The country was not a
tropical rainforest but rolling hills with lush grasses, scattered
trees, heavier along the streams. Rainfall in this area south of
the Owen Stanley Mountain is too little to support heavy tropical
growth. The trees are mostly the Eucalyptus type.
The roads were surfaced
with gravel or coral. Port Moresby, a small town on number of
small hills overlooking the bay, looked out of place in New Guinea,
because it was built in open country with neat looking, painted
frame buildings and homes. Native soldiers from the Papuan Battalion
guarded the Australian Army Headquarters at the edge of town. When
any officer passed the guards snapped sharply to the position of
attention. Even though they were barefooted you could almost hear
their heels click.
(Extract, "Bless 'em All") |