WANT TO COME HOME

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1946, Page 3

WANT TO COME HOME

AUSSIE AIRMEN IN NEW GUINEA (Rec. 9.25). SYDNEY, February 14. Reports that two thousand R.A.A.F. men at Madang, New Guinea, are on the verge of mutiny as a result of boredom and anger at not being brought back to the mainland, are current in Sydney. The Sydney “Sun" states that, according to an authoritative source, a hand-grenade was thrown into the R.A.A.F. Commander’s quarters at Madang. An Army store, and a hospital records building was burned down, and an attempt was made to tire the command house at headquarters. The men flatly refuse to handle explosives, though warned that their refusal renders them liable to treatment as mutineers. The position has arisen because of death and injuries to transit personnel pressed into service in bomb disposal squads. A mass meeting was called for last Saturday, but the Provosts intervened. Men have told the officers that they wish to be placed on charges, so as to be returned to the mainland. The grenade which was thrown into the commanding officer’s quarters did not go off. Sabotage is so serious that civilians refuse to travel in R.A.A.F. planes, alleges another report.