HUNDRED-MILE MARCH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22313, 24 April 1947, Page 2

HUNDRED-MILE MARCH

UNIT OF J FORCE ■ FEW BECOME CASUALTIES CHOFU, April 18. A 100-mile march over rough, stony roads skirting the greater part of their occupation area has just been carried out in five days by officers and men of the 22nd Battalion. More than 500 of the total unit strength of 750 took part, including cooks, batmen, drivers and mechanics. Although many of the men did not undergo training marches casualties were few, an average of fewer than. 12 of each 100 men. Great interest was taken by the men in the exercise, and throughout the march their spirits were high. Temporary hardships of blistered feet and chafed ankles generally were less important than determination to finish the journey. One man, for instance, voluntarily marched the last 20 miles in bare feet because of uncomfortable boots. Another kept marking time throughout all the rest periods on the last day to stop his leg muscles from stiffening. The distances marched each day were varied from about 16 miles to the longest of 38 miles, which were covered in 23 hours, and the men were still singing lustily at the finish. The nights were spent in barracks usually occupied by detached units or in local 1 schools. _________