AUSTRALIAN ARMY

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21687, 25 March 1942, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN ARMY

MACARTHUR’S ORDERS GALLANTRY OF AIRMEN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 25, 3.15 pan.) SYDNEY, March 25 Now that the excitement caused by General MacArthur’s dramatic appearance has passed Australia will see and hear of him as an active leader of the Allied forces. He has begun work in earnest and has issued instructions to h& general staff that nothing must interfere with the quick organisation of his army. His officers are working on it with him day and night. It is expected that General MacArthur’s plans will be advanced considerably after he has conferred with the Australian War Cabinet this week. MELBOURNE, March 25 Running the gauntlet of enemy bullets and bombs, Australian civil pilots, in unarmed and comparatively slow machines, have saved hundreds of Australian lives since the war with Japan began, stated the Department of Air. Others have risked their lives by flying aircraft heavily loaded with essential materials from the mainland to military areas in New Guinea, Java, Timor and other places. The story of their heroism during the bombing of Darwin, Broome and New Guinea and the part they have played in the evacuation of women and children from threatened areas is told in reports received by the Minister of Air, Mr Drakeford. Many People Rescued In eight days 762 persons, mostly women and children, were evacuated from New Guinea to the mainland in two civil aircraft, one of which carried an average of 30$ persons per trip and the other an average of just over 16 persons per trip. During these operations there was not a single casualty. The magnificent work done by the flying-boat base staff during the air raids on Darwin probably saved the lives of from 100 to 150 mercantile marine personnel. These men were rescued from the harbour and jetty in two launches, which were finally sunk by enemy action. The launches operated during a bombing attack under constant machine-gun fire and in the vicinity of a ship which was afire.