MM. FLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 102, 27 October 1945, Page 9

MM. FLIGHT

TASK COMPLETED

RETURN TO WELLINGTON

Members of the R.N.Z.A.F. Prisoner of War Evacuation Flight, who recently completed their task of bringing New Zealand service and civilian personnel out from Malaya, Siam, and the Netherlands Indies, returned-to Wellington this week. The flight used 12 transport aircraft for the task and arrived in Singapore on the actual day of the surrender of the city, September 12. The duty of the team was to succour as many New Zealand prisoners of war and civil internees as could be. located in Malaya, Siam,. and the East Indies area. The last aircraft returned to- New Zealand via Australia on October 23. About 150 people were brought out in relays,* after receiving attention at depots arranged by the party. . ■ ~ _ . Members of the party all paid tribute to the efficiency of the organisation, and the co-operation obtained from British and Australian service §ersohnel. Immediately on landing in ingapore their organisation was functioning. Squadron Leader M. L. Price stated that about 30 tons of supplies and equipment were taken from New Zealand.' On the trip out the planes travelled by way of Santo, Bougainville', the Admiralty Islands, Morptai, Labuan, and Singapore, and the return route was by way. of Labuan, Morotai, Darwin, Townsville, Brisbane, and Auckland. ■ SERVILE JAPANESE.

The attitude of the Japanese, both m Malaya and the Indies, he said, was "servile in the extreme," and "almost too polite." The New Zealanders were surprised to find a good concrete landing strip (that had been made by prisoners of war) still in existence in Singapore. Curiously enough, a'-New Zealand flying officer, one of the last to leave Singapore, had cached a quantity of champagne and whisky on that precise spot. The Japanese, unknowingly, built the strip over the cache, and never discovered the liquor. It was still there when the same officer returned. ■/ ~,,'. + „-i The Japanese were still in control in Batavia when Flight Lieutenant. E. F. Edwards was there on September 16, and he was surprised to find a small guard of honour awaiting him when he arrived in his Dakota. Count Yamaguehi, complete with aides-de-camp and interpreters, later called on him at his hotel. The Japanese general saluted, bowed, and wished him* a pleasant stay. "We welcome you io Java," he said, "and hope you will enjoy your stay here." "I was so flabbergasted that all I could do was to salute and bow also," said Flight Lieutenant Edwards. . . ■ He and his party were taken, to Bandoeng in a Japanese aircraft similar in design to an Oxford, and manned entirely by Japanese. «T did not much like the idea of the latter," he confessed, "so I went along to the pilot's seat, indicated that I wished, to take over, and then-flew the machine myself." Also on that trip were Squadron Leader de la Perelle, L.A.C. Samuels, and Sister A. M. Williams, of Auckland. The New Zealanders returned from Bandoeng to Batavia m a Mitchell which was flown by a Dutch crew. . __<••_•* Transport officers spoke of their difficulty in obtaining suitable vehicles for evacuation purposes on arrival at Singapore. The majority of trucks and motor-cars had been taken over by the enemy, who appeared to have done nothing in the way of repairs. Only a few were of. Japanese manufacture. Modern American motor-cars had been converted into trucks, and though- a few trucks had been patched up, the, majority were useless, and the use of palm' oil as fuel had not improved those that were available. The Japanese just "dumped" those that they could not service. Evenually 17 vehicles were obtained by the New Zealanders, though some had to be handed over "to the R.A.F., including, one motor-car which an enterprising Australian had taken from a Japanese colonel. .';-.

EFFICIENT ORGANISATION.

The New Zealanders took with them lists of prisoners of war and civilian ihtertiee^and-.they were fouiid;'to be I remarkably accurate. Other records had been kept by Dr. B. Jacobs, former superintendent of the Singapore civil hospital, a New Zealander, who had remained behind after the Japanese occupation, and Flight Lieutenant Miller, another New Zealander who had been captured. Much of the work of actual contact had been accomplished before the party's arrival, ana the cooperation by the Australians in , that work was also,most helpful. Junior Commander Dorothy Cranstone, formerly of Wanganui, a daughter of Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P;, who went into Singapore with the first hospital ship from India, performed invaluable service on tie radio by making contact with other eyv Zealanders. She was associated with the South-east Asia Command as a public relations officer. A prominent Chinese resident of Singapore placed his magnificent home at the disposal of the evacuated New ■Zealanders, and a reception centre was established there with 60 beds.

Flying Officer J. G. Watts, of the Medical Service, spoke enthusiastically of the values of the New Zealand foods that were taken. Despite their hardship, there was soon a marked improvement, he said, in the condition of the evacuees. It was difficult for them to learn to relax, said Sister Williams, though conditions were ideal v for that purpose. All were suffering from malnutrition, but medical work was negligible, only odd dressings being required. - . Equipment officers stated that there was a 'great demand for clothing, especially underclothing, and more could have been taken. However, it Svas difficult to make any estimates before the trip. Some of the women internees had been making clothing from the silk of Japanese parachutes.