SALVATION ARMY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 100, 24 October 1942, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY

SERVICE IN NEW GUINEA

Welfare work carried out by Salvation Army officers in the midst of the battle of Milne Bay is described in a letter from Captain C. Cross.

"Within 500 yards of where we pitched the Red Shield centre," he writes, "the invaders made their initial landing, and from that spot for 24 hours in the midst of the tumult we served hot tea and biscuits. As the A.I.F. came into action the central dispersing point was changed, and another Red Shield centre was immediately in action. Here thousands of men daily were served. Diggers returning from the fighting front came in footsore, wet through, and absolutely allin. Our work was not limited to these points either, for, as each battalion came out of action, a Red Shield tea service was established in the unit lines so that these wonderful men, who had fought in indescribable conditions in jungle swamp and continuous heavy rain, were cheered and helped. Moreover, in the front line itself under fire, we cared for the wounded, getting them away to safety.

"There are now ten Salvation Army officers in. Port Moresby engaged in Red Shield work. When the Australians advanced over the Owen Stanley Range one of these officers pushed through the thick, rain-drenched jungle till he came up behind the front lines. Along this track —where men slowly strangled, where blood-sucking leeches drop from the wet foliage to torment the weary and wounded soldiers —here the Red Shield services began to function and the fame of the coffee and comfort bar soon spread far and wide. Stores are carried by a team of 15 natives who are unfailing in faithful support.

"Fresh men going up to the advanced positions, meeting the stretcher-bear-ers with their suffering burdens, hoping at every turn of the rqad to see the welcome Red Shield sign, cheer them with the magic words, 'The Salvos are one, two or three hours (as the case may be) down the track with hot coffee and comforts for you.' Down the slimy path from the rugged heights to the valley come the suffering to find the Salvationists ready to bathe their wounds at the streams, and assist them as they sip their coffee before they begin again to negotiate the tortuous grade on the three, five, or seven day (according to the soldier's strength) struggle to the base. " 'Say, you could teach Robinson Crusoe a few things,' said a padre as he gazed at the improvised structure made from bark and saplings, bound together with climbing vines, and serving admirably as a Red Shield centre. This is but one glimpse of the work being done in this island by the Salvation Army.

"The Department of Information newsreel shows the Salvation Army Flag full width from a tree in the jungle w;ith the star in the centre displaying its old time motto 'Blood and Fire' and the voice of the announcer is heard, 'And right in the front line is the banner which all soldiers salute of a great Organisation, the Salvation Army.'"