Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Wednesday 28 November 1945, page 2


Threat By Soldiers Worries

Katoomba Firemen

ßRlSBANE, Tues.-Members of the stokehold crew of

troopship Katoomba, which arrived at Townsville today on her way to bring back troops from Bougain-ville, sought assurances from the army and air minis-ters that they would not be molested on arriving at

Torakina.

'PHIS follows publication of a

letter signed R. A. McDon-ald, of the RAAF, who had stated: "All stokers and firemen on ss Katoomba will without prejudice be tossed overboard on arrival in Torakina Harbour. This decision was arrived at after a meeting ot* 3.000 AIF and RAAF personnel awaiting . transport to the main-

land."

The Katoomba was held up at Brisbane for three weeks because of a dispute. She was scheduled to leave Townsville tonight.

S Y DX E Y, T ues.-- WUllin the last few clays four vessels have left bases in the islands, bringing' back .a total of 3,441 long-service troops for return to Australia. They will be home" in good time

for Christmas.

The vessels are, HMS Formid-able. British aircraft carrier, with 1.100 troops from Tarakan; HMS Glory, British aircraft carrier, 1.100 troops from Balik Papan: HMAS Shropshire. Australian cruiser, with à fl 4 troops from We-wak, and the Taroona, with G47 troops, also from Wewak.

The hospital ship Manunda has also sailed from Morotai, bringing to Australia 10 soldier patients and 12G members of hospital units from Balik Papan and Morotai.