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22.01.2022 Brigadier Arthur Godfrey January 26th 1896 November 4th 1942.

17.01.2022 On This Day 10 October 1942 Operation Rimau was an attack on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour, carried out by an Allied commando unit Z Special Unit, duri...ng World War II using Australian built Hoehn military MKIII folboats. It was a follow-up to the successful Operation Jaywick which had taken place in September 1943, and was again led by Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Lyon of the Gordon Highlanders, an infantry regiment of the British Army. Originally part of a much larger operation called Operation Hornbill, the aim of Rimau was to sink Japanese shipping by paddling the folboats in the dark and placing limpet mines on ships. It was originally intended that motorised semi-submersible canoes, known as "Sleeping Beauties", would be used to gain access to the harbour, however, they resorted to folboats. After the raiding party's discovery by local Malay authorities, a total of thirteen men (including raid commander Lyon) were killed during battles with the Japanese military at a number of island locations or were captured and died of their wounds in Japanese captivity. A group of ten commandos were transported to Outram Road Jail in Singapore after capture by the Japanese, were tried with perfidy and espionage in a Japanese court and executed on 7 July 1945. Australian causalities - 1 junk scuttled, 13 killed or died in custody and 10 executed Japanese causalities - 3 ships sunk For further information see following link/s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Rimau https://www.historicwartours.com.au///31/operation-rimau-2 YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/WO_P6E7lEfQ https://youtu.be/z-xbY73DJ-k

17.01.2022 The face of an angel. The photograph on this post is of Sister Elaine Balfour-Ogilvy, 2/4th Casualty Clearing Station. She was the daughter of Harry and Jane Ba...lfour-Ogilvy, from Renmark, South Australia. Elaine was killed in the Banka Island massacre in WW2. She was among the last group of 65 Australian nurses to leave Singapore on the merchant vessel Vyner Brooke on the 12th of February, 1942. The ship was sunk by Japanese aircraft in Banka Strait. 22 nurses came ashore on Banka Island and when they were discovered by the Japanese on the 16th of February, 1942, the nurses, including Elaine, were ordered to walk into the water and were shot by machine gun. Sister Bullwinkel was the only nurse to survive the massacre and gave evidence of the massacre at a war crimes trial in Tokyo in 1947. Lest We Forget. Photograph and information comes from the Australian War Memorial. Image file number AWM P01021.001.

16.01.2022 a story about a special man in war-time !

16.01.2022 In the Footsteps of

15.01.2022 R.I.P. Sarbi, Australia's most decorated war dog. Lest We Forget

14.01.2022 #OTD George Ingram, VC, MM On the 5th of October 1918, Lieutenant George Ingram participated in a series of actions that would see him awarded the Victoria Cr...oss, becoming the 64th and final Australian to do so during WWI. On the 4th of October 1918, Ingram’s Battalion was taking part in the attack on Beaurevoir in what would become the final engagement for Australian infantry in WWI. Advancing with the 24th Battalion, Ingram’s platoon became the object of severe sniper and machinegun fire, halting the unit’s advance. Under the cover of a Lewis Gun, Ingram dashed ahead of his men and led them against a German strong point. After a fierce fight, the platoon captured nine machineguns and killed 42 Germans Ingram accounted for 18 of them himself. Soon after, the company came under heavy fire from an old quarry occupied by over 100 Germans with as many as 40 machineguns. Taking command of the attack after his company commander was killed, Ingram jumped into the quarry, charging the first post himself, shooting six German soldiers and capturing a machinegun. The Germans were soon overcome and 30 men surrendered. Whilst his men were securing the position, Ingram scouted ahead in search of machinegun nests in the village. He soon located one positioned in a house which had been firing from a position in the cellar. Managing to enter the house, he shot the gunner through the cellar ventilator and rushed into the cellar, taking another 30 Germans prisoner. For his bravery during the day, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Ingram was the last Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross during WWI. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

13.01.2022 I have been researching my late father , Lt. Alexander Dale Edwards, VX 5552 , WW11 service record. This week I read for the first time the citation when my fa...ther was awarded the MBE. May I share the contents with you all. It makes for incredible reading. The citation was recommended by: P.K.Parbury. Comd 2/7 Aust Inf Bn. M.J. Moten.Brig, Commander 17th Aust Inf. Bde. J.E. Stevens. Maj-Gen Comd 6 Aust Div. Approved. T.A. Blamey, General Commander-In-Chief . Australian Militarty Forces. Lt. Edwards was in command of thirty-five men of the Pioneer Platoon during operations in the BALIF-MAPRIK area from February to June 45. He and his men constructed a complete L of C over the TORRICELLI MOUNTAINS, prepared an airstrip capable of landing large transport planes and built a Jeep track approximately 14000 yards Long through difficult country. Lt. Edwards had available only the normal equipment of an infantry Pioneer Platoon. The difficulties of constructing an L of C over the steep and rugged TORRICELLI MOUNTAINS were considerable. Lt. Edwards overcame them all, bridges were built, tracks improved and staging camps erected in the shortest possible time. The best site available for an airstrip was a swampy kunai patch covered with holes. In eight days, with the assistance of native labour supervised by Lt. Edwards, the kunai was cut, the surface levelled and the strip drained. A hospital plane was able to land and evucate casualties. Shortly afterwards the strip was sufficiently advanced to take C47 aircraft which flew in vital supplies, heavy equipment, troops who were thus saved an exhausting March of five days. Lt. Edwards displayed outstanding initiative and ingenuity in utilising local materials to prepare the strip. He designed two graders and a roller out of bush timber and an old iron bed head found nearby. Having had NO engineering experience he successfully determined correct levels and solved complicated drainage problems by use of an MMG director and constant reference to text books. Turning immediately from this task Lt. Edwards and his men commenced building a Jeep track from the airstrip to MAPRIK. Although this entailed the construction from bush timber of six bridges all of more than twenty feet span and the clearing and drainage of the entire length of the track, the task was completed in ten days and the Jeep’s were thus able to ferry continual supplies from the airstrip to forward bases. Lt. Edwards resolutely refused to admit defeat under any circumstances and overcame all difficulties with patience and determination. His untiring labour and cheerful demeanour were an inspiration NOT only to the men under his command but to the entire battalion. The expedient completion of these three major assignments made an incalculable contribution to the success of operations in this area.

12.01.2022 This painting truly represents the close bond of empathy and understanding between the Australian Light Horseman and his horse. This light horseman has been bit...terly disappointed, for the mail has come and he has missed out again. This was the experience of trooper Ion Idriess for this is what he wrote in his diary in 1916... "June 21st Yesterday fifteen bags of mail (thousands of letters) came for the 5TH. And yet there was not one solitary letter, parcel, or even newspaper for me." September 19th Why the hell don't I get any letters or parcels? My mates are always getting them: I don't get a lousy newspaper even." Another Light Horseman, Major Harold B Suttor wrote in his diary in May 1918.. "Thurs 9. One ton of mail arrives and not one letter for me - usual luck" Feeling forlorn and forgotten this Light Horseman has ridden his mount aside from the rest of his section, and feeling rather sorry for himself has plopped down on the ground to indulge in a little wallow in self pity alone. His horse may not understand just why his rider is so unhappy at this moment, but horses are very sensitive and intelligent creatures, and he certainly can feel that his master is upset. He bends his head down over his masters shoulder, nuzzling him perhaps with a little nicker of horse sympathy, to let him know that he is by his side, feeling his sadness, and he is not alone. His Light Horseman responds by laying his head against that of his horse and giving him a hug and caress. Perhaps soft words are spoken, perhaps none are needed, but mutual sympathy is expressed and appreciated by both, and so each are comforted and reassured by the other. https://hubs.ly/H0xfqXB0 The Australian Light Horse is an iconic part of our history. From the Boer War through World War One the Australina Light horse has taken its place in. We hope to keep their history and their story alive through our Light Horse inspired collections. Come and see our complete collection dedicated to the Australian Light horse and their mounts. #Beersheba #LightHorse #WW1 #WWI #GreatWar #AustralianLightHorse #Horse #History #historic #military #collection

10.01.2022 On this day in 1943, the South Australian Sergeant Tom "Diver" Derrick DCM virtually single-handedly seized the summit on which Sattelberg mission was located, ...enabling the 2/48th Battalion to capture the dominating feature, an important objective of the Huon Peninsula campaign in New Guinea. For his leadership and conspicuous gallantry, Derrick was awarded the Victoria Cross. Tom Derrick was born in Medindie in Adelaide to David and Ada Derrick. The Derricks were quite poor and Tom often walked barefoot to attend primary school. He left school at 14, by which time he had developed a keen interest in sports. During the depression he survived via various odd jobs, including fixing bicycles, selling newspapers and working in a bakery. In 1931 he travelled to Berri, on the Murray River, looking for work which he eventually found in a vineyard at Winkie. He remained there for the next nine years. Tom joined the 2/48th Battalion of the Second Australian Imperial Force in 1940. He fought during the Siege of Tobruk, and as a corporal was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal during the Second Battle of El Alamein for knocking out three German machine gun posts, destroying two tanks, and capturing one hundred prisoners. Promoted to sergeant, he fought at Lae in New Guinea before being awarded the Victoria Cross for scaling a cliff face and silencing seven Japanese machine gun posts, then leading a final assault on a heavily-defended Japanese position at Sattelberg on 24 November 1943. After attending officer training and being promoted to lieutenant, he was killed on Tarakan Island in May 1945. He left behind his wife Beryl who he had married just before enlisting. A superb soldier and true Australian legend. Lest we forget. Ian Smith Chair Anzac Day Committee Tom Derrick: AWM

08.01.2022 On This Day 08 October 1942 25th Brigade, 7th Division, contacts Japanese rear-guard at Tempelton's Crossing, Kokoda Track.... The pursuit of the Japanese retreating along the Kokoda Track involved hard fights. Templeton’s Crossing was named after an officer of the 39th Battalion, lost without trace in the retreat from Kokoda. The battle at Ioribaiwa Ridge ended with the remnants of 21st Brigade holding the creek crossing, and the Japanese holding off 25th Battalion, and holding onto the high ground to the east. Brigadier General Eather conceded the Japanese still had the initiative and retreated to Imita Ridge. Maroubra Force had fought its last battle. Finally, those ragged, bloody, heroes of 21st Brigade were relieved, and sent back to Koitaki on the 26th of September, 1942 to rest and recuperate. Here they were able to get cleaned up, have hot food, and sleep. Brigadier General Potts, who had led the brigade brilliantly during its fighting withdrawal, having been undersupplied and vastly outnumbered, was met by General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief of Australian military forces. General MacArthur was not happy with the conduct of the campaign, and had wanted action taken. The Prime Minister and the War Cabinet had sent Blamey to Koitaki to address the failure of the Kokoda campaign. General Blamey curtly advised Brigadier General Potts of this, and relieved him of his command. He was not given the opportunity to address his troops, and was sent out on the next plane. The withdrawal by an AIF brigade from Isuruva, especially after being ordered to attack, and retake Kokoda, was a shock to the Australian War Cabinet, and the commanders back at Port Moresby. The loss of Myola as a supply base was a second shock, especially with no fight being put up to protect it, and again when 21st Brigade was ordered to attack. Finally, the fight at Brigade Hill, and the loss of a full battalion from the brigade could not be comprehended. These defeats and constant withdrawals constituted a failure of leadership. Even at this point, after the fresh 25th Brigade was forced to withdraw, the Australian high command (with MacArthur’s influence) had no grasp on the size of the enemy force, or the difficulty of the terrain the campaign was taking place in. To add insult to injury, General Blamey then addressed the troops. The troops were expecting congratulations on a great job done under extremely difficult conditions. Instead Blamey tore into them with a derisive speech stating they had been beaten by inferior troops in inferior numbers. He then made a remark of something to the effect of Remember, it is not the man with the gun that gets shot, it is the rabbit that runs away. This was taken as a charge of cowardice by the troops, and it took all the discipline the officers could muster to keep the men from starting a riot, as they broke ranks, and voiced their disbelief. This is how the fighting withdrawal of Maroubra Force was recorded and perceived in Australia until many years later. The heroes that saved Port Moresby were regarded as failures. At Ioribaiwa Ridge the Japanese could see the lights of their objective, Port Moresby. Even though they have lost many men, and are starving, they are jubilant. One more attack, and the city (and its food) will be theirs. It is not to be, though. The Australians were finally bringing up their own artillery, 25 pounders, to join the fight, and an additional brigade, the 16th. The Japanese, were finally ordered back to their beachheads at Buna/Gona/Sanananda. General Horii’s troops were losing their reinforcements and the majority of the supplies to the Guadalcanal campaign. He was to hold the beachhead until that campaign was decided. As the Australians advanced on Ioribaiwa, they found it abandoned. The Japanese did not put up any resistance withdrawing back across the Owen Stanley’s until they reached Templeton’s Crossing. After being told that they were not pushing hard or fast enough because they weren’t taking many casualties by MacArthur, the Australians of 33rd Battalion made contact with the Japanese just south of Templeton’s Crossing the 12th of October. The 33rd couldn’t break through, and the 25th Battalion also moved up and ran into heavy defenses. This is when the scenario takes place. The 25th Battalion has taken the lead and is attacking the Japanese positions on the 15th of October, as the Australians attempt to reclaim the Kokoda Track. Captain Samuel Victor Templeton (19001942) was an officer in the Australian Army during the Second World War. He is well known for his actions with the 39th Battalion as the commander of ‘B’ Company during the First Battle of Kokoda and went missing in action on the 26 July 1942 near the village of Oivi. Templeton’s Crossing was named in honour of Sam Templeton. It is the first point where the Kokoda Track, from Port Moresby, crossed Eora Creek. Wayne Wetherall, a PNG campaign historian and the founder of the Kokoda Spirit trekking company, travelled to Japan in 2009 to meet Kokichi Nishimura, one of the last survivors of the Japanese 144th Regiment to ask him about Templeton. Templeton’s son Reg wanted to know what happened to his father, as there had been various conflicting stories, none confirmed. Nishimura believed that he had buried Templeton. Nishimura said he had not been present at Templeton’s death, but that he had been captured and when interrogated before Lieutenant Colonel Hatsuo Tsukamoto, commander of the 144th regiment, lied and said There are 80,000 Australian soldiers waiting for you in Moresby and laughed at Tsukamoto, who became enraged and killed him with his sword. Nishimura later found the body with a sword or bayonet blade protruding from its side, and buried it because of the smell. Nishimura returned to PNG in 2010 at 90 years of age, and showed Wetherall the place he believed Templeton was buried, but no body was found. For further information see following link/s: https://www.heritagemedals.com.au/tempeltons-crossing-cont/ https://veteranssa.sa.gov.au//75th-anniversary-of-the-bat/ YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/HhP6ylLEa7g https://youtu.be/DhOAtbKJI5c

07.01.2022 Brewster Buffaloes of 21 Sqn RAAF lined up at Sembawang airfield, Singapore November 1941 awaiting an inspection from the Air Officer Commanding Far East. Decla...red obsolete for aerial combat over the skies of Europe (although the Finns did alright with them) the Buffaloes were considered sufficient enough to deal with any threats that Japan posed and they equiped a number British Commonwealth squadrons in Malaya and Burma. The Dutch also flew the type in Sumatra. Despite the aircraft's short comings they gave a much better account of themselves than popular opinion generally gives credit to. They certainly didn't give the Japanese Army and Navy fliers an easy time and even a number of the much feared A6M (Zero) where bought down by the guns of Buffaloes, a credit to the skill and determination of the pilots. See more

06.01.2022 On This Day 11 October 1944 Australians land at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain... World War II and the Australians land at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain. The Australians’ arrival opened the successful New Britain campaign in which a small Militia force successfully contained the large Japanese garrison holding Rabaul. Jacquinot Bay is a wide harbor located on the southern coast of New Britain. Borders Mal Mal (Malmal) village. To the west is the border with West New Britain Province and Gasmata. To the northeast is Wide Bay. During early April 1942, MV Laurabada rescued 156 Australian soldiers and civilians that had gathered at Pal Mal Mal after fleeing Rabaul and transported them to Port Moresby. Afterwards, occupied by the Japanese until abandoned during the middle of 1944. During August 1944, the Australian Army 6th Brigade landed at Jacquinot Bay and began construction of an airfield, base and divisional areas around Jacquinot Bay. The only means of moving from one point to another was by barge, and these were fully employed unloading the larger ships. Company B of the US 594th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, was the only American unit involved in the operation. By the end of November 1944, advanced headquarters of the Fifth Division, under the command of Major-General A. H. Ramsay was established at Jacquinot, and 6th Brigade had handed over the defense of the area to the 13th Brigade, which arrived from the Northern Territory. During late 1944, the 594th Engineer Boat & Shore Regiment B Company was based at Jaquinot Bay and used to transport troops and supplies along the southern coast of New Britain, including landing the 14/32nd Infantry Battalion at Keip Plantation at Wide Bay on January 28, 1945. During January 1945 the Australian Army 13th Brigade, commanded by Brigadier E G H McKenzie, were camped at Jacquinot Bay. At the end of the war, RAAF No. 311 radar station arrived at Jacquinot Bay. For further information see following link/s: https://www.heritagemedals.com.au/aussies-land-jacquinot-b/ YouTube/Video link/s: https://youtu.be/9mhb7tgy-YU https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C188861

06.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/759933444372886/posts/1259864664379759/

05.01.2022 #OTD Battle of Maryang San On the 3rd of October 1951, 3RAR in conjunction with British Commonwealth troops, attacked a group of hills near the Imjin River a...s part of Operation COMMANDO. The attack was named after the biggest of these hills and became known as the battle for Maryang San. The operation began with a British assault on one of the other dominant features, Hill 355 (known as Kowang San or "Little Gibraltar"). Then, on the morning of the 5th, 3RAR attacked Hill 317 (Maryang San). The Australian force approached Hill 317 through rugged countryside at 0400 under a heavy cloak of mist. At 1000 the mist began to lift, exposing the Australian advance. However, the Chinese briefly hesitated before firing, which allowed 3RAR to capture the first line of defences in a fierce burst of fighting. The following morning 3RAR drove the communist forces from their position atop the hill, but they had to resist enemy counter-attack. The crest of the Hill 317 was secured on the 6th of October, after which the Australians assisted the British to take a lesser feature, Hill 217 which was captured on the morning of the 8th of October. The Battle of Maryang San has been described as one of the most impressive victories achieved by any Australian battalion. In five days of heavy fighting 3RAR dislodged a numerically superior enemy from a position of great strength. The Australians were successful in achieving surprise on the 3rd and 5th of October, and all men showed high courage, tenacity and morale despite some very difficult situations. During the five day battle, 3RAR used 900,000 rounds of small arms, 5,000 grenades and 7,000 mortar rounds. In addition, New Zealand gunners firing in support of the attack expended 50,000 rounds. During the battle, the Australians suffered 20 killed and 104 wounded. The Chinese casualties were counted as 283 killed and 50 captured. Later it was estimated that the Australians had destroyed at least two Chinese Battalions during the course of the five day battle. On the 5th of November, the Australians were withdrawn to recuperate. Shortly after, Maryang San was recaptured by the Chinese. It was a terrible blow to morale for those who had fought long and hard to capture it. The tactically important ground of Maryang San remained in the hands of Chinese forces for the rest of the war. For their actions, 3RAR was awarded the battle honours ‘Kowang-San’ and ‘Maryang San’. Despite the loss of the feature, the victory at Maryang San was probably the greatest single feat of the Australian Army during the Korean War. It was undoubtedly a momentous achievement and undoubtedly one of the finest moments in Australian military history. . --------------------------------------------------------------- If you spot an error, please send me a message. Join our group here: https://business.facebook.com/groups/2626189084317964

04.01.2022 On This Day 13 October 1969 HMAS Brisbane(II) returns to Sydney... Vietnam, and HMAS Brisbane returns to Sydney. This was the end of the Brisbane’s first deployment to Vietnam. Brisbane was the second vessel of that name to serve in the Royal Australian Navy. She was the third of the RAN’s American-built Charles F. Adams class guided-missiles destroyers. (The other two were HMAS Hobart and HMAS Perth.) These ships cost $40 million each (or $50 million with missiles) and were the first major Australian warships designed and built in America. They carried a complement of 20 officers and 312 sailors. Apart from the 5-inch/54 calibre guns, they were armed with Ikara missile systems and anti-submarine torpedoes. Brisbane undertook two tours of duty with the United States Seventh Fleet off Vietnam, in 1969 and again in 1971, and was the last ship of the RAN to serve there. On each occasion, she fired approximately 8,000 rounds of ammunition while on the gunline. As successive destroyers went on the gunline, they were passed the weight. The weight, comprising the bases of two 5-inch powder cases, symbolised the responsibility imposed on RAN destroyers that served with the Seventh Fleet. It is inscribed on the lower section with the names, dates and call signs of the destroyers that served with the fleet. While on a firing mission on 22 July 1969, her forward 5-in gun (Mount 51) suffered an inbore explosion. One sailor was slightly injured. She spent the next 15 days with only one operational gun before retiring to Subic Bay in the Philippines for repairs. A turret from HMAS Brisbane is on display outside the Australian War Memorial. HMAS Brisbane (II) was scuttled 4.2 miles off Point Cartwright on the Queensland coast on 31 July 2005. For further information see following link/s: https://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-brisbane-ii https://www.heritagemedals.com.au/hmas-brisbane-returns/ http://vvaavic.org.au/hmas-brisbane-ii/ YouTube link/s: https://youtu.be/oOhiI7A1Ba8 https://youtu.be/KUIRKD7qdTo https://youtu.be/HDDsBuipKHs

04.01.2022 23 November 1942: SQNLDR Dickie Cresswell achieves first aerial victory at night over Australian soil Did you know that on this day, SQNLDR Dickie Cresswell sho...t down a Japanese Betty Bomber at night recording the first aerial victory for a RAAF Squadron over Australian soil and the first time an enemy aircraft had been shot down over Australia at night? At the tender age of only 21, SQNLDR Dickie Cresswell took command of the newly formed 77 Squadron at RAAF Pearce in April 1942. In August, he moved the unit to the Northern Territory where it became the first RAAF fighter squadron operating in the Darwin area. Initially deployed to Batchelor, the unit then moved to Livingstone in September. On 23 November 1942, Dickie Cresswell was scrambled at 0300 am to intercept a Japanese night raid over Darwin. Shortly after 0500 near the end of his patrol, Cresswell identified silhouetted against the moon three Mitsubishi G4M ‘Betty’ bombers in formation heading south at 23,500 feet, and moved to engage them. On his first attacking pass he raked all three aircraft with a four-second burst from his P40E Kittyhawk’s six guns. The enemy aircraft immediately turned to port, except the outside Betty which fell behind. Singling out this aircraft, Cresswell made two more passes which left it blazing fiercely and losing height. Shortly afterwards the Betty exploded and fell to earth. Cresswell’s ‘victory was the first time that an enemy aircraft had been shot down over Australian soil at night and the first aerial victory for a RAAF squadron over Australian soil. When he returned to base, he was asked what he felt like, Cresswell replied, "Breakfast" He absconded the radio operator's seat from the bomber's wreckage as a souvenir. Cresswell would go on to lead 77SQN with distinction in Milne Bay and New Britain and later in the Korean War becoming one of the RAAF's most noted wartime commanding officers. Photos of Cresswell with 77SQN and the destroyed Betty Bomber courtesy of Australian War Memorial Digital Online Collection (Copyright expired, Public domain).

04.01.2022 And this is how VC's are awarded.