Coy "Kia Kia"

Amusing Incident at Surrender of Nauru

TRAVELLING in the Western Pacific Commission’s ketch “Kia Kia,” the Resident Commissioner of the Gil bert and Ellice Islands, Colonel V. Fox- Strangways, proceeded to a rendezvous with the Australians off the coast of Nauru, about September 11.

An Australian force of 250 men, under Brigadier J. R. Stevenson, sailed from Bougainville on September 9 in two river class ships, escorted by the Australian frigate “Diamantina.” Their purpose was to occupy Nauru and receive the sur render of the Jap garrison.

The G. and E. Commissioner had been invited to be present at' this surrender.

After that, his “Kia Kia’’ would accom pany the • Diamantina” to Ocean Island, where another force of Australians from Bougainville would carry out the occupa tion. (As described elsewhere, this opera tion was completed successfully.) When the “Kia Kia” arrived off Nauru, in the early morning, the Australians were not in sight. But the Jap garrison ashore, hungry and ready to surrender, decided that the “Kia Kia” was what they had been waiting for. They put off eagerly in boats. But the “Kia Kia” was coy, and taking no chances. She stemmed off out to sea, and the puzzled Japs went back ashore.

The “Kia Kia,” patiently waiting, pre sently drifted back near to the Nauru coast. The optimistic Japs again em barked in their boats. The “Kia Kia” again sheered off into the distance. This happened three times before the Austra lian flotilla appeared, and proceeded to occupy the island.

The “Kia Kia” is a very small ship, and could have been sunk by one shell from the shore. She was saved by Cap tain Webster in 1942, when the Japs in vaded the Gilbert Islands. The Adminis tration’s other vessel, the yacht “Nimanoa,” was piled on the reef at Tarawa to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy.