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Foreword

By Lieutenant-Colonel D. M. Burns

It has, no doubt, been difficult for the individual signalman to appreciate fully the extent of the New Zealand Army signal system in the Pacific. Units and sub-units were scattered over widely separated islands, and even when two or more sections happened to be located on the same island there was little opportunity to mix and really get to know one another. Many men who established friendships on the troopships or in base camps lost touch with each other later for months at a time. Although this made it difficult to cultivate a healthy esprit de corps among signal units as a whole, there is no doubt that a strong section spirit was developed in each of the sub-units, and the very many personal friendships formed will stand the test of time. This unit history should serve the double purpose of giving everybody a clearer picture of the signal organisation as a whole, and reviving in the years to come memories of the more pleasant aspects of our service in the Pacific.

Our units have dissolved slowly and there has been no ceremonial finale. We are now scattered over the world and employed on a variety of tasks, But whatever our duties are now, and whatever they may be in the future, let us not underrate the importance of our period of service in the Pacific. The Third Division performed with credit the operational task set it, and this could not have been done without an efficient signal system throughout the force. Every officer, non-commissioned officer and signalman, whether in divisional signals or in the base organisations, played his part in creating and maintaining an extensive and efficient network of communications. In this war the New Zealand Corps of Signals has established a fine reputation, and the work of its members under trying conditions in the Pacific page 90will be remembered as a worthy contribution to the nation's war effort.

On your behalf I thank those responsible for the preparation and publication of this history. The task has not been an easy one. I also take this opportunity—the last I will have—to say au revoir and good luck to all those who served with me. I am proud to be able to say that we did what was required of us and did it well.