FIGHTING IN SOLOMONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 64, 13 April 1943, Page 2

FIGHTING IN SOLOMONS

VISITING AMERICANS'

IMPRESSIONS

THE "JiAP" IN COM HAT

"We have never seen such hospitality as lias been showered on lis in New Zealand, with special emphasis on this town." staled Private Bob Kuykendall (Ohio), P. F. C. Bob Cook (Iowa), and Sergeant Leon Wilkes (Texas), of tin- American Marine Corps, in an interview. All have served for four months in Guadalcanal in the Solomons and have most interesting impressions and adventures to recount. Two have been wounded, Private Kuykendall and Sergeant Wilkes: the injuries of the- former were caused through a hand grenade, and those of the latter by a bullet. Each has qualified for the Purple Heart, which is awarded to all members of the. American forces who are. wounded in action. Discussing the Japanese they stated quite a large number spoke English. Japanese women Avere frequently used as snipers, of which the enemy had a tremendous num. ber. The female snipers were usually tied to a tree. Women ahso played their part on the island, as nurses. The common soldiers. goncrallj speaking, had no initiative, and the death of an officer meant wild confusion, as it was bread into them to do exactly as the officer instruct ed. The soldiers carried a tremendous amount of equipment, much of which was leather. The Marines actually captured a.s souvenirs, occupation money ji'or Australia and New Zealand. Opf prisoner had in his possession a driver's license issued from San Francisco. Questioned as to whether the Japanese held life cheaply, they said that, the "Jap'' was no keener on sacrificing his life than the Marines. Every Japanese soldier car* ried a quantity of dope which probably explained Avhy they made ajv parcntly senseless, blind rushes at machine guns, etc. In these; circumstances it was obvious they did not know what they -were doing. The enemy was very thin and diminutive in stature, usually about sft., and while lighting lived on rice, cocoanuts, lish and roots. The food of the Marines consisted of biseuits and iron rations. "The Japanese is a cunning and crafty enemy, and is particularly adept at camouflage," they stated., The three Marines can recount a very excitijig sea battle in Guadalcanal when the American Navy Avon three decisive sea battles Avith tho odds greatly against them. After months in the tropics they fully appreciated the New Zealand climate. Although they had noticed it rather cold at first, they were very pleased, to be away from mas- - and swampy land of ths* Solomons. The New Zealand girls, compared very favourably Avith those in tho States and all were very impressed with the country. One expressed, the desire to liA 7 c here permanently, but the other two did not. share this view. They appeared A T ery enthralled Avith the Waitomo Caves. Rotorua had particularly fascia' ated one who said he. had never seen such scencry anywhere.