The long and the short and the tall

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The long and the short and the tall

In 1942, a small British platoon was positioned in the jungle trying

to assess the strength of the Japanese invasion. They were 20 miles

away from the British frontlines and 15 miles away from base camp.

They rest for a while in a deserted hut. Their radio has a flat

battery and they are having trouble getting in touch with their base

camp. The platoon is led by Sergeant Mitchem, who is in control of 6

ordinary men; hence the title from Britain; Bamforth; a Cockney,

Whitaker; Tynesider, Macleish; a Scot, Evan; Welsh, Smith (Smudge) and

Johnstone. All had left their jobs back in Britain to fight in the

war. All had never been faced with killing a man. A few of the

soldiers are family men, leaving their wife, children and friends back

in their home towns. They are all from Britain and as they spend time

together they find out and understand about each person's personality

more.

Bamforth: When Bamforth first sees the Japanese soldier, he is

prepared to shoot him: 'Bamforth suddenly tenses and raises his rifle.

This is followed by: 'Bamforth slowly raises his rifle and takes

careful aim. Mitchem swings round and knocks the rifle out of

position.'

"I had him right between the cheeks! I couldn't miss! He's on his

tod!"

Bamforth was obviously prepared to kill the lone Japanese soldier and

was quite frustrated when his chance is taken from him. He would show

this by gritting his teeth or cursing under his breath.

Later on when the Japanese soldier enters the hut and is grabbed by

Johnstone, and Evans, Smith and Macleish all refuse to kill the

soldier, but Bamforth is more than happy to 'Knock him off'. He would

be speaking in an aggressive tone of voice. On stage he would be

ruthless, grabbing the bayonet, and with a tremendous amount of

strength, he would thrust the bayonet towards the prisoner.

"Here, give me a hold. It's only the same as carving up a pig. Hold

him still"

Had Mitchem not intervened then Bamforth would have killed the

soldier. Mitchem did so to keep him for any important information

which may be needed at base camp.

The Japanese soldier would be petrified at this point, being alone and

unarmed. Yet Bamforth still persisted in scaring the soldier:

"Boo"

He also waved a bayonet in front of the prisoners face. Then he

decided to mimic the prisoner by imitating a crude Japanese accent:

"Flingers on Blonce" and "Tojo"

He also used humiliating remarks such as "Short arse".

His tone of voice would be quite sarcastic, as if he was talking to a

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