Why Australian Troops Lack Many Supplies

Northern Advocate, 20 April 1945, Page 4

Why Australian Troops Lack Many Supplies

(Rec. 1.45 p.m.) ' SYDNEY. This Day. The Government’s inability to obtain adequate shipping has been the only reason why essential heavy equipment had not reached Australian troops in the northern battle areas. This was told to troops by the actingMinister for the Army (Senator Fraser), during his decent tour of the front-line areas of New Guinea. New Britain and Bougainville, reports Mr John Scarlett “Sydney Morning Herald” war correspondent at Aitape (New Guinea). The Minister added that between 4000 and 5000 tons of heavy equipment was in- Australia awaiting transport. Broadcasting to troops in north-east New Guinea Senator Fraser said he was convinced that Australians in that sector had only minor grievances. The Government would do all in its power to have those grievances remedied. Complaints made by troops included shortages of replacement parts for automatic weapons, of road transport and of certain items of engineering equipment. An engineer major told the Minister that only by “cannibalising” their own trucks, had Australians been able to keep their transport on the roads. Spare parts had never been available, he said. One soldier told the Minister that to cross one of the territory's many rivers, infantrymen had to build a raft. “Noah turned'out a better job.” he said. “Bv rights we should still be out there.” Troops are reported to have talked freely to the Minister after being told that one of his sons died in a'prisoner-bf-war camp in Crete and a second son as a prisoner in Malny'a,