Surveying, An Observation Post
We were soon busy with survey activities. Even so, and as ever, there were still guards to be done, holes to be dug, fatigues to be performed and periods of little useful activity along with what seemed a constant change of tent. The survey tasks were all interesting, and we then started putting our Larkhill taught skills to work.
One of the first duties we had was manning an Observation Post (OP) dug into the forward slope of Crest Hill a few hundred yards from the border from which we had an extensive view across the Shum Chun River, the border areas and into mainland China. Within the hill were stores and on the rearward side a covered area for cooking over a petrol stove, a thunder box (latrine) and a tent precariously perched on the steep slope through which a gale of wind blew, and in which we attempted to sleep.
A jeep track went part of the way and from its end was a rough track. For a 48 hour guard duty, we had to manpack up all our kit and arms, including live ammunition, water, food, bedding and supplies, a difficult and challenging struggle. One of our fatigues also involved this post, replenishing its stores a very hard toil. From the OP we had a good vantage point to see what was happening, and we kept a 24 hour watch on the actions of the communists on their side of the border with all activities and movements logged. The communists similarly looked at us. They had one post on what we called China Mountain and opposite on our side was one named Robins Nest.
The observation party consisted of an officer, sergeant, three surveyors and the batman/driver who acted as cook and spare hand. I found this quite exciting and I recall spending Easter 1950 on this duty. We were then the most forward soldiers of the British Army. I felt it real soldiering particularly when a party of us ventured out, carrying our arms, to a small village below where we bartered with the villagers for milk and eggs to replenish our provisions. Not all that long before I had been a civilian in suburban Surbiton!
We were also made aware of the communist presence when one morning as we were on parade an aircraft – from the remnants of the Nationalist forces – suddenly flew low overhead and let loose a fusillade of machine gun fire at the communist positions just across the border. It was all over before we could take in what was happening. But it livened up the start of that day. It made us realize too the war in China was not yet over.
Pretty accurate description, the plane you mention was a ‘Mustang’, after the radio station in Shum Chun.
Thank you John for those remarks and your interest in my story. It’s even more interesting that after sixty five years the event is remembered. It did too at the time make an impression. It all happened so suddenly and was over so quickly. Not something that usually occurred at morning parade.
It appears you have some knowledge of the incident, can you add anything more about it?
Hi John.
I have followed you account with much interest.
You have the facts.
Perhaps you remember the typhoon that followed almost directly after we erected the tents, and demolished the lot. Incidentaly, i remember that after the rain, while a mob of naked soldiers were trying to get some order, a concert party called ‘The Four Aces. appeared and were quickly ushered the Officers Mess to avoid embarrassment ( not ours, I think).
Hey ho.
John.
John, it is apparent from your remarks you and I served time together at Lo Wu, will you say in what capacity?
I can’t say I can recall you directly but in some manner your name seems familiar. I look forward to learning a little more about you.
I think the plane incident and the typhoon were two particularly memorable events at Lo Wu, though it’s probably also true to say the whole experience of Lo Wu is unforgettable.
And I’ve certainly forgotten about that concert party but I can’t forget the hilarity that ensued in course of the torrential rains and its consequences. Something along the lines of a schoolboy lark.
One other matter I have since learned about was the strenuous effort involved in manpacking all the gear up to the OP was subsequently avoided because mules were later employed on the duty instead of of us squaddies. Some had it cushy!
So glad you got in touch, and If you have anything more to add please feel free to do so. How long ago it all was.
My regards,
John.
Hi,John.
As far as I was involved in the in the “man packing’ exercise, the practice of using mules never happened, as it was thought that the animal could carry little more than a soldier and was not as docile.
John, It was after our time. It seems remarkable that mules were employed at all. Why use a mule when you have a squaddy?
Character forming yes, and it did us no harm. It makes me smile when I hear complaints from teen agers about some aspects of their lot today. As was said “…they need to get their service in..”
Please keep up your remarks and tell us something of your NS experience. You clearly retain memories of it.
Regards,
John.
Hi,John ,
I was a regular, a fourth generation ‘gunner’,Your observations as a National Service man are very interesting.I was sorry to hear of Tim Tate-Smith, I bumped into him in Moulton(?) in ’71,while I working on the Shale belt.Bill Hale.Captain Ret.and Major Tilburn Ret,have now gone, but I was lucky enough to serve with them later and they both supported me at my wedding.I left the Army as a W.O. Surveyor 1, A.R.I. working overseas most of the time, including seven years with the S.O.A.
My infrequent visits to the U.K. persuaded me that I would not live there, We now live happily in a small town in France, where I am accepted as a welcome foreigner, not the case in the United States of Britain. So now you have it,Take care,
John.
Very interesting John, sad about Tim TS-we were good friends and he was best man at my wedding-and delighted in Sergeant Hale making Captain well deserved and at which I am not surprised and Capt Tilburn, as was, getting his majority. He was a gentleman and respected us. I thought highly of him. As I did also of Surveyor Sergeants and Warrant Officer’s, accomplished Surveyors RA and good soldiers who set a good example to us squaddies.
Can you say a little more about your service and the gentlemen in question?
I’m not surprised at your living outside of the UK, the USofA has been good to our sons and to us and we could not visualize living elsewhere. I’m glad you are happy with your new life. As we are here. There’s something to be said for starting one in later years. What is amusing about ours is that one day we were residents of staid Tunbridge Wells and immediately on my retirement, of Montana. Different in so many ways!
You did inquire about Brian’s story. I’m sorry there I can’t provide the translations you sought but I can say its purpose is a placeholder for subsequent contributions. The most likely first one is of a Surveyor RA with 15 Locating Battery as it became, and his experiences in Korea.
I now realize you don’t have the same tale as mine, but we do have shared expereinces and if you would care to let us know about them there will be any number of interested readers. And, of whom I should be one. If so please let me know and I can arrange it.
It was so very kind of you to get in touch and I do so appreciate it.
And you too, take care.
John.