RAPID CONSTRUCTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 40, 18 February 1943, Page 4

RAPID CONSTRUCTION

AIRSTRIPS IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Recd. 6.10 p.m.) Sydney, Feb. 17. The changing war scene in New Guinea is emphasised by the report on the activities of the American Engineering Unit which to-day celebrates its first anniversary in the Australasian combat zone. In a year of arduous work only onethird of the unit has had 'leave. When the Japanese threat to Australia’s north was very grave, these troops volunteered to put aside their constructional equipment to fight the enemy.

"In the past year, the men from this unit have been tearing down vast areas of tropical Australian scene and making airstrips, dispersal bays and roads.” writes the Sydney Morning Herald’s New Guinea war correspondent. "They have set records for speed in airstrip construction but the speed has in no way hampered the quality qf their work.” Most of their landing fields have neen <1 continuous use and despite the torrential conditions of the wet season, the aircraft using them have never been grounded. This American unit is only one of many engineering groups which is transforming the appearance of tropical Australasia so rapidly that men returning to operational ' zones after a few weeks' leave have been amazed at the changes.

It is estimated that in New Guinea alone, there is more earth-moving plant than existed inali Australia before the war. Equipment is used 24 hours a day and seven days a week with only small breaks for maintenance.