PAPUAN CAMPAIGN

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22476, 11 January 1943, Page 5

PAPUAN CAMPAIGN

Decorations Bestowed (7.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. General MacArthur, whose return from Papua to General Headquarters has been officially announced, has awarded decorations to LieutenantGeneral Sir Thomas Blarney, Allied Land Commander, and 11 other high Australian and American officers for their part in the Papuan campaign. Each of the soldiers, who include Lieutenant-General Kenney, Allied Air Commander, Lieutenant-General Robert Eichelberger, Commander of the American Forces in Papua, and Lieu-tenant-General Edmund Herring, A.I.F. Commander, has received the Distinguished Service Cross, the highest decoration General MacArthur can bestow. Announcing the awards, General MacArthur's Order of the Day says: “The victory which has been achieved would have been impossible of accomplishment without the invincible leadership which they have provided. The magnificent conduct of the troops and elements of this command, operating under difficulties rarely if ever surpassed in a campaign, has earned my highest praise and commendation.” General MacArthur pays a tribute to several units for their special work in the campaign and his Order concludes: “To Almighty God I give thanks for guidance which has brought us to this success in our great crusade. His is the honour, the power and the glory for ever.” When informed of the fall of Buna General MacArthur said: “The dead of Bataan should rest a little easier