The Cadet Corporal (27 page)

At that Sgt Yeldham commented, “That'd be St Michaels, hiding at the back!”

It raised a few snickers but Capt Conkey was not amused. “That will be enough of those sorts of comments thank you! Don't interrupt,” he snapped, flashing an angry glance at Sgt Yeldham. Then he went on, “We know Heatley have been patrolling this area and we suspect they may be watching us even now. They certainly have patrols forward so we can expect contact as soon as we leave this location. There are also sections guarding the ends of each bridge and the bottoms of all the pylons.”

He held up a map board with the known ‘enemy' patrols and guard posts shown in red. To Graham it made a formidable array. ‘They don't mean to lose this time,' he thought.

Capt Conkey emphasized the same point. “We have badly dented their pride with our raids on the airfield and the actions at Sandy Ridge and Black Knoll the other night. They want their revenge. It is going to take our very best efforts to get past them to the target. As well, there are umpires from the army staff and from Fifteen A.C.U. They will have white armbands and are supposed to be impartial.”

He then went on to talk about civilians and not to annoy or frighten them, to keep out of private property. A new map was handed around to all NCOs and CUOs showing the ‘out-of-bounds' areas shaded in. Luckily there didn't seem to be many.

“Meteorology, weather will be fine. Temperatures forecast at a twenty degree minimum. Moon is not up till nearly zero four hundred tomorrow morning, which is good. However, we suspect that both Heatley and St Michaels have several night vision devices, ‘Ninox' and the like, on loan from the army. So good fieldcraft is essential.”

That was sobering news and Graham wondered how on earth he could hide from a Ninox night sight on a bright starry night.

Capt Conkey paused for a drink of water, then said, “Mission. Our mission is to destroy the Bunyip River rail and road bridges.”

He repeated this and Graham felt a thrill of excitement. This was exactly the sort of exercise he had been hoping it would be. ‘I am going to enjoy this,' he thought, until he remembered who was in his section.

Next came the ‘Execution' paragraphs. In the ‘Scheme of Manoeuvre' Capt Conkey explained that there were to be six raiding parties. That got Graham's interest. Capt Conkey showed their routes and targets on the model. Having done this quickly he went over it again in detail when he covered ‘Groupings and tasks.' “First are the Hutchie Men. Their grouping is the CSM, the Hutchie men, plus one signaller from HQ. They are to go upstream to the right and come around the end of the enemy via the railway from Bunyip Bend. Their target is the steel power pylon on the West bank near the rail bridge. Next is to be Four Section. Grouping is Four Section, plus one medic and one signaller from HQ. They are to go upstream to the Anabranches and then south via the ruins of the old meatworks, then attack the western end of the rail bridge, the concrete abutments or Pylon Number Seven.”

When he heard this Graham at first did not comprehend. It was only when he heard what the others were going to do that he realised that he was not to operate with his own platoon. 2 Platoon (minus) was to move down the west side of Ruin Island and attack the road and rail bridges. Their main targets were Pylons Five and Six. Four Platoon, plus Peter as a guide and signaller, plus a medic, was to do a wide detour back over Sandy Ridge and around to the south of the rail bridge to attack from the South against Pylons 3 and 4. 1 Platoon was to go cross-country between the river and Bare Ridge to attack the eastern end of the rail bridge, Pylons 1 and 2. 3 Platoon was to advance south along the eastern bank of the river to attack the highway bridge, and the enemy HQ near a picnic area toilet block.

“Three Platoon is to move ahead of 2 Platoon and 1 Platoon and is to break up the pattern of the enemy defences at the highway,” Capt Conkey explained. When he was sure that each group knew their objectives he went on to the ‘Co-ordinating Instructions'. During that Graham learnt that his section was moving with the remainder of 2 Platoon at 1700, along with the Hutchie Men and 4 Platoon. Once across the open sand of the river bed they were to split up and 4 Platoon was to do a big circle of three kilometres back to their previous night's bivouac area. They would then march back to this location.

“This is our deception plan,” Capt Conkey explained. “I am sure that Heatley will have a patrol watching the river bed and I hope they will see lots of troops go across the river to the west bank. As most of company will actually be raiding down the east bank I am hoping that will decoy a lot of their patrols over that way. Sorry Four Platoon, but you are going to have to demonstrate that you are big and tough and can march those extra kilometres. I want you back here by eighteen hundred.”

Other timings were given. The raiders were to try to pass the highway at about 2030 and to hit the railway bridge at about 2100. They were all to be home by midnight, or were to report to the nearest unit for a safety check. The routes were then covered again in detail, with map references. Graham was satisfied he would have no navigational problems.

Boundaries were made clear, rendezvous allocated then the ‘Action on Contact' was explained in detail. Capt Conkey held up two red cloth epaulets and two yellow cloth epaulets. “The red epaulets are being worn by St Michaels and the yellow ones by Heatley. We are to wear two green ones.”

He held one of these up. It was a bright green colour. Then he explained. “If you are captured, or if an umpire says you have lost the battle, you are to hand over one of your epaulets to the enemy. When you have lost both you become a prisoner and stay with them. If you win you get their epaulets. If you get their last one then they are out of the exercise and must go to their HQ and take no further part in the battle. Is that clear? Yes Cpl Bell?”

Stephen had his hand up. “Sir, if we capture a set of enemy epaulets can we wear them to trick them?”

There was a ripple of applause and laughter. Capt Conkey shook his head. “No Cpl Bell. We are using skill and fair play, not low trickery. The CSM has already suggested this afternoon that we whip into Charters Towers and buy the right coloured cloth to make full sets of enemy epaulets.”

Graham met Stephen's eye and he grinned. ‘Trust Steve to think of that!' he thought with a mixture of admiration and disapproval.

Capt Conkey then went on to remind them of the standard safety rules. “No physical contact. No hitting. No throwing. No running in the dark. Safety first!” To back this up he gave detailed information on the locations of safety vehicles and the medics. Graham learned that each platoon, plus his own section, each had a medic attacked. ‘I wonder who that will be?' he thought, gloomily running through the HQ roll in his head.

The action at the objective he found fascinating. Capt Conkey explained that, in reality, it would take tons of explosives placed in exactly the right place by skilled engineers or demolition experts to knock down such huge bridges. “We are lucky,” he said. “We have the latest technology bombs, ‘Supersemtex'. A tiny amount causes enormous damage.”

He bent down and picked up a plastic container out of the ration pack boxes and held it up. It had BOMB written on it in felt pen, plus the unit name. “All you have to do is get one of these to the base of a pylon, or the end of a bridge and leave it. If you do we have won.”

“What's inside it sir?” Cpl Griffin asked.

“These are formal orders Cpl Griffin. Questions at the end. But the answer is nothing. They are just empty boxes. You can put a piece of paper saying ‘Bang!' and your names if you like,” Capt Conkey replied.

“But sir,” Dimbo called out, “What if the other mob hide it and deny we put it there?”

“We have to hope they will be fair,” Capt Conkey replied.

“But they could lie sir!” Dimbo persisted.

“Maybe, but we won't. So you can add your names in felt pen on the concrete, just to be sure. They won't be able to remove that in time.”

That satisfied them. Capt Conkey had a bomb issued to every section commander, each sergeant and each CUO. He then covered ‘action if lost' and went on to Administration and Logistics and then Command and Signals. During that Graham learned that his section would be given a signaller. He noted that the Coy Radio Net had ten sets on it: one at the CP, one with the OC, six with the raiding parties, and two with safety vehicles. Capt Conkey would be moving with the other OOCs, except Lt McEwen, to be at the exercise HQ. Lt McEwen was to stay with five sick cadets at this location and would man the unit CP and base radio station. The platoon nets were still the small hand-held CB radios. They were then given the password and countersign- SANDY- SAHARA.

Capt Conkey then did as time check and said, “Any questions?”

There were plenty but Graham had none. He sat and mulled over his part in the exercise and knew it was going to be the biggest test of his cadet career.

CHAPTER 27

THE NEW SECTION

As soon as Capt Conkey finished his briefing Staff Sgt Gayney and Cpl Parnell issued the green epaulets to each platoon sergeant. These were then handed to the section commanders for distribution to cadets. Sliding them onto his shoulder straps made Graham feel quite special and he was torn by a mixture of emotions. He knew he was looking forward to the exercise as an event, yet afraid of failing as a leader. There were also the glimmerings of satisfaction that his section would be operating on its own.

‘At least no-one else will see me when things go wrong,' he thought; for he was sure that things would go wrong. Already he could hear the discontented mutterings from behind him as the initial shock of transfer wore off among his new members.

Capt Conkey called, “Platoon commanders, get your people moving. Get ready.”

CUO Masters stood up and called out, “Up you get Two Platoon. Section commanders move your sections back to the platoon area and have tea.”

Graham had no choice but to stand up and face his new section. The first small test was thrust upon him. “Stand up Four Section.”

To his relief they did, although there were hostile and rebellious looks from the four ex- 4 Platoon members. Graham made himself face them. “You blokes go and collect your gear and join us,” he instructed, trying to sound at least neutral.

“Gawd! Bloody hell!” Pigsy muttered.

“Just do it!” Graham snapped, his own emotions so jangled he was on the edge of losing his temper.

“But we are senior cadets,” Waters challenged. “Why should we be with a junior platoon?”

“Ask CUO Grey, not me!” Graham replied. “Or ask Capt Conkey. Now either do what you are told or take yourselves to the CSM.”

The four scowled but LCpl Franks turned and started walking away towards where 4 Platoon had left their gear. ‘He is the weakest,' Graham thought as he watched the others reluctantly follow.

He was amazed to find his heart was beating as rapidly as if he had run a race and he knew he was deeply angry. But at least they had obeyed. “Come on!” he snapped at the others and led them back to where their packs were. Once there he sat down on his pack and dug out his stove and food. By then he was so upset he did not feel like eating but made himself.

As he lit his hexamine Graham saw that Kristy was looking at him. For a moment their eyes met and she looked quite wistful. All Graham could do was shrug and look down. ‘I don't understand either,' he told himself, although he thought he had a pretty good idea. ‘I've been given all the rejects so I must be one too!'

The four ex-4 Platoon cadets returned while Graham was stirring his food in his mess tins. They were still scowling and grumbling but had obviously not complained to either CUO Grey or Capt Conkey. They sat to one side and in a way that signalled they did not want to be part of the section. Turning their backs on the platoon they began preparing their evening meal. It all made Graham feel quite stressed but he forced himself to pretend he was relaxed and happy. To that end he boiled water for coffee and ate his food with apparent enjoyment.

All the while he kept glancing at his watch. There was no time to be wasted. The platoon was due to move at 1700 and the minutes seemed to fly. There was so much to do that Graham became quite anxious. As quickly as he could he washed up, packed away his stove and mess gear, added a tin of food and the ‘bomb' to his webbing, then refilled his water bottles. He even made a point of brushing his teeth. All the while he chivvied the others to hurry, avoiding a direct confrontation with ‘The Four' as he did.

The ‘raiders' were leaving their packs in a row back against the bank and were doing the raid in ‘Patrol Order', which meant basic webbing. Graham badgered the cadets to hurry, to make sure they had full waterbottles; that they had a spare meal; that they had been to the toilet, and that they had their torches and matches in case of an accident or becoming lost. It all took time and the minutes sped by.

CUO Masters and Sgt Grenfell added to the sense of nervousness by walking around and urging the section commanders to get their people ready. Graham saw that Gwen's section had all finished and were starting to apply camouflage and that made him even more anxious. He told his own section to do likewise. In none of this was he helped by Franks, his nominal 2ic. All Graham could do was shrug and do the work himself. His ‘original' cadets were willing enough and quickly cammed up. Even Bragg was keen and helped Milson.

As Graham began applying his own camouflage cream to his face a group of cadets came along the river bed and reported to CUO Masters.

Graham glanced up and saw that they were the ‘attached' personnel from HQ Platoon: two medics and two signallers. But when he saw who were being sent to his section his heart plummeted in dismay. The signaller was Cadet Carnes, and the medic was ‘Slim' Lyle, so called because he was big and fat.

‘Oh bloody hell!' he groaned. ‘What have I done to deserve this pair of slugs?'

That opinion he instantly revised. ‘No, Slim is Ok,' he told himself. Slim just looked like a big, docile child. He had a baby face and was thought to be a ‘bit of a sook'. His face split into a friendly grin as he approached and Graham could not help smiling back and returning his cheerful grin. Carnes on the other hand just looked miserable and said nothing. He dumped the army radio on the sand and slumped down next to it.

‘More rejects!' Graham thought unhappily. He studied Carnes' face and then had an idea. ‘He was on two patrols with Pete. Maybe he isn't as bad as he looks. I'll ask Pete.'

Seeing that he still had 15 minutes before they were due to move Graham went in search of Peter. He found him swinging on his webbing, preparatory to moving over to join 4 Platoon. Peter was grinning happily and was clearly enjoying himself and looking forward to the exercise.

Graham was so miserable and down that he was sorely tempted to unburden his sorrows to his friend but instead he managed a smile and said, “I've been give Carnes as my sig. Who decided that?”

“He asked to go to your section,” Peter replied.

That was a surprise and it must have showed. Graham shook his head and said, “You had him in your patrol. What's he like?”

Peter looked thoughtful, then answered, “Most of the time he is no trouble. He just mopes along, and he does what you tell him without argument. But he is a real loner and keeps to himself.”

“Is he a good sig?”

Peter made a face. “No. Poor to average.”

“So he didn't give you any problems, even at night?” Graham asked anxiously.

“Well, not really,” Peter replied. For a moment he looked thoughtful again, then said, “There was just one incident. At the rail bridge.” “What did he do?” Graham asked.

“Something quite odd,” Peter replied. “We spent half a day studying the rail bridge from a hide a few hundred metres away. We couldn't go closer because the officers from Heatley and St Michaels were there planning their defence. So we waited till the middle of the night before crossing the bed of the river under the bridge. It was about three in the morning and I stopped the patrol while I measured the circumference of one of the concrete pylons. It was weird.”

Peter paused and Graham felt a distinct sense of apprehension. “In what way?” he asked.

“When I finished I found Carnes just standing there, staring up at the bridge. You could see it clearly enough in the starlight. I spoke to him but he didn't move, just kept staring up as though he hadn't heard me,” Peter explained.

Graham shivered. “What happened?”

Peter shrugged. “I spoke to him again and he just looked at me, then seemed to snap out of a trance. After that he just followed along with no problems.”

“Oh bugger! Is he an epileptic or something?” Graham asked.

“Don't know. You'd have to ask the officers that,” Peter said.

A call from CUO Grey ended the conversation. Peter put out his hand and patted Graham's sleeve. “Don't worry. You will manage. He must like you. Anyway, I gotta go. Have fun! See you later.”

Not at all reassured Graham hurried back to where 2 Platoon was now pulling on webbing and preparing to move. There was no time for any further discussions so Graham swung on his own webbing and did it up, then ordered the section to line up. Most of them did this readily enough but ‘The Four' made it plain by their deliberately slow moves that they weren't going to just roll over and give up.

As he walked along the line checking they were all there and ready to go Graham felt his stomach churn with anxiety. The looks in the eyes of The Four told him that they were sure to give trouble the moment there was no CUO or sergeant around. The thought of miserable failure reduced Graham to near panic and he wondered how he could possibly get out of the situation.

No escape offered itself and his hopes were ended by CSM Cleland giving the signal to move. Graham gulped and felt the bile rise in his throat to sour the moment. The Hutchie Men filed off behind the CSM, then 4 Platoon. As Peter went past he gave Graham a ‘thumbs up' and Graham managed a ‘good luck' in return.

“We don't need it,” Peter quipped, “We depend on skill!”

Graham snorted and had to smile. Then CUO Masters tacked on behind 4 Platoon, followed by his attached signaller, Cadet James. Graham had no option but to start walking behind James. By now he was feeling so agitated that it seemed he could not contain his restlessness. He had to force himself to think about something else so as not to break into fits of trembling or tears.

Graham glanced anxiously back along the line, partly to check that the section really was following, but also to get a glimpse of Kristy. He did, but she looked a long way back and he wasn't sure if she had seen him. For a few seconds his feelings were pushed aside by the impression of sheer military purpose in the long line of camouflaged cadets snaking along under the trees. ‘That looks really good!' he thought.

For a few minutes he recaptured the old thrill and excitement that he had experienced on previous exercises. It had begun! They were on their way! The elite paratroop raiders about to strike!

CSM Cleland led them along under the overhanging trees until they came out into the open, sandy bed of the Canning just near where it joined the Bunyip. After that they clambered from rock to rock to get across the narrow strip of water between the bank of the Bunyip and the downstream end of the small, tree-covered island. All the while Graham kept looking around, noting where they were, checking for any sign of the enemy, looking back along the line of camouflaged raiders.

‘We look bloody good!' he thought. The camouflage, webbing, radios and the green epaulets all formed an image that lifted his spirits and helped stiffen his resolve.

The island was only ten metres wide and then there were more rocks to step across, and even a few paces of wading in knee deep water. The water seeping into his boots didn't bother Graham but he heard loud moans and complaints from The Four. He glared back at him but they ignored him, only relapsing into silence when CUO Masters called back angrily. That scorched Graham's pride too. ‘He will think I can't control my section,' he thought unhappily.

The rocks littered the river bed for a hundred metres. From his rudimentary knowledge of geography Graham decided it was a rock bar which extended most of the way across the river bed. Most were only boulders but there were several extensive sheets of smooth, water-polished granite. This was slippery to walk on and most of Graham's attention was taken up with keeping his footing.

Beyond that was sand, hundreds of metres of sand. As they trudged across this Graham looked downstream to his left and his mouth fell open in surprise. ‘There are the bridges!' he noted with astonishment. He knew from the map that the highway bridge was only one and a half kilometres downstream, and the railway bridge another kilometre beyond that but he had not expected to see them so soon. The highway bridge was a grey bar half hidden by clumps of trees growing in the bed of the river. The railway bridge just showed as a criss-cross of spidery lines against the sky beyond.

Seeing the objective moved Graham's thoughts to the defenders and he looked first over his left shoulder at the line of trees along the river bank. ‘I wonder if Heatley does have a patrol watching us?' he thought.

Ahead and to the left front was the line of steep sand bluffs which marked the outside edge of Ruin Island. Graham scanned the crest but there were so many trees and bushes and clumps of grass that an enemy patrol would have no trouble staying hidden. Then he remembered what Capt Conkey had said during the briefing: 4 Platoon was to double back later on and go the other way. Marching openly across the sand in daylight was all part of the deception plan.

‘We are the decoys,' he told himself. ‘I hope they are watching!'

Loud muttering, curses and grumbles from behind caused him to amend this to ‘listening'. The Four were making so much noise that any enemy patrol on either bank of the river for hundreds of metres would be able to hear them. Once again he glared at them and then hissed angrily, “Stop making so much noise back there!”

“Stick it up “ he heard muttered insolently back but was not sure who had said it. However the noise did tone down for a while.

What The Four were complaining about was walking along the sandy river bed. It was hard on the leg muscles, particularly the upper thigh muscles. Graham began to pant and perspire. He kept looking back and noted Carnes plodding along, head down and the corners of his mouth down as well. ‘Oh, I hope he doesn't give me any dramas,' he worried.

Pigsy's voice carried clearly to him. “This is bloody stupid! We must stick out like a country dunny walking up the middle of the bloody river like this. Why don't we try to sneak up on the enemy?”