JUNGLE EXPERIENCES

Grey River Argus, 1 December 1943, Page 6

JUNGLE EXPERIENCES

AUCKLAND. Nov. 28. A dramatic story of experiences in the v’el’a Lavella jungle was narrated by Private D. C. Murton, Ellerslie, who has been invalided back from the combat area. Private Murton spoke of a five days’ advance through the dense jungle and an ambush by a machinegun section of Japanese marines. Wounded,„ he spent three days struggling to reach base with his brother’s assistance. The New Zealand troops’ success in the jungle he attributed largely to the lessons learned in training on the Kaimai Ranges before going overseas. However, the jungle conditions were much more severe, containing many forms of strange life apart from the enemy. He gave a humorous account of his experiences with land crabs and iguanas. At night soldiers found it necessary to guard personal articles, such as watches, one of which was carried off by a crab at night.