In Terms of Men

Fiji's War Effort In Terms of Men

FIGURES showing the wartime strength of the Fiji Military Forces were re leased in Fiji on February 26. More than 11,000 men served in the FMF dur ing the war years with a peak strength on August 29, 1943, of 8,513 serving mem bers, as follows (part-Europeans are shown as Europeans):— Europeans (FMF) 1,070 Europeans (NZEF) 808 Fijians 6,371 Indians 264 8,513 Of this number 3,083 were members of the Fiji Labour Corps; and 158 mem bers of the Indian Labour Corps.

Casualties for the whole forces were: killed in action, 38; wounded, 135; died of wounds, 5; died of sickness or acci dent, 84 (of whom 74 were Fijians).

Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve

THE peak strength of the Fiji Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was 497, in December, 1943. At that time the FRNVR was manning HMS “Viti,”

HMAK “Kia-Kia,” several examination vessels at Nadi, signal stations in Suva and Momi, boom defences, harbour patrols, coast-watching and radio stations, etc.

Of members serving at the peak period 98 were European members of the RNZN, 87 were European members of FRNVR, 289 .were Fijians, 21 Gilbertese and 2 Indians.

Casualties were; 2 killed in action and 4 died of sickness or accident.

Raf

TWO RAF contingents, numbering 40 in all, were sent from Fiji. One mem ber was a Fijian, the rest were Europeans.

In Other Allied Services

IT is estimated that about 40 men of the Colony went overseas and enlisted in other forces; or, being domiciled in other countries enlisted there.