A look back to those days of September and October 1956. We had now moved into the intense and objective phase of Operation Buffalo, the reason why we were where we were. 

It was time to get started on the British Government’s ‘Great Lights and Sounds Show.’ 

The venue for this show was in the ‘Outback’ bush of South Australia at a place called Maralinga. The show was by invitation only, due to the Official Secrets Act and on a ‘need to know’ basis. 

Audience participation was actively encouraged to the point of Military Instruction. Participants might be required at a later date to associate closely with the ‘Grim Reaper’. 

The show would be staged on the four dates as follows: Thurs. 27 Sept. 1956 Thurs. 04 Oct. 1956, Thurs. 11 Oct. 1956 Mon. 22 Oct. 1956. Times to be advised and subject to weather conditions. 

The show would be produced and directed by that renowned Nuclear Physicist and popular figure Sir William Penney. He would be ably assisted by his staff of scientists. 

The ‘Actors, bit players and extras’ for this production would be those members of the UK Armed Forces designated to be close to the stage. Some of whom were the members of Royal Air Force 76 Squadron – both Aircrews and Ground crews, of which I was one. 

Top of the bill were ‘The Four Detonations’. 

Subject to a successful outcome of the shows, the next venue would be Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean with a new top of the bill group – ‘The XYZ Grapplers’. 

Written by

Reg Simpson, RAF, Operation Buffalo, Maralinga, Australia

who says, “Can’t be glum all the time!”