The Escape Of Mv
p. 59 · Read in the full issue
"Lakatoi"
Letter to the Editor THE account you published in your May issue, of how the MV “Lakatoi” hid from the Japanese on the north coast of New Britain, and finally escaped to Australia, is only half the story. The other half is not flattering to a number of people—and perhaps would not be be lieved, even if it were told.
I know most of the facts—but I prefer to leave the telling of them to someone else. In the opinion of those who saw most of the sorry incidents, the member of the company who deserved most of the credit and all the praise was Jim Lumley. Concerning some of the others, the less said the better. If matters had been left in their hands, the ship never would have reached Australia.
Mr. Robinson (Burns, Philp inspector) was not, as is suggested, a passenger when the ship reached Australia. He had some terrible experiences on the north coast of New Britain, and in getting to Australia; but he was actually in Australia before the “Lakatoi” left the Witu Islands, and he later did a mag nificent job in the Allied Intelligence Bureau. Other men who were more or less involved at that tme, who also did a splendid war job, and who will bear out what I have said, include Harry Murray, Keith McCarthy, Captain (after wards Lieut.-Col.) Appel and Lieut.-Col.
H. H. Carr.
I am, etc.,
Evacuee.
Sydney, 25/5/46.