NORTHERN FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1942, Page 4

NORTHERN FRONT

AUSTRALIA’S DEFENCE A SPLENDID PARTNERSHIP. SYDNEY, April 23. The first American forces to reach Australia were originally intended for the Philippines, it is now revealed says Merton Woods, in a despatch to the “Sydney Daily Telegraph” from an advanced Allied base. The Americans were to have been reinforcements for General MacArthur but were -diverted to Australia. Those in Northern Australia had just settled down comfortably by February 19 when they 'were raided by Japanese bombers. Americans on United States naval units in Darwin Harbour fired shot for shot at the raiders with Australian naval gunners. United States airmen in American fighters wei’e up with the R.A.A.F. pilots. The losses inflicted on the Japanese that day were the result of United States-Australian co-operation. It was a good augury for the ultimate triumph of this partnership. The Americans in the North are thicker-set than the Australian troops and lack the Australians’ suntan. The standard American tropical uniform for all ranks is light material khaki shirt, long trousers, and light compressed paper topee. Similar dress is worn by Army, Navy and Air Force men. Nearly all ranks have .45-calibre automatics, carried loosely, cowboy style, on the ’right hip. Australians wear revolvers with the hosier back to front on the left hip. United States forces in Northern Australia are headed by Colonel Frank La Rue, who this year celebrates 30 years in the United States Army. A tough six-footer with a coloured butterfly tattooed on his right shoulder Colonel La Rue is a fine soldier and a first-rate organiser. Tie served in France with the American Expeditionary Force in 1917-18. Among the Americans are authorities on almost everything American. Some can give the latest information about American jazz and swing bands, others are walking encyclopaedias on Hollywood, and still others are experts on all branches of American sport. One of the finest swing bands in Australia is that of a unit of the United States forces in Northern Australia.