"FORGOTTEN ARMY"

Chronicle (Levin), 21 September 1946, Page 5

"FORGOTTEN ARMY"

(Special Correspondent.)

British Troops In Japan LACK OF NEWS CRlTtCISED

Received Friday, 11.17 p.ni. LONDON, Sept. 20. Under the title "put these men in the headlines", the Daily Berald today publishes a special article from a correspondent in Japan describiftg the work of the B.C.O.F., and claiming that the British troops in Japan believe Britain has lost all interest in them. This is supported by the publieation of a letter from the mother of a member of the Occupation Force, askihg why 110 news about the B.C.O.F. is given either in the British press or by the British radio.. The Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan, she states, now describe themselves as "The Forgotten Army". ' ' The B.C.O.F. deserves to be a houseliold word throughout the British Isles and its story headliiie news in London, Sydney, Auckland and Caleutta," says the Ilerald correspondent, who adds

that he has repeatedly heard the charge that the British. Commonwealth "has dumped its Occupation Force in Japan and forgotten all , about it." The B.C.O.F., he states, is doi'ng ,a difficult job in a soldierly xnanner and without fuss. It is dealihg very eft'ectively with smnggling and is mai'ntaining itself at a very high level of eftieieuey as a fighting force. It also represents a new significant step in the cooperation of interarrned forces of British nations. The article eiiipliasises that the B.C.O.F. is responsible' for the garrisoning of one-eighth of Japan and for maintaining the prestige of the British peoples among. tlie Japanese. The correspondent describes the various areas held by the British, Indian, Australian and New Zealand troops and mentions the fact that the 22nd Battalion which ' was stationed in this country during the Battle of Britain, fornis part of the New Zealand force. The correspondent adds that he is investigating charges that conditions enjoyed by. the B.C.O.F., eompare unfavourably with those of the Americans in Japan. This is the first article of any size dealing with Japan or the B.C.O.F., which has appeared in any leading British daily, for the past four months at least. •.