Caledonia

Two Flags Over New Caledonia Stars and Stripes and Cross of Lorraine

mHE following are interesting items J. from a report by “an official correspondent at an operational base”, dated June 8, and published in •“Sydney Morning Herald”.

“It should be remembered that, running south-eastward from New Guinea, form ing a long chain off the north-east coast of Australia, are three groups of islands —Solomons, New Hebrides, and New Caledonia. The Japanese have advanced from New Guinea more than half-way down through the Solomons. The Americans are in New Caledonia. The New Hebrides lie between the Solomons and New Caledonia.

“New Caledonia to-day is busier than ever before in its short history.

“American troops are here in strength and splendidly equipped. It is their equipment more than anything else that astounds the Australian observer.

“The importance of this island to Aus tralian defence needs no stressing. Who holds it holds the key to our vital life lines. Modern bombers can span the waters between here and Australia in a matter of hours.

“From their automatic weapons to their artillery, American troops are equipped with the best. Living condi tions are good, and their excellent “post exchange” system—canteens to the Aus tralians —is operating in full swing.

“The climate of New Caledonia is per fect, and the country, with its hills and rolling ti-tree-covered slopes, must be strangely reminiscent of home to many Americans. Cattle graze in the uplands, and herds of deer run into tens of thou sands. Venison appears on the troops’ menus, but has disappointed them. There are few refrigeration facilities, and the meat when fresh killed is like leather.

“New Caledonia has become perhaps our most vital outpost. Under the Stars and Stripes and the Cross of Lorraine our shores—and more important—our very lifelines are being protected.”

Changed Face Of Noumea

THE following is from a published re port by a correspondent of the “New York Times”:— “The Americans have changed the face of Noumea. Sandbags, barbed wire, trenches, bold new signs in English, new restaurants and army stations provide a touch of wartime grimness.

“The troops themselves unloaded an enormous amount of cargo within a few weeks after they landed and trucked it to centres all over the island.

“In addition, to speed distribution, old locomotives and rolling stock of a rail way line running along the waterfront and 30 miles inland, which has not been operated for decades, has been knocked into shape. /Now it is hauling hundreds of tons of cargo from Noumea daily.

“Hundreds of miles of roads have been built or reconditioned, and big American four-wheel and six-wheel trucks are now able to ply the arteries day and night, moving men and materials.

“Americans, almost overworked, get homesick and bored with a place where there is little amusement available. Two have married local girls, but girl friends are definitely limited.”

Yam Sik Cheung, who has been Chin ese Interpreter in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony since 1933, now occupies a post in the British Service, Condo minium of the New Hebrides.