Evening star., 1942-03-24
Macarthur Rejected Sub for Dangerous Trip
In Favor of 1t. Bu|ke|ey's Torpedoboots
Star Stan Photo.

blackouts for three months to see
automatic light houses operating.
Along the shore (Japanese) signal
lights were seen, flashing the warm
ing of the approach OF (what were
presumed to be-, enemy aircraft.
The roar of the PIT" boats was
confusing even to the Japanese.
Just before the departure of the
Macarthur convoy we received word
Of the presence of enemy warships
in these waters, but we roared out
into the night.
The boats pounded terrifically
through heavy seas. The general
was unable to stand on his feet.
Everyone was soaked. Many Of the
party were violently seasick.
The boats kept well together until
early in the morning when. still be-
fore dawn, they separated one by
one In the darkness. When the
rendezvous was reached at an early
hour of March IL, only one boat was
there at the designated hour.
The other boats pressed on in
dividually in dangerous daylight,
open prey for enemy surface ships
and planes.
AS the generals boat approached
one Of the islands in the rendezvous
group. another which had arrived
earlier was 50 convinced the ap-
preaching craft was the enemy's 8
that it cleared its deck for action
and "only the merest chance iden-
tilted the generals boat in time to
avoid opening fire with .5o-caliber
guns"
One Of the boats had to be aban-
doned to continue the voyage later.
At the first rendezvous, where q
submarine had arrived, many urged
a transfer, but Gen. Macarthur and
1t. Bulkeley pinned their faith on
the speed boats
The party members, therefore,
were distributed among three boats,
two Of which pressed on in the night
OF the second day while the third,
late arrival, left later.
During the second night all three
boats sighted Japanese destroyers,
but all slipped through by altering
their courses and increasing their
speed. thanks to the courage and
skill OF the navigators.
The two lea ding boats reached the
second rendezous at daybreak, but
the third did not arrive until noon.
The party assembled inland, await
Ing planes from Australia, but the
planes did not come that night or
the next. Every moment party mem.
oers feared some information of the
desperate voyage would reach the
enemy, whose planes were based
only half hours flight away.
Three nights and days were spent
on the island rendezvous withou,
enemy attacks materializing O,
rescue planes arriving.
Finally word came that the plane.
were en- route. Three were expected
but only two came. so it was decided
TO place the entire party In two
planes. leaving behind baggage, arms
and equipment.
With little more than the clothe,
they wore. the party slowed away In
the two Bits and took of about
midnight of March is.
They tiew through the night, bu,
daylight still found the planes owe,
Japanese-infested areas. Gunner,
and observers manned their stations
searching the skies for enemy
fighters which, however, did moi
appear.
The big bombers landed finally a,
Darwin. just after an air-raid alarm
had sounded in the northern Aus.
tralian port.
A hurried transfer was made
there, the party had a quick bite tc
eat and was off again southwark.
Few not on the voyage can rea.
lie the fortitude, stamina and de.
termination to get through with
which the general imbued the entire
group" Col. Diller said.
Mrs. Macarthur was a splendid
soldier. She stood the trip very
we'll"