N.Z. Troops Exercising In Fijian Jungle
(From Our Own Reporter) SUVA, Jan. 19. A Fijian Army officer who spent four months fighting with the New Zealand Battalion in Borneo last year will go into “action" against New Zealanders in the jungles of Fiji.
He is Lieutenant Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who will command a platoon from the Fiji Military Forces which will act as enemy for 120 territorials from the 2nd Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
The soldiers, who arrived here by R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules aircraft, are taking part in exercise “Tropic Dawn Four,” which will last for 12 days. Some of the troops under Lieutenant Nailatikau’s command are veterans of the Ist Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment, who served in Malaya. Heat exhaustion is expected to be the worst hazard for the New Zealanders. Usually New Zealand forces in Southeast Asia have ample time to become acclimatised, but, because time is limited, this has not been possible for those on the exercise. After spending one night at Queen. Elizabeth Barracks, the troops went straight into the jungle. In an attempt to combat heat exhaustion, salt tablets have been issued to the troops and these are taken daily.
Mosquitoes are other enemies of the soldiers. Insect repellants have been issued and paludrine drill is being strictly observed. Paludrine tablets are taken daily in regions where it is possible to contract malaria. Although there is no malaria in Fiji, troops are required to take every precaution as if they were under the most severe South-east Asian fighting conditions. Tinea is also a big problem among the troops. Sweating aggravates the skin infection and not only causes extreme pain to the feet, but often spreads to the ann-pits. Water for cooking and drinking has to be treated with caution in the Fijian jungle. Most rivers and streams ate polluted and before the territorials can use it, sodium chloride tablets must be dissolved in the water. These tablets give the water an unpleasant flavour and to remove it, detaster pills are added. The troops could have to contend with a hurricane while on the exercise. At present it is the hurricane season in Fiji. In late November a moderate hurricane caused extensive damage to sugar and banana crops around Suva. Although no
hurricanes are forecast, heavy rain falls for about two hours every day leaving the ground continually soggy. Warning of the added dangers of hurricanes was given to the territorials by the commanding officer of the Fiji Military Forces (Colonel F. Rennie) during his official welcome at Queen Elizabeth Barracks.
In spite of the hazards of the exercise, the troops’ morale was very high, said the officer commanding the exercise (Major E. V. Braggins).
Exercise “Tropic Dawn Four” is the first time national servicemen have gone outside New Zealand since World War 11.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31276, 24 January 1967, Page 18
Word Count
469N.Z. Troops Exercising In Fijian Jungle Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31276, 24 January 1967, Page 18
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