PACIFIC DIVISION

Evening Star, Issue 24990, 8 October 1943, Page 2

PACIFIC DIVISION

MEN WELCOME MOVE EAGER TO MEET ENEMY /N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent.) SOUTH PACIFIC BASE, Oct. 6. Khaki-clad New Zealanders lining the decks of the transports that took them north from New Caledonia watched the island's receding shores without regret. A. score of soldiers on that sunny August afternoon when their ships and escort slipped out of harbour and turned towards the forward area, when asked what they thought, about the change, revealed the dominant note of relief by expressing the hope that New Caledonia was now a closed chapter in a book that would not end until the division had thrown its weight against the Japanese in action. What lay ahead? Was it possible that in spite of all their preparation and their keen desire for action these men would again he doomed to set their camps on an island left vacant by advancing Allied armies and to read and hear of, but not to fight in, the battles that have always been fought ahead and out of range of the New Zealanders? Would they this time catch up with the Japanese? Heading north . .. . but how far north? The men's anxiety was natural and their hopes were tinged with doubt. Had they not heard so many times before that soon they would see action? Even, nine months ago they had thought that their arrival at New Caledonia might be opposed, and yet nothing had happened. Always action had evaded them, and for two years, including the time spent in Fiji, their role had been that of a garrison force. Theirs had been a life of dull monotony' and loneliness. They had been through a hard training school with little entertainment to stifle the staleness that comes with inactivity. They trained hard and well,' trying to forget that fate might keep them there for the duration. New Caledonia's enormous potential wealth was of little attraction to tho New Zealanders, who saw only its undeveloped countryside and its backward towns. To them it was so purposeless,' this training for a war that day by day was moving further afield. Let it be one thing or the other, the men said—action in the Pacific or transfer to another theatre altogether, where there would be the prospect of battle. Then in July came the first mention of the possibility of a move forward: " Plans are being made to employ this division in an action role." " Spirits began to rise now, and new types of training encouraged the hope that at last the chance for which so many had waited for so long was on its way. By late July it was clear to all ranks that the New Caledonia chapter was near its close. Eventually, in mid-August, came the embarkation and the stirring sight of convoys moving to sea. One more stop, perhaps, for a quick regrouping, and then . . . anything for a change, but action for preference.