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Spectrum was a long-running weekly radio documentary series which captured the essence of New Zealand from 1972 to 2016. Alwyn Owen and Jack Perkins produced the series for many years, creating a valuable library of New Zealand oral history.
Jack Perkins and Stephen Riley follow a territorial selection course for the Special Air Service, the men of the “red beret”. The aim of the course is to select future members of the squadron and is designed to identify those with the necessary self-discipline, stamina, and motivation to operate for protracted periods under arduous and hostile conditions.
The SAS is modelled on its British counterpart formed by David Sterling in during the desert campaign of World War II. New Zealand’s SAS was first blooded in Malaya in the 1950s and followed with Thailand, Borneo, and Vietnam. There is a Territorial component to the “red berets” and in this programme 16 Territorials come to Papakura camp, South of Auckland for four days of strenuous testing.
First, they trudge through 9,000 metres of tea tree swamp up to waist deep mud carrying two jerry cans of water. SAS soldiers equipped with radios accompany and assess. The exercise is led by Sergeant Ben Ngapo who explains to Perkins what the candidates are required to carry in their packs.
Perkins briefly interviews someone that drops out of the swamp trudge and another who acknowledges how tough the course is but explains why he wants to join. Over the radio they learn of two other candidates who have left the course elsewhere. Two more candidates leave the group with cramp and after ten hours, one candidate arrives at the farm shed destination.
Riley interviews Ngapo in the farm shed as other candidates arrive. Out of 16 men, six arrive to leave in the early hours to head back to Papakura camp. A command test for the group follows under a time limit and under the strain of hunger and little sleep they succeed. Although successful, another candidate pulls out following this test deciding the regimented life is not for him.
The next assignment is called Operation Wilder led by Staff-Sergeant Stead; a 50-mile solo march that has to been completed in 35 hours, including sleep. Perkins and Riley interview the commanders of the exercise who explain the parameters of the assignment. Five survive the course and back at camp relate their experiences.
In the following days there is swimming and cliff climbing that check for fear of water or heights. The end of the four-day course finishes with a round of interviews; the panel of SAS officers consider the assessor reports along with their successful physical completion.
Out of the 16 starters, five remain and Major [Chake], Commander of the SAS, tells the candidates that they have all passed and been accepted to train for the SAS.
Jack Perkins produced the programme.