MERCY FLIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 306, 25 September 1945, Page 7

MERCY FLIGHTS

Catalinas Kept Busy In

South Pacific

HOSPITAL CASES IN PITIABLE PLIGHT

'(R.N.Z.A.F. Official War Correspondent).

RABAUL, September 23.

Catalinas of the R.N.Z.A.F., already well known in the South Pacific for their successful rescue missions, have been making mercy flights between Rabaul and Jacquinot Bay. Already three “Cats” on a shuttle service have transported 250 hospital cases found among the prisoners held by the Japanese on Rabaul.

Those prisoners included 20 nuns of all nationalities who, though they had escaped the worst features of Japanese brutality, had lived under very severe conditions for nearly three years. When they reached Jacquinot Bay the nuns were hysterically excited and waved to everyone so grateful were they for their release from privation as Japanese prisoners. The passengers also included eight Roman Catholic priests, mostly Germans. The balance was made up of Indians from a famous regiment which fought in Malaya, and some of them even were veterans of the 1914-1918 war. They had been brought to Rabaul by the Japanese as labourers, and even doctors and officers were required to perform menial tasks.

The condition of most of the hospital cases carried in the Catalinas was pitiful in the extreme. Nearly everyone bore evidence of Japanese brutality. Men six feet tall were as light as small children. But their morale was high. Most of them had to be helped from the Catalinas at Jacquinot Bay; but they tried to come to attention and salute even though a number of them collapsed in the process Stretcher cases saluted wffiere they lay.

The loyalty and military discipline of the Indians could not but raise a lump in the throats of bystanders. It is small wonder that the Indians who remain in Rabaul would welcome an opportunity to come to grips with the Japanese.”

The Catalinas’ mercy flights have not been made without considerable risk. They have had to land in Simpson Harbour, which has been only partially cleared of mines. Minesweepers are still at work. 'When the first Catalina came in the crew commented that they had just hoped for the best and were relieved when their flying-boat came to a halt on the harbour without any untoward incident. Because of the strictly confined lauding area, passengers have to be taken off bj’ barge, and they are transferred to the Catalinas by launch. On their inward trips the Ciiitaliuas have been transporting Australian troops and supplies. The Catalinas carry seven stretcher and 11 walking cases on each trip.