The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-04-20

hut Sdlu lOudy.
river was just the thing, and yer,
conveniently placed.
Many wrecked landing barges
formerly belonging to the Japs, Wer,
streWn along the beach, and mad,
wonderful places for sunbathing
OF course, it was no problem to &c
out in the sun, because there wer,
only one or two trees left STANDING
on the entire point, after the alliet
air and artillery pounding, but tn,
flat decks of the barges made
comfortable place to lie.
After few days there, | took Of
again, for the Kumusi river, some 81
odd miles away, and started the
same old game over again, that
had been playing for weeks before
AT one time, | hiked two miles ir
the ocean and in one place was {
mile from the beach, in every di.
rection. The water was all the way
from ankle to shoulder depth, and
1t was hard walking, but there was
no mud or tree roots and vines tc
contend with, and that was some
thing. The entire hike was right
along the ocean, and in and out OF
the water, and the sand was almost
IS difficult to walk in as the water
1t took IA days to make the trip
and the relief was beyond descrip-
ton, even though the mosquitoes
were big enough to saddle and ride.
While swimming in the river, too,
one had to be on the lookout for
crocodiles, and several were killed
near the small jetty erected.
Only one day was spent at the
kumusi. and the return to Sanan-
anda Point was made by boat, which
was great improvement over foot
power, and far less firing. That
trip took only three hours and a
few minutes. Quite some difference,
isn't it?
killerton Point, between Sanan-
anda and Coma Mission, was the
next stop and it felt good to be
free Of the bullets flying around.
There were a lot of malaria, jun
gle sores, and dysentery to be cared
for, SO there was little time to just
sit and brood. However, several
times, it was possible to hike around
to the nearby villages, such. as Go
ma Mission, and see a bit Of the
country without getting shot at.
The aftermath, when all the details
loomed up, was revelation, and
don't know yet how it was ever
accomplished. 1t seems that could.
not do it again, if I had to, while
at the time, without knowing what
was coming in the next minute or
day, 1t didn't appear such ire
mendous undertaking. Living from
one hour to the next was the main
thing, and gave no opportunity to
reflect on things which might turn
up.
The natives were Godsend, be-
cause they worked their heads off,
for a little attention, and Their
villages were never ending source
OF interest. These native men had
helped all the way through, carry
ing the heavy equipment up and
the wounded back. The women and
children came back when it was all
over and resumed their simple lives
that had been disrupted months be-
fore by the Jap invaders Many SOU
venirs were purchased and study
OF native ingenuity and Industrious
ness was fascinating as we'll as en-
They are far wiser than
they got credit for, and their jun
gle knowledge puts a white man to
shame. The best whites are novices,
IN comparison to those black mas
ters Of one of the worlds most rug
ged countries. The village near So
puta, where | was at this time, is
the one which received most OF my
since the natives and their
police boys were exceptionally
friendly and encouraged visits. The
things learned there will remain
in my memory for the rest Of my
life, and constantly remind me that
the so-called civilized peoples can
never be as happy as the natives of
New Guinea. The man who said,
Money is the root Of all evil" must
have been to New Guinea because
it is dramatically illustrated there.
Several months of inactivity pass
ed before my return to Australia,
but | gained a wealth Of knowledge
during that time, which somewhat
eases the disappointment Of hav-
ing to remain there those many
Right now it is time for lights
out, SO must close, but will write
again soon, and will tell you bit
about the natives themselves: I
would sincerely appreciate your
opinions of these articles, and don't
spare the horses. If you enjoy them,
will attempt to catalogue the en-
tire time we have been over here,
Australia, although there
are many things | cannot mention,
since they are of military value.
However, think you will be able
to make out the jist of my theme.
- send MY most sincere Easter
Greetings, and know the fellows
want me to send you theirs, too. BY
the way, keep that door open, and
the steak hot, because it won't be
long until Johnnie Comes March
ing Home"
Clncprp1v yo,,rc