The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-13
Former Democrat Scribe Aboard Inuasion Ship
Ray Fitzpatrick Records Impressions of New Zealanders as They Prepare for Actual Con- tact with Japs in New Ireland Sector
 Trophy Hunters Among
 Hardened Veterans.

(The following story is by Ser geant Ray Fitzpatrick, of 62 Plesant Street, Waterbury, Conn.,, Marine Combat Correspondent and former City Hall Reporter for The Water bury Democrat).
 At Sea, Somewhere in The South Pacific, Feb. 4-DelayeO - To- morrow is D-day. Tomorrow we hit the beach at Green Island, of New Ireland, in an occupation that will enable United Nations sea and air forces to strike strongly the Jap anese supply and reinforcement lines running between New Ireland and Buka, of the north end of Bougainville.
 Have you back home wondered what 1t must be like to be in an invasion convoy, what men are say ing and doing as the climactic hour hears? Well, here's what it's like aboard this ship, all but a few of whose passenger troops are New Zealanders.
 Evening chow has just ended, and the Kiwis are struggling to their quarters below or attempting to stroll about the deck between the lashed-d down trucks and jeepS. Their faces, which often look more American than those of many Am ericans, seen only little more set than usual.
 Naturally, there is talk of tonor- row.
 T tell you there won't be enough Japs to give us any trouble" says the sergeant of a gun crew, stand ing In the center of little knot of soldiers.
 A red-faced corporal disagrees.
 T think the island1l be full of the blooming buzZards," he says. '"They can't afford to let us take it."
 The sympathy of the group Is with the corporal. Obviously, they want to meet a lot of Japs.
 One thing certain, my lads" and we look again at the sergeant, who is unwilling to lose his audience to the corporal. "Wen get all the bombing We want. The Japsll throw everything they have at us from Rabaul and Buka."
 We nod respectfully, and the sergeant goes on:
 well be within half an hour or less flying time from Rabaul. and even less than that from Buka. You lads'd better dig your foxholeS good and deep"
 At Treasury" says the corporal. "There was a lieutenant who dug his foxhole so deep that they charged him with desertion.
 The polite laugh at this old joke isn't enthusiastic enough for the corporal and he leaves. giving the sergeant the floor to himself.
 Under 8 piece of canvas tied to the rail ill lean-to fashion, three Kiwis and an American soldier are playing bridge. A few feet away equatted on the deck, Kiwi and a Navy petty officer serving with a landing party are engaged In friendly controversy. each trying to outbargain in an exchange of Am erican and New Zealand coins.
 T don't care what a Florin is," says the American T won't give you any more than a quarter for it."
 There is a line of New Zealanders at the water fountain, filling their water bottles. Americans call them canteens.
 A private speaks wistfully:
 "I wish we had something better than water to put into them. l hate to think back at all the quarts and gallons of liquor must have left in the bottoms of glasses when I was back home. Some of that would taste good now"
 A lance corporal, mopping his face with the kerchief fastened about his neck. says that he'd set- tie for 6 bottle of beer.
 Just one bottle," he says. Gold"
 When get back to Auckland" says the man behind him, I'm go- Ing to lie down under & beer spigot and let it pour into me all day long"
 Near the fan-tail. a rosy-cheeked Kiwi leans pensively on the rail. He looks about l9 or 20.
 "Worried e little bit, Kiwi," I I ask him.
 "A bit, Yank," he says. "A bit"
 There doesn't seem much for me
 "You see, Yank," he tells me, i've got a pound bet with a bloke that I get more JapS tomorrow than I ever got Germans. one day