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Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1940 - 1950), Thursday 8 July 1948, page 4

'SAYONARA JAPAN'
Fred Reese Back After 2 Years
At a Japanese cafe at Yonago on the North-West coast it was possible to obtain a meal of steak and eggs for the equivalent of 12/-. Two bottles of beer were thrown in for this price.

This is one of the comments of Driver Fred Reese who on June 11 bid sayonara (goodbye) to the Land of Nippon and arrived home in Bal-aklava last week after serving for 2 years in the 119 Australian Transport Platoon—a unit of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.

Commenting on the recent inquiry into black marketing and immorality, he stated that the inquiry had caused little comment among the troops and the report finally published contained no surprises. Blackmarketing was almost non-existent because of the high prices of Japanese goods. Some idea of the rise in prices, he continued, could be gained from the fact that tablecloths previously considered expensive at 400 yen now cost 1,300; crockery had risen by about 900 per cent.

Snow Sports

In Tokio in 1947 Driver Reese re-turned to Kure and was later sent to Yonago where he remained for six months. Although situated on the sea front this town was also lo-cated within easy reach of the ski-ing and snow sports area at Daison where a 35-mile ski run provided thrills and spills for experts and am-ateurs alike as he knows from bitter experience. Japanese instructors as-sisted beginners but their assistance was not enough on one occasion, he said. He started off in fine style and was proceeding according to plan when a hidden stick upset both him and the plan and all was lost.

Other highlights of the Yonago scene include trips to sea with the Japanese fishing fleets. These voy-ages could last from 2 days to a week. The boats were manned by about 25 men who sold their catches locally when they returned.

Some light may be thrown on the origin of the 6-feet Japanese soldiers who appeared in New Guinea during the war by Driver Reese's remarks that most of the inhabitants of Yonago were as tall or taller than the Australians. In a land where the average is about 5 feet 4 inches this point is very surprising.

Shooting pheasants was another unofficial pastime, he continued, and large numbers abounded during the autumn months. His best catch was 9 and dressed they weighed about 4 lbs. each.

Race Win of 30,000 Yen

The 'drum' for one event of a 4 day Japanese race meeting netted him 30,000 yen. These races were conducted in the usual Western fashion with Jap bookmakers crying out odds in their sing-song voice while punters clambered around them or the totalisator. Fresh racehorses and trotters were used each day. Because of the absence of gigs, the trotters were ridden in the same way as the racers. All jockeys wore their respective numbers and colors.

Troop conditions, earlier the cause of much publicity, were now excel-lent, he continued. Food was the same way. At least one 3-course meal was served each day and would consist of soup, roast beef or mutton with cabbage, potato, peas or beans, and sweets. Clubs and other facilities assisted to improve the welfare of the troops. Opposite the Kure railway station the YMCA had erected a large building where dances were held, a billiard room and card rooms were included. In addition tea and cakes could be purchased for a small sum. At Kure House, run by the Canteen Service a Japanese orchestra played nightly. Families of servicemen lived in luxury, although the cost of living was high, he went on.

Bomb damage in all areas was fast being repaired and Kure was now as busy as Rundle Street.

Hiroshima Rebuilt

Hiroshima's square mile of atomic bomb ashes have given birth to a new city which will next month celebrate the third anniversary of the dropping of the bomb by having most of its homes and shops rebuilt.

Nine weeks in the 130th Australian General Hospital at Eta Jima followed an accident he received whilst playing football at Kure early last year but otherwise he was free of any sickness during his trip a broad.

Although Driver Reese is actually on 34 days' leave he does not think he will return to Japan but may now apply for discharge. All troops not joining either the Interim or the Permanent Army will be due for discharge in December, he says.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207058490