From the Archives of Flt Lt Joe Pasquini – 76 Squadron
Putting together pieces of the historical events on Christmas Island (as well as Maralinga etc etc) is an intriguing puzzle for many nuclear test veterans, their families, and advocates.
It is a task made even more challenging as we sift through hundreds of thousands of pieces of information from the time which are scattered about various archives like confetti… but somehow must be transformed into a triptych of the past, the present and the future unfolding before us.
So today we present a recently uncovered ‘artifact’ from the time… the ‘tourist’ pamphlet “TASK FORCE ‘GRAPPLE” CHRISTMAS ISLAND” which will “tell you something about Christmas Island and the facilities you will find there”.
And what will we find there?
A Sailing Club, a Fisherman’s Paradise, an Open Air Cinema as well as Hockey, Cricket and Football pitches have been laid out, as well as ‘all facilities normally found in the U.K.’ …
… and if you are not quite convinced yet
“The water in the lagoon is very clear and ideal for underwater swimming. If you have never tried this you will find it one of the most fascinating experiences of your life.”
Hmmm. Yes they really did write that.
One would think that experiencing a nuclear explosion (also several nuclear explosions) up close and living to tell the tale might just take the biscuit in terms of the ‘most fascinating experiences of your life’.
In retrospect we must compliment the marketing team behind this ‘pamphlet’ for presenting the holiday aspect of the posting so well.
In his expert witness statement of September 26th, 2011 Flt Lt Joseph Pasquini stated:
“At the time of the tests my rank was Flight Lieutenant. Prior to joining I received a call from Group HQ Postings Office and was simply offered a posting to Australia….” “Once in Australia the authorities explained that I would take part in the atomic cloud sampling at Christmas Island during the tests. I was given no warning or education about the risks of exposure to radiation during these experiments … Everyone else I encountered during Operation Grapple appeared to be in the same boat”
This is a sentiment which comes up again and again from many other first-hand accounts such as in this video LINK where a nuclear test veteran recounts:
“Christmas Island here we come… You know in those days you just did what you were told. You did not argue…We did not know where it was or why we were going there.” (2.00 min)
“It took us four weeks to get there – a holiday cruise people pay a fortune for today.”
(2.35 min)
The holiday feel of the of the moment continues to be described in the expert witness statement where Flt Lt Joseph Pasquini recounts:
“It was a relaxed regime… Flying officers would gather for drinks every evening in the bar on a social basis. Within this very informal setting we would receive details of the following day’s programme.”
“…We bathed in the sea. The coral reef was fascinating for snorkeling which was a very regular activity. There was also water skiing and sailing in the lagoons…. I used to catch fish as the tide went out in the lagoons using chicken wire. The fish were later cooked up in the officers mess and I recall they were absolutely delicious”…
He also revealed in his statement:
“I saw no sticky tape or collection trays on the island to monitor for environmental radiation. By comparison, during World War Two I clearly remember there were boards positioned at designated places where I lived in London which detected mustard gas, I saw no evidence of radiation measurement in fish and sea water by scientists or any steps taken to prevent contamination of the food chain…”
The importance of this government issued Christmas Island ‘pamphlet’ does not just touch the historical significance of illustrating what British Nuclear Veterans expected on their arrival to the island.
Its importance lies even more so perhaps in its role as documented evidence of HOW the powers at the time communicated to the participants of Operation Grapple.
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THE ‘TOURIST’ BROCHURE IN ITS ENTIRETY BELOW - or click the link to see it in its original form
TASK FORCE “GRAPPLE” CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Task Force Commander: Air Vice Marshal John Grandy C.B., D.S.O., R.A.F
Air Task Group Commander: Air Commodore J. F. Roulston, C.B.E, D.S.O., D.F.C, R.A.F
Station Commander: Group Captain L.E. Botting D.F.C, R.A.F.
Naval Task Group Commander: Captain J.G.T. Western C.B.E, R.N.
Army Task Group Commander: Colonel R.B. Muir, R.E.
Scientific Director: Mr. R. Pilgrim
__________________
Royal Air Force Station Christmas Island is a British nuclear weapon test base manned by the three fighting Services and civilian scientific staff; it forms part of the Task Force Grapple, a joint Service/ Scientific Task Force with headquarters in London. It was from Christmas Island that, on 15th may, 1957, the first British megaton weapon, released from a valiant aircraft of No. 49 Squadron, R.A.F., exploded high over the Pacific. It is the purpose of this pamphlet to tell you something about Christmas Island and the facilities you will find there.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Christmas Island is one of the Line Group of islands lying in the North Pacific Ocean. It lies approximately halfway between the Australian and American continents and is about 1200 miles due south of the Hawaiian islands. The island itself consists of a vast coral growth on the top of an extinct volcano rising over 600 fathoms from the seabed. It is, in fact, the largest coral atoll in the world. Vegetation consists of coconut palm trees, shrubbery and grass. There are large numbers of land crabs which, although offensive looking are quite harmless scavengers. You will also see a few gerboas or small rat like creatures. These are also quite inoffensive and will cause no annoyance if you do not leave food in or near your living quarters. Flies tend to be a menace, but daily spraying with insecticide from the air helps to keep them in check. There are a few mosquitoes, but none are malaria carriers,
Christmas Island was discovered on Christmas Eve, 1777 by Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook in H.M.S Resolution. On Christmas Eve, 1957 the Naval shore party based on the Island was, with Admiralty authority, appropriately named H.M.S Resolution. Since its first discovery various enterprises have been attempted at the Island including the planting in more recent times of 70,000 coconut trees. However, none of these met with any great success and by 1939 a slump in the price of copra caused the company which was attempting to exploit the plantation to withdraw.
In 1942 American troops landed on the Island and it became one of the outposts against the Japanese advance. At one time there were as many as 10,000 Americans based here, and they constructed air strips from which bomber and fighter aircraft were operated. In 1948 the American forces finally withdrew and life on the Island reverted to its normal uneventful existence. The Island, who coconut plantations now furnish a living for some 200 or so Gilbertese natives supervised by a district Officer, is administered by Great Britain through the Gilbert and Ellice Island Colony with headquarters at Tarawara, some 1800 miles away. In common with most Pacific Islanders, the Gilbertese are pleasant and easy going though without any particular technical skill or talent. They live in a small village in the out of bounds area near “Port London”.
In 1956 it became apparent that the time for testing British megaton weapons was drawing near; the proving ground at Maralinga, South Australia, was not designed to deal with these weapons, but only with the smaller kiloton devices, and a search was made for a suitable site. An area of the Pacific seemed the inevitable choice and, after consideration of the results of surveys made by aircraft of the R.A.F. Costal Command and a Royal New Zealand Navy survey ship, Christmas Island was selected as a base for nuclear weapon tests.
LIFE AT CHRISTMAS ISLAND
The large majority of Army, Royal Air Force and scientific personnel live at the Main Camp some 5 miles from the airfield. The camp is situated right on the seashore where it receives the cooling benefit of a constant northeast trade wind. Most Naval personnel are accommodated at the Port of London also on the coast but some 13 miles to the west of the Main Camp.
CLIMATE
The weather here can be very uncertain; in some years there is a complete drought while over the Christmas period in 1957 over 18 inches of rain fell in less than a fortnight. The day temperature is usually about 88 degrees, night temperature about 76 degrees in summer, with a drop of about 4 degrees in winter. The humidity is always high. The sun is deceptively hot and since the coral acts as a reflector even the most tanned skins can be badly burned if care is not taken.
DRESS
On duty khaki shirts and shorts are usually worn. Off duty coloured “hula” shorts and shorts and in the evenings shirts and slacks are worn. Sandals are now issued to save normal footwear which deteriorates very rapidly in this climate. You will also find that your personal clothing deteriorates very quickly unless it is dried out at regular intervals. Damp proof plastic bags which can be bought in the N.A.A.F.I are very useful for keeping clothing dry and sand free.
BATHING
A coral reef surrounds the Island extending some 100 yards from the shore. This causes treacherous currents and heavy surf and bathing in the sea is extremely dangerous except in a roped enclosure in front of the N.A.A.F.I when a beach patrol is on duty. Cora is very sharp and can cause unpleasant cuts. You should therefore wear tennis shoes or some other suitable footwear when in the sea. Swimming is also permitted in a large lagoon some 2 miles from the Main Camp, and at Port London some 13 miles away, where there is a good sandy beach and excellent bathing. The water in the lagoon is very clear and ideal for underwater swimming. If you have never tried this you will find it one of the most fascinating experiences of your life. The necessary equipment can be bought from the N.A.A.F.I.
SAILING
There is a sailing club on the Island which possesses a number of dinghies. These are sailed on a lagoon quite near to the Main Camp.
FISHING
Christmas Island is a fisherman’s paradise as the lagoons and seas round it abound in every conceivable type of fish including shark, barracuda, tuna, mullet, kingfish, parrot fish, sting rays etc. All kinds of fishing tackle can be bought from the N.A.A.F.I.
CINEMA There is an open air cinema on the Island. Programmes start at 8.30pm each evening and programmes change four times per week.
SPORTS The R.A.F. Station which administers the Island provides all the normal facilities to be found wherever British servicemen are based. Hockey, cricket and football pitches have been laid out and all necessary equipment can be obtained on the Island.
AMENITIES
The Station N.A.A.F.I will soon be housed in a large semi-permanent building near the beach in the Main Camp and all facilities normally found in the U.K. will be provided. There is a Station Library with a wide range of reading matter and a music circle which meets at regular intervals. Radio programmes can be received from the B.B.C, Honolulu and America on standard medium and short wave radios. The electricity supply on the island is 230 volts AC.
Letters to the U.K. are sent by air to Honolulu and thence by sea, or by are if airmailed. Air Mail usually takes about 4 to 6 days. Mail is received on the Island three times a week.
Conclusion
Sounds like a paradise island, yet the men of 76 squadron were to become known as the expendables (see previous blog): https://www.labrats.international/post/76-squadron-the-expendables
We find it incredible that swimming was permitted in the Lagoon, when the water was contaminated and that "you will find it one of the most fascinating experiences of your life", it will certainly affect you for the rest of your life!