BRITISH TEST

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27962, 8 May 1956, Page 13

BRITISH TEST

Preparations For Next Year (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON. May 7. More than 1000 soldiers stationed in southern England are being sent to Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean to help prepare for the 1957 British hydrogen bomb test, the “Daily Express” said today. Most of the troops are from the 28th Field Engineering Regiment—the heavy engineering regiment of the First Infantry Division. National servicemen as well as regular soldiers are going. The main job will be improving and maintaining the 2500-yard crushed coral runway. Some men have already left by ship. Others will be going shortly in Shackletons of the Royal Air Force. It was learned in Melbourne today that the press party to see the British atomic test at the Monte Bellos is scheduled to arrive at Onslow on Maj 15, but the date for the test is yet to be determined. The press party will “stand by’’ at Onslow, which is the nearest port to the Monte Bellos, off the north-west coast of Western Australia, in readiness to be taken aboard two ocean minesweepers shortly before the test. Their first brief message will be radioed from the flagship, H.M.S. Narvik. The party will comprise 15 British and Australian correspondents, photographers. and broadcasters.