大象传媒

Our battalion, along with others did the first invasion of the war on Madagascar. It was thought that the Japanese would beat us to it and we had to get there first. In any event, the nearest they got was via submarines when they torpedoed the battle ship Ramillies. It was rumoured, but not confirmed that a frigate was hit as well. That was June 1st 1942. The ships were all anchored in Diego Suarez bay at the time.
After the honourable surrender and handing over of arms, companies were deployed at strategic points on the island - ours were on the high ground overlooking the aforementioned bay. We used to "stand to" in trenches we had previously dug in the heat of the day, when we were first deployed, well before dawn. After "stand by" there was very little to do except to try and keep cool, and now and again a section of us would be taken down from our hill camp to the beach.
How do you describe paradise? After my first session that's how I saw it, beautiful graceful palm trees waving in the cool breeze off the sea, which was only one hundred yards away across clean golden sand, the blue sea crystal clear, gradually increasing in depth so there was no danger unless you went way, way out and it was as calm as a mill pond. I was about the last to go in. The water was as warm as can be and I didn't shiver in water for the first time I could remember. I tried my usual hopping breaststroke and then wonder of wonders, i didn't need to hop - i could actually swim! I put my face under the water, opened my eyes (no chemicals to sting), and could see crabs and little fish going about their business. Taking a deep breath, i swam down under - it is a different world down there- a wonderland. Before we went back I was able to float on the water quite relaxed on my back. It was a glorious feeling and with just a slight movement of my hands at the side I was able to propel myself along. I also did the side stroke. I never did manage the crawl but I thought I had done marvellously in the two hour period considering.
I said we had very little to do, just keep our kit in working order that's all. Well one afternoon we were fed up - there is a limit to the amount of attention you can pay to the antics of a chameleon changing colour or catching flies with that long sticky tongue or to watching a stick insect move which takes a long time believe me. So when Buzz, one of my Geordie mates said "shall we go for a swim?" I was more than willing and fell in with the idea immediately.
We had been there about half an hour when we saw the rest of the lads in a line under the palms. The corporal on the orders of the officer told us politely to "get the hell out of there, you are both on a fisser" We suffered the indignity of sweating in the sun fully dressed while the rest of the lads had a marvellous time. We were on Coy orders the next day in front of the C.O....we were given fourteen days field punishment for being absent without leave. It didn't amount to much really. All our kit had to be boned up so you could see your face in it, if at all possible and in some cases it wasn't possible but it still needed to be done. Then at any time we could be called on parade, full kit for inspection, day or night. One NCO on guard duty took a delight in doing just that three times in one night.
During the day, besides other things, we did all the spud bashing round the field kitchen. Then, after a meal we had to clean and scour with sand, all the greasy pans. The cook was in charge of us at those times and he did like his mug of char every hour on the hour we were making it and he didn't care if you was early but woe betide you if you forgot and went past the hour. I really missed my tea after we had finished our two weeks. I thought it was a lesson well learned and worth the punishment,... Buzz didn't...He kept saying "If only we had waited half an hour!" I suppose to him it was just another swim but to me, well I was in love, for only the second time in my life, and i know that Margaret will forgive me. I was in love with a Madagascon bathing beach, not a beach babe.

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