U.S. MARINES IN DOMINION

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23813, 5 December 1942, Page 4

U.S. MARINES IN DOMINION

BIG FORCE IN CENTRAL MILITARY DISTRICT

(P.S.S.) WELLINGTON, December 4. It is now permissible to state that a fully-equipped and trained large force of the United States Marine Corps is encamped in the Central Military District. The commander, while he would not be drawn on theisubject of the job of his force in New Zealand, said that the marines had "the reputation of always doing what they set out to do.” Ho gave this message on behalf of his force and himself: “We are happy to be associated with New Zealand in defence of the common cause.” The commander said the men had come straight from their training centre in a southern state. All the men were volunteers, mostly 18 to 24 years old, with the exception of senior officers and n.c.o.’s. Practically all those in the ranks had passed through the eight grades of school; a good many had a high school education, and some had gone on to college. The usual training would be continued in New Zealand.

There are a few men in the force who arc not strangers to New Zealand, having been here with the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. An opportunity was given to talk to some of these men and to others representing a cross-section of the personnel. Their opinions of New Zealand could be summarised in these words; “Nice place, nice people.” Those who had been here before with Rear-Admiral Byrd formed that opinion then, and reiterated it. The Marines are sociable, friendly folk, and they feel they have come to a land of similarly-inclined people.