However, operations were still hazardous. Then, on a drenched 26 January, various groups were trapped as the river rose rapidly and tore giant trees out of the ground. To the 2/2nd Battalion fell the important task of clearing these Japanese, who represented a threat to the southern flank of the advance on Wewak. The 2/11th repulsed counter-attacks and continued advancing, helped by close artillery and air support. AWM 134485A, Sergeant Rowland Ayres of the 2/8th Battalion discovers a Japanese pistol while searching captured enemy positions on Hill One, near Mount Shiburangu, on 11 June 1945. Our COVID Q&A with Watson is an AI-powered chatbot that addresses consumers' questions and concerns about COVID-19. On the instant our island was engulfed and we were flung pell-mell into the torrent, or some were. A defective fuse caused the premature explosion of one of the bombs, which destroyed their aircraft. In early December, the 19th Brigade took over the coastal advance from the cavalry, which sent the 2/7th Commando Squadron inland to establish a patrol base at Tong. According to the unit's historian, Shawn O'Leary, a lieutenant in the regiment, the locals greatly helped the Australians: Natives, with their superb intelligence system, were of the utmost value to the commandos. They lost 2 killed, the Japanese 44. The latter item was no longer on issue, and the other three were no longer carried on the man. AWM 030257/08, A scene that illustrates one of the main obstacles to the Australian advance on Wewak: rivers. Confirmed Cases 526. Saunders had recently become the first Aboriginal commissioned officer in the Australian army, and in his first campaign as a platoon commander led a successful outflanking movement outside Maprik on 19 April. The 30th and 35th Battalions and the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, attached to bring the brigade up to strength, began extensive patrolling. After artillery and air support helped it to take Boram village and airfield, on 22 May it linked with Farida Force. 1 University of Papua New Guinea Abstract. AWM 018301, Private John Parkes of the 2/2nd Battalion is helped to a jeep-ambulance, probably of 2/7th Field Ambulance, after being hit by a Japanese bullet near But airfield on 17 March 1945. I will never know whether the bullet in my hip knocked me down or whether it hit me as I fell over the ever-present roots that clawed at each footstep ... though I could hear bullets clipping leaves I had an immediate feeling of peace with the world. On 26 November, the relief of the Americans was completed and General Stevens assumed command. P-38J Lightning Serial Number 42-103987 On that flight, a bombing mission, it crashed at Tadji and was damaged beyond repair. For five hours, thirty Japanese tried to drive the Australians back with small arms, grenades and gelignite. Contribute This and other guns were supporting the infantry during the action for which Lieutenant Chowne was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was already planning, and soon got approval for, a limited offensive to cut the enemy's forward line of communications and destroy Japanese forces east of the Danmap. The men are probably members of the pioneer platoon of the 2/7th Battalion. AWM OG2945, Private Edward 'Ted' Kenna VC, 2/4th Battalion. The Australians raided the enemy lines, suffering casualties, before withdrawing. Virtually all troops were now brought in or out by air, as was heavy equipment such as field guns, tractors and jeeps. The tsunami comprised three waves, each estimated to be about 4 m high. That day, the battalion lost 2 killed and 5 wounded, while killing 14 enemy and wounding many more.