OFFICIAL Commando News Magazine Edition 15 2023

individual attack is useful as well as being
interesting to him. 5 minutes tuition is all
that is required and the effect on the rating
of having mastered yet another technical
subject is well worth it.
v. Visual signalling. A high-speed in signalling
has not been attempted. A Leading
Telegraphists is the specialist of the camp,
and so for the others the aim has been low;
12 words a minute and 5 in Morse.
D. SPECIALISED TRAINING.
i. Canoes. Expert handling of canoes in all
possible weathers and seas is a prerequisite to
offensive action by canoes. The limitations of
these collapsible canoes under certain condi -
tions of weather and sea are detailed in
appendix 1 a. Training in handling canoes is
straight forward. It is a matter first of getting
balance and calm water, then in progressively
rougher sees. Double canoes with single
paddles started with, then single canoes with -
out paddles. Mae West or other lifejackets can
be worn for the first few weeks and saw the
canoers are really at home in all weathers in
which canoes can be put to sea. Even when the
state of efficiency has been reached it is
advisable to wear them on all night operations,
and all dirty weather days or nights and when -
ever putting out to the open sea. Only for short
trips in sheltered waters, with the bank or shore
can be made within a few minutes should a
squall arise, should they be omitted from the
canoeing equipment.
Having obtained balance, the paddle needs the
next attention. The shape of this is dealt with in
Appendix 1, A. Even when there is no special
need for silence the paddle should never be
allowed to splash into the water. Silent use of it
on all training occasions will make it one less
thing to have to think about in action. The blade
dips into the water just after the beginning of
the backward pool and not at the end of the
forward sweep: it is brought out of the water
before the point reaches the surface by an
outward twist brings the outboard cuttings
edge of the paddle from the water first. When
this can be done on both hands equally well and
mixing to be mastered is the trailing of the
paddle through the water to commence the
next/, not removing the paddle from the water.
This stroke is absolutely silent and very neces -
sary for the final hundred yards of stalking for a
ship or landing. When manoeuvring alongside a
ship, wharf, rock, etc. there is seldom room to
swing the paddle out, it has to be trailed
forwards through the water. Having mastered
this, action should then be taken in getting
alongside any objects in all sorts of weather.
ii.
iii
Much of this cannot be done.
Following on from this canoe landing and
embarking in all weathers and seas stop drilling
beating up canoes, us marching down to the
embarking point, and embarking by members,
is spectacular and useful. ? In practice the drill
movements will be found useful for quick and
silent lodgings from the beach and war avoid
foster ? and splashing. No drill movements are
possible from walls, rocks, chips sides etc. In
these cases, the only thing to be observed in
that the canoers must embark one of the times,
the other steadying. In back into a collapsible
canoe after falling out in deep water is to be a
practised accomplishment is easy in the double
canoe, but impossible except for small and light
persons, in the single. As single canoes will not
play at part in the forthcoming operation
against the enemy, they will be left out of this
discussion.
First of all, practice one man falling out: the
other man counterbalanced him as he gets back
over the side. Then falling out could be
practised: one holds onto his side as the other
gets in, and that counterbalances for the second
man as when only one fell out. Then the canoe
should be capsized and filled with water. The
water can only be bailed out. None can be
chipped out as the canoers are swimming and
have no purchase, nor can the canoes be rocked
or swayed to any advantage.
It is good for balance and confidence to
practise standing up in both single and double
canoes, both paddling and being paddled. It is
not necessary operationally but promotes
efficiently and therefore should not be
overlooked.
Canoe navigation (see pages 7(4) and (5)). An
ability to find known places in the dark, navi -
gating, from local knowledge of topo graphical
details, was first achieved. Then steering simple
compass courses in slack water; then 'dog leg'
courses in slack water; and finally, 'dog leg' and
courses of more than one alteration with cross
tides.
Canoes attacking and boarding shipping. As
many opportunities attacking shipping as have
offered have been seized Moon, stars, visibility
is, and the state of service of the rack sur round -
ing sea or play an important part in the selection
of the best conditions for canoe attack: these
are dealt with in detail in appendix 1.C.
Application of the limpet is short and simple. It
is pushed down about 5 feet underwater by a
stick in a spot selected according to the type of
ship being attacked. The magnets clamp it to
the ship. The time fuse allows for the getaway.
For training purposes, a mark in chalk on the
ship's side is evidence of success.
26 COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 15 I 2023