´óÏó´«Ã½

While serving with the 16/5th Lancers in Strassburg in Carinthia, Austria, in 1946, we tried to assist the villagers of what was a small farming community to overcome the many problems that the War had brought them, by hiring many of them as interpreters, labourers and the odd craftsman. A typical example was when we built our squadron bathhouse. This was a wooden building containing a changing room with hooks, shelves, benches etc. and a shower room with twelve shower heads with an ample supply of hot water and more importantly, lots of soap. This was situated on the outskirts of the village and the villagers were allowed free use of this facility on two days each week.

Maidens and hornets

After a few weeks it was apparent that many of the village maidens would have a shower party on a specific afternoon. This fact was duly noted by the Lance Corporal in charge, as was the other fact that a hornets' nest was in process of building in the changing room, thus an evil plot was hatched

The squadron was alerted to this plot and were encouraged by the Lance Corporal to attend at the appropriate time. And so it was that many of the squadron were congregated around the front of the bathhouse when the Lance Corporal tugged on a string, which he had laboriously tied around the base of the hornets' nest. This caused it to fall to the floor, allowing the hornets to buzz around to find the source of their annoyance.

At the first sign of this catastrophe, the bathhouse door flew open and a dozen young maidens in all states of undress - including the full monty - escaped into the security of the open air. Whereupon a loud cheer rang out, as if to celebrate yet another British victory.

All washed up

Yet another incident was caused by the troop living on the top floor of the local Nunnery, close to the village. The men had a nasty habit of throwing their washing up water out the window, and it made a nasty ice covered patch on the ground below. This was duly reported to the Orderly Officer, a young 'sprog' straight out of England by the name of Lt 'Bill' who, with Sgt Rocky Knight acting SSM in attendance viewed the scene.

Lt Bill deduced in true Sherlock Holmes style that the offenders must live behind 'that window there …', and, as he turned his face upwards to point to the offending window, yet another basin of washing up water was descending, covering him in glory. Surreptitious smiles and giggles broke out all over the Squadron.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.