy under the fold of blankets and groundsheet. Bodies stirred ami
shivered. Second wave of the assault launched by frenzied mosquitoes, was
beaten in sharp counter attack by use of insect repellant.
Then just before dawn came the 2 inch mortar tire.
The enemy had crawled around to the eastern tip of the island under
cover of darkness. Here, being only three in number, he decided to try to
explode the Bomb by mortar fire. (Verey flare and thunderflash.)
CUO Edser rapidly ordered a section to remove this threat whilst
the rest of the platoon stood-to.
Sand crunched under Army boots as the riflemen hurried along the
beach with Brens rattling from their right flank across a mangrove swamp.
Over the rain-soaked dunes went seven men to strike down three and exercise
“Phutt-nik” was successfully completed.
Much as the Wynnum Cadets enjoyed the realism of this adventure
type exercise, they were scarcely more appreciative than was 5 Cadet
Battalion Commander, Major H. Williams, who participated in the operation
in its every detail and discomfort and who complimented Wynnum on a
difficult job well done.

SPEECH - -
This year the School purchased a number of L.P. recordings, including
‘‘Julius Caesar." "The Snow Goose,” and “Ages of Man”. These recordings
have made the students familiar with the voices of James Mason, Winston
Churchill. Laurence Olivier and John Gilgud. It is hoped that this will
inculcate a great interest in, and appreciation of. good speech.
Verse speaking has proved popular and “King John" and “Irate Dirk
of Dundee" are firm favourites.
Each Aveek the students are encouraged to concentrate on correcting
specific speech defects.
Recordings have been made of students’ voices and Annette Horton is
to be congratulated on her fine performance.
Dramatisation of everyday situations, for example, a visit to the
dentist, and interview with an employer, reveals much hidden talent. How
ever. the general standard of the impromptu conversations certainly shows
the need for tuition in the art of speech which is far too often the Cinderella
in the High School curriculum.
Our thanks to Miss McClanachan for her interest and help.
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