FOOT-SORE BUT HAPPY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26442, 22 April 1947, Page 7

FOOT-SORE BUT HAPPY

NEW ZEALANDERS IN JAPAN LONG MARCH COMPLETED Official New Zealand Correspondent with the J Force Rec. 11.30 p.m. CHOFU, Apl. 18. A 100-mile march over rough, stony roads skirting the greater part of their occupation area has just been carried out in five days, by officers and men of the 22nd Battalion. More than 500 of the total unit strength of 750 took part, including cooks, batmen, drivers, and mechanics. Although many men did not undergo training marches, the casualties were few—an average of fewer than 12 to each 100 men. Great interest was taken by the men in the exercise, and throughout the march their spirits were high. The temporary hardships of blistered feet and chafed ankles generally were less important than the determination to finish the journey. One man, for instance, voluntarily marched the last 20 miles in bare feet because of uncomfortable boots. Another kept marking time throughout all the rest periods on the last day to stop his leg muscles from stiffening. The distances marched each day were varied from abut 16 miles to the longest of 38 miles. This was covered in 23 hours, and the men were still singing lustily at the finish. The nights were spent in barracks, usually occupied by detached units, or in local schools.