Patron : Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd)

MEDIA RELEASE – 2012
“Moving silently in the jungle, inflicting casualties on us – then gone, like green shadows.” (Words written in the diary of a Japanese officer killed in the bitter fighting in PNG. (Recorded in the book Green Shadows by G.M. Byrnes.)

The Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) was created on June 1, 1940 to help throw the Japanese invaders out of PNG. They became known as the Ryokuin (Green Shadows). Other references in captured Japanese documents called them Yabanjin Tai (Savage Unit) and Yabanjin Hei (Savage Soldiers). The average age of these Papuan men mainly recruited from the Royal Papuan Constabulary, was 19 years.

The New Guinea Infantry Battalions (NGIB) were formed from 1944. Battalions 1 and 2 operated from 1944 to 1946 while Battalion 3 operated from 1945 to 1947.

With the exception of the Milne Bay campaign in eastern Papua, units of these battalions fought with Australian troops in every campaign in PNG including New Britain and Bougainville.

The formal function of the PIB/NGIB was as ‘behind the lines’ soldiers; gathering intelligence and doing reconnaissance; collecting and returning from behind enemy lines, soldiers and airmen who were held as prisoners by the Japanese; and relaying information on Japanese reinforcements to Australian Headquarters. Throughout the existence of the various fighting units there were only 500 Australians and 3 850 Papua New Guineans.

Credit for the first ambush on the Japanese in Australian territory belongs to Lt John Chalk of Qld. He, along with 35 other PIB soldiers , conducted this ambush using old WW1 .303 rifles, 900m east of Awala in Papua on 23 July, 1942. They were eventually overwhelmed by the experienced Japanese troops with the advantage of modern machine guns and mortar fire.

Near the end of WW 2, a headquarters was established at Lae to coordinate the PIB and NGIB and it was known as HQ Pacific Islands Regiment. In the reorganization after the war, HQ PIR was transferred to Port Moresby and permanent Regiments were established at Port Moresby, (1st Pacific Islands Regiment at Taurama Barracks) and Wewak (2nd Pacific Islands Regiment at Moem Barracks).

During the 1966 to 1973 period of National Service, approx. 200 National Servicemen, who were qualified teachers, were appointed to the Pacific Islands Regiments at Port Moresby, Wewak and other bases such as Lae. Among a variety of activities, they performed the highly successful duty of raising the literacy, numeracy and citizenship awareness levels of PNG soldiers.

In Brisbane, several of these younger, former members of the Pacific Islands Regiment (PIR) were invited and have marched with the PIB/NGIB veterans for the last few years on ANZAC Day. The PIB/NGIB veterans led by Sgt Frank Wust (91 years) deserve the highest respect for the crucial role they and their fellow Diggers played in saving Australia from the Japanese forces in 1942. They provided the experience of the land, military intelligence and tactical skills which enabled the Australian troops to eventually gain the upper hand.

The younger members of the PIR march to demonstrate their support for the PIB/NGIB veterans who represent those who saved Australia. They also march to demonstrate their post-War role in developing the modern RPIR which continues to respect democratic processes in Papua New Guinea.

Contact Person:      Kev Horton ( Sgt 1PIR Taurama Barracks – 1970-71)
                                Hon. Secretary/Treasurer PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn
                                Ph 0418 750 189      Email: kevhorton49@gmail.com