The Sergeant flew (verbally) at the Corporal with a string of dire threats and abuse – but to no avail. The Australian Corporal, and the Private who was with him, remained at attention but stood firm – they would not be taking orders from any Yankee Sergeant. I heard Ingrid get out of our jeep and approach the guards in a far more casual fashion: “It’s all right, gentlemen, the Sergeant is with me,” she said. “You may stand aside. We have all the relevant clearances.” “May we see them, Ma’am, the clearance papers?” said the Corporal. Ingrid should have anticipated this would be the response – but she did not. “There are no formal papers,” said Ingrid, calmly. “I’m acting on the direct orders of the camp commandant – he has sent the Sergeant with me because of the disturbance which has broken out in the area of the parade ground. I’m sure you can still hear it?” “Yes, Ma’am,” replied the Corporal. “We’ve been listening to it for the last half-hour. But we still need them orders, Ma’am.” “There was no time to draw up formal papers, Corporal,” said Ingrid, trying still to remain calm. “This is an emergency situation. So, as an officer, I now intend to give you a direct order to stand aside and allow us into the prison.” Briefly, the Corporal looked uncertainly at the Private – who remained with his eyes fixed ‘to the front’. It was up to the Corporal since he outranked the Private. He cleared his throat. “Ma’am?” “As your superior officer, I’m ordering you to stand aside and allow us into the prison,” said Ingrid. “Don’t you understand that? I don’t wish to place you on report. That won’t be necessary, will it?” The Corporal stood his ground. “Ma’am, I mean you no disrespect but you are a medical officer. You have no authority to give orders to non-medical personnel.”
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