Engineers prepare DPR/TV/448 & 451

Army Engineers of the 21st Construction Squadron are playing a major role in the preparations for Exercise "Barra Winga" at Raspberry Creek, in the Army's Shoalwater Bay exercise area. The main exercise begins on October 19 and heavy equipment is making light work of clearing and levelling the camp-site of what will be the exercise control headquarters. Raspberry Creek is about 65 miles north of Rockhampton. Main road works will be done by engineer elements attached to 1st Division as their part of "Barra Winga" but the 21st Squadron which has recently returned from Borneo is finding the blinding dust dramatically different from the tropical conditions they have just left. The Engineers are also responsible for the supply of the dust-laying element - water. Vital to the exercise, water is drawn from a supply point at Raspberry Creek. Taken direct from an artificial weir, the water is stored in three 5,00 gallon tanks, brought to the area in prefabricated sections. After the addition of sterilising powder, the water passes through a purification unit which ensures that good clear drinking water is available at all times. Tankers distribute the water to various points throughout the units. High on the distribution priority list are the field kitchens, which will provide meals for troops in the Raspberry Creek area and for troops passing through. The water is stored in 200-gallon galvanised iron tanks or in tarpaulins set in the ground. And from there.....showers, tea, laundry.... and a cool drink for a thristy soldier.