STOP PRESS

Evening Star, Issue 24289, 2 September 1942, Page 8

STOP PRESS

MILXIi BAY KIGHTJXG. HYDXKY. September 2.—Xo estimate of the Japanese casualties at Milne 'Bay is yet possible, but there is evidence that substantial losses were indicted. Australian militiamen stationed at beach defences ambushed one newly-landed detachment and killed more than 200. Hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition were expended by Australian fighter idiots attacking enemy personnel, and they are known to have caused heavy casualties. One airman has told bow lie killed a group of 50 Japanese who wore having a meal in a jungle clearing. The number of bodies being found by Australian troops engaged in mopping-up operations testify to the hurried manner of the Japanese evacuation. Among the equipment left behind by tho enemy were flame-throwers, which the enemy have introduced for the first time in the Pacific war. There is no evidence that flamethrowers were used at Milne Bay, but it is thought they may have carried as an experiment in terrorising tactics. Observers here are increasingly mystified by the enemy withdrawal. “ There is no blinking the fact that the Japanese evacuation of Milne Bay came as a complete surprise,” the Sydney ‘ Herald ’ war correspondent states. “It is difficult to understand why, when bolding temporary control of flic sea lanes leading to Milne Bay, tile Japiancsc did not attempt to reinforce rather than take off their troops.” The ‘ Herald ’ correspondent warns that the Japanese threat to Port Moresby remains and that a> revival of aggressive enemy action in the Lae, Salamaua, and Kokoda sectors must be correlated with Japanese plans to converge on Alprcsby from other directions. Sea control is the key to the .situation. He says; “ The position at sea must be resolved decisively in our favour before there can be any strategical safety in the South-west Pacific.” “ The successes in Xew Guinea and .the Solomons have strengthened the Allied position, and the Japanese will hardly think seriously of [invading India while they are heavily 7 engaged in the South Pacific,” said General Stilwell ■when interviewed in Xew Delhi. “ The situation in India has considerably improved. I have always believed that this theatre is the most important. It is still the best way to get at Japan. No doubt the first step must be reoecupation of Burma, after which China will again become an asset.” General Stilwell added that he believed the Japanese were preparing to attack Siberia.

" I was most impressed by the smartness of I lie girls in the camp,” Liculenantcolonel Jowctt said. “ In the few days they have been under instruction (hey have achieved a very high standard. Until their batiledress and walking-out uniforms are ready for them they are wearing mens small size battle-dresses, complete with gaiters, just as the women in the North Islam! are doing until their made-to-measure uniforms arc ready. In a short time they will also have strong brown bools to wear with baltledrcss on duty. In camp they receive no soft treatment because they arc women. Their day begins at the same lime as * a soldier’s day, and lasts just as long. But I was particularly pleased to see evidence everywhere, at the camp and at the various Army establishments 1 visited in Christchurch, of the interest that has been taken in the girls’ everyday welfare. For instance, in a restroom at an establishment where members of the VV.A.A.C. do not live in, I was amazed to see that the proverbial iron that every girl needs at odd hours of the day was supplied. Everywhere in the restrooms there are good fires and comfortable chairs. And at the camp there is a wedcquipped drying room provided, ns well rs bathrooms, laundry, and ironing room amenities that will make all the difference lo the comfort and well-being of the women, and so to the successful running of the camp. “ I should like to say, as I have said lo Ihe girls themselves, that the aim of every member of the W.A.A.C. .mould be to set a high standard, for it is these first women to go into nnilorm who will be taken as an example by later recruits. Hie standard set in the camp I saw to-day is very high, and reflects great credit bn the women themselves and ou their officers. 1 should also like to reassure mothers who doubt the wisdom of allowing their daughters to leave home lo enter camp, perhaps far away 7. lam a, mother myself, and I understand the doubt. But there is sppevision by carefully-selected oflici-s, and the welfare of the girls in their hours of recreation is just as important to us ns their welfare on duly. It must be remembered also that the wearing of the King’s uniform is an honour, and demands respect. Women in tho _ forces, even the youngest girls, have a high sense of their "responsibility.” In reply to a question about clothes for social occasions, Lieutenant-colonel Jowelt said that as a general rule when all the uniforms were supplied the dress uniform would always be worn, just as in England, where no xuember of the forces would think o 7 wearing an evening dress fo a dance or oilier social function. For games, if course, sprtts clothes wore approved. Chances of promotion, she said, would be available to everyone. Girls who worked bard and applied themselves to their tasks would find their reward. Such qua,-.ties as loyally, adaptability, cheerfulness, and capacity for leadership, would be I a ken info consideration as well as success in a course of instruction. “ But women should not go into the Army with the idea, ‘What am I going to get out of if-?’” Licutcnant-coionU Jr welt, concluded. They should become men-bers of tho W.A.A.C. wild' the knowledge ibiit they arc going to give their country their services at a time when those cervices are very urgently needed.” The Great Commandment. ‘The Great Commandment,’ which opens a season at the St. James on Friday, is the first film of this type since ‘ The King of Kings.’ Breaking all Hollywood traditions, it was produced with the idea of building up morale in a war-torn world. It attempts to show in stirring human terms a practical application of the teachings of the Christian religcn that have endured for 2,000 years. Its genuineness, sincerity, spirit of tolerance, and depth of meaning will find an inslant appeal among people who arc seeking solutions for file difficulties which confront the world to-day.