PACIFIC FIGHTERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 8 February 1944, Page 4

PACIFIC FIGHTERS

PARTY BACK IN N.Z. PRAISE FOR AMERICAN COMRADESHIP Heroes of Vella Lavella. Treasury ancl Mono Islands were among a parly of 94 sick and Avounded personnel who arrived recently in New Zealand and were officially welcomed by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. Those Interviewed were anxious that it. be reiterated that the lime spent

in the islands had been no holiday; only those who had actually been there, and fighting, knew what it was to battle in the jungle. One soldier said short, simple and pointedly: "It takes a lot of guts to clear the Jap. from his fox-

They praised the American naval personnel, specially the Sec Bees, for their comradeship. When wounded New Zealanders were evacuated from Treasury. American sailors gave up their bunks and slept on the floor to make the New Zealanders comfortable. They were given their national non-intoxi-cating drink, tea. to make them feel at home.

The islands they fought on certainly looked like mere specks on the map. compared to the vast territories of the European and Middle East battlefields. but their role was in the fight for bases and every yard of ground, and every acre of island territory gained was a step nearer victory in the Pacific.

The patriotic parcels were regularly received, but jam would be more appreciated than tinned meat, of which there was an already ample supply. This did not detract, however, from the good intentions of the senders but was mentioned as a suggestion for the future.

The transition of the bases at New Caledonia and on Guadalcanar from a primitive state to conditions of comfort had to be seen to be believed. They had good food there —better perhaps than some people enjoyed on the home front—and mail arrived regularly. Further, there was plenty of entertainment. But "up north” it was a soldier's Hades. At theii; bases the Americans published daily news sheets which kept them well informed on world events and how things were going In their own forward areas.

Some of the publicity published in New Zealand about the fighting in the Pacific did not. they thought, present a tough enough picture of the leal conditions.

Mosquito control was first class and the death rate from tropical diseases was almost negligible. At a base they saw a Hollywood version of the fighting on Guadalcanar and marvelled at the way in which, from scale models, an accurate picture had been produced.

The follOAving Nelson men were included in the party: Hyde. Sapper Charles Howard: Kingsbury. Pte. Leonard Gilbert; Pauling, W. 0.11. Thomas.

The complete list for the Dominion may be inspected at the ‘‘Mail” Office.