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Shovel Sword and Scalpel: A record of service of medical units of the second New Zealand expeditionary force in the Pacific

I — Fiji

page 61

I
Fiji

On 16 January, 1942, an army transport, SS Taroona, steamed into Lautoka Harbour, on the western side of Viti Levu, in the Fiji Group. On board were reinforcements, embarked at short notice after the entry of Japan into the war, to form a new brigade which joined the Fiji garrison in the western area of Fiji. Included in the draft were 143 medical reinforcements, the bulk of whom, together with a large proportion of B company of the veteran, 7th Field Ambulance, formed the original 22nd Field Ambulance, commanded by Captain Peter Thodey, NZMC. In the first instance the new unit was known as 'Field Ambulance, Western,' but later, when the 14th Brigade was constituted, we were formally named and placed under command of the brigade.

After a period of training in Namaka Camp, during which time the unit received its equipment and was brought up to the strength of a light field ambulance, orders were received that we were to move to the Sambeto area to establish camp in conformity with the strategic disposition of units of the brigade. A tropical downpour, during the five-mile move to the camp site, made our first independent venture somewhat uninspiring and gave us our first acquaintance with mud in large quantities—an acquaintanceship that became progressively more intimate during subsequent service. The adverse weather conditions and the not inappropriate date of the move, 1 April, 1942, resulted in the camp being christened 'Peter's Mistake.'

page 62

From its inception the unit had to embark on a twofold programme. First, to continue basic field ambulance training since the majority of personnel had spent only a few weeks in mobilisation camp; second, to prepare for an active role should the occasion arise. To meet the latter eventuality three ADS (Advanced Dressing Station) sections were formed from A and B companies—one to be attached to the 30th Battalion at Momi Bay, the second to the 35th Battalion at the Nandi Airfield, then under construction, and the third to follow the 37th Battalion in a mobile role. Field ambulance headquarters was to be at the MDS (Main Dressing Station) at the Votua Levu School, which was to be the main evacuation centre, staffed mainly from personnel from the Namaka Hospital.

Camp building, maintenance and training kept us fully occupied for the first few months. Under the supervision of specialist personnel from the 23rd Field Company, a working party was employed daily on the construction of the MDS. One section was despatched to Momi Bay, where an ADS was constructed in the side of a hill. Training was varied and night alarms, when sections were required to move out to their posts, were regular features. On several occasions small parties journeyed to the interior of the island for several days in order to gain knowledge of local geography, to experiment with rations and to become hardened to sleeping out.

Medical services carried out by our unit at this stage were not extensive, as all hospital admissions went to the Namaka Hospital. We had, however, many other duties. Our camp RAP serviced troops from nearby camps; a medical officer attended aid posts of anti-aircraft and searchlight batteries recently arrived—later there were 40 such posts to be equipped and visited; Captain W. Williams was detached for a period to act as medical officer to the Western Independent Commandos; several noncommissioned officers were loaned as instructors in stretcher bearing and RAP duties to units in the brigade; courses of instruction were held in the camp to train the many medical orderlies required for the anti-aircraft and searchlight posts. We quickly settled down to life in 'the cactus.' The amenities lost when we left Namaka Camp began to appear in rather different but none the less effective forms. A shower system was constructed, thanks, in the initial stages, to the inventive genius of Sergeant Bert Hart. Although the water, which emanated from a page 63spring, tended to rankness, the shower was a definite success. Not quite so successful, but far more entertaining, was Corporal Jimmy Owen's 'Rocket'—the first locally constructed oil-drip stove. The irrepressible 'Black Moth,' who, with his patented self-draining pipe had seen action in Greece, provided a never-ending source of entertainment and stews.

Native labour was employed to erect three native type bures for use as RAP quartermaster's store and for recreation. The recreation bure, approximately 20 feet by 40 feet in size, was furnished with a ping-pong table, radio, writing desks, and tables and chairs manufactured by the carpenters in the unit. Illumination was provided by Coleman lamps purchased locally out of regimental funds, and it was from this time that Ross Hawker, 'The lady with the lamps,' began his epic work of tending the Colemans. Recreation was not forgotten, and a football team came quickly into being and drew first blood when it defeated the Namaka Hospital fifteen. The hardness of the ground was a factor always to be taken into account, and footballers were to provide much custom for the RAP. A cricket team was also formed, Reg Harrison and 'Snow' Gardner being the original enthusiasts. Films were shown at Namaka Camp, and there, under the stars, the activities of 'Flash Gordon' were followed with avidity. Sunday trips were made to the Saweni Beach, one spot worthy of any tourist poster but, in the moonlight, ruined by the inevitable mosquito.

Early in June, 1942, an American division arrived in Fiji to relieve the Third New Zealand Division, as the force was now-designated. The 112th US Medical Battalion was stationed with the field ambulance, and for a time we lived side by side, sharing cooking and camp facilities. The experience was a happy one, the two units, officers and men, mixing without friction. Towards the end of June a warning order was received telling of our impending return to New Zealand. During the last few days at the 'Mistake' there was never a dull moment. Farewell celebrations, which culminated in climbing over the bure, left allied relationships firmly cemented. One of our officers, Lieutenant T. K. Williams, was detached from the unit to remain behind in Fiji as medical officer to New Zealand anti-aircraft units. Early in July the 22nd Field Ambulance convoy set off for Suva to embark for New Zealand. The luxurious but illfated American transport, President Coolidge, was a change from the usual vessels which page 64had been used as transports for Pacific troops, and, despite crowded quarters and only two meals a day, the trip was a pleasant one. On disembarkation at Auckland we proceeded to Papakura Military Camp, and from there were granted a short leave at our homes.