Last Big J Force Draft Arrives In N.Z.

Chronicle (Levin), 12 October 1948, Page 7

Last Big J Force Draft Arrives In N.Z.

Press AssociatiorJ

(Per

AUCKLAND, Oct. 11. The last big draft of troops of tlie decond N.Z.E.F. serving in' Japan .•oiisisting or 404 officers and otlier ranks, returned by the Westralia today. Only a sinai! rear party reuiains as part of the British Occupation Force, comprising 30. officers and 100 ineii. It is due to leave Japan for New Zealand about the middle of next month, probably 011 board the ^Westralia which will rcturn to Kure aftei; this trip. It will also bring back 200 men of the 14th Fighter Squadron R.N.Z.A.F. Most; of the ipen from the North Island among the trop.ps_.wlio returned today, included, men with a long record oi service in Japan. Although they were looking forward to seeihg friends and felatiqns again, many of them were sorrv to leave the eo'ulitry which they agreed had been an education to'tliemF " '' 'J Jl' w ' ,J,i 1 Among the Army draft there were 42 officers, • three nursiug sisters, 17 Waacs and eight New Zealand welfare workers belonging to the Y.W.C.A. There were also 20' nieinber's of the New Zealand Air- Force ' and' sevefal ' Australiau servic'emen and 'women and dependents. ' " ' Major A. F. Gr. McGregor, of' Invercargill, was in "charge of the Kew Zealand draft. All troojis cousidered the treatment they had reeeived 011 board the Westralia was excellent. The food was good aild aecommoclation comfortable. With shipboard conditions such as these and the opportunity which the J-Force provided for young men, they beiieved if another force were needed, inany would be willing ■0 servce again. The Westralia ealled at Dreger, NTew (ruinea, last Snndav and (nok water on board. The troops reeeived shore leave. A cricket match was ar•anged between the ship and navul station resultiug in a win for the home side by t'onr r"ns. Disembarkation was earried out promptly by the Army authorities and. buses and trains were despatehed ' to schedule.