No Attack by Enemy
p. 21 · Read in the full issue
Makatea Island
No Attack by Enemy Raiders
From Our Own Correspondent
Papeete, Aug. 21.
WHEN we read the April number of the “PIM” (which reached us four months after issue) we were startled to leam, on the high authority of Dr.
E. de Curton, former Governor of French Oceania, that “in December, 1940, German raiders smashed the port and phosphate installations at Makatea, the French phosphate island in the Tuamotu archi pelago.”
Either Dr. de Curton was misinformed or your Noumea correspondent misread Dr. de Curton’s book; for no such hap pening has come to our knowledge Makatea is only 120 miles from Tahiti and there is constant coming and going between the two islands. In order to be able to correct this error authoritatively I have inquired in high official quarters of the Administration, and have con versed with people employed at Makatea.
No attack on Makatea has been made by German or any other enemy raider.
“I am Brave Eagle,” said the Indian chieftain, introducing himself to the pale-face visitor. “This is my son, Fight ing Bird. And here,” he added, “is my grandson, Four-engined Bomber.”