Surveying Targets in China
Another task assigned to X Troop were extensive survey schemes to lay base lines and establish bases and survey points to locate targets in China. The survey for this was hard work as we climbed all the hills and mountains used for observations in the frontier area and further back in the heat, and on foot, while encumbered with all the survey gear including the heavy beacons.
We then calculated the coordinates for these potential targets. Knowing the positions of our own guns, and the positions of the targets, if Hong Kong was attacked, our guns could have immediately laid down accurate and effective fire. We had a great deal of trouble with this survey initially, but then found that the survey data we had originally been given on which to base our work was wrong. So that had to be corrected.
Calibration
The most enjoyable work we had was that of calibration. Only small parties of surveyors were involved and we got away from the Troop and Battery with its duties and fatigues. The firing range was out to sea in the remote, attractive and scenic Clearwater Bay, set below High Junk Peak on the south easterly coast with Tung Lung Island to the south. We set the base up on several excursions to the hills surrounding the Bay. And like all the other hills in the New Territories and Hong Kong their tops were only accessible on foot, which meant hard scrambling whilst loaded up in the heat.
Once up there though I was often reminded of the cliffs and sea views I knew so well of Portland and of the Channel Isles where I had just previously had a holiday, for on the calibration shoots the shot falls into the sea. The first guns we calibrated were 5.5’s of the 58th Medium Regiment, and we then did, I think, 25 pounders of the 25th Field Regiment, and later the 4.2” mortars of 120 Mortar Battery.
Having established the observing posts and base, the actual calibration shoots were for us a relaxing duty, the firing being intermittent as each gun was laid and fired independently with great care as the laying was corrected after each firing. We then establishing by observation and calculation in our HQ where the shot had fallen. This was then checked against how the gun had been laid and the next shot and charge adjusted accordingly. Being in radio contact with the guns we knew when they were to fire and thus were ready to observe the fall of the shot. Occasionally a salvo was fired and the fall of this into the sea from the 5.5’s was a grand sight.
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.