It was during one of these sessions that, shame to say, I realised that a small number of the WRAFs did stupid things, in spite of being clearly instructed otherwise. This was nothing to do with the exercise, it was their normal behaviour, indicative of a very low IQ. One of our instructors was heard to remark that some of them would open a tin of soup at the bottom so as not to have to pour out the contents from the top! I observed, from a distance, one girl attempting to sweep a floor with a brush which had few bristles left after much previous use. Her RAF Sergeant called to this Airwoman "What are you trying to do with that? You've got more hair round your fanny than there's bristles on that brush!" She replied "Ooh Sergeant, how do you know?" At that point I used my discretion and left the area.
Our use of radar was not only to be for Fighter Control, but for both Control and Reporting. That is to say, our radars and some radar stations could also be used both for observation (surveillance of aircraft both friendly and those of a potential enemy) and passing those plots using a system called 'Georef' to higher authority for the conduct of a war scenario, as well as for Fighter Control.3 The combined tasks of Control and Reporting were referred to as 'C & R'.
Before using real radar for the first time we had to learn Fighter Control techniques, and practise them seemingly ad nauseam, using simulators or by manual plotting methods, as if we were looking at a live radar screen. Practice interceptions, or PIs (by which abbreviation they were generally known, and which abbreviation I shall henceforth use) were, in the earlier stages of the course, carried out by Fighter Plotters using Craig Computers and stop watches.4 Occasionally we used Dax trainers instead when they were serviceable, but these electronic devices were usually unreliable.5 We had to be competent in all respects before being let loose on real radio with real radar and real aircraft in real time. Proficiency and written tests had to be passed before moving on.
Surprisingly, from my point of view, there were no parades to attend, but I had no doubt the National Service Cadets would have benefited from a bit of marching about. Most of them were ex-university students who thought Fighter Control would be a good skive for their two years of National Service. I had to pull one or two of them up for larking about and making a noise in the accommodation late in the evening when all sensible people wanted to get to sleep. I wasn't popular, but the RAF is no place for that sort of irresponsible behaviour.
Weekends gave us a chance to relax, go shopping in Salisbury, or explore the countryside on foot. As a 'regular' (short service) Officer I could, at weekends use the old permanent staff Officers Mess, something that was denied the National Service students. I found it to be stuffy, barn-like and, worse, the anteroom was full of blowflies buzzing around noisily at high altitude close to the ceiling where it wasn't easy to shoot them down. As with all Messes in the UK at weekends there was hardly anyone about. The advantages of this privilege was therefore extremely limited.
Nearby was Danebury Hill topped by an ancient defensive earthwork. It begged investigation. Three or four times I climbed the grassy slopes to its treecovered summit to explore and to admire the view. At the bottom of this knoll was the winter quarters of Chipperfield's travelling circus. Some of us were shown round by the staff and were able to look 'behind the scenes' as it were. Miss Chipperfield was thought by some young Officers to be a 'good catch' but, to her credit, she
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3 Georef = Geographical Reference. This was a simpler system than, but based on, latitude and longitude. It used a system of lettered squares subdivided into smaller numerically labelled areas, e.g. NH1247. This gave a precise enough location of a moving aircraft for all practical purposes and was very convenient and quick to transmit over the R/T or telephone line.
4 A Craig Computer was little more than a draughtsman's board on the substrate of which was drawn a map of the relevant geographical area. The associated draughting instrument was graduated in degrees and nautical miles.
5 As far as I am aware Dax trainers were peculiar to the training school at Middle Wallop.
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