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25.01.2022 He was cut off from his platoon for 14 days with only a couple of biscuits to eat, and was shot by the Japanese at Kokoda. But Cyril Allender, now 98, still con...siders himself to be lucky. All my life, Ive had luck, he said with a smile. There were 13 of us and we got cut off. We had to fight our way through the bush to try and get in front [of the Japanese] We got to the Japs when they started to say that theyd had enough and they turned around, so we were lucky that day It was just one of those things You just tried your best to keep yourself alive." Read how Allender and his mates fought their way through the jungle to get back to their platoon: https://www.awm.gov.au//bl/cyril-allender-remembers-kokoda

24.01.2022 The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels:We recently watched again the two- part KOKODA series on the ABC, based on the book, and narrated, by Paul Ham. Hams book was excellent ...and thoroughly researched and I used it a lot in my research particularly to get the chronology and the Army characters right, but there are a couple of errors that he made. One which I wrote to him to correct but he did not, as he made the same error again in the ABC series, was that the carriers were issued with ramis which he insists on saying are a native food delicacy they are not, they are the lap-lap/wrap around skirts that the men liked to wear. Secondly he said of the fuzzy wuzzys that they were virtually slave labour. They were NOT slave labour. Yes they were recruited quite forcefully from amongst the identured labour employed in various posts at the time and from the villages, but so were the many of the men of the 53rd Battalion who were press-ganged off the streets of Sydney. Initially, many deserted and had to be regathered. It was WAR, men throughout the world were being conscripted. Papua was their home and once they fully understood that Australia was fighting to protect them as well as Australia , desertions decreased. Yes, they were not paid in cash but they were paid in kind with food like rice, tinned meat and fish, hard biscuits plus blankets, material ( for ramis) knives and tobacco. This had been the case on the plantations for many years anyway. Most of the indentured labour throughout Papua were provided with housing, garden areas & rations that were specified by the government. They had very little use for cash and certainly nowhere to spend it on the Trail anyway. Both Bert Kienzle and Doc Vernon and other ANGAU men plus many of the Army officers worked hard, under difficult conditions to try and improve their lot. Our Aussie diggers were just as cold and hungry, wet and scared as the Papuans. Once the battle moved to the Coast the native carriers and labourers were paid some cash as well as their usual rations and there were probably a few places they could use that cash. I have copies of the telegrams and orders that Bert sent requesting supplies suitable for the natives. I have his instructions to the white men in charge of them on how to treat them. Yes, there were some who did not treat them well and Bert worried over their behaviour but he could not do without these men much as he would have liked to. A lot more Aussies were killed than Papuans during the war in Papua & New Guinea. We could not have won without them and they certainly could not have won without us. Perhaps we should stop to think more often of the scenario had Japan won the war or even just won Papua New Guinea. What many people arent aware of is that after WW1 US President Wilson wanted to offer German New Guinea (the top half of PNG) to the Japanese in appreciation for their contribution as an ally in WW1. Fortunately, our PM Billy Hughes spoke up and said With all due respect Mr President how many men did you lose in WW1? Australia lost over 80,000. The idea was quashed and Australia maintained control. Photo: Billy Hughes (L) & Woodrow Wilson(R) See more

24.01.2022 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155433106812525&id=7244252524

23.01.2022 Today in Australian military history - 26th January, 1945 - Beginning of Sandakan death march, Borneo. Sandakan prisoner of war camp was established by the Japa...nese in July 1942. Fearing invasion from Allied forces, Japanese troops marched the prisoners inland to Ranau in January 1945. Many of the prisoners died of malnutrition, exhaustion, disease and ill-treatment and the survivors were shot when they reached their destination. Only six out of 2,500 Australian and British prisoners sent to Sandakan survived.

22.01.2022 On 5 September 1943, the day after the amphibious landing, the US 503rd Parachute Regiment, with a detachment of Australian artillerymen from the 2/4th Field Regiment attached, captured the Nadzab airstrip north-west of Lae. Photos: US Army Air Corps and AWM 015700.

22.01.2022 Around 10 years ago, while we were living on the Gold Coast, Ross Darrigan, a keen supporter of the 39th Btn and all things Kokoda, introduced us to Cec Driscol...l. Cec was with B Company when they first crossed the Owen Stanleys in July 1942, from Ilolo/McDonalds Corner to Kokoda, guided by Bert. It was Cec who told us he recalls being told they were going to cross the Ranges on the Kokoda Trail, but when they got on there it was just a bloody track. Cec remembers Bert as an imposing man with an admirable rapport with the Papuans but what he recalls most fondly is the fresh vegetables and fruit, and variety of tinned food that Bert brought across from his stores at the Yodda when they arrived in Kokoda. Like many veterans, Cec had not talked of his experiences or been involved in Btn reunions over the years, but by the time we met him he was ready to tell some of his stories and most were told with an element of humour and often involved memories of hunger and the perpetual need for more food. One that didnt was when they were at Awala and the Japanese were attacking, just before Templeton was killed, he was hurriedly appointed as a runner. He had no idea what it meant but it sounded good to him especially if it meant running as far away from the enemy as possible! He had some hair-raising experiences on the retreat back over the Trail but he survived, and in 2012 he returned to PNG for the first time to attend an ANZAC day ceremony at Bomana. In the book To Kokoda by Nicholas Anderson, Cec is quoted as saying of Bomana I thought it would be gruesome, but as the dawn came up and the birds started chirping, the light was on the Cenotaph and the gravestones appeared out of the gloom, it was lovely. I thought what a happy place. I didnt feel remorse, I felt pleased that the boys were in such a beautiful place and I could see them waiting for the rain to stop so they could go out and play a game of two up Cec is 98 now, and only recently moved out of his own home into aged care, with his younger brother. Soc tries to talk to him once or twice a year, but on the most recent call he got onto his son who said, despite being nearly blind, Cec is going well but he did say to him last time they spoke. Son, when you get to my age, and you wake up in the morning and nothing hurts youre probably dead Photo: Cec on the right See more

22.01.2022 The Bridge over the River Kwae, unbelievably i pretty much had it to myself, a great time to reflect on the tradegy that unfolded here. It was actually one of three bridges built here within about 300 metres of each other during the war. My words can't convey how this place makes me feel. If you are coming through or too Thailand please spare a couple of days and come and learn their story. Lest We Forget.

22.01.2022 Visited Hell Fire pass on the Death railway today, I just cant believe what they achieved here with so little, i am so moved. Lest We Forget.

20.01.2022 I hadn't seen this one, probably one of the best , for me as a greatful Australian everyday of the year is Anzac Day, Lest We Forget! Today and everyday of the year.

20.01.2022 Teaser trailer for DANGER CLOSE: The Battle of Long Tan. In theatres 8 August. Late afternoon, August 18 1966, in the pouring rain, amid the mud and shattered t...rees of a Vietnamese rubber plantation called Long Tan, Major Harry Smith and his dispersed company of 108 young and mostly inexperienced Australian and New Zealand soldiers are fighting for their lives, holding off an overwhelming enemy force of 2,500 battle-hardened Main Force Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers. With their ammunition running out, their casualties mounting and the enemy massing for a final assault, each man begins to search for the strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honour, decency and courage. From the Director of RED DOG Kriv Stenders and the Writer of COLLATERAL and AUSTRALIA Stuart Beattie. Starring; Starring; Travis Fimmel, Luke Bracey, Daniel Webber, Alexander England, Aaron Glenane, Nicholas Hamilton, Anthony Hayes and Richard Roxburgh. #travisfimmel #lukebracey #danielwebber #alexanderengland #anthonyhayes #richardroxburgh #aaronglenane #nicholashamilton #dangerclose #dangerclosemovie #battleoflongtan #anzac #australia #newzealand #vietnam #movie #movieproduction #screenwriting #vietnamwar Australian Army Transmission FilmsScreen Queensland @Screen Australia New Zealand Army Royal Australian Air Force

20.01.2022 West head In Sydney's Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. WW2 Shore gun replacements protecting Broken Bay and Sydney's North Shore, these guns as well as those on Sydney's North head had interlacing fields of fire protecting Sydney Harbour from the North. Their is some great hiking in this lesser known part of Sydney and we'll worth a day out!

20.01.2022 One of the most powerful speeches I have ever heard

19.01.2022 In 1908 the Gunnedah Water Tower was first commissioned and by the 1950s it had been replaced by a new steel structure. The Gunnedah & District Historical Soci...ety was formed in 1963 and was soon looking for a home to house their growing number of artefacts. The old abandoned water tower was tested for structural durability and was then chosen as the new home of the Gunnedah Water Tower Museum. To read the fill story on the history of the museum and how they came to have world renowned artist Jenny McCracken paint their tower, you can read the full blog on our website by following the link below. A special thank you must go to Marie Hobson for supplying us with all the information so we could create the blog on this tower. Photo credits to Jenine Post, Marie Hobson and Paul Mathews. #jennymccrackenartist https://australiansiloarttrail.com//gunnedah-water-tower-/

16.01.2022 Amongst Bert Kienzles valued possessions that we are fortunate to now have is a Samurai sword that he found on the Trail during the Japanese retreat. Many of t...he Japanese on the Trail were the men of the Nankai Shitai, the same troops who invaded Rabaul and were waiting for our men when they tried to escape along the south coast of New Britain at the Tol Plantation. They massacred our troops in the most horrific way something often forgotten and the first real experience Australians had of the innate cruelty of the enemy. Why were they like this? At the seminar in Canberra I mentioned earlier, Richard Drea from the USA did a presentation on the Japanese soldier. They were highly trained physically but what separated them from our men was their psychological training. They were indoctrinated to never surrender, to fight to the death, to take no prisoners and to always remember that the enemy were inferior beings. Many of the Japanese soldiers were brutalised themselves during their training and inured to violence. From Rabaul to Ioribaiwa, Aussies were stabbed and beheaded with Samurai swords and the one Bert found was stained with the blood of our boys. We visited the area in 2012 and although there is a small memorial there it is only recently that more regular visitors have arrived to pay their respects. For more information follow this link. https://asopa.typepad.com//75-years-on-shocking-tol-massac The Samurai sword we possess, is not very ornately carved so would have most likely have been owned by someone of rank no higher than a Sergeant, but also, put to use whereas the senior officers' Samurai swords were more ornamental. The only real ID on it is a Serial Number. See more

16.01.2022 This week, the High Commissioner and the Head of Australian Defence Staff in PNG travelled to Sanananda, Oro Province to commemorate the sacrifice by the Austra...lia 55/53 Battalion, hundreds of whom were left wounded, killed or missing after fierce fighting in Oro between 1942 and 1943. After travelling to Buna, the group attended a moving service and the unveiling of a new plaque to commemorate the soldiers in Sanananda. They were joined by Ananias Mongagi and his son Frank, as well as by 21 Australian relatives and descendants of the Mice of Moresby, many of whom have never travelled to PNG before. Ananias has a unique history with Australia, as he was present at the initial unveiling of a plaque in 1973, when a small group of veterans from the 55/53 Battalion came to Oro to remember their fallen brothers. They were led by Frank Budden, who had served as an officer during the war. Ananias was so affected by his experience at the service that he named his unborn son Frank, in honour of Mr Budden. It was an honour to have both Ananias and Frank join the service this week, reminding us all of the strong bond between PNG and Australia, forged in war but kept alive through our people. #LestWeForget

15.01.2022 As I write this, people in cities and towns all over Australia and NZ have paused to commemorate ANZAC Day and in PNG they have gathered at Isurava and Bomana, ...but at Kokoda where the Battle for Australia began in earnest in July 1942 nothing. After WW2, ANZAC services were regularly held at Kokoda right up until Independence when they ceased. This has always disappointed us so in 2008, with the help of our youngest daughter Suzanne, and a group of like minded people who were traversing the Trail with him, Soc arranged a Service on the Kokoda plateau. As the mist lifted across the Yodda Valley, Ben piped in the dawn. Suzanne & a couple of other non-trekkers, some of our good local mates including John Beleni and David Jinga, led by Soc and his trekkers said the ode, raised the flags, read poems, and told stories. The local school children sang Australias and PNGs anthems and Ben piped the Reveille. Watched by the large group of locals and a small group of surprised trekkers who happened to be at Kokoda, it was a successful and moving event. Soc arranged a smaller scale one the following year but once he ceased going to Kokoda, it stopped. It would be nice to think that one day the PNG Government would get organized enough to have an Annual ANZAC Service at Kokoda where they could concentrate on commemorating the contribution of their own people to Australias victory that also guaranteed their future as an ultimately independent nation. LEST WE FORGET. See more

15.01.2022 Chung Kai war cemetery is just outside Kanchanaburi mainly British and Dutch buried here. RIP Lest We Forget.

15.01.2022 Please listen to this pod cast, very moving and bought me to tears. Well done Matty Johns.

11.01.2022 Ray Simpson and Keith Payne

10.01.2022 In 1908 the Gunnedah Water Tower was first commissioned and by the 1950’s it had been replaced by a new steel structure. The Gunnedah & District Historical Soci...ety was formed in 1963 and was soon looking for a home to house their growing number of artefacts. The old abandoned water tower was tested for structural durability and was then chosen as the new home of the Gunnedah Water Tower Museum. To read the fill story on the history of the museum and how they came to have world renowned artist Jenny McCracken paint their tower, you can read the full blog on our website by following the link below. A special thank you must go to Marie Hobson for supplying us with all the information so we could create the blog on this tower. Photo credits to Jenine Post, Marie Hobson and Paul Mathews. #jennymccrackenartist https://australiansiloarttrail.com//gunnedah-water-tower-/

09.01.2022 Sadly another Long Tan veteran has left us. 73 year old National Serviceman Private Thomas Newall passed away in Alice Springs yesterday. Tom was a scout/riflem...en in 7 Section, 12 Platoon, D Company 6RAR in the battle. Tom was born in Scotland on 20 April 1945. Fois shìorraidh gun robh aig a anam. We will post funeral details as soon as available. In Tom's own words: I will remember all the casualties we had at Long Tan and other skirmishes I will never forget those blokes, he said. I think a lot of Anzac Day. Our losses were severe, 18 dead and 23 wounded out of our company of 105 plus three Kiwi artillery observers, but could have been much worse if not for the hard training we were put through. We knew we were outnumbered by the amount of incoming fire if you heard them it meant they missed. The battle area was about the size of a football field it was overgrown with red blood. There was a monsoon storm for virtually the whole battle so we could not see from one end of the area to the other. It was out first major engagement of the war, two months after we landed in Vietnam. Mr Newall does not talk much about his Vietnam experiences except to praise his senior officers for the training they pushed the men through. He believes this was a key to the survival of those who returned. After Long Tan, Newall was promoted to section leader and takes more pride in not losing any of his men than in his receiving a US Presidential citation and one from the Queen for his actions. I am very patriotic and was doing a service for Australia, he said. I will never forget the men who did not make it back. Tom Newall served for 12 months and one week. R.I.P. Tom. Our thoughts are with your mates, family and fellow warriors.

09.01.2022 HISTORY ALL AUSTRALIANS SHOULD KNOW The 19th February was the 77th Anniversary of the bombing of Darwin, but many Australians do not know, that the Japanese bom...bed as far south as Katherine in the NT and parts of WA and QLD as well. Curriculum material only filtered into schools for the 50th anniversary, after the Government's 50 year media censorship had expired. Many servicemen who were stationed in these areas were not recognised as having served in a War Zone and missed out on benefits because of this. The Government's reasoning was to stop panic of the Australian Public but also to hide how grossly unprepared they had been. See more

09.01.2022 Words cant describe the pain and suffering these poor bastards went though, so many lifes throne to the wind, they where still passing on for several months after the railway was finished. We will remember them, Lest We forget.

08.01.2022 I we be visiting Hell Fire Pass on the Thai-Burma Railway , also known as the Death Railway built by Allied POWs during 1942 & 1943 next week, i will filming a short doco and will share a few posts along the way.

07.01.2022 Looking for some adventurers to join me in November to trek the Sandakan Death march route. Please check the website for details on this and other treks, www.wildspiritadventures.com

07.01.2022 They are too near to be great, but our children shall understand when and how our fate was changed and by whose hand Rudyard Kipling Ordinary Australians Th...at did an Extraordinary Job. This story is so utterly remarkable; it has no equal in our history. It is a story of ordinary Australians that altered our history and our future. IT is a story of young Australians overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds and desperate struggle; on a battlefield designed by the Devil against a voracious tiger hell-bent on conquering their homeland. It is a story of passion, mateship, courage, sacrifice and endurance. It is a story of survival, loss and love. The Great Spirit of potential that resides in all of us; It is a story of who we are, it is a story that should never be forgotten. Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner DSO MC

05.01.2022 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1805325642899348&id=101278629970733

04.01.2022 The battle for Milne Bay was won on the ground and in the air. Here a section of infantrymen advance along a muddy road while an RAAF P-40 Kittyhawk moves along... a narrow taxiway, the pilot kept on track by men sitting on each wing. Both photos by Frank Bagnall. AWM 013335 and AWM 013329. Chapter 4 of Hell Battlefield, "Like Rats in a Bag" covers the battle. The title of the chapter is taken from an entry in the diary of Stoker Shimokawa, a Japanese marine killed in the latter stages of the battle. See more

04.01.2022 A picture speaks a thousand words, the other side to experiencing the Kokoda Track, the people, Photo courtesy of Damian Hogan.

04.01.2022 Kokoda! a once in a life time expirence , ask me how? I'm a Kokoda trekking guide.

04.01.2022 Amazing footage of Australian troops on the Kokoda Track, October 1942.

04.01.2022 Ok, here is my proposal for Sandakan Borneo dates, 9/10/19 to 21/10/19 13 days, trip would include, Sandakan Death March Route, Climb Mt Kinabalu and visit Labu...an Is War cemetery. If you've been tagged its because you've shown some interest in the past. Kerry Pedlar, Cardi Mcdonald, Lindy Pascoe, Barnaby Howarth, Dean Kenny, Dean Halliwell, Becky Coy, Greg Coy, Mark Nas, Chris Kastelan, Peter Leslie, Josie Lloyd, Dan Johnson, Jo Preedy, Jo Kelly-Wilson. See more

04.01.2022 At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them! Lest we forget! Not just today but every day as we enjoy our freedom and quality of life, we owe them, we owe them for everything.

01.01.2022 The Sandakan Death March was the worst atrocity in our military history - yet the story is rarely discussed. On Sunday we release a new virtual reality 360-degr...ee film taking viewers into the rugged locations where almost 2,500 men, the majority Australians, lost their lives - and where their courage against all odds is still remembered. Look for the Anzac360 app. #AnzacLive See more

01.01.2022 Incredible tribute to the 8 million horses, donkeys and mules that died faithfully supporting their respective armies. Faithful to the end. We will remember them.

01.01.2022 After a 7 month deployment in Afghanistan, this Aussie dad organised a sweet surprise for his son. Prepare the tissues! Credit: Highlands Christian College https://bit.ly/2EGAjz1