Thursday Island
p. 10 · Read in the full issue
£1,500,000!
Estimated Damage at Thursday Island
rE report of the special Federal Com mittee, sent a few weeks ago to Thursday Island, to estimate the amount of damage done there in 1942-45, to buildings and their contents, is likely to cause a painful national sensation—if and when it is published. Canberra had been told that 'the total damage might be in the vicinity of £200,000. Actually, it is likely to be not less than £1,500,000.
Neither Jap bombers nor Jap warships reached Thursday Island. This enormous damage—partly wanton destruction and partly plain looting of stores, private houses and little ships—was done by Aus tralian troops who had been sent to gar rison and guard the place.
The Australian Government is greatly perturbed about the position, for two reasons. First, there is evidence of an almost total breakdown in the command of the forces there over a considerable period. Second, there is doubt as to whether this damage can be described as “consequential” on war. Owners of damaged 'oroperty can be compensated from the War Damage Commission funds, if the damage is directly or consequen tially due to war; but some argument will be needed to convince the Commission that the orgy of looting which swept Thursday Island was a consequence of war.