Transformation Of
p. 38 · Read in the full issue
Guadalcanal
IN six months, US forces have trans formed Guadalcanal Island, BSI, from an ill-smelling, muddy, mosquito ridden battlefield into a strong, well protected, orderly outpost, with screened and framed tents, drained and surfaced roads, well-cooked food, film shows and service men’s shops, where the soldier can replenish his supply of tooth paste, tobacco and other luxuries which for a time were lacking.
The change was described by J. Norman Lodge, Associated Press correspondent, who left the island late in December, 1942, after victorious United States troops had sealed its capture from the Japanese.
He returned to Guadalcanal recently to report on the progress made in convert ing the island info an advanced base of Allied operations in the Pacific. He writes:—
Then, a jeep was a treasure. To-day, one can have the use of transportation for the asking. Then, Henderson Field worked frantically to keep serviceable what few planes we had. To-day, there are enough of all types of planes to make it unprofitable for the Japanese to come raiding. So much so, in fact, that Guadalcanal is singularly free of alerts.
To-day, cargo ships come into the various beaches, remain to unload, and never pause to scan the skies. Then, a ship rarely remained more than an hour without weighing anchor, fo dash away from the frequent raids. To-day we have electric lights in the tents. Then, if one so much as lit a match he was liable to execution.
The change is decidedly seen in the habiliments of the men on the Island.
Back in November and December, one usually wore fatigue greens, until they rotted off with perspiration and mud and insect attack. Now, with the exception of working parties, starched and well laundered cotton khaki is the vogue.
Malaria was making inroads upon the men in the waning months of 1942. To day, because of a better medical know ledge of the malaria-bearing mosquito, and because medical science has found the proper way to dose men with atabrine (the synthetic anti-malarial substitute for quinine) malaria is the exception rather than the rule.