JUNGLE TACTICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 16, 20 October 1942, Page 4

JUNGLE TACTICS

A NEW name has been added to the vocabulary of modern warfare. The title "jungle tactics," which was born m Malay and the Phillipines is now ranged alongside those of "Panza," "Commando" and the rest. The method of carrying the fighting into the wilds, was probably Japan's most potent secret weapon when she launched her veteran 'jungle' troops against the: 'parade ground' Imperial battalions which were stationed at Singapore. Before the stealth and ingenuity of Japan's jungle troops, many of whom were painted green from head to foot to escape detection in the green world of the forest, the finest troops in the world were forced to fall steadily back and finally to surrender ignominiously on the congested island of Singapore itself. Long experience, careful and scrupulous attention to detail lies behind the training of Japan's jungle troops, who contrary to general belief comprise only a limited section of her reputed army of six million men. It was due to them howeyer, estimated not to exceed four divisions of highly specialised fighters, that Britain had to bear the bitter chargrin of the loss of Malay, Burma and the Indies and that America endured the painful spectacle of the surrender of the Phillipines. Jungle troops; highly trained, fearless, reckless and merciless. These verily have been Japan s most potent force in her present war of treachery and brutality. But what of the natural reaction. This is an aspect which we thank God, is as sure as the rising sun. It has taken ten bitter months to learn. But the lessons, though bitter and costly have borne fruit in the Solomons and in New Guinea. Jungle fighting has been listed in the military text books of the Allied Command. Intensive training has resulted in columns of hard bitten Australians taking the field against the green painted demons who threatened Port Moresby, and beating the Japs at their own game. Long and bitter has been our apprenticeship, wrought in suffering and assigned in blood, but the product is sound and steadfast. A confident and clear-ringing answer to the yellow invaders whose bodies now litter the trails on the Owen Stanley Ranges and whose remains pack the caves and foreshore recesses of Guadalancar Island in the Solomons. To-day it would appear indeed that the most effective weapon against the Japanese invaders will be one of their own hatching which has become known to the world as jungle tactics.