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In 2007 I joined my father and other Kokoda veterans on a trip to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the battle of Isuravacana.
In 2015 I joined a group of veterans’ descendants on a tour of the battlefields.
These veterans and relatives were generous with sharing their experiences and thoughts. A number have published books on their experience.
I am Jay Hooper, Alan Hooper’s eldest son.
I am at a stage of life where I have time to reflect on the young men of these campaigns and their sacrifice. How did they find themselves at war in PNG?
Over the next 25 minutes I would like to share my reflections and, hopefully, shine a light on some of these men who helped to define Australia.
Reflection
I will reflect on the role of the plantation owners at Kokoda. I do not believe that we could have successfully resisted the Japanese advance to Port Moresby without them.
I want to reflect on the contribution the PIB made to the 39th B Company in holding up the advance of the Japanese invasion force until they were reinforced on 6th August.
I want to illustrate examples of the sacrifice made by these men.
It is hard to find a book on the Kokoda Campaign that does not express a great appreciation of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. Where did they come from? How were they recruited?[i]
Finally, I want to relate some first-hand accounts of the first sanctioned engagement by the PIB east of Awala at Ongahambo.
It is important that these personal stories are shared.
A picture is worth a thousand words so please indulge my PowerPoint presentation.
Veterans and fellow travellers
I had the good fortune to join this group of veterans to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the battle of Isurava.
Alan Hooper (PIB); Rev Peter Holloway, Joe Dawson, Harry Barkla (39th); and Lionel Smith and Peter Hutchinson (2/14th).
They were a remarkable group of men. Each carried with them their own personal experiences, and deprivations which they freely discussed.
The veteran’s relatives who joined the 2015 tour of the battle fields will be well known to many here today. George Friend was the tour guide David Bellairs is the current Vice President of the 39th Association. Robin Bellairs (acknowledging her father’s contribution in the 2/16th), Ray Ferguson (2/14th – father and uncle), Mary Masterson (ANGAU/AIF/RPC – father; Navy, Coral Sea & Yokohama occupation force) and husband, joined myself and, son, Scott (PIB/ANGAU).
There was no shortage of material to reflect on.
Introduction to Ben Moide
Our first function in 2007 was a Heritage Dinner at our hotel in Port Moresby. During the afternoon, dad chatted with the hotel security guard – “Do you know Ben Moide?” – “Of course, everyone knows Ben – his daughter works here”. This is how Ben came to join our Heritage Dinner and the Bomana War Cemetery the following day.
Ben had been the curator in the early formative stage of the Cemetery.
A visit to Bomana War Cemetery is a sombre and humbling yet uplifting experience. It is the final resting place of so many of the young men of a previous generation. What strikes you after walking through row after row of headstones is the age of the soldiers. The great majority are aged in their early twenties. I did not see many PIB soldiers but in the last few rows of tombstones I came across a PIB soldier that I knew to be a close associate of my father.
Sacrifice
JACK IZATT Papuan Infantry Battalion, 22nd September 1942, Aged 23 “His Duty Done”
In June 1942, my father had been assigned to lead PIB B Coy beyond Kokoda where he was told there will be fighting. He was ordered to “find Izatt and place him under your command and deal with the Japanese reported to be at Morobe and establish the command HQ at Ioma”.
On 14th June he drew supplies and was escorted over the Owen Stanley Range to Awala by Clen Searle and his carriers. [ii]
The 13 officers and NCOs and 280 men of the PIB had been ordered to undertake reconnaissance and support in the Awala – Tufi – Ioma area.[iii] [iv]The four spotter stations in that area were very dependent on the PIB to remain operational. – 38 of the PIB were to be KIA and 98 WIA.[v]
When I drew my father’s attention to the tombstone, he immediately said that he had not actually died on the 22nd September – “it takes time for the news to travel to headquarters” he explained. My father was certain of the dates because the 19th September was his 24th birthday. Being caught behind enemy lines after the Japanese landing and advance the supply of medications had been cut off and they were dependant on the local villages for food. Not surprisingly, their resistance to dysentery and malaria was low and my father and all officers at Ioma had come down with malaria. Jack Izatt had come down from the spotter’s station to join them for an hour before returning.
Dad was still awake when a native burst in with the message that “Master Izatt is dying”. He was in convulsions.
In the morning, a native crew set out with the comatose Izatt on a crude litter to transfer him for air evacuation. At dusk, the platoon arrived back with the news that their commander was dead. He had died on 20th September.
He was buried in a shallow grave dug with sticks and bush knives. With his fellow Australians suffering with malaria a grieving Sgt Konigi, a mission-educated Papuan, stepped forward to deliver a dignified Christian burial service.
Kokoda – a harsh environment
The 2007 memorial trek comprised a Veterans and Carers group, a Kinfolk group and several trekking groups – 71 people in all. All groups were to meet at Isurava on 29th August and honour that battle and the fallen in these remarkable battalions.
We did not achieve our objective. Low cloud in the highlands forced the helicopter, carrying some of the older veterans, to put down twice in the highlands and eventually abort its attempt to reach Isurava. Eventually the helicopter contingent joined us in Kokoda by fixed wing aircraft. We were stuck in Kokoda and unable to get to Isurava.
It is a harsh environment – when I returned in 2015, The Kokoda Airport sign was now on the Kokoda plateau (rotting away).
The airfield was in such disrepair, and dangerous, that locals choose to fly into Popondetta and drive for several hours to Kokoda.
Priscilla’s Guest House had been burnt down.
Kokoda Plateau Service
We did conduct a Commemorative service on the Kokoda plateau on 31st August.
The person placing poppies on the Japanese Memorial dedicated to all Papuan carriers is Annette Ross, the daughter of Sgt Bill Guest (39th Btn A Company). Bill was one of the last to escape from the Kokoda battle on 10th August.[vi]
Annette was one of the Kinfolk group who successfully trekked to Isurava and had spread Bill’s ashes at the service.
I found it curious that this was only monument that I saw to the carriers, and it was a Japanese Memorial.
In 2018 ABC reported that the first memorial built by Australians acknowledging the vital help of their PNG counterparts was built at Naduri, a small village half-way along the Kokoda Trail.[vii] [viii]
The press release declared around 2,000 Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels died in the Kokoda campaign – 650 Australians perished in this campaign.
My understanding is that records of Papuan deaths, including PIB soldiers, was incomplete and fragmented. Maclaren Hiari, a prominent Papuan historian of the war, reported 530 native carriers died of wounds, sickness, cold, hunger and from Japanese brutalities on the track between July and November 1942.[ix]
Clearly the carriers made a huge sacrifice.
Survival skills
My father had spent the Kokoda campaign behind enemy lines, living in villages where allegiances frequently changed between Australia and Japan – depending who was the more powerful.[x] He remained fluent in Motu and Pidgin English until his passing. He was a good communicator with the Papuan people.
We were in a check-in line at Port Moresby airport. He turned to a woman behind us who was speaking – “Are you from such-and-such a village?” He could still detect the subtle dialect differences.
At the Kokoda bar he struck up a conversation with a Papuan who enquired whether dad had met his father – “Yes, Corporal Keke was a rascal”, and began to relate stories.
Wherever we went he would quickly gather an audience.
Word travelled about the PIB officer.
A manager from Mamba Estate (the Kienzle estate) arrived to invite dad and myself to stay overnight on the Estate (now producing palm oil). I was not keen for dad to be separated from our group, and respectfully declined the generous offer.
It was a pleasant surprise when Maclaren Hiari (MBE), Director of the Kokoda-Buna Historical Foundation and long-time friend of my father, appeared to join us for dinner in Popondetta.
In Popondetta relatives of 85yrs old Philemon Gaina tracked us down. We did meet Philemon at Popondetta Airport.
Philemon had active war service from 21st July 1942 to August 1945. My father had dispatched Philemon’s platoon ahead to Buna on June 7, 1942. When advised to escape following Japanese landings, Philemon was one of the last to flee from the Japanese ambushes and betrayals that claimed the lives of 12 whites.[xi] [xii]
It is likely that this referred to the 3 women missionaries, a child and 5 men bayonetted in Buna which was investigated by the Atrocities War Commission in Mareeba in October 1943. The deaths were attributed to betrayals by the local Orokaivans.[xiii]
Upon hearing that my father’s B Company was still active Philemon evaded the Japanese and joined him scouting behind enemy lines. Dad described Philemon as one of his best scouts.
Alan Hooper (1918-2014)
Alan joined up in the reserve at 16yrs. He departed Australia on 1st July 1940. On every occasion he was due for leave another major crisis arose and be served continually until medically evacuated in April 1943 – almost 1,000 days (many isolated behind enemy lines). His PNG service was just short of 2,000 days.
He joined the PIB and was promoted to Lt of B Company on 4th August 1941 – where Ben Moide received training.
As with some other PIB officers he transferred to the administrative unit – ANGAU [xiv] in 1943 after the mopping up fighting had finished.
Ben Moide MBE CBE (1925-2013)
Ben was raised in Pari (about 5km east of Port Moresby). Ben received a Catholic mission education. Learning reading and writing and the ways of the taubadas was to have an impact on his advancement in a war-torn country.
The PIB had been formed on 27th May 1940. Their drill parades were not far from Pari and Ben’s school. The sight of the black men marching was a magnet to the village boys. In July 1940, when Ben was aged 16yrs, he found their lure irresistible. He lied about his age, claiming to be 19yrs enlisted.[xv] In the absence of birth certificates, one yardstick reported to be used by the medical officers was if the “bois” have pubic hair they are in. They needed recruits and Ben had the advantage of being able to read and write.
Despite not having paternal consent and not yet being 18yrs, his mother’s pleas for release were ignored.
Ben was the 67th Papuan to enlist.
Many people here today would know Ben – for several years he marched with the 39th Btn on Anzac Day Parades in Brisbane.
Clen Searle (1906-1988)
Clen provided the carriers and guided my father’s PIB B Company over the Owen Stanley Range in June 1942.[xvi]
He was born in Victoria where he underwent training in the Marconi School of Wireless. In 1939 he became the OIC radio station 4PM in Port Moresby.
In March 1940 Pat and their two children – Rhonwen (then aged 6) and Peter (aged 1) – moved to establish a rubber plantation alongside the airstrip at Kokoda. Later, in 1941 Clen joined her and started another 100-acre rubber plantation at Awala. [xvii]
He needed cash flow – it is 5yrs to 7yrs before rubber trees can be tapped. He pioneered and won the Government tender to supply treated rubber. He established a rubber treatment factory and began trading, buying rubber from the villagers and exporting.
Peter Searle, the 1yr old in this photo and now in his late 70s, recently published the Searle family history in PNG.[xviii] He described the situation in 1938. There were only 4 Europeans growing rubber in the area, but some 137 villages were tapping rubber trees as a government encouraged cash crop. Awala was the hub of many jungle tracks and soon Clen knew all these tracks and had vital contacts in all these Orokaivan villages.[xix]
The contacts and trust established with the villagers would prove to be a great asset.
Clen enlisted in February 1942 as a lieutenant in ANGAU. He was sent back to Awala to become Magistrate for Native Matters (MNM) and to take control of the spotters in the region.
He would play an important role in radio communications, support of coast watchers and provision of carriers.
Bert Kienzle MBE CBE (1905-1988)
On 29th June 1942 Bert was ordered to guide 39th B Company over the Owen Stanley Range to Kokoda. Bert had 600 carriers at his disposal that had been seconded from the plantations.[xx] This rifle company was being dispatched to secure Kokoda airfield and then on to Dobodura, inland from Buna, to provide protection for construction of an airport closer to the Japanese bases.[xxi]
Bert was multilingual when he arrived in PNG and within 3 months could speak Motu – the official language of the Papuan Police Force and understood in most regions.
The production of rubber is very labour intensive, as was gold mining. Bert had quickly realised that the greatest challenge was with management’s relationship with the indigenous staff.
When, in 1933 laws preventing the hiring of indentured labour from villages more than 160km away were rescinded, Bert was assistant manager of a gold mine in near Kokoda and was establishing his own 1,000-acre rubber plantation.[xxii] Bert was granted a restricted licence to recruit native labour and became well known throughout the region. Bert developed a high degree of trust and respect in the ensuing years.
Bert was uniquely qualified and experienced to provide the carriers and expert knowledge of the terrain.
Bert is described as the “Architect” of the Kokoda Trail. He established a supply chain along the trail, with the aerial drop sites at Myola, and supplied Papuan carriers.
During the war Bert was made a Warrant Officer, then Lieutenant. On 17th August 1942, Bert was attached to HQ with the rank of Captain in ANGAU. He controlled 60 Europeans and 2,500 carriers.
FUZZY WUZZY ANGELS
At Isurava, Watson’s remnant PIB handed in their rifles to form five teams of barefoot stretcher bearers when air evacuation of wounded troops was not possible.[xxiii]
The barefoot PIB stretcher bearers became a link in the chain of Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.
Little recognition is given to the soldiers of the PIB (including Lt Chalk and Lt Goodman) who went out through the lines to retrieve wounded Australians, often from the jungle under the noses of the Japanese.[xxiv]
The Papuans played another vital role in the supply and support chain. It is difficult to comprehend the scale of this support and how it came about.
While the 39th Btn troops were walking over the Kokoda Trail many of their supplies were shipped to Oro Bay. It took a line of 1,200 carriers to carry these supplies to Kokoda in late June 1942.
By mid-1944, ANGAU had a native labour force of 55,000.[xxv]
The strategic importance of this labour force was highlighted in the citation in awarding Bert Kienzle his MBE in December 1943 which states, in part “in his handling of the natives upon whom the division relied for transport of its stores and the evacuation of its wounded, he contributed in no small degree to the success of the division”.
The Kokoda campaign began in GONA
The Japanese invasion forces moved rapidly on bicycles and light motorbikes towards the Kokoda airport. The meagre, and poorly prepared, 39th B company and the PIB managed to delay the Japanese initial conquest of Kokoda until 29th July – a very significant delay.
They engaged the Japanese at Awala, Wairope, Gorari, Oivi and Kokoda.
It was not until 6th August that they were reinforced, at Deniki, by the balance of the 39th who had walked over the Track from Port Moresby that they were then able to briefly retake Kokoda.
The Maroubra Force then consisted of 31 officers, 433 39th and 35 PIB troops.[xxvi] [xxvii]
The remainder of this presentation will focus on the first sanctioned engagement by the PIB at Ongahambo, a small village east of Awala where the PIB had an encampment.
Mateship Endurance Courage Sacrifice
I have never heard any of my Vietnam Veteran friends talk about Vietnam. These conversations were private interactions with their mates – mates who understood. It was the same with my father until his later years when he wrote 2 books on his experiences.
Many of the Kinfolk on this 2007 Commemorative Tour knew very little of their father’s wartime experience.
It appears to me that once you are an Army Mate, you are a mate for life. Dad’s army mates from the PIB attended his wedding to Lyle in March 1982, 40yrs after their bonding in war-time PNG.
I knew their names but had rarely met dad’s PIB mates Bill Wort, Col Goodman, Merv Rice. After the mopping-up fighting, they all transferred to ANGAU in 1943.
I would like to spend the next few minutes relating Lt Wort’s and Sgt Ben Moide’s accounts of the first encounter, acknowledging that these recollections are sometimes recorded many years after the events. I have come across many inconsistencies in my reading of many personal accounts – they are not material. These are stories of their recollections. It is the stories that are important.
WORT’s first-hand account
Lieut Bill Wort arrived at Buna on 6th July 1942 to patrol and monitor about thirty kilometres of coastline. On 21st July, a seaplane fired on the station area and returned several times. At about 4.20 pm a beach patrol drew attention to an invasion force emerging from a thick sea haze off Gona, some 12 km away. They sent an urgent radio signal to Moresby (to which they received no response). Wort and Bishop destroyed the radio in the spotters’ huts which the lads had abandoned in such a state of panic that, according to Wort, one had left his shoes behind.
They set out for Awala, about 60 kilometres away, to report to Major Watson.
At Awala in the early afternoon of 23rd July, Wort, Bishop, WO2 Chester McWatters and 35 Papuans joined Lt Chalk’s six-man patrol to engage the Japanese. Return fire from machine guns, mortar and a mountain gun fell ineffectively around them. To Chalk’s query, “How many of your boys are left, Bill?” came the reply, “None!”, “I’ve none either – let’s get out of here!” On the way out Wort reported seeing a refrigerator standing still upright in the embers of Searle’s house (Searle had set fire to all the infrastructure on his way out with a line of 20 carriers and his radio equipment).[xxviii] [xxix]
Of the Papuans who had fled, only those whose homes lay to the south of Kokoda were to return; the remainder would have been driven by loyalty to find and protect their displaced families.
On my reflection, the high desertion rates are not surprising. The hands of the military fell heavily on the native labour force. In some villages 100% of fit adult males (over 14yrs old) were recruited as carriers.[xxx] From 15 June 1942, under an order made by the New Guinea Force, any native might be conscripted to serve anywhere in the Territories of Papua or New Guinea. Nobody should deny that the Papuans are fearsome warriors.
Ben’s account (related to Lahui Ako – his biographer)[xxxi]
The news that Watson had informed the PIB that they were on their way to fight the Japanese resulted in mass desertions. Ben’s thoughts were also for the safety of his parents and siblings. Ben was also excited that he had the opportunity to fight. The PIB style of fighting was primitive often relying on face-to-face fighting and their instincts.[xxxii] [xxxiii]
Ben had been out with Lts Chalk & Wort on an overnight patrol. The Japanese were advancing near Awala. The patrol had the option of either engaging the enemy or let them pass. A runner (Cpl Meta) arrived back from Watson with hand-written orders “YOU WILL ENGAGE THE ENEMY”.
They set up an ambush along the track to Awala. At about midday on 23rd July the patrol laid quietly in under bush on the track leading from Ongahambo Village. [xxxiv] [xxxv]
I visited Ongahambo village in 2015 with a group, including David Bellairs. As usual, a group of villagers quickly appeared. This time including Winston, a villager, wearing his father’s Army medals. This is the site of the ambush.
Ben reported that there were dense bushes and the patrol had a clear view of the track. The patrol lay in wait. A scout, Cpl Meta, had been sent about a kilometre down the track and reported back that the Japs were on their way. The Japanese came travelling on bicycles and light motorbikes with troops jogging behind.[xxxvi]
Chalk delayed firing as long as he dared.[xxxvii] Ben was armed with a Bren gun [xxxviii] [xxxix] [xL](the others had .303s). When Chalk gave the order to fire Ben gave a silent prayer of forgiveness from his mother that he was about to kill and pulled the trigger. His initial burst killed 6 of the Japanese vanguard. The first rounds took the enemy by surprise, but the experienced Japanese quickly regrouped and returned fire and mortars. It was time for the PIB patrol to melt into the bush and withdraw to re-join Watson who, by this time, was at Wairope.
Historian, Maclaren Hiari, claims that about 45 Japanese were killed in this first engagement.[xLi] It has been estimated that the Japanese force was about 1,000 troops.[xLii]
The 23rd July is commemorated as “Remembrance Day” in Papua New Guinea to commemorate the services of the nation’s armed forces who participated in World War One, World War Two and in general peace keeping.
I will leave my reflection at this point. My reflections, I hope, personalise the qualities of soldiers of the PNG campaigns that are engraved in stone on the Isurava plateau – Mateship Endurance Courage Sacrifice
Lest we forget
I visited dad in Buderim Views Aged Care in early January 2014. My father had advanced prostate cancer, but he had excellent mental function. He said “someone” – he could not recall who – had told him Ben Moide had died. I thought he was confused. Ben had died on 30th December and was to be given a State Funeral in Port Moresby.
Alan passed away peacefully on 16th January. I think he was just ready to go.
His death was announced during Ben Moide’s eulogy the following day.
Mates to the end.
We need to share their personal accounts. They cannot be forgotten. We need to share their stories.
Lest we forget.
Thank you for listening to my reflections and thoughts about the role of the PIB, the plantation owners contribution and the role of the Papuan carriers in the success of the Kokoda campaign.
—ooo0ooo—
References:
[i] Sinclair, J., (1990) The Life and Times of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment – Vol 1 – Yesterday’s Heroes 1885-1950, p297 – Dudley McCarthy says, “The hands of the military fell heavily on the native labour force. From 15 June 1942, under an order made by the New Guinea Force, any native might be conscripted to serve anywhere in the Territories of Papua or New Guinea” Recruitment in some villages was 100% of fit adult males (over 14yrs old”).
[ii] Searle, P, (11th August 2020), personal comments to Jay Hooper. A minor point around the idea of Alan Hooper and his men being escorted/guided by Clen Searle. Alan says that on the trip from Bisiatabu to Awala Clen went ahead of him so as to organise food supplies in the villages for when Alan and his troops arrived there. Clen was already back at Awala when Alan and his men arrived there. (This is consistent with my knowledge – I am not sure at what point Clen went forward to Awala.)
[iii] Nelson, H., (2009) Kokoda, Then and Now, Special Magazine of the Australian War Memorial, Issue 48 – “by the time the Japanese landed there were 16 Australians and 225 Papuans of the PIB forward of Kokoda”
[iv] Turner, O.,(2018) One of the forgotten Warriors – transcript, “In June 1942, the rest of A and B companies had been sent overland to Kokoda to patrol the coast from Oro Bay to Morobe and inland to Garaina and Kokoda – 10 officers (including Lt Alan Hooper) and 181 Papuans marched from Bisiatabu heading for the PIB/ANGAU base at Awala.
[v] Searle, P., (2019) Kokoda to the Coast: Orokaivas, Japanese and Rubber, Ch7 Kindle eBook
[vi] http:/www.ww2australia.gov.au/asfaras/remember.html
[vii] Philpott, M, Meixner, S. (2018) Australian memorial on the Kokoda Track finally acknowledges Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels (2018), http:/www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-19/fuzzy-wuzzy-angels-meorial-nanduri-world-war-2-papua-new-guinea/9877440
[viii] James, K., (2009) Kokoda “Track” or “Trail”, Special Magazine of the Australian War Memorial, Issue 48 – In October 1972 the Papuan and New Guinea Place Names Committee of the Department of Lands gazetted its intention to formalise the name of the route from Owers’ Corner to Kokoda as the Kokoda Trail.
[ix] Hiari, M., (2008) All Kokoda People Must Benefit – by Maclaren Jude Hiari MBE, https:/blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/07/03all-kokoda-people-must-benefit-by-maclaren-jude-hiari-mbe
[x] Turner, O.,(2018) One of the forgotten Warriors – transcript “ On 10 August 1942, an escape party of 10 Europeans and 28 PIB soldiers were met by “friendly” local villagers, midway along the Buna-Kokoda track, who warned them about the presence of Japanese – the same villagers led the Japanese to shooting the party that night.”
[xi] Hiari, M., (2008) All Kokoda People Must Benefit – by Maclaren Jude Hiari MBE, https:/blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/07/03all-kokoda-people-must-benefit-by-maclaren-jude-hiari-mbe
[xii] Hooper, A., (2007) – Letter to Director Honour and Awards requesting (unsuccessfully) replacement campaign medals for Philemon Gaina (lost at RSL Club, Tweed Heads, in 1990 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the raising of the PIB)
[xiii] Kienzle, R., (2011) The Architect of Kokoda, p 215, Hachette Australia [1] Sinclair, J., (1990) The Life and Times of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment – Vol 1 – Yesterday’s Heroes 1885-1950, P297 – Casualties were high for an “administrative unit” : the names of 46 men who died appear on the bronze honour roll in the Australian War Memorial.
[xiv] Sinclair, J., (1990) The Life and Times of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment – Vol 1 – Yesterday’s Heroes 1885-1950, Appendix A – The First Recruits 1940 lists Ben (Moide) as recruit 67 – the Moide appears to have been added some time after his enlistment
[xv] Sinclair, J., (1990) The Life and Times of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment – Vol 1 – Yesterday’s Heroes 1885-1950, P297 – Casualties were high for an “administrative unit” : the names of 46 men who died appear on the bronze honour roll in the Australian War Memorial.
[xvi] Hooper, A., (1994) Love War & Letters, PNG 1940-45, p99, Robert Brown & Associates (Qld) Pty Ltd
[xvii] Searle, P, (11th August 2020), personal comments to Jay Hooper. The Saga plantation next to the Kokoda airstrip was 1,000 acres, the one at Awala was 100 acres.
[xviii] Searle, P, (11th August 2020) Personal Comments to Jay Hooper: I am now 81, not 79, alas!
[xix] Searle, P., (2019) Kokoda to the Coast: Orokaivas, Japanese and Rubber, Ch7 Kindle eBook
[xx] Kienzle, R., (2011) The Architect of Kokoda, p 124, Hachette Australia
[xxi] Ibid p124
[xxii] Ibid p85
[xxiii] Jesser, P., (undated) The PIB in the Kokoda Campaign p9
[xxiv] Ibid p9
[xxv] Sinclair, J., (1990) The Life and Times of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment – Vol 1 – Yesterday’s Heroes 1885-1950, p297 – “ by July 1944, a total of 40,000 Papuans were under contract (Gavin Long say that at the peak 55,000 men were serving).”
[xxvi] Austin, A.,(1988) To Kokoda and Beyond – The Story of the 39th Battalion 1941-43, Australian Military History Publications – 39th Btn – 31 officers and 433 other ranks; PIB – 8 Australian Officers and NCOs and about 35 natives besides a small group of ANGAU officers and NCOs with a few native police.
[xxvii] Turner, O.,(2018) One of the forgotten Warriors – transcript: On 21st July 1942, 105 men of the PIB were operating in the Ioma-Mambare-Morobe-Waria River-Garaina area, 30 in the Ambasi area, 50 in the Buna-Oro Bay area, and 70 in the Awala-Kokoda areas.
[xxviii] Hooper, A., (2012) Kokoda – Ten Epic War Treks Retold and Papua Revisited, p8 Book Pal
[xxix] Searle, P, (11th August 2020), personal comments to Jay Hooper. “… My understanding from Dad was that he was told by Watson to leave immediately (as he needed to be in a safe spot and have time to radio news of the first conflict with the Japanese), and that it was Watson who organised the actual burning of the buildings there. (Sadly, Alan’s rum in Clen’s refrigerator probably went up in flames too.)
[xxx] Sinclair, J., (1990) The Life and Times of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment – Vol 1 – Yesterday’s Heroes 1885-1950, p297
[xxxi] Ako, L., (2012), Nameless Warriors, University of Papua New Guinea Press
[xxxii] Sinclair, J., (1990) The Life and Times of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment – Vol 1 – Yesterday’s Heroes 1885-1950, Appendix Citations Distinguished Conduct Medal PN417 A/Sergeant Matpi – 1PIB reads (in part) “with another native killed thirty Japs in a running fight …. On receiving permission to follow the (escaping) enemy, and, in company with another native, killed 44 Japs, including two officers ….. after running out of ammunition these two boys killed the remaining 6 Japs with the butts of their rifles…. Killed a total of 110 enemy.
[xxxiii] Ako, L., (2012), Nameless Warriors, University of Papua New Guinea Press p162 William Matpi was one of about 500 New Guineas (from Manus) who had been pressed into labour by the Japanese and escaped. He joined the PIB. (I understand he was recruited by Alan Hooper and placed under the command of Sgt Katue).
[xxxiv] Searle, P, (11th August 2020), personal comments to Jay Hooper: The ambush occurred about 4 pm so they could have settled in around midday to wait. The ambush was at a dip, now located on the road within Awala (not Ongahambo) village, to the east of Awala plantation. That is where the monument to the engagement is located. Further east along the road is Sangara plantation.
[xxxv] On multiple occasions, my father indicated to me that the cairn is more than 1km from the site of the engagement – our local guide on the 2015 visit indicated that the photo was taken at the actual site.
[xxxvi] Jesser, P., (undated) The PIB in the Kokoda Campaign – indicates Chalk states that the Japanese were preceded by native carriers.
[xxxvii] Turner, O. (2018) One of the forgotten Warriors – transcript, According to Chalk:” I took up a position in a native garden. The Japanese eventually arrived preceded by native carriers, so I had to hold my fire until the Japanese soldiers came into view. I gave the order to fire and the Japanese immediately swung into action with mortars and Woodpecker Machine Guns.” (Statutory Declaration by John Chalk)
[xxxviii] Jesser, P., (undated) The PIB in the Kokoda Campaign – indicates that the PIB did NOT have Bren guns at this time (although possibly had Tommy guns).
[xxxix] Searle, P., (2019) Kokoda to the Coast: Orokaivas, Japanese and Rubber, Ch7 Kindle eBook – Quotes Alan Hooper reporting that Ben had a Tommy gun, there were 42x303s and 2xWebley 455s (and that the Japanese advanced behind a screen of native carriers).
[xL] Turner, O. (2018) One of the forgotten Warriors – transcript, “The 35 PIB soldiers were armed only with .303 rifles and one Thompson sub-machine gun (Chalk’s weapon).”
[xLi] Hiari, M. (2008) All Kokoda People Must Benefit – by Maclaren Jude Hiari MBE, https:/blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/07/03all-kokoda-people-must-benefit-by-maclaren-jude-hiari-mbe.
[xLii] Jesser, P., (undated) The PIB in the Kokoda Campaign