Chapter 16 Troppo; Issue Beer; Sunset; Einstein; Alboran; Awards

"TROPPO"

A THREE-BADGED A.B. goes tearing through the mess deck, face distorted in a hideous grin, thumbs to his temples, his extended fingers waving back and forth simulating a devil's horns, a howl bubbling up from his throat. Amidst the laughter which follows can be heard remarks suggesting rather pointedly that the rating is insane-or "Troppo".

And there we have the theme of this article.

Like many war-time sayings, nobody has the vaguest idea who originated it, although its derivation is obvious. This is that, with all services fighting the war in tropical areas, this t9troppo" slang is a euphonically handy abbreviation of the word "tropical", which latter word describes a condition attributed to the heat and monotony of over-long tropical service on the part of the "Troppo" one.

In a way, this has a certain amount of truth in its context. It goes much deeper than that, however, particularly in Navy small ships. Big ships get around, and always have the hope of getting even farther around to sustain the interest of the men aboard. Little ships like the Fremantle, a corvette, in the main have only one job to do, and regardless of the station or base of operations, this job seldom varies.

Consequently, monotony reaches a tremendously higher degree of effect than on other ships. Where,
as in most cases, the corvette is stationed north, operating from a base to a terminus and back, and each place is almost entirely devoid of those amenities of civilization which are most necessary to make shore leave at all worth while to the sailor, this monotony is actually a thing to combat, to avoid its more serious effects.

If shore leave has no appeal, then naturally a sailor will remain aboard - perhaps for months on end - reading until he's tired of reading, writing as much as he can write, and sleeping too much in daylight, until eventually he is ambling about the restricted confines of the midget ship totally at a loss for something to do.

That is where monotony has an opening to step through, to bear down upon the individual with a heavy hand. Ill-humour, moodiness, and bickering, with a corresponding fall in the degree of efficiency of the rating and those most closely associated with him, results at this stage. . . . That is, if it weren't for this antidote, "Troppo".

The "Troppo" state inspires the monotony cowed one to shake off depression in sudden surges and exhibitions of the most ridiculous forms of humour and humorous behaviour his mind may conceive, in a moment of urgent need to escape that weight of moodiness. Hence the queer but laughable antics of some of the confirmed "Troppo" lads.

All of us, in some way, will use this antidote to the discontent and baseless dispute which must result -without its use. On every ship are the confirmed boys, and it is the laughter and humour derived from these, which makes from indulgence in the "Troppo" condition unnecessary for some others who, through ignorance, assist the

forces of monotony by employing sarcasm, scorn and ridicule in an attempt to repress the irrepressibles. And so, for my part, I find pleasure in the company of those most addicted to "Troppo" activity in preference to labouring up the Kokoda-like track to reach the level of the scoffers' mentality. Yes-I'm "Troppo" too.

"AYZED"

SUNSET

The quartermaster's pipe shrills. The amplifier blares with superhuman voice the warning "Stand by Sunset". The duty officer and the drummer with his bugle appear on the parade ground, while a signalman moves leisurely towards the mast. Nobody else seems to take any notice of the warning.

Rays of the dying sun crimson the sky. As the minutes pass, the signalman, drummer and officer form an unconscious tableau. Standing to attention they await the exact moment of sunset. It comes, and the officer salutes while the White Ensign, glorious in itself and its associations, flutters down from the gaff. Poignant bugle notes crowd the evening silence until the Ensign is fully lowered and the salute concluded. A pause, then a brisk "All Clear'" from the bugle brings the simple ceremony to an end.

A simple ceremony, truly. But it takes a deep significance with the knowledge all over the world, on board every one His Majesty's ships in harbour, from patrol-boat to battle cruiser, and in every base ashore, from lonely war signal station to vast "Pompey. the same homage is paid to the universal flag at the moment of sunset. And, just as the sun never sets over the Empire, so it never sets on His Majesty's Navy. The flag may be lowered with the departing sun but keepers are on duty. The Navy's work goes on, unceasing day and night.

"ULYSSES"

SHADES OF EINSTEIN

All members of the class had been drafted into Depot for a higher-rating course. They sat at their desks in the classroom absorbing the intricate workings of higher mathematics. Brownie, a first-class operator, and a chap who knew his practical work backwards, ~vas unfortunately the dunce of the maths class. No matter how hard he tried, assorted symbols, simultaneous equations and "x equals tackline ditty box" just didn't register in his bewildered brain. The schoolmaster, a broadminded man, had placed him between Nobby and Lofty, two budding Einsteins, with instructions to watch their working, and subsequent solving of each problem.

It was almost "stand-easy" when the last problem was chalked on the blackboard; fathoms of "a's", "b's" and "c's", dozens of plus and minus signs, and an occasional equals to help things along. Lofty started in great style with Brownie's puzzled eyes following each step. After half a page of foolscap had been covered with calculations, Lofty paused and chewed thoughtfully at his pencil. He checked his work again then looked at Brownie, who now wore a thoroughly bored expression on his face.

"That's funny," said Lofty. "I don't think I've made a mistake, but I've got a couple of spare 'a b's' here. What shall I do with them?"

Patience exhausted, Brownie snarled back "Send the bludgers on draft."

"ZANE"

ALBORAN

ALBORAN is roughly half-way between Oran and Gibraltar, and it was north of this island that one of the biggest torpedo bomber attacks on a Mediterranean convoy took place on the 13th August, 1943- On that day, H.M.A. ships Gawler, Ipswich, Lismore and Maryborough were part of the escort of a U.K.-bound convoy, the escort consisting of a sloop and a number of corvettes.

Towards sunset, alert lookouts in one of the ships on the starboard side had spotted some suspicious-looking planes loitering in the darkness provided by the hilly coast of southern Spain, and so the convoy was not taken by surprise when a JU88 dropped a stick of bombs across it from about 5,000 feet. This was soon proved to be no more than a diversion, and the main force of forty-eight Heinkels and Junkers worked round to the '~vest to enable them to come in under the cover of the setting sun. They started their approach when it was only a few degrees above the horizon.

Our guns were ready, and as soon as the attackers were within range, all were firing. Some of the Germans-we found from some we picked up that it was their first experience of an attack of this kind-found the ack-ack fire too hot, and dropped their torpedoes beyond the escorts, while a few of the more determined came right in and tried to fly through the convoy to make their escape. One crashed into the mast of a merchantman; another was blown up in mid-air by a direct hit; seven others were brought down, making a total of nine down for no loss on our side apart from two ships damaged.

The R.N. and R.A.N. escorts that took part in this action had been working together as a group for some time, and were elated now that they had at last had an opportunity of using their ammunition on something other than inanimate targets.

"BAY"

AWARDS TO AUSTRALIAN NAVAL PERSONNEL
THE following Awards to personnel of the Royal Australian Navy have been promulgated between the 3oth September, 1943, and the 3oth September, 1944. The rank or rating of each recipient is shown as at the date covered by the award.
GEORGE CROSS	For great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty: Lieutenant L. V. Goldsworthy, G.M., R.A.N.V.R.
C.B.	New Year Honours List: Vice-Admiral T. B. Drew, O.B.E.
C.B.E. (Military)	New Year Honours List: Captain (Commodore 2nd Class) G. D. Moore, R.A.N.
D.S.O.	For gallantry, skill and devotion to duty in a hazardous enterprise: Lieutenant D. M. N. Davidson, R.N.V.R. (Sp.).
	For great skill and determination in a most hazardous enterprise: Lieutenant M. H. Shean, R.A.N.V.R.
O.B.E. (Military)	For leadership and enterprise: Commander (E) R. G. Parker, R.A.N.
	For gallantry and devotion to duty: Acting Lieutenant-Commander G. J. Cliff, M.B.E., G.M. and Bar, R.A.N.V.R.
	New Year Honours List: Lieutenant-Commander E. A. Feldt, R.A.N.
	King's Birthday Honours List: Acting Commander R. B. M. Long, R.A.N.
BAR TO D.S.C.	For bravery and skill in actions in the Mediterranean, while serving in light coastal craft: Lieutenant H. F. Wadds, D.S.C., R.A.N.V.R.
	For gallantry and devotion to duty in a hazardous operation: Lieutenant K. R. Hudspeth, D.S.C., R.A.N.V.R.
D.S.C.	For gallantry and devotion to duty in a determined and successful attack on E-boats while serving on convoy duty in one of H.M. ships: Lieutenant C. P. Dickeson, R.A.N.V.R.
	For bravery and skill in a successful patrol in one of His Majesty's submarines: Lieutenant W. E. I. Littlejohn, R.A.N.V.R.
	For outstanding courage and devotion to duty: Lieutenant K. R. Hudspeth, R.A.N.V.R.
	For gallant and distinguished service in face of heavy opposition from the enemy: Lieutenant K. M. Brennan, R.A.N.V.R.
	For gallant and distinguished service in light coastal craft in successful engagement with the enemy: Lieutenant W. L. Fesq, R.A.N.V.R.
	For outstanding skill, resolution, and devotion to duty in successful landing at Anzio: Lieutenant 1. A. Harris, R.A.N.V.R.
	For outstanding skill and determination in H.M.S. Wildgoose when six enemy submarines were destroyed by escort group of which his ship formed part in the course of operations covering the passage of convoys in the North Atlantic: Lieutenant A. V. Atkins, R.A.N.V.R.
	For undaunted courage in hazardous operations: Lieutenant L. R. Greentree, R.A.N.R.(S).
	For great daring and enterprise: Lieutenant (Sp. Br.) D. C. Horton, R.A.N.V.R.; Lieutenant (Sp. Br.) H. A. Josselyn, R.A.N.V.R.; Lieutenant (Sp. Br.) J. R. Keenan, R.A.N.V.R.; Lieutenant (Sp. Br.) A. N. A. Waddell, R.A.N.V.R.; Lieutenant (Sp. Br.) M. H. Wright, R.A.N.V.R.
	For outstanding courage, skill and devotion to duty in one of His Majesty's submarines: Lieutenant D R Wilson, R.A.N.V.R.
	For leadership and skill on convoy escort duty in H.M.A.S. Ipswich: Lieutenant R. H. Creasey, R.A.N.R.(S).
	For leadership, skill and devotion to duty in H.M.A.S. Arunta in a successful attack on an enemy submarine: Commander J. C. Morrow, D.S.O., R.A.N.; Lieutenant K. B. Myer, R.A.N.V.R.
	For gallantry and distinguished service in special operations: Lieutenant K. M. Uhr-Henry, R.A.N.V.R.
	King's Birthday Honours List: Acting/Temporary Lieutenant-Commander R. McKauge, R.A.N.V.R.; Lieutenant C. T. Ball, R.A.N.V.R.; Lieutenant W. M. Marley, RA.N.V.R.
M.B.E. (Military)	For leadership and enterprise: Lieutenant P. Gyllies, R.A.N.; Surgeon-Lieutenant R. M. MacIntosh, R.A.N.R.
	New Year Honours List: Lieutenant-Commander R. A. Denovan, R.A.N.V.R.; Lieutenant J. C. Elley, R.A.N.; Mr J. S. Godfrey, Commissioned Gunner, R.A.N.
	King's Birthday Honours List: Lieutenant-Commander N. D. Pixley, R.A.N.V.R.; Mr R. Lane, Commissioned Telegraphist, R.A.N.
GEORGE MEDAL	For galiantry and undaunted devotion to duty: Lieutenant L. V. Goldsworthy, R.A.N.V.R.
D.S.M.	For distinguished services during the passage to Malta of an important convoy: Temporary /Acting Petty Officer W. R. Anderson.
	For gallantry, skill and devotion to duty in a hazardous enterprise: Able Seaman W. G. Falls; Able Seaman A. W. G. Huston; Able Seaman A. W. Jones; Leading Stoker J. P. McDowell.
	For great daring and enterprise: Able Seaman J. B. MacNicol; Coder J. A. Payne.
	For leadership and skill on convoy escort duty in H.M.A.S. Ipswich: Able Seaman J. Nicholson.
	For leadership, skill and devotion to duty in H.M.A.S. Arunta in a successful attack on an enemy submarine: Chief Petty Officer N. X. Dix.
B.E.M. (Military)	For great bravery and enterprise while serving in a defensively equipped merchant ship in helping to dispose of an unexploded bomb, after an enemy air attack: Able Seaman R. Larkin.
	For leadership and enterprise: Sick-berth Petty Officer E. H. Cornish; Engine-room Artificer 3rd Class P. E. R. Goonan; Shipwright 3rd Class C. P. W. Bryant.
	New Year Honours List: Chief Petty Officer E. A. G. Boyd; Chief Stoker H. J. Johnston; Engine-room Artificer 3rd Class A. Fisken; Master at Arms V. G. E. Swallow; Regulating Petty Officer W. C. Gibbings.
B.E.M. (Civil)	For good service in S.S. Cornwall: Able Seaman L. R. Dabner.
	In addition, forty-five members of the R.A.N. have been Mentioned in Dispatches.
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS FROM ALLIED NATIONS
LEGION OF MERIT (Degree of Legionnaire) Conferred by the President of the United States of America	For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during a reconnaissance mission to enemy-held Russell Islands on the night of the 12th February, 1943. Acting as a volunteer pilot, Lieutenant Howe navigated a captured Japanese sampan through miles of inadequately charted reefs at night and landed his party safely. Through his intimate knowledge of the islands and the treacherous waters en route he helped make available a report on physical aspects of the islands, thereby contributing to the subsequent occupation of a strategic position: Lieutenant G. Howe, R.A.N.R.(S).
SILVER STAR Conferred by the President of the United States of America	For gallantry in action at Rendova, Solomon Islands on the 3oth June, 1943. Landing with the attacking echelon of an infantry battalion to establish a beachhead at Rendova, Lieutenant Rhoades led the assault wave of American troops in a charge on the Japanese defenders. As the result of his vigorous and courageous leadership, hostile forces at Rendova Plantation were struck before they were fully prepared, and were completely routed. Lieutenant Rhoades personally accounted for at least seven of the sixty-five Japanese who were killed in the attack: Lieutenant (Sp. Br.) F. A. Rhoades, R.A.N.V.R.
GREEK WAR CROSS THIRD CLASS Conferred by the King of Hellenes	For service in the Greek Navy: Lieutenant T. Collins, R.A.N.V.R.