Post by pjw4118 on Jul 21, 2018 10:38:54 GMT 12
During a recent trip around the Islands I picked up a copy of James Mitcheners classic Tales of the South Pacific. If you havent read it , and are interested in 1942/43 Solomons war , its a must. A fictionalised first hand account with no glory it includes building the Norfolk airstrip and many references to our P 40 squadrons " the hounds from hell" our five kill ace ( who was that ?) plus details of the PBYs from Halavo Bay.
Named are Colbourne , Grant and Aberforce whose PBY returns from checking the Slot , on fire ( three killed ) Certainly fictional names but perhaps a real event .
The first chapter shows just how much danger NZ was in and the "the New Zealanders at home dare not retreat as the Jap broadcasts have already stated that the South Is will be farmed by white male labourers, the North will be commercial served by white females and children. The Maori will have special privileges as they are a common race etc , serious stuff.
It brought back memories from the early 1950s when my Mother recalled how in 1942 she saw troops across the nearby hill she assumed they were Japs so grabbed my brother and the bread knife and hid in a cupboard until my father came home for lunch. He was one of the Home Guardsmen on patrol. It brings a smile now but certainly not then.
It was also surprising to read of the absolute determination by pilots to shoot down every Japanese aircraft they could see , even risking ditching as they ran short of fuel, and to ensure no Jap was left alive during and after any ground combat.
The Solomons must have been a terrible place to fight a war , I am very grateful they did and that we won.
Named are Colbourne , Grant and Aberforce whose PBY returns from checking the Slot , on fire ( three killed ) Certainly fictional names but perhaps a real event .
The first chapter shows just how much danger NZ was in and the "the New Zealanders at home dare not retreat as the Jap broadcasts have already stated that the South Is will be farmed by white male labourers, the North will be commercial served by white females and children. The Maori will have special privileges as they are a common race etc , serious stuff.
It brought back memories from the early 1950s when my Mother recalled how in 1942 she saw troops across the nearby hill she assumed they were Japs so grabbed my brother and the bread knife and hid in a cupboard until my father came home for lunch. He was one of the Home Guardsmen on patrol. It brings a smile now but certainly not then.
It was also surprising to read of the absolute determination by pilots to shoot down every Japanese aircraft they could see , even risking ditching as they ran short of fuel, and to ensure no Jap was left alive during and after any ground combat.
The Solomons must have been a terrible place to fight a war , I am very grateful they did and that we won.
