The AP party consisted of a bombardier surveyor, plus two more surveyors and three signallers. We all got on very well together, realising how much we depended on each other. During the warm weather, the duty shifts were split with 4 hours in the AP and 8 hours to sleep, rest eat and write letters etc. During the period of extreme cold weather our AP duty shifts would then be adjusted to 1 hour on with 2 hours break throughout the 7 days cycle.
Sleeping and eating had to be taken whenever possible.
We had a small kerosene heater in the AP bunker for heat and complete with blanketed doors to keep the light in, but the surveyor had to stay outside standing in a trench but at a slightly raised level with no overhead cover, other than a camouflage net, so that he could keep permanent watch.
In winter particular duty this was horrible, and one wore a very heavy overcoat- and much else besides. Only one coat was issued to the Troop and which by its nature could stand up on its own.
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