Invasion Rabaul

by Bruce Gamble

  Chapter 1—Diggers

  Background of Sgt. Gullidge and enlistment of Salvation Army bandsmen:

  Cox, pp. 1–14.

  Description of 2/22nd Battalion and Trawool camp: C. Johnson, pp. 2–6.

  Lt. Cdr. Carr’s background: anonymous-by-request Lark Force member, correspondence with author; C. Johnson, p. 8.

  “We were British”: Harris, correspondence with author.

  Background of Thurst family: Bruce Thurst, author’s interview.

  Battalion march from Trawool to Bonegilla: C. Johnson, p. 12–17; Cox., pp.23–24.

  “I’m chasing the bugle”: quoted in C. Johnson, p. 22.

  “The Salvationists who joined”: quoted in Cox, p. 27.

  “bivvy”: from a letter by Gullidge, quoted in Cox, p. 37.

  “wadies”: ibid., p. 39.

  AIF enlistment statistics: Hasluck, p. 613.

  Background of Pvt. Kollmorgen: author’s interview.

  “ ‘pannikins’ of tea”: Melbourne Herald, February 14, 1941.

  Details of Melbourne parade, including “Slope arms!”: Melbourne Age, February 14, 1941.

  “for God and the King”: quoted in Cox, p. 43.

  Chapter 2—Evil Spirits

  Details of the caldera-forming eruption: Miller, author’s interview.

  Early exploration of New Britain: R. W. Johnson, p. 9; Stone, p. 2.

  “a wretched, barbarous race in the extreme”: Campbell, pp. 8–9.

  Topography of Crater Peninsula: R. W. Johnson, p. 2.

  Background of R. K. P. Moore and acquisition of German plantations: “Lost Lives.”

  Descriptions of pre-war Rabaul: Stone, pp. 9–11.

  “paddled by natives”: Pearson diary, p. 2.

  “euphorically comfortable”: R. W. Johnson, p. 14.

  Details of 1937 eruption: R. W. Johnson, pp. 25–45; Stone, pp. 12–18.

  Medical situation at Rabaul: AWM 54 (608/5/3).

  “every man took his dose”: Bloomfield, p. 3.

  Army nurses and the “uniform revolt”: L. Johnson, author’s interview.

  “a train going over a big overhead bridge”: quoted in R. W. Johnson, p. 139.

  “To stand was to rock like a drunken man”: Pearson, p. 8.

  Chapter 3—Hostages to Fortune

  “a slender chain of forward observation posts”: Wigmore, p. 394.

  “by ship, motor boat, canoe”: Feldt, p. 6.

  Placement of coastal guns, and “expert and most urgent advice”: AWM 113 (MH 1/121, Part 1).

  Description of antiaircraft battery and training: Selby, pp. 7–8; Bloomfield, p. 6.

  “The nurses were not supposed to go out with the troops”: L. Johnson, author’s interview.

  Details of the “Bung,” including “sitting placidly by”: Pearson, p. 8.

  Games and gambling, including “which of two flies”: Pocket Guide to Australia, p. 29; Bloomfield, p. 3.

  “They were all outstanding young men”: L. Johnson, author’s interview.

  Personality of Pvt. Webster: Harry, “New Britain, 1941/42,” p. 8.

  “could thump out a honky tonk”: Harry, correspondence with author.

  Profile of Pvt. Harry: Harry, author’s interview.

  Popularity of battalion band: Cox, pp. 54–56.

  Personalities of Turner and May, including “only dire threats of punishment”: Selby, pp. 13–14.

  Carr’s difficulties, and profile of Scanlan: Harry, interview and correspondence with author.

  Dispersion of 2/22nd companies: AWM 54 (607/8/2).

  Lend-Lease agreement and details of harbor defenses: AWM 68 (3DRL 8052/108)

  “a very capable fellow”: Harry, author’s interview.

  “the stink of bad eggs”: Figgis, author’s interview.

  “collected the spray”: Hasluck, p. 543n.

  “madness had overtaken Japan”: ibid., p. 557.

  “was full of excited speculation”: Selby, p. 10.

  Description of Frisbee Ridge: Bloomfield, p. 8.

  “In making this recommendation”: Cable 154, December 15, 1941.

  “Under the foregoing circumstances”: MP729/6 (16/401/493)

  .Arrival of 24 Squadron, including “no facilities existed”: AWM 54 (81/4/194).

  “There was a hushed atmosphere”: H. Johnson, extracts from Una Voce, March 2002.

  Internment of Japanese men: Aplin, p. 26.

  Plans and details of Refuge Gully: Reeson, p. 144.

  Propaganda, rumors, and news: Selby, pp. 16–17.

  Scanlan’s proclamations: Bloomfield, p. 15.

  “You will fight on the beaches”: quoted by Dawson, AWM 54 (607/9/3).

  Chapter 4—Prelude to an Invasion

  Imperial General Headquarters orders and war plans, including “occupy Rabaul”: Monograph No. 24, pp. 8–9; Monograph No. 45 pp. 39–46.

  Organization of South Seas Detachment: AWM 54 (608/5/4).

  Details of staff meeting at Truk and Imperial HQ objectives, including “coordinately attack Rabaul”: AWM 54 (423/4/162).

  Japanese pre-invasion intelligence, landing site options: AWM 54 (608/5/4).

  “It seemed impossible to believe”: Selby, p. 15.

  Details of early air attacks: AWM 54 (81/4/194).

  Herstein situation, including “continued to pester Canberra”: Aplin, p. 26.

  Japanese training methods and doctrine, including “bodies and minds tempered hard as steel”: Kawamoto.

  “the heat began to increase”: Miyake, Osaka Mainichi, February 10,1942, p.3.

  “very cramped and uncomfortable”: AWM 3DRL/4005.

  Description of tsubo system: Cundall, correspondence with author.

  “On the day we crossed the Equator”: Miyake.

  “When we fight, we win”: Intelligence Bulletin, Vol. II, No. 9, pp. 44–46.

  “felt like a hunter”: Fuchida, p. 54.

  “The first indication” Bloomfield, p. 15.

  Details of Wirraway combat: Gillison, p. 355.

  “We sat at our guns”: Bloomfield, p. 15.

  “It was a bomber-fighter type”: Smith’s Weekly, May 9, 1942, p. 1.

  Nakajima crew information: Wenger, correspondence with author.

  Lerew’s defiance, and “We who are about to die”: The Latin translation appears as “NOS MORITURI TE SALUTAMUS” in numerous published accounts, including the official RAAF history (Gillison, p. 358). However, a photograph of the actual message in the AWM collection reveals the wording as originally deciphered: “MORITURI VOS SALUTAMUS.”

  Chapter 5—Chaos

  Trauma of Philip Coote: AWM 113 (MH 1/121, Part 1).

  “a number of gray logs”: Minty, p. 2.

  “Keep swimming”: ibid., p. 4.

  Japanese attack on Kavieng and the Induna Star: Aplin, pp. 30–31.

  “to be massacred”: quoted by Carr, AWM 54 (607/8/2).

  “The CO told me”: AWM 54 (607/9/3).

  “I hope you will have time to use it”: quoted in Aplin, p. 38.

  “as a last resource”: AWM 54 (607/8/2).

  Sgt. Gullidge hospitalized: Cox, p. 92.

  “stood and watched helplessly”: Bloomfield, p. 17.

  “Rabaul took on the appearance”: Bowman, p. 34.

  Observing the Japanese fleet, Figgis’s ship count: AWM 54 (607/7/1).

  “The wires were pulled sharply”: Selby, p. 36.

  Disposition of rifle companies: AWM 54 (607/8/2).

  “shouting instructions to the driver”: Bloomfield, p. 18.

  “fight with the army as guerillas” and Scanlan’s response: AWM 54 (81/4/194).

  “Send flying-boats”: quoted in Gillison, p. 360.

  Dialog between Scanlan and Dawson regarding food caches: AWM 54(607/9/3).

  “a slaughter house”: Collins, undated manuscript, p. 1.

  “The battered bodies”: Bowman, p. 26.

  Conditions in Refuge Gully: Reeson, p. 139.

  “Whe
n the Yanks get here”: ibid., p. 121.

  Arrival of the Matafele, and “consent was not forthcoming”: Aplin, p. 26.

  “The action of certain civilians”: AWM 54 (81/4/194).

  Details of RAAF evacuation: ibid.; Stone, p. 78; C. Johnson, pp. 72–73.

  Chapter 6—Vigorous Youth from Shikoku

  Approach of invasion fleet, including “As we gradually drew closer”: Australia-Japan Research Project (hereafter, AJRP).

  Pre-invasion environmental conditions: AJRP; AWM 54 (423/4/1162) and AWM 54 (423/4/158).

  “good landmark for reckoning directions in the darkness”: AWM 54 (608/5/4).

  “with a weird beauty”: AJRP.

  General Horii’s landing instructions: ibid.

  2nd Company’s search for coastal batteries: ibid.

  Japanese landing at Vulcan, including “We allowed most of them”: Wigmore, p. 403.

  Details of Cpl. Hamill’s squad, including “I didn’t think we’d see them again”: Pearson diary.

  “I told them about the Jap task force”: AWM 54 (607/9/3).

  “An enemy bugler started to blow a call”: Bloomfield, p. 20.

  “a crescendo of wild, savage yells”: Selby, p. 40.

  2nd Battalion (IJA) at Nordup: AJRP.

  A Company (AIF) at Vulcan: Wigmore, pp. 403–04.

  Dawson’s experience, including “On turning the last curve”: AWM 54 (608/5/4).

  “doing a lot of yelling”: quoted in C. Johnson, p. 61.

  “the Japs very close”: AWM 54(607/8/28).

  “bursting round the truck”: ibid.

  “retreat to special anchorage positions” and “to fire signal shots irresponsibly”: AJRP.

  “courageously continuing to land”: ibid.

  Chapter 7—Every Man for Himself

  Scanlan’s change of HQ: Wigmore, p. 406; Harry, “New Britain 1941/42,” p. 6.

  Components of AWA-3B radio: Feldt, p. 10.

  “the deteriorating situation”: Harry, “New Britain 1941/42,” p. 6.

  “To CDH, Port Moresby” and decoded message: Appel, in AWM 54 (607/8/28).

  “hopelessly bogged”: Harry, “New Britain 1941/42,” p. 7.

  “aerial protection for the ground units”: AJRP.

  “I was flat in the side cut”: quoted by Harry, “New Britain 1941/42,” p. 7.

  Japanese rations (footnote): Intelligence Bulletin Vol.1, No.l, Section III, p. 78.

  “He said we were overwhelmed”: Pearson, AWM 60 (259).

  “Vehicles could not travel on the roads”: AWM 54 (607/7/1).

  Death of Pvt. Ascott, etc.: Parsons, AWM 60 (259).

  “about three pannikins of tea”: Pearson diary.

  Situation at Three Ways: Bloomfield, p. 22.

  “wild and inaccurate” and “Over the ridge”: Selby, p. 41.

  Communications between Appel, McInnes, and Mollard at Three Ways: AWM 54 (607/8/28).

  “Owing to the difficult country”: AWM 54 (607/8/2).

  “The mountain air filled with smoke”: AWM 54 (423/4/158).

  “At intervals in the grass”: ibid.

  “McInnes gave the order”: Selby, p. 42.

  “completely helpless”: Bloomfield, p. 22.

  “I wondered”: Selby, p. 42.

  “Carr rushed off’: correspondence with author, name withheld by request.

  “At this stage”: AWM 54(607/8/2).

  “useless to prolong the action” and “every man for himself’: Wigmore, p. 408.

  “for transmission to all companies”: AWM 54 (607/8/2).

  “Austin Creed rode up”: Kolmorgen, author’s interview.

  “In view of doubt”: AWM 54 (607/8/2).

  “known to be attempting”: ibid.

  “The colonel’s orders”: Selby, p. 43.

  “Were it not for the seriousness”: Bloomfield, pp. 22–23.

  Scanlan’s invitation to Harry, including “somewhat premature”: Harry, “New Britain 1941/42,” p. 7.

  “We found there were only two”: L. Johnson, author interview.

  “The Japanese jumped off”: ibid.

  Intimidation of Lt. May: C. Johnson, pp. 130–131.

  “We had little knowledge”: Pacific Islands Year Book, 1950, p. 31.

  Surrender of civilians at Refuge Gully: ibid.

  Japanese proclamation: quoted in Reeson, p. 154; full text in Stone, p. 485.

  “They were attacked from all quarters”: AWM 54 (607/9/5).

  “using all available cover”: Wigmore, p. 410.

  “The Japs were firing”: AWM 54 (607/9/5).

  “some retreating Australians”: quoted in Stone, p. 66.

  “places on the road”: quoted in Wigmore, p. 411.

  Catalog of captured weapons and equipment: AWM 54 (423/4/158).

  Loss of Kaga pilot: Hata, et al, p. 376.

  “The Imperial Army”: AJRP.

  Lyrics of Nankai Dayori: AWM 3DRL/4005.

  Chapter 8—You Will Only Die

  “Great quantities of Japanese shipping”: Harry, “New Britain 1941/42,” p. 8.

  Night journey to Malabunga: AWM 54 (607/7/1); Harry, “New Britain 1941/42,” p. 8.

  “a concerned group of missionaries”: ibid., p. 9.

  “a desert” and “At its best”: Feldt, p. 36.

  “The only plan”: Harry, p. 10.

  Text of Horii’s leaflet: AWM 54(607/8/2).

  “Travers called us together”: AWM 60 (259).

  “Our first thought”: AWM 60 (259).

  South Seas Detachment’s pursuit of Australians: AWM 54 (608/5/4).

  “The position appeared”: AWM 60 (259).

  “The butai could not advance”: AWM 54 (423/4/158).

  “Practically every man” and details of malaria outbreak among the Japanese: AWM 54 (608/5/4).

  “an inspiring and energetic leader”: Wigmore, p. 657.

  “nowhere to be seen”; “As I lay awake”; and other details of the antiaircraft gunners’ trek: Bloomfield, pp. 26–30.

  “We discussed plans”: Selby, p. 47.

  “He gravely doubted”: ibid., p. 48.

  “My first view of it”: Pearson diary, p. 13.

  “hanging on like grim death” and details of river crossing: Selby, p. 50.

  “Each day we felt ourselves growing weaker”: ibid., pp. 51–52.

  “Wherever we tried”: ibid., p. 53.

  “It was our first real meal”: ibid., p. 56.

  Bloomfield’s white flag discovery: Bloomfield, pp. 32–33.

  “It seemed unfair”: Selby, p. 58.

  “The plantation was plainly visible”: ibid., p. 64.

  Chapter 9—Tol

  Details of Pvt. Kennedy’s capture: Wigmore, p. 406n.

  “in the forests”: AWM 54 (608/5/4).

  Details of capture near Reid River: Lyons.

  Captured officer’s interrogation and execution: Stone, p. 90. The quoted account did not identify the officer by name, but Garrard is the most likely candidate based on the date of his death. All of the other officers captured at Tol were spared, at least initially.

  Details of bayonet training: Intelligence Bulletin Vol. II, No. 5, Section I, pp. 56–57.

  “An agonized scream”: Lyons, p. 6.

  “He put away his sword” and details of Pvt. Collins’ escape: Lyons, p. 4; Wigmore, pp. 666–667.

  “When my turn came”: Lyons, p. 5.

  “an evil and terrible omen”: Selby, p. 67.

  “An excited native”: ibid.

  Conversation between orderlies, including “You might be sorry”: Cook, p. 7.

  “The bastards are here!” and other details of Cook’s escape: Cook, pp. 7–8.

  “waved the paper across the Aussie’s face”: ibid.

  “not a trace of fear”: Cook, quoted in Cox., p. 99.

  Stabbing by bayonet: Cook, p. 9.

  Text of Japanese messages posted at Waitavalo plantation: Selby, p. 75.

  “One can
imagine my joy”: Cook, p. 11.

  “sheer hard logic”: Selby, p. 85.

  “There was the Commandant”: ibid., pp. 83–84.

  Chapter 10—Escape: The Lakatoi

  “I knew he was the appropriate man”: Feldt, pp. 38–39.

  Disagreements between McCarthy and Cameron: Wigmore, p. 659.

  “There was no lack of courage”: Feldt, p. 41.

  Messages from Japanese officer Ogama: AWM 54 (607/8/2).

  “The Japanese had covered the distance”: Hutchinson-Smith manuscript, p. 2.

  “[Joseph] Rokker was ingratiating”: ibid., pp. 4–5.

  “We weren’t racing down the coast”: Figgis, author’s interview.

  “It wasn’t very nice”: ibid.

  “We lifted out several sheets of iron”: Lyons, p. 5.

  “as Irish as Paddy’s pig”: Feldt, p. 7.

  “on all matters edible”: Harry, “New Britain 1941/42,” p. 13.

  Translation of native words: Murphy, The Book of Pidgin English.

  Dialogue between Carr and Dwyer: quoted by Harry, “New Britain 1941/42,” p. 13.

  “Mollard stressed”: ibid., p. 14.

  Encounter with native gang at Milim village: ibid., p. 16.

  Harry’s overland trek, including direct quotes: ibid., pp. 17–19.

  Appel party’s evacuation to Pondo, and list of men’s ailments: AWM 54 (607/8/2).

  “a collection of contradictions”: Feldt, p. 39.

  “It would have been hard”: ibid., p. 40.

  “I worked all night and day”: Baker, quoted in C. Johnson, p. 121.

  “All the rest were sick”: Feldt, p. 46.

  Account of McInnes’ party: Aplin, pp. 243–65.