Helps Allies
p. 17 · Read in the full issue
Native Sense Of Smell
From Our Own Correspondent
A South Pacific Base. Jan. 9.
N Amenean officer in this area asserts that it is literally true that Solomon Islands natives can smell out the Japanese, not only in their bivouac areas, but men coming along a trail Without native help,” he says, “we would not get far. They will spot with cer tainty a trail and say if it is Japs who have used it, and how long—two hours or two days—before.”
This officer said also that most Bou gamvine natives are friendly, and de light in killing Japs. “On one recon naissance about 20 natives came up from our rear carrying part Jap and part American equipment, including Jap ammunition boxes. They had just killed six Japs. However, there are some natives who are friendly to the Japanese, to whom they give information as to what we are doing.
“They get their greatest thrill from the gift of a flashlight or a pipe. Though only wearing a G-string with a piece of loose hanging cloth, they are better look ing than Guadalcanal natives.
“I saw only four native women in one and a half months. Natives tell us that the Japs have taken all the women they can find and have put them in huts for the convenience of Japanese soldiers.
Other women have gone into hiding in the interior.”