Atomic Weapons Tests—Buffalo 1, 2, 3 and 4 (continued)

At the time of the Monte Bello Island Hurricane test it was obvious that the British personnel in AWRE regarded the Australians as colonials lacking the expertise to provide essential meteorological back-up. Bob Southern reports that the trials director, Sir William Penney, hosted an exclusive private dinner in honour of Henry Phillpot and his meteorological team at which he proposed a toast to "mathematics and meteorology—at last an exact science". Len Dwyer must have been very happy when this tribute was paid to Henry Phillpot's meteorological team.

Bob Southern emphasises that the strain of searching for a situation which complied with the demands for a fallout pattern which did not endanger the AWRE team nor the Australian population was unremitting. While the other members of the Maralinga village could relax while conditions were unsuitable for an explosion of a nuclear device the meteorologists were forever searching for suitable conditions.

He laments that a more fitting tribute has not been paid to Henry Phillpot for his efforts. The veil of secrecy which shrouded these efforts before the advent of the Royal Commission was undoubtedly one of the reasons for this lack of recognition.

Bureau of Meteorology