FRONT-LINE GIRLS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13770, 13 October 1942, Page 2

FRONT-LINE GIRLS

COURAGE SHOWN IN AIR RAID

Australia's front-line girls have earned special recommendation from high ranking officers for their coolness, efficiency and courage during the air raids on Townsville recently. Many with whom I have spoken are desperately eager to go right into the firing line at Port Moresby, states the Sydney Sun. A numer of W.A.A.F.'s in Townsville were on duty throughout the raids. Those who were not marched in orderly fashion to slit trenches within two and a half minutes of the sounding of the alert. They wore emergency dress of blue jeans (overalls) and tin hats. Their emergency rations, carried in haversacks, included change of clothing, toothbrush, towel, and inevitable lipstick. These girls earned and deserved high praise for their bearing through the alerts. It is felt, however, that these girls deserve better treatment than they are obtaining at present. W.A.A.F.'s are now recruited for duration of war and 12 months thereafter. They receive only two-thirds of pay given to men in the R.A.A.F., although in many cases they perform the same duties, and face the same dangers. Nor do they get deferred pay, or half rate concessions on telegrams, which all other services receive. Their barracks have no canteens where essentials can be bought at cut rates, and as they have not yet received coupons, necessary equipment is impossible to obtain. No pyjamas, for instance, are issued, and only one pair of shoes, which cannot even be resoled.

However, the girls are not complaining. They are thrilled to think that they are doing their bit in an important part of Australia—they deserve the best Australia can give.