THE J FORCES

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1946, Page 5

THE J FORCES

AUSTRALIAN SECTION. TOKIO, February 13. The American transport, Stamford Victory. arrived at Kure with 1200 Australian veterans of the Borneo campaign. These were the first British occupation troops to land, and are commanded by Lieut.-Colonel A. H. Marlson. SYDNEY, February 14. Recruiting will begin immediately for the Australian interim forces to provide relief and reinforcements for the troops in Japan, the islands, and Australia. The age minimum is 18 years, but men under 21 must obtain their parents’ consent. The period is for tv,o years, except in the case of serving members who have already volunteered for service in Japan for a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 months. Relief will bo. arranged within 18 months of the arrival in Japan. . . U.S. MORALE falling'.

(Rec. 9.5.) NEW YORK, Feb. 14. A high-ranking United States Army officer admitted American troops’ morale in Japan had declined in an appreciable degree since the surrender, thus leading to the issuance of orders intensifying orientation courses and the instruction of fresh replacements in the'' nature of

aims of the American occupation of Japan, says a New York “Times s Tokio correspondent. Officers pointed out that, soldiers arriving directly from the United States were never given a proper explanation of the necessity for the occupation. Secondly, the replacements Were youthful compared with veterans who participated in the occupation. Thirdly, senior officers were going _ home rapidly, leaving many units . topheavy with junior officers, too inexperienced to act as efficient instructors. Fourthly, the families , and Intends at home, indeed a large section of the American public, did not understand why men still were going overseas six months after hostilities ended. •