69 New Zealanders Found In Singapore

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1945, Page 5

69 New Zealanders Found In Singapore

(Official R.N.Z.A.F. War Correspondent) SINGAPORE, Sept. 5

We have just arrived off Singapore and are approaching Clifford Pier. The first hospital ship to sail in is commanded by a New Zealander, Captain James Wilson, whose people live" in Dunedin. Messages from medical units dropped from aircraft at sea indicate that 16 men of the R.N.Z.A.F. have already been found on Singapore, as well as 53 New Zealand civilians, including three women. Yesterday, sailing in line astern down the Malacca Straits, through the narrow mine-swept channel, we saw pillars of dark smoke where the Japanese were apparently destroying oil dumps and rubber supplies. When I last saw Singapore the city was blanketed in dense smoke, sirens were wailing incessantly and enemy bombers were continually overhead. It was an hour of bitter defeat for the British Nation. Today, it was a very different scene. The outlines of the city are clear in the peaceful afternoon light. The harbour is crammed with the might of the British Navy, cruisers, destroyers and many transports loaded with troops. Landings were carried out this morning and our troops now occupy large areas of the city. Within another hour we expect to be ashore and engaged in relief work among our prisoners.

The Minister for Defence (Hon. F. Jones) said that as soon as the names of New Zealand service personnel and civilians are received, next-of-kin will immediately be notified by telegraph. /