REST AFTER BATTLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25364, 23 October 1943, Page 4

REST AFTER BATTLE

TROOPS IN SOLOMONS SATISFIED WITH FIRST ACTION (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) VELLA LAVELLA, Oct. 15. Enjoying the luxuries of warmed-up rations and hot tea, the Kiwis, who have just come out of the "Battle of Timbala,” are making the most of a spell of well-earned rest on the coral beaches of Vella Lavella, which have taken on a much more attractive appearance since the noise and strain of fighting have died away. There is a chance now to dry out that wretchedly wet clothing that clung to the skin for three long weeks, soothe tired feet in salt water, and take appropriate action regarding the growth of beard so long unchecked. Everyone has a new jungle suit of two-piece design in pale green, a jockey cap similar to a shako, and new boots. With as light a pack as possible this is the attire of the New Zealanders are wearing in tropic warfare—no shorts, : because of the mosquitoes; no heavy clothing, because of the heat; no steel helmets, because of the noise they make In the jungle. Two Types of Rations The rations are chiefly of the Allied “C” type, consisting of tinned biscuits, sugar cubes, boiled sweets, cocoa or coffee powder, and tinned meat and vegetable hash and stew. For variation the “K ” ration supplies fruit or a chocolate bar, a small tin of cheese, or pressed ham, eggs, biscuits, sweets, and dring powder. Each man carries at least a full day’s rations in his haversack and a bottle of drinking water.

Supply is the major problem in the jungle, and involves a continuous stream of men carrying rations and ammunition from the dumps to the front line along the narrow tortuous tracks. There might even be a twomile circuitous walk to reach a company of men only 400 yards off as the crow flies.

Island warfare has peculiar hazards not met on the wide land expanses of Russia, France, or North Africa. Communications, disjointed and uncertain, have to be improvised to meet the constantly-changing terrain. Medical, infantry, artillery, and supply officers who previously served in the Middle East, and are now in the Pacific, comment freely on the contrast. From Desert to Jungle

"I would rather suffer the monotony of seeing mile upon mile of endless desert," one of them said, “than the claustrophobia of the jungle fastnesses. The desert lets you travel where you will. The jungle dictates its own terms. I have never known such difficulties in transport and supply," said one. The satisfaction and pride felt by the New Zealanders over the success of their first clash with the Japanese is blended with a sense of relief that their introduction to this type of fighting has been of short enough duration to allow them time to absorb the manifold new lessons that only battle experience can teach. This campaign has been “something to sharpen our teeth on.” We have come out of it with colours flying. We shall go into the next one with so much learned and with a fuller understanding of the best tactics to be used.