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Chapter Five
Guadalcanal Bound

Let us now return to the main party. Although the loading-of the James B. Francis had taken six days, the work would have been done much quicker had the Wellington weather been kinder. At first there was a small dispute with the wharf labourers about the loading of the tanks, but after this was settled one of Wellington's un friendliest southerlies paid us a visit for three days. However, on 7 September 1943 the ship was ready, and at 1230 hours, escorted by bombers of the RNZAF the James B. Francis set off for New Caledonia, which was to be the first place of call. Outside the Wellington Heads the ship began to roll and it was not long before there were a number of casualties. It was strange to see some of the fellows who, a short time before, were full of life, lying on their bunks with no interest other than to set their feet on solid ground. Luckily the sea calmed, for from the second day until New Caledonia was reached the weather was beautiful and the sea quite smooth. It was on the second day also that we lost our escort, and for one day we were unescorted. However, the following morning a corvette was seen on the horizon. It was a welcome sight for the old ship was anything but speedy. The decks were packed with bulldozers, ambulances, tanks, tractors and many other types of vehicles, consequently there was little deck space for the passengers. On the sixth day at sea, land was sighted and we were delighted to know it was New Caledonia, and that the first part of the trip was over.

At 1030 hours, 12 September, the anchor was dropped in the Noumea Harbour about 300 yards from the shore, and we all hoped for leave, but were disappointed. The next day all our page 28battledresses were sent ashore, and all New Zealand troops voted for the general election. A polling booth was set up on the ship, returning officers appointed, and as much secrecy as possible was maintained. The following day there was no leave and much to our surprise a party of American Marine, Army and Navy personnel was brought on board and further stores were loaded. If conditions had been bad, they were now worse, for the sun beat mercilessly upon us on the decks. To remain below was impossible because of the heat, and shade on deck was at a premium. To go for a walk along the decks it was necessary for one to crawl over vehicles, and jump chains and ropes which secured them. There was nothing else to do but play cards and write letters, large bundles of which had to be censored each day by the officers. After much hammering at the authorities shore leave was granted and, dressed in tropical kit, we boarded the barges eager to have a look at Noumea, which for the past few days had been so near and yet so far. Naturally, the first places visited were the departmental stores, such as they were, as we were keen to purchase souvenirs to send home to our people. The prices did not startle us; they just knocked us flat! For example, the price of a painted imitation silk handkerchief was 9/-, a souvenir booklet 6/-, while a kimono was offered for sale at the ridiculous figure of £12. What else could the poor New Zealand soldier do but spend his time sightseeing, visiting the American Red Cross rooms and, when the time came for the American beer garden to open, to queue up and purchase his two pints of American beer. It was a relief to get off the ship, though. There were a number of French bars in the town and our men, although risking a taste of the spirits sold, did not indulge freely, which was a good thing for the quality was questionable. The next day we remained on the ship but the following day a working party of SO was sent to a US marine store. Those who comprised the working party were very glad to get ashore again, although they complained that the mosquitoes were, at times, very annoying.

On 19 September the French were celebrating the third anniversary of New Caledonia's break with Vichy, and were also welcoming their new Governor. A parade was being held and 50 personnel from each New Zealand unit on the James B. Francis took part, together with soldiers and sailors of the United States, and the Free French. Through being on board so long most of page 29our clothes were dirty and a general exchanging and lending campaign started, and did not end until our men were dressed uniformly. Once on shore this party was greeted with a tropical downpour. Everybody was wet through, the streets were running with water, the gutters were overflowing, and yet our troops put on a good show. Later on the French Governor complimented the New Zealand troops on their good performance. Proceeding" to the New Zealand transit camp the men had an excellent meal and then marched back to the landing stage and boarded the barge for the return to the ship. The water was choppy and, apart from having to cut loose two small French launches, which the barge had fouled, and also smashing the gangway of the James B. Francis, the trip was almost without incident!

On 21 September we left in convoy for Guadalcanal. We had been in the Noumea Harbour for nine days, and with the crowd of troops and equipment aboard the next few days were not very pleasant. The weather was good but hot, and it was annoying to hear the continuous restrictions, regulations and intimations coming over the ship's intercommunication system. We were not allowed to stand by the rails and consequently the vehicles on the deck were packed with men. It was the skipper's first trip into the combat zone, and we believe he took every precaution that was possible to protect his ship, hence the number of dos and don'ts. We started off from Noumea with four ships in the convoy; plus three escorts. After three days out we were joined by two more ships and another escort. It was getting too close to the enemy to take chances, and abandon ship drill was carried out. There were several alarms but fortunately nothing came of them.

Guadalcanal was sighted on 26 September, and we proceeded up the northern coast until Lunga Point was reached. Here, at nine in the morning, the anchor was dropped and troops were taken to the shore in the square barges which met the ship. We were met by an official of the YMCA who told us if we wanted a cup of tea to get our pannikins and fall in line. Four days out from New Zealand the supply of tea on the ship was exhausted, and words cannot express just how good was that cup of tea on Lunga Beach.

While we were grouped on the beach Lieutenant Lewis proceeded with an officer of the division to the area where our future page 30camp was to be built. The site was two miles up the Lunga River on the western bank and, much to the surprise of Lieutenant Lewis, the site allotted was on low lying ground near the river bank, although there were higher ridges surrounding it. However, on being informed we would be out of the place before the wet season commenced, Lieutenant Lewis returned to the beach and then with Captain Foley went back and allocated the positions of the various troops. After lunch, which consisted of sandwiches and a box of apples brought from the James B. Francis, the troops were conveyed by trucks to the area where we all realised there was plenty of work ahead to clear the jungle and build a camp. The unloading of the ship had been delayed, and when night approached the cooking gear and tents had not arrived. We were fortunate, however, for we were handy to a United States marine unit and they, appreciating our difficulties, were good enough to prepare a dinner for us. After dinner the film Random Harvest was screened. As there were several breakdowns it was almost two in the morning before the show finished. Returning to our camp area, we found the gear had not arrived, consequently there was nothing else to do but try to make ourselves comfortable with what we had—one blanket, a mosquito net and a ground sheet each. Luckily only light rain fell, for we would have been miserable had it rained heavily. Stories were rife about the number of Japs still on the island, and troops did not need to be told to mount pickets. Our first night on Guadalcanal would have been much worse had it not been for the hospitality of the American unit.

Breakfast the following morning was taken at the marines' camp, but after that we were able to fend for ourselves, for the tents and cooking equipment had arrived. By the second night we had the tents erected, canvas bedcots in which to sleep, and a temporary cookhouse. As the 8th Brigade were keen to commence training with the tanks, it was necessary for us to speed up the construction of the camp. Within the course of a week the jungle was cleared and the camp took shape. Cutting out the jungle was hard work, for it was all done by hand. However, the Lunga River was near and was a great place in which to cool off. Some of the troops were able to procure steel matting used in the construction of air strips, and these made very good tent floors. Eight days after the squadron landed on Guadalcanal page 31Major Wallace rejoined the unit, having arrived from New Zealand by 'plane. At about the same time Padre Robertson was marched in, and a few weeks later Major Flint, of the Royal Armoured Corps, arrived from New Zealand to gain experience and report to Army Headquarters and the War Office on jungle tank fighting. It was not very long before there were several heavy downpours and as there were pools of water all over the area it became necessary to institute a system of drainage. This was not effective, and as the ground was so wet and muddy our eyes gazed longingly at the surrounding ridges.

Days of training and incidental work passed and then early in November the reinforcements from New Caledonia arrived. As there was no tentage available they had to sleep in pup tents for a short time. At this period rain was falling frequently and conditions underfoot were terrible. However, a visit from Colonel W. Murphy, CBE, MC, of Administration Headquarters, solved the difficulty, for we were ordered to move to the small hill behind the present camp. Once again the jungle had to be torn down but this time we were fortunate to have the services of two bulldozers and a grader, although there was quite a good deal of manual labour necessary. Positions for the tents were dug into the hill, and in order to improve the tent floors troops procured loads of crushed coral and also rejected steel airstrip matting. Later on, chairs and tables were made from any old timber procurable, and last, but not least, the tents were enlarged by obtaining, from all sources, enough canvas to build attached shelters. An elaborate cookhouse and ration store was built, also a large messroom. The padre worked like a Trojan and one day he managed to scrounge a large tent, which was used as a recreation hut. A road, paved with crushed coral, was made up the hill, and a good drainage system introduced. The new position was excellent, for there was a fine view of the surrounding country and no mud to worry us. The old area became the vehicle and tank park. About the middle of November the new camp was finished, and now we felt we were comfortable. The rains could come and present no worry, whereas before we all felt it would not be long before we would be washed out. So for a time we were stationed on 'Murphy's Hill,' as we called the new site, and there were few camps on Guadalcanal that could come up to it.