CRITICAL DAYS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3269, 28 May 1943, Page 7

CRITICAL DAYS

AFTER PEARL HARBOUR THE POSITION IN FIJI VIEWS OF ROBIN MILLER There is no invasion complex in Fiji now, but the colony still wonders why the Japanese failed to arrive in the months after Pearl Harbour, when New Zealand was hastily strengthening the garrison force here in the face of frightening difficulties in the delivery of equipment. Fiji would have fought back with the little she had, but a really serious invasion attempt could not have been stemmed. The colony breathed with relief when the Japanese did not arrive, and as its islands were steadily fortified by the United States and New Zealand as a vital link in the chain of Pacific defences. Route of Supplies

Fiji’s key strategical position across the supply lines to the south and southwest Pacific must have been obvious to the enemy, and many people put his failure to seize the opportunity down to crass stupidity. But in the light of what we have learned about him since, the more probable answer is that it was beyond his means. He could not, go to Fiji for the same reason that ne could not go back to Pearl Harbour—his resources and communications were too heavily taxed by the campaigns he was undertaking through, the Philippines, Malaya and Dutch East Indies. Now, with the feeling that any immediate threat has disappeared, Fiji is thinking of the war in terms other than those of home defence. She has gone offensive-minded. She wants to send her highly-trained New ZealandFijian army and commando forces beyond her own shores, and to fight the Japanese on their own ground. Uncanny Skill I have already told in my despatches the story of these remarkable native soldiers who were born and bred to jungle life and have been taught

by New Zealanders to blend their innate, uncanny skill with the art of modern warfare. Their strength in numbers must remain secret, but it would not be an exaggeration fo say that they could do as much damage to the enemy in the jungle as an allEuropean force three times the size. American field commanders who used a small party of the New Zealand-Fiji commandos for patrol work on Guadalcanal 1 were amazed at their jungle sense and fighting prowess, and asked for more. More New Zealanders arc still serving in Fiji than many people realise, for when our expeditionary force here was relieved by the Americans last year a considerable group of New Zealand commissioned and non-commis-sioned officers and men were absorbed into the Fiji Defence Force, now known —and perhaps the change is significant of the offensive-mindedness existing here —as the Fiji Military Force. In the commando and infantry units they lead and instruct the native troops, and they man the .static anti-aircraft and coastal artillery positions.

The Fiji detachment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which pioneered air reconnaissance and patrols in the central South Pacific, is in its third year of service here on the monotonous but essential job of searching the sea approaches and escorting ships as they come and go. “Rocking-chair Ferry”

Across the main island of the Fiji group the New Zealand flyers run what I heard an American call “the Tock-ing-chair ferry.” This is an air transport service which saves hours of dusty, tortuous travel by road, and is maintained by old and hoary de Mavilland aircraft which used to fly the"

internal air routes in New Zealand No one can ride in one without a feeling of love at first sight, for among all the sleek, modern warplanes the de Havilland ferry is like a dear old lady surrounded by glamour girls. It lifts you gently from the ground, flies you gently across the mountains, and *ets you gently down again.