The swift flowing waters of the Lunga River were a relief from the heat, for the temperature in the shade, was always near the 100 mark. After heavy rain the river always flooded, and trees and chunks from the banks could be seen floating down, but the river soon cleared and swimming recommenced. Periodical visits to the ocean beaches were appreciated, even though there was no surf. Those who could not swim received instruction, and learnt quickly. During the first few months there was little time for organised sports, and apart from an occasional game of cricket our sporting activities were limited. The days were full but it became necessary to arrange entertainments for the evenings.

Housie-housie was played, and now and then tournaments for bridge. 500 and chess were arranged, and by way of a change a debate was held one evening among B echelon. The subject was 'That Britain and Germany should combine as one nation.' However, the majority of us took advantage of the American picture theatres, where a different picture was screened each night, and it was not long before some became ardent picture fans. Occasionally a USO show would arrive, made up of popular American screen and radio personalities. At one of these shows, three female entertainers arived, and these were the first white women we had seen for five months. The padre, who did his best all the time to keep the men amused, organised three concerts. The first was easily the best, for most items were sketches written by the men on incidents which had occurred in the squadron. The officers laughed at some of the 'digs' the men produced, but their turn page 36came with the second concert when they retaliated. A visit from the Kiwi concert party (Pacific) was well received for the items were well balanced and proved amusing and entertaining. As Christmas on Guadalcanal had to be faced, everything was done to make the festive season bright and happy. In the first place parcels from the National Patriotic Fund Board arrived, and the men were able to collect a parcel which had been packed in their home district. Then, out of squadron funds, ten pint bottles of beer were purchased for each man. On Christmas Day the cooks prepared splendid meals and officers and men sat down together. Here are the menus for the two principal meals of the day.

Christmas 1943
3 NZ Div Tank Squadron GP
South West Pacific

Dinner
Grape Fruit Juice
Roast Turkey Seasoned with Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes Cabbage Green Peas
Sweets
Fruit Salad Cream
Steamed Christmas Pudding and Vanilla Custard
Coffee Tea
Candy Cigars Raisins

Tea
Cold Roast Turkey Cold Roast Lamb
Pickles Beetroot
Peaches Pears Pineapples
Candy Fruit Cake Raisins
Tea Fruit Juice

The finals of the South Pacific boxing championships were held during the Christmas period, and most of us were present at the recreation centre (American) on Christmas Eve to see the semi-finals, and again on Christmas night to see the finals. Tom Heeney, New Zealand's challenger for the heavy-weight world title some years ago, refereed the bouts, and Gene Tunney, ex-world heavyweight champion, presented the winners, mostly Americans, with medals which had been donated by leading American film stars.

Now and then trucks conveyed us about the island on scenic tours. One of the most interesting places visited was where the page 37Japanese transport vessels were beached. During the action some months before, the Nips had tried to land reinforcements on the island, but the US Navy and Air Force had forestalled them and caused great havoc among the transports. On one occasion, when headquarters troop went across to Tulagi for the day, their return journey was quite eventful. Several Catalina flying boats were flying round and round dropping flares, then small patrol boats would rush in and drop depth charges. Apparently a submarine had been prowling about, and it was disappointing not to hear the result of the attack.

A chapter on recreation would not be complete unless souvenir-making was mentioned. It was easy to procure materials from crashed planes, for stainless steel, perspex, plexy glass, and duralium (a substitute for aluminium) were obtained, and trinkets of every description made. In the first place souvenirs were made to send home but later on it was found that the Americans would pay a generous price for any article purchased, and it was not long before individuals and syndicates went into production. Long into the night could be heard the whirring noise of drills and the rasping of files. Time passed quickly and for those who indulged in the pastime handsome profits resulted. Most of us, at some time or other, made a souvenir but we would not part with our handiwork, as too much time and patience were necessary to produce the article. Articles made were bangles, armlets, table napkin rings, watch straps, paper knives, ash trays and models of the American Lightning fighter plane. These three latter items were made from empty shell cases and Japanese bullets, which were easy to find in the jungle.

Arriving direct from New Zealand the heat seemed oppressive, and for the first week or two we felt listless; any task done was drudgery. However, we gradually became acclimatised, and although a number lost weight we were quite fit. When working in and around the camp a pair of underpants only was worn, but if near the jungle complete covering was necessary because of the mosquitoes. The American malarial control organisation on the island worked wonders, for large drainage trenches were dug and a staff of Solomon Island natives was kept employed spraying stagnant water. Each unit also had to adhere to the stringent regulations laid down, and particularly do we remember 'Chum' Feather, who would have us 'diggin' 'oles' unless all buttons were page 38done up and sleeves rolled down by dusk. The decrease in the number of malarial cases can be attributed to the good work done by the American unit.

During the first few months there were many air alerts, but fortunately no bombs were dropped near our camp. At the beginning, we went to our shelters, where we sat and listened to the strains from Laurie Newson's tin whistle, but after that most of us just sat on the hill and awaited developments. Fresh meat and vegetables arrived irregulary and infrequently, consequently most meals were prepared from American tinned rations. Can we remember or, on the other hand, can we forget the following? Dehydrated potatoes, sauerkraut, chili con carne, spam, vienna sausages, and luncheon sausage. The monotonous regularity in which these were served to us may have been the reason for us not taking kindly to the American rations, but there is a difference of opinion here. During manoeuvres cattle were noticed, and it was not long before hunting parties were organised. The padre, Jack Vickery and Dick Otway with a few others did great work, and although every trip was not successful they arrived home with fresh meat on occasions. We were fortunate to have Dick Otway, for he had been a meat inspector, and after an inspection of the cattle killed he reported there was an absence of common parasites, and no trace of tuberculosis.

Attendances at the regimental aid post were numerous, and the usual complaints were skin rashes, tinea, ringworm, jungle eczema, and ear trouble. The latter was believed to be caused from diving and swimming under water in the river, therefore orders stopped this form of enjoyment. The mail service made up for other difficulties for two mails a week arrived from New Zealand, and on occasions letters were only three days old.

On 15 November 1943 His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Cyril Newall, accompanied by the GOC Third Division, visited the camp and shook hands with officers and men. The day chosen was the hottest recorded, for it was 148 in the sun and 104 in the shade. In the morning Major Flint, with a clinometer, lined up the tanks, and looking along the line there was not one tank or one gun the fraction of an inch out of alignment. What a pity the tanks were not inspected!

Just before lunch one morning a terrific noise was heard. Explosion followed explosion, and the sky was lit with a red glow, page 39while pillars of black smoke rose high in the air. The news came through. An ammunition dump was on fire and bombs and shells exploded well into the night. From 8 o'clock until midnight the fire was at its peak, and it was a spectacular display. Sleep was impossible, and mosquito nets kept blowing in and out with the concussion following the large explosions. After Christmas there were several alterations in the squadron. Captain Foley was transferred to the 29th Infantry Battalion, and Lieutenant O'Hara went to the divisional signals. Lieutenants Dawson and Donaldson were returned to New Caledonia ill, and the squadron sergeant-major, George Hall, was also returned with a bad ear. Events did not stop there, for Major Wallace, since his return from Bougainville, had not been well and he, too, was sent back to New Caledonia, leaving the squadron without a commanding officer. The command of the squadron was taken over by Captain Rutherford, who was promoted major, and the second-in-command by Lieutenant Lewis, who became captain. Captain Brooker, previously lieutenant, took over where Captain Foley left off. Sergeant McLean was appointed as the squadron sergeant-major.