In writing Going Solo, Dahl chooses to put the scene with David Coke almost immediately after the scene with the Corporal. What impact does putting these scenes back-to-back have on the reader’s understanding?

The correct answer is: It was a failed biological control mechanism for cane beetles.

In August 1935 cane toads were introduced to Australia in the Grodonvale area. This was a "solution" to the spread of cane beetles that grew on the sugar cane. Lets remeber that sugar cane, as the toad, was not  native of Australia, it was introduced by Captain Louis Hope in the 1860's. The industry grew through the years but faced this constant problem. the larvae of native beetles ate the roots of the sugar cane.

As a result of the introduction of the toads, original from Hawaii, the beetle's population didn't decreased (thay ended up using chemicals), the toad spread through Australia and was declared a problem species in 1958 as it poison killed native predators, reducing their population. Another consequence was that the toads eat native insects, necessary for the habitat's balance.