WOUNDED SOLDIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 October 1943, Page 3

WOUNDED SOLDIERS

RETURN TO AUSTRALIA FROM NEW GUINEA

SIDELIGHTS ON CAMPAIGN. JAPANESE RAN SQUEALING FROM PARATROOPS. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, October 9. Australian paratroops in the Lae campaign, in Northern New Guinea, cracked jokes with one another as they descended from their transport planes. About 350 soldiers, wounded in the fighting at Salamaua, Lae and Finschhafen, have arrived at an Australian' hospital. They said some of the Japanese soldiers ran squealing in terror when the paratroops landed. The task of transforming the ruins of Lae, captured on September 16, is well in hand. Most of the work has been done at the aerodrome, which, although not large, can be extended. It was from the Lae airfield that Amelia Earhart Putnam took off in 1937 on her ill-fated flight to America. The wrecks of more than 100 Japanese aircraft were found on the Lae aerodrome. In all the towns from which they have been driven the Japanese have left behind a trail of indescribable filth. At keypoints the enemy burrowed tunnels like rabbits. These excavations were strong enough to resist shellfire and bombing, and the defenders appear to have made full use of them, sleeping and eating in their dark recesses. Stories are told that soldiers at Finschhafen found a cache of Australian silver coins amounting to £250, while others brought back gold-inlaid swords and gem-studded pistols. “SALE” OF MOTOR CYCLE.

The best authenticated instance of the war being turned to profit by a fighting soldier comes from Lae. where an American engineer found an Australian standing alongside a Japanese motor cycle, to which was attached a trailer. The American said he wanted, it for a souvenir and offered the Australian £2O. When the American attempted to wheel away his purchase he was told by a provost officer that the cycle was Army property. The Australian had only been admiring it when he received the unexpected offer. One small party of Australians, cut off near Finschhafen, killed at least 50 Japanese for the loss of one man killed and several wounded. After two days they were rescued. Last Sunday, 24 hours after Finschhafen had been taken, the party was on high ground, surrounded by Japanese, whose persistent attacks they repulsed with heavy losses. Supplies of food and ammunition were dropped to them shortly before their position was relieved.