THE UMBRELLA MEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 186, 8 August 1945, Page 8

THE UMBRELLA MEN

A HURRIED COURSE

SUSPENSE AND SENTIMENT By H.J., 31530 Back from Kurdistan, at base for 24 hours, and the orders read: "O.C. J Squadron to proceed to L Det. A.S.A. Bde forthwith." We were 40 odd to go; assortment and details for the remainder took the rest of the day. Dreams of white sheets and hot showers are often reduced to mere thoughts reserved for next time. It was gratifying, however, to see the sad faces of those who didn't come and the expressions of loyalty with which even the most recalcitrant came out. After a hot journey that lasted 30 hours we arrived at Kubrit at midnight. No transport was awaiting, and orders were given to bed-down on the spot. The hard sand and fatigue kept sleep away, and one's mind goes through the waiting list of arrangements. These were the more precipitate the more you approach the unknown.

Quite suddehly an idea blossomed. The fact, that no transport was sent might mean a hitch! This is an out-sized job. Men were wakened after barely two hours' rest and told to pile their bulkier baggage in a corner of the little shed which was Kubrit station. The usual pack was ordered, and Commandos knew how to store the essentials where they would be handiest. little Time To Be JiOst The adjutant was found after a. long search and wakened at an unearthly hour, and you know adjutants. There was little time to be lost, and everything was arranged with the utmost haste. Roadwork, basketball and occasional water polo in the canal filled the first four days. The fifth was spent jumping from a truck being? driven at 25 lii.p.h. for forward rolls, and a trolley on rails rolled from a sandhill at a failspeed, for jumping backwards and siderolls. Then on a platform, suspended by the proper parachute harness swinging at 15ft above the ground, you learn to turn the quick-release box to your left, hit it hard and turn your somersault before the sand hurts your eyes.

After seven (lays, the men paraded in their squads at Kubrit aerodrome. Sitting on the floor of the aircraft, ten men forward and an even number to the rear of the aperture, we looked at each other for comfort, which is often found in danger shared by all. "Static lines" were hooked to the fuselage, and we waited for the moment to jump. Faces were set, Suspense was high. In other places and times they take months to train, but this detachment was urgent. Those who survived uninjured would be in action soorl after the completion of the course. "Prepare For Action ! " "Prepare for action!" The plane had climbed to 1000 ft and throttled down to 190 miles an hour. Red light. "No. 1 ready!" After 15 seconds, green light. "Go!" And No. 1 disappeared in the slipstream of the Wellington, while No. 2 had his legs over the aperture. In five seconds, 125 ft from the plane, the 'chute opened, and you could admire the land in which .Moses received the tablets whilst dangling underneath 20 odd feet of billowing silk, with but a tiny opening at the top left there by the manufacturers for your prayers to reach to heaven!

The descent accelerates as one approaches the hot air of the last 50ft above the ground. In hot countries the landing space being filled with heavier air, the impact with the ground is hard. Those who somersaulted won. Some went for a holiday to No. 19 G.H., Geneiffa. The remainder learned to fear the last stage of the journey. Two more daylight jumps, one from' 500 ft and an operational from 350 ft, and two night jumps, from 000 ft and 350 ft, completed the training of this party. Umbrella men of the S.A.S. Brigade, unnamed but enthusiastic, did a highly creditable job when the time came, and did it without the flare of publicity or limelight of official recognition that was turned on to the deeds of many of their cQmpatriots with other formations.