Edward Willis

In the 80th Anniversary Year (1942-2022) of the Timor Commando Campaign, Ed Willis and Murray Thornton travelled to East Timor between 1 August – 1 September in an attempt to finalise the survey of WWII sites. Background to the site survey can be viewed on Doublereds: https://doublereds.org.au/forums/topic/360-wwii-in-east-timor-an-australian-army-site-and-travel-guide-completing-the-remaining-site-survey-work-august-2022/ The harsh realities of travelling in East Timor given overall poor road and track conditions meant that many key sites were not able to be accessed and investigated. The attached map shows the sites accessed and the route followed during the month long tour. Notable sites accessed during the tour included those at Fatu Bessi, Lautem, Fuiloro, Los Palos, Lore, Calicai, Ossu, Lacluta, Soibada, Alas, Lolotoi, Cailaco and Lete Foho. Sites visited that were particular highlights included (1) an overgrown Japanese cave complex located behind the chicken house at Dom Bosco EscolaFuiloro that rivals the better known and more accessible examples at Venilale and (2) the recently revealed Portuguese era posto at Alas that includes a separate hospital, substantial gateway and walls – all these structures were hidden from view until vegetation cleared recently under a Timorese government funded work programme. Ed will now focus on completing the ‘WWII site and travel guide’ incorporating the information and images gathered during the site visits. Ed and Murray express their appreciation to Major Guy Warnock and other members of the ADF’s Defence Cooperation team based in Dili at Sparrow Force House for the assistance they provided to them during the tour. A big thank you to Julio dos Santos and Alicio Amaral for their guiding and interpretation support and Manny Napoleon for his site and travel advice. Ed is also extremely grateful to his travelling companion Murray for his exemplary driving work under such demanding conditions, navigation and generosity in supplementing the grant and donated funds for the project by covering much of the costs involved in completing this exercise including accommodation, meals, vehicle hire and fuel – we could not have progressed without Murray’s involvement and support.

Thanks Rob. Regards Ed

Perhaps even the grandchildren, or your sons and daughters one day will follow in your footsteps in Timor Leste? To be walking the hills together seeing those places where, as young commandos with your Timorese companheiros you fought the enemy, will be a grand tribute to honour our wartime generations. Letter from Francisco Xavier do Amaral (1937-2012), first President of Timor-Leste to Jack Carey, President, 2/2 Commando Association of Australia, 2008 _____ Ed Willis, President of the 2/2 Commando Association of Australia, in partnership with ex-SAS officer, the late Jim Truscott, OAM, were awarded an Army History Unit Research Grant of $10,556 for the 2020/2021 financial year. (https://www.army.gov.au/our-heritage/history/army-history-research-grants) The Australian Army History Unit is responsible for developing policy and programs for the collection, conservation, interpretation and promotion of Australian Army history. The grant was awarded for the preparation of a ‘WWII in East Timor – an Australian Army site and travel guide’ (STG) with the following objective: ‘Australian Defence personnel and others travelling to East Timor and wishing to learn more about and visit sites connected with the commando campaign conducted by the No. 2 and No. 4 Independent Company’s and the clandestine operations of the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) during WWII would benefit from better documentation and identification the sites associated with those events and how to locate them. The site and travel guide (STG) is intended to meet that need’. The availability of such information will enable those wishing to visit these sites on an organised tour or travelling independently to readily locate them and be better able to appreciate their history and significance. The grant money has been used to cover costs associated with additional site survey work in East Timor, particularly in the central and eastern areas of the country, and further library and archival research in Darwin, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne. In the 80th Anniversary Year (1942-2022) of the campaign, Ed Willis and Murray Thornton are travelling to East Timor between 29 July – 1 September 2022 to finalise the survey of WWII sites. The background to this survey and their intended itinerary have been attached to this post. See also the linked video presentation regarding this project: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13-F-_hY9MIquzFLWwxgh70IZgPv-1EUE/view?usp=sharing Timor Itinerary & accommodation - public version.pdf 1845612975_WWIIinETsitesurveyAugust2022.1.pdf

Col Doig, in his history of the 2/2 Commando Association of Australia “A great fraternity” recounted: “In the early days it was realised that, with members widely spread throughout Australia, some form of communication would be required to keep them informed with news of importance to everyone. A Queensland member, Bulla Tait, attended a meeting held at Monash House in early 1947 [actually 1946] and suggested that a duplicated newsletter be sent to all members whose addresses were known. Col Doig, who was General Secretary at the time, volunteered to get this newsletter idea off the ground. Col was employed at the Department of Labour & National Service and his boss was the late Tom Murray, President of our Welfare Association and well and truly in our corner. Col wrote the first news sheets and had them typed by Lily Davies, a niece of one of our deceased members, Dick McKenzie. As there was no duplicator available in the building the stencils were sent to the GPO building where the messenger to the State Deputy Post Master General, a Mr Job, would run them off on the P.M.G. machine. As Mr Job also did the duplicating for the main office of the PMG, the output was considerable and a couple of reams of paper was hardly missed on this monthly basis. This method continued for some time and, with postage only one halfpenny per item, it was not a very costly exercise for our fledgling organisation. At that time the mailing list was some 500 members. Obsolete foolscap envelopes were scrounged from the Department's store and overprinted with a rubber stamp to obliterate the original printed head line. The addressing was quite a long and arduous task, mostly achieved in 'gash' time.” The first issue of the newsletter, titled ‘Circular to Members’ was dated 18 December 1946 and is reproduced here. The publication was renamed ‘Circular Newsletter’ from the second issue distributed in April 1947 and continued in that form (48 editions) until the first ‘2/2 Commando Courier’ was published in August 1951. Many of the images that were collected as part of the ‘Photographic Scheme’ referred to in the ‘Circular’ can be viewed in the Gallery on the Doublereds website (https://doublereds.org.au/gallery/). Thank you to Peter Epps for making this unique part of the Association’s history available.

Thanks Rob

THE LOSS OF CHARLIE WALLER AND TARZAN YEATES, KILLED IN ACTION, NEAR BOBONARO – 12 AUGUST 1942 INCLUDING THE LOCATION AND RECOVERY OF THEIR BODIES FOR FORMAL BURIAL ALSO, THE MEMORIAL TO STUART ‘MONSTA’ JONES AT RAEFUN ******* Map1: Waller and Yeates burials and Jones memorial locations map BACKGROUND – THE BEGINNING OF THE JAPANESE ‘AUGUST PUSH’ The New A Platoon Headquarters at Rita Bau At the end of July Corporal Harry Wray, with Private 'Tarzan' Yeates, was sent by Lieutenant Dexter to reconnoitre a new A Platoon Headquarters at Rita Bau where a house owned by a Portuguese chefe de postowas located on the slope of a mountain behind Cailaco. It had the advantage of being nearer to Marobo and in a central position for control of the platoon. The house was a stone and plaster bungalow with a thatched roof and was surrounded by a veranda, while some 10 metres away was a cookhouse and storeroom. The house was located on the lower end of a spur which sloped down from one corner of the almost rectangular mountain top, a native village being about 400 metres below. Wray’s report on Rita Bau was favourable, and by the end of July Dexter had located his Platoon Headquarters there. A Platoon was now coming together, with its headquarters at Rita Bau - 1 Section was located at Cailaco, 2 Section at Maliana and 3 Section at Marobo - and was better able to deal with the troublesome border area. [1] THE JAPANESE ASSAULT BEGINS On 9th August the Japanese methodically bombed Beco and Mape. Next day the bombers were over Mape again and also attacked Bobonaro, where Callinan had his headquarters, and nearby Marobo, thus ushering in a series of raids on the villages which the Australians had been using as their key-points. It quickly became clear that the Japanese were launched on a widespread and well-organised move to envelop and destroy the Australians and the Dutch. The pattern which subsequently emerged was that perhaps 1,500 to 2,000 Japanese were on the move; that one column was striking south from Manatuto; two struck out from Dili itself, one south-east then south by way of Remexio, one due south through Aileu; another crossed the border at Memo and drove at Bobonaro through Maliana; attacks from Dutch Timor developed against the Dutch positions in the south-west round Maucatar; a party landed at Beco (but in a rather disorganised state after effective attacks on their convoy by 18 Hudsons). The bombings drove Spence and his Sparrow Force headquarters out of Mape, and they lost touch temporarily with the main forces. The Portuguese telephone system of which the Australians had been making full use was disrupted and Callinan moved a few miles out of Bobonaro and set up a wireless control through which he was able to keep in close touch with his platoons. Perhaps the most difficult fighting, however, developed in the western sector where Dexter had his platoon based on Rita Bau, and Turton was based on Atsabe farther to the east. As the Japanese advanced, Dexter, fighting hard and manoeuvring skilfully, found his movements hampered by Timorese (mostly from Dutch Timor) whom the Japanese were using to screen their advance. These Timorese moved among the bewildered local villagers and completed the demoralisation which the bombings had begun, the locals reasoning that surely this time the end had come for the Australians and no sensible man would side with the losers. Dexter's men fell back towards Bobonaro. In these encounters, the No. 2 Australian Independent Company (No. 2 AIC) suffered its first casualties in the August push when, on the evening of 12 August, Privates David Waller and Arthur Yeates, both 21, were killed in action on the southern approach to Bobonaro when their Sections engaged the large force. Waller, a farmer from Wyalkatchem, WA, had joined the company with his brother Frank, 22. At Bobonaro the column which had come from Memo and the party which had landed at Beco came together on the morning of 13th August and Dexter then joined forces with Turton to fight from a narrow saddle through which the road from Bobonaro passed to Atsabe. The handwritten Sparrow Force war diary summarised this phase of the battle and the deaths of Yeates, and Waller as follows: 13 August - FORCE HQ at HATA-BUILICO. Japs at MEMO, LEBOS, LOLOTOI, BECO. Also pushing down from Dili and reoccupied REMEXIO. No contact with DUTCH since 11 AUGUST. All W.T. equipment except the transceiver destroyed by natives at MAPE. Japs enter BOBONARO resisted by No. 3 Section, A Platoon, No. 2 Independent Company. Two [men] missing (Private A.E. YATES [YEATES] and D.C. WALLER) and believed killed. [2] TIMOR GRAVES HARD TO FIND Shortly after the end of hostilities, an unidentified No. 2 AIC veteran stated that he felt that some of the remains of Australians killed in action in Portuguese Timor would be hard to locate: Although Japs apparently did not interfere with Australian graves in Portuguese Timor, one Perth guerrilla veteran said yesterday that unless experienced men of the Timor Force were used as guides, guerrilla graves will be extremely difficult to find. War Graves Commission is known to be searching for Australian graves in the Dutch section of the island, has probably started to comb the Portuguese portion already. "We split up after the Dili action," said the Perth veteran. "We maintained contact throughout hut had no central burial ground. "Very few Australians were killed, but those who were had to be buried where they fell. "As we had no tools, we had to dig the graves as best we could. There would be no more than a stick or two for markings, but even though the undergrowth grows swiftly, graves still might be recognisable because of the stones we had to heap on them to protect the bodies from the hordes of dogs which roamed the island. "But unless experienced men from the original guerrilla force are sent to help the Commission, the graves may never be located." "We were usually in out of the way places and the territory is rugged. "We found no instances of Japs disturbing Australian graves, even though they must have come across some, but we took no chances, buried our men where they would not be likely to be I found easily." [3] AUSTRALIAN WAR GRAVES UNIT ACTIVITY As part of the Australian War Memorial’s process of improving the usability of their records, they have produced a resource to help find information about the WWII Grave Registration, Enquiry and Maintenance Units. A spread sheet details where and when specific units were during, and in some cases, after WWII. [4] The No. 16 Australian Grave Registration and Enquiry Unit (16 AGREU) was deployed to both Dutch and Portuguese Timor to locate and recover for reburial the bodies of Australian servicemen. The spread sheet reveals that the 16 AGREU was active in Portuguese Timor on unspecified dates between 11 – 31 September 1945 and more specifically in the Bobonaro area on 26 June 1946. The unit war diary entry covering the period 1 August – 30 September 1945 records that ‘Investigation has disclosed the location of … 16 identified graves in Portuguese Timor’. [5] Captain R.J. Crilley, the commanding officer of the No. 16 Australian Grave Registration and Enquiry Unit (16 AGREU) first came to Portuguese Timor with the September 23rd Australian Dili expedition, at which time he was able to travel to Aileu, and probably elsewhere on brief trips [6]. Crilley reported on 3 January 1946 that he ‘… rejoined unit on 29 December 1945. Examinations and investigations were completed in all parts of PORT. TIMOR, with the exception of one grave in the Portuguese enclave of OECUSSI. It is anticipated that this task will be completed in the near future. [7] The Australian cemetery in Koepang was also a project of the 16th war graves unit and was constructed by Japanese POW labourers under the war graves unit direction. [8] BURIAL OF PRIVATE ARTHUR ‘TARZAN’ YEATES In September 1945, a field team of the Australian Military History Section (MHS) was assigned to collect information related to the war in Timor for the historical record. An important part of this was taking photographs and making sketches of people and places that had been significant for Australian army troops. The field team included three key members: a war artist, Charles Bush, a photographer armed with a Mentor reflex camera, Sergeant Keith Benjamin Davis, and a guide, Sergeant George J.B. Milsom, a former member of the 2/40th Infantry Battalion which had been based in Kupang (December 1941 -February 1942) and then the No. 2 AIC which had been based in Portuguese Timor until December 1942. [9] Sergeant Keith Davis prepared a report on the MHS team’s field trip that included the itinerary they followed. He recorded that on 13 December 1945: 13 [December 1942] Bobonaro: Found beautifully maintained grave of an Australian service man … ref 121444 etc. [10] Davis’ photograph of the grave is included in the Australian War Memorial collection: BECO [SIC] AREA, PORTUGUESE TIMOR. 1945-12-13. TWO NATIVES, KORLIMALI AND NAMAU, STAND BY THE GRAVE OF AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER. THE NATIVES MADE THE WHITE TOMBTONE AND TENDED THE GRAVE DAILY. (PHOTOGRAPHER SGT K. DAVIS) [11] Details enumerated in the ‘Reburial Return’ for Arthur Yeates included in his service record that the human remains discovered at this location were his. Under the heading ‘Means of Identification’ heading it was noted: Location of grave confirmed by Sergeant Milsom of 2/2 Cavalry Commando Squadron. Map of PORT. TIMOR 1:250,000 M.R. [Map Reference] 9 Deg 02 Min South 125 Deg 22 Min East. This location is indicated on Map 1 as ‘Yeates’ burial’. Under the heading ‘Remarks’ it was noted: Sergeant Milsom of 2/2 Cavalry Commando Squadron who was in BOBONARO during August confirms the location of the grave as having been given to Company HQ by natives about 26 August 1942. [12] Captain R.J. Crilley and other members of the 16 AGREU attended the site along with MHS team as evidenced by the following image taken by Sergeant Keith Davis. BECO AREA, PORTUGUESE TIMOR 1945-12-13. THE GRAVE OF AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER WHICH HAS BEEN WELL KEPT BY LOCAL NATIVES. STANDING BY THE GRAVE IS CAPTAIN R.J. CRILLEY, COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 16TH WAR GRAVES UNIT. (PHOTOGRAPHER SGT K. DAVIS) [13] Yeates’ body was exhumed and re-interred at the newly established Koepang War Cemetery on 31 December 1945. BECO [SIC] AREA, PORTUGUESE TIMOR 1945-12-13. THE GRAVE OF AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER, DEPICTED IN PHOTOGRAPHS 121443 AND 121444, WAS OPENED AND THE BODY EXHUMED FOR REINTERNMENT IN THE AUSTRALIAN WAR CEMETERY AT KOEPANG. [14] Yeates’ final resting place is at the Ambon War Cemetery. The Cemetery burial record cites the date that he was killed in action as 12 August 1942 and the location as ‘4 hours march west of Bobonaro’. [15] BURIAL OF PRIVATE CHARLIE WALLER Private D.C. (Charlie) Waller was killed on 12 August 1942; Lieutenant Turner was with him when he was shot. Turner said that after his No. 3 Section had received news the Japanese were only a day away from their position near Bobonaro, all the men were stood to, in anticipation of No. 1 Section withdrawing through them. When the section failed to appear, Turner took Alf Hillman and Charlie Waller to recce a ridge and the general area in which it was expected. “We saw quite a large group of men in the distance, but the light was not good enough to identify them,” said Turner. “We were walking about twenty metres apart approaching the top of the ridge, when we were confronted by three Japanese. They called on us to surrender but we immediately opened fire, Hillman with his sub-machine gun and Charlie and I with rifles. It was very quick and short. I called out to the others to get out, but Alf was hit in the arm and Charlie went down. He didn’t move. We ran about 50 metres to the next ridge where there was some cover. We had no hope of getting Charlie out.” Turner said he bound Hillman’s arm with a field dressing then the two men returned to their section. [16] Waller’s body was recovered and buried by men of the No. 2 AIC as verified by the following report: Most of the equipment which could be recovered had by now been taken back to Company Headquarters. Cpl Delbridge had taken a small patrol from Two Section down to Mape, collecting gear, returning by way of Bobonaro and collecting more equipment there which had been discarded by the Portuguese army. They then patrolled as far as Rita-Bau, looking for the body of Pte Yeates, who had been killed in the action there. Instead of Yeates they found Pte Waller's body there which they buried before moving back to Marobo. Here they had searched for Japanese bodies, intending to obtain badges of rank and unit insignias, anything which may be of intelligence value. Moving on to Atsabe they collected more equipment which had been left by D Platoon. From there they went back to Ainaro, the whole trip taking seven days. [17] Lieutenant M.J. Muir, the new OC, 16 AGREU, diarised on 22 June 1946: MV Merauke arrived at Dili. OC contacted the Australian Consul and Major QUINTON, 3 Australian PW Contact & Enquiry Unit (3APWCEU) in reference to deceased Australian personnel in Portuguese Timor. The remains of an Australian soldier recovered from the BOBONARO area were handed to the OC. [18] Muir subsequently diarised on 3 July 1946: The remains of an unidentified Australian were handed to the OC while in Dili by Major QUINLAN of 3APWCEU. Major QUINLAN obtained these remains from the Portuguese authorities at Bobonaro. The only information obtained by him was that they were the remains of an Australian who had been buried by a priest. [19] Details enumerated in the ‘Reburial Return’ for Charlie Waller included in his service record confirms that it was his remains that were recovered by Major Quinlan; particularly note the ‘Date of Reburial’ of 22 July 1946. The ‘Remarks’ note that ‘Location of the grave given by Captain P.P. McCabe and Sergeant Milson [Milsom] both of 2/2 Cavalry Commando Squadron who were in this area in 1942. Sergeant Milson [Milsom] directed recovery party to the grave’. [20] The location of Waller’s initial burial was recorded on 22 March 1946 as ‘… Buried Marobo … 8° 58’ S, 125° 22’ E’. [21] See Map 1. Waller’s final resting place is at the Ambon War Cemetery. The Cemetery burial record gives the same map coordinates and notes the site as being ‘Between Bobobaro [Bobonaro] – Marobo’. [22] 58 YEARS LATER: ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN CASUALTY IN THE BOBONARO AREA THE MEMORIAL TO CORPORAL STUART ‘MONSTA’ JONES AT RAEFUN One Australian was killed serving with the UNTAET phase of peace keeping operations in East Timor following the independence referendum. The Australian contingent was working in the dangerous border area near Maliana, notorious for the incursion of militia death squads from West Timor looking for trophies. On 10 August 2000 Corporal Stuart ‘Monsta’ Jones was killed when a rifle accidentally discharged in the back of an armoured vehicle while travelling over rough terrain close to the village of Raefun near Bobonaro. [23] This site of ‘Monsta’ Jones accidental death is in close proximity to the locations where Charley Waller and Tarzan Yeates were killed in action on 12 August 1942 and subsequently buried. The 4 Royal Australian Regiment Battalion Group campaign history notes that: To remember … ‘Monsta’ Jones in the country of his peril … a cross was erected outside Fort Maliana and dedicated on the 10 July 2001 …. Although this was a nice tribute the Troop felt it would be more appropriate to erect a stone memorial near the incident site on the 12-month anniversary of Monsta’s death. This task was one that the Cavalry Boys (2 Cav and 2/14th) took upon themselves to ensure a fitting memorial service was held. The village people of Raefun were also extremely helpful in assisting with information about the incident site and allowing us to intrude into their quiet little village. This village, and in particular the memorial site, presented spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. On the day we erected the pink marble monument, the local’s enthusiasm to help overwhelmed them and they grabbed the shovels from the lads and hooked in to dig in the memorial stone. The villagers were of great assistance during the preparation of the site and the conduct of the service. The service was held on 9 August 2001 … [and] … the members of Raefun village accepted our invitation and laid a traditional scarf and wreath. [24] The villagers of Raefun assiduously maintain the memorial and warmly welcome visitors to the site. Corporal Stuart ‘Monsta’ Jones memorial, Raefun – 30 April 2019 REFERENCES [1] Corporal Arthur Henry Kilfield ‘Harry’ Wray (WX11485) Recollections of the 2nd Independent Company Campaign on Timor, 1941-42, manuscript in 2/2 Commando Association archives.: 95, 97-98. [2] [Unit War Diaries, 1939-45 War] Sparrow Force March - December 1942 - AWM52 1/5/55/2 - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1365575 [3] ‘Timor graves hard to find’ Sunday Times (Perth, WA: 1902 - 1954), Sunday 23 September 1945: 4. [4] Natasha Bobyreff ‘Second World War graves’ 09 September 2013 https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/second-world-war-graves [5] AWM52 21/2/17/2 - [Unit War Diaries, 1939-45 War] 16 Australian Graves Registration and Enquiry Unit, June 1945 - December 1946 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2703747 [6] Norman K. Wallis ‘Peace comes to Dilli’ Walkabout February 1, 1946: 31. [7] AWM52 21/2/17/2 [8] AWM52 21/2/17/2 [9] William Bradley Horton ‘Through the eyes of Australians: the Timor area in the early postwar period’ Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies (Waseda University) No. 12 (March 2009): 271. [10] Sergeant Keith Benjamin Davis. – [Report on Australian Military History Section field trip to Dutch and Portuguese Timor, September 1945 – February 1946]. Partial copy held in 2/2 Commando Association of Australia archives. [11] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C200635 [12] YEATES Arthur Edward: Service Number - V12019: NAA: A13860, V12019 https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=202936308&isAv=N [13] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C200634 [14] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/121448 [15] https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2172286/arthur- edward-yeates/#&gid=2&pid=1 [16] Cyril Ayris. - All the Bull's men: No. 2 Australian Independent Company (2/2nd Commando Squadron). - [Perth, W.A.]: 2/2nd Commando Association, 2006: 321. [17] S.A. Robinson. - [Timor (1941-1942) - Sparrow Force and Lancer Force - Operations]: The Campaign in Portuguese Timor, A narrative of No 2 Independent Company. Story prepared by Corporal S.A. Robinson, No. 5 Military History Field Team. – Australian War Memorial file AWM54 571/4/53: 104-105. NOTE: Robinson’s report was derived from interviews with the No. 2 AIC men involved with the actions he describes. [18] AWM52 21/2/17/2. [19] AWM52 21/2/17/2. [20] WALLER DAVID CHARLES: Service Number – WX13501 NAA: B883, WX13501 https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=6471203&isAv=N [21] WALLER DAVID CHARLES: Service Number – WX13501 NAA: B883, WX13501 [22] https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2172162/david-charles-waller/ [23] Peter Londey. - Other people's wars: a history of Australian peacekeeping. – Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 2004: 259. [24] 4 RAR BN GP in East Timor: Op Tanager / ed. By Brian Campbell. - Bayswater, W.A.: Brian Campbell, c2001: 110.

A STORY OF RECONCILIATION AND REDEMPTION The visit of former Japanese officer Shohachi Iwamura who served in Portuguese Timor to Perth in August 1993 A former Japanese officer Shohachi Iwamura who served as a platoon commander with the 48th Division in Portuguese Timor visited Perth in August 1993 and at his request met with members of the 2/2 Commando Association of Australia. It had not been an easy matter for the 2/2 veterans to agree to host their Japanese visitor. The Association debated the matter long and hard and there were members who openly expressed their antagonism towards the Japanese because of atrocities the invaders committed in Timor and other islands during World War II. Nor did Mr Iwamura evade the issue, openly admitting that men under his command had raped Timorese women and that many of the Timorese men mobilised to work for the Japanese had died of starvation because they were not given food. But there is one issue strong enough to unite the men behind a single cause. In Osaka and in Perth, both sides have been working persistently and against heavy odds to promote the right to self-determination of the Timorese people in whose country they fought their battles in the 1940s. The full story of this landmark meeting between former follows: WAR FOES UNITE BEHIND COUNTRY LEFT BEHIND Fifty years ago, the Portuguese colony of East Timor was the scene of fierce fighting between Australian commandos and Japanese invaders. But some of the old enemies have now found a common cause in East Timor. ANDRE MALAN reports on an emotional meeting in Perth yesterday. WITH shaking hands, but a clear voice, Shohachi Iwamura yesterday made peace with his enemies of 50 years ago. In halting English, the dignified retired engineer from the Japanese City of Osaka read from a prepared statement: "Fifty years ago, I was forced to meet you as an enemy in East Timor, but now I want to express my respect and brotherly affection for you. "I am alive today and able to meet you because the Timorese people helped me and fed me, as they did you, when we were in need. "Now we are no longer enemies, and I am proud to be your comrade and friend. Thank you." Listening to this over beer and sandwiches at a Perth hotel were about 20 timeworn Australian veterans who once would have happily killed their visitor. "I don't think I ever saw his face in my sights," one of them whispered. "If I had he wouldn't have been here today." There was no malice in the quip, just a healthy dose of the seasoned larrikinism that old soldiers try on each other when they get together. The same man later remarked: "It can't have been easy for him to come here. I admire his guts." Front Row (left to right): Jack Carey, Doc Wheatley, Kiyoko Furusawa (interpreter), Shohachi Iwamura, Domingos De Olivera, Colin Doig, Bill Howell. Back row (left to right) Bernie Langridge, George Bayliss, Ted Monk, Henry Sproxton, Geoff Swann, John Fowler, John Poynton, Ray Aitken, Bob Smyth, Jack Wicks, Dick Darrington, Les Halse, John Burridge. Nevertheless, it had not been an easy matter for members of the 2/2 Commando Association to agree to host their Japanese visitor. The association debated the matter long and hard and there were members who openly expressed their antagonism towards the Japanese because of atrocities the invaders committed in Timor and other islands during World War II. As he posed for a picture with his guest yesterday, the association’s president, Ted Monk, did not forget the 12 men in his section of 19 who had been killed by the Japanese. Nor did Mr Iwamura evade the issue, openly admitting that men under his command had raped Timorese women and that many of the Timorese men mobilised to work for the Japanese had died of starvation because they were not given food. But there is one issue strong enough to unite the men behind a single cause. In Osaka and in Perth, both sides have been working persistently and against heavy odds to promote the right to self-determination of the people in whose country they fought their battles in the 1940s. Mr Iwamura was a 23-year-old platoon commander in the Japanese 48th Army Division when he arrived in Dili on a Japanese troopship in November 1942. He was assigned to mopping up operations against Australian and Portuguese soldiers who had resorted to guerrilla warfare in the hills of East Timor, as well as construction of roads and other military facilities. Yesterday, he recalled several times coming into direct contact with the Australians in East Timor. Once he was wounded in an exchange of fire when he went into the mountains to collect horses for the Japanese troops, and on another occasion, he helped in the capture of two Australian intelligence officers who had been landed on the coast. Mr Iwamura said that many Timorese women were raped by Japanese soldiers. No action was taken against the rapists, but when he heard that men under his command had been guilty of assaulting Timorese women, he forced the entire platoon to kneel on stones as an act of contrition. When the war worsened for the Japanese, he was transferred to Java, Singapore and Burma before being sent home to a country left in ruins by US air attacks. However, like many of his contemporaries, Mr Iwamura prospered during the Japanese post-war economic revival. He married, had two daughters and became a successful engineer. The former soldier did not give much thought to Timor for the next 40 years until 1985, when he read an account of the 1975 Indonesian Invasion of East Timor. He joined an infant East Timorese independence support group in Japan and in 1987 he went to New York to make an emotional address to a United Nations special committee on decolonisation. In tears, he told the committee: "In Japan I am simply one elderly citizen, but I am determined never to forget the crimes Japan committed in World War II and to act on what I have learnt from bitter experience. "It is painful to speak today of the sacrifices and burdens we forced, upon the East Timorese, a people who had nothing to do with the war." He said that after the war the Japanese Government did not pay war reparations to East Timor on the ground that Portugal, the colonising power, was not an Allied country. He noted that Japan had become Indonesia's biggest aid donor and remarked: "If Japan wants to build real friendship with Indonesia it should tell that country, ‘we know from experience that no country can escape the judgment of history on a war of aggression’. "And let the rest of us remember that grovelling before the strong, while cutting down the weak, is the way of fascism. "I have learnt much about this issue from young people in Japan who support the East Timorese. "I have learnt that the big powers, because of narrow national interests, close their eyes to the injustices committed by Indonesia." The battle for the rights of East Timorese is one that has not been forgotten by members of the 2/2 Commando Association and other veterans who fought against the Japanese on Timor. A mob of knockabout volunteers, drawn largely from WA, the 2/2 Independent Company was sent to secure East Timor. Faced with overwhelming odds, they made an orderly retreat into the mountainous interior of the colony and conducted an unremitting guerrilla war against the enemy. Against far superior numbers, the handful of Australians maintained effective opposition against the Japanese at a time when Allied forces elsewhere in Asia had surrendered or been driven into retreat. The survival of the Australians depended on the heroic support of the East Timorese and the wartime experience forged close bonds between the soldiers and the Timorese. After the Indonesian invasion of East Timor, the veterans became a vocal lobby group in favour of a firmer Australian stand against Indonesia's aggression. But their protests have fallen on deaf ears as successive Australian governments have put the diplomatic and economic relationship with Indonesia ahead of the rights of the East Timorese. However, with the same persistence they displayed as soldiers, the veterans, most of them now in their 70s or older, have refused to give up. THEY continue to lobby hard, and to supply books and other aid to the East Timorese — when they can get the goods past Indonesian officialdom. Yesterday, Mr Iwamura was able to give them guarded good news. He said the new Japanese Government contained a number of people who were sympathetic to the East Timorese cause and that the Diet — the Lower House of the Japanese Parliament — would in future give more consideration to the rights the East Timorese. He and the Australian veterans also applauded a decision by the US State Department to reject a request by Jordan to sell ageing American F-5 jet fighters to Indonesia because of Jakarta's human rights record and other sensitive issues. But nobody is optimistic enough to think that East Timorese independence is on the horizon. Mr Iwamura yesterday told his Australian hosts of a plan by Japanese East Timor sympathisers who have collected more than $100,000 towards a special school for East Timorese expatriates in Darwin. The idea is for East Timorese culture to be kept alive at the school in preparation for the day — if it comes — when the refugees reclaim their country. [1] [1] Andre Malan ‘War foes unite behind country left behind’ The West Australian, Wednesday August 11, 1993: 11. Col Doig reported on the meeting for the Courier as follows: AN HISTORIC OCCASION Visit of Mr Shohachi Iwamura and Mrs Kiyoko (Kiyo) Furusawa It is necessary to give some background as to how this visit came about, When the massacre occurred in Dili, East Timor, in November 1991 the Association made every effort to bring the plight of the people of East Timor to the attention of the world, having failed miserably to move the Australian Government to any real effort in this terrible situation, letters were forwarded to Ex Service Organisations in many parts of the world including The Legion of Ex-Servicemen in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom and New Zealand and it was also decided to include ex-service persons in Japan in the hope that they would also throw their weight behind our efforts and bring the case to the notice of the United Nations. The only real contributor was the Ex Legion of Canada which made representations to the UN. The American Legion said this matter was not on 'their agenda', no replies were received from the UK or New Zealand. Regarding our overtures to the Japanese, the only response to a letter put together by Mrs P. Thatcher and translated into Japanese by a University academic was from Mr Iwamura. It was discovered that he had already put a case to the 'Special Committee on Decolonization' on August 13, 1987. He had told of the Japanese occupation of East Timor, 1940- 1945, and of the horrific usage by the Japanese of the East Timorese people and pleaded the case for United Nations not to allow the Indonesians to perform the same atrocities once again on these unfortunate people. As a result of his stance he was ostracised by his own people and especially his old regimental members. He received death threats and was generally abused. This did not shake his determination to do something for the cause of the East Timorese, and he joined with a small band in Japan who are promoting the cause of the East Timorese in many centres of Japan, especially in Osaka and Tokyo. Mr Iwamura was an army officer in East Timor for two years and four months, and was engaged in transportation, security, punitive operations and road construction. He was an independent platoon commander and a battalion adjutant stationed mainly in Baucau, Baguia, and Aliambata. As a result of correspondence between Mrs Thatcher and Kiyoko Furusawa, who speaks and writes English excellently, a request was made for these two people to visit Australia with the object of Old Foes meeting to assist the cause of the East Timorese, with the high hope that publicity generated by the visit would awaken deep interest in Japan for the cause, Japan being the greatest contributor to aid for Indonesia. This idea was forwarded to the WA Branch of the Association for consideration, as WA is generally regarded as the parent body. At a well-attended committee meeting on July 13, 1993 the matter was brought to the attention of the Committee by Secretary Jack Carey and Col Doig, who had both been contacted by Mrs Thatcher. After a full and free discussion it was unanimously decided that we would be prepared to accept such a visit as it possibly could do considerable good for the cause. The decision was conveyed to Mrs Thatcher who was the go-between for the parties. Advice was rapidly to hand that Mr Iwamura and Kiyo Furusawa would be arriving in Perth on Tuesday, August 10 which, incidentally, was the W.A. Committee Meeting day, and that accommodation and publicity be arranged for an itinerary commencing Perth on August 10, departing for Melbourne Thursday, August 12 and on to Sydney August 15, departing for Japan, Monday, August 16. A Sub-Committee was called in WA to arrange the necessary details for the WA visit. Thanks to John Poynton accommodation was arranged at the Airways Hotel (where we hold our Anzac Day Reunions) at excellent rates. Jack Carey arranged for Andre Malan, special features writer for the 'West Australian' with a photographer to interview the couple, also a segment of the Gerry Gannon talk back programme was arranged for Wednesday, August 11. A room was booked at the Airways Hotel for a meeting with the Japanese guests and for the necessary Interviews. It was decided that the Committee meet as usual and at midday all possible to go to the Hotel to meet with the Japanese. Everything happened in haste and as many as possible of our members were contacted by phone and requested to attend at the Hotel where drinks and snacks were to be available. Bob Smyth kindly arranged to meet the visitors at 1am and set them up at their hotel. The actual meeting occurred at 12.15pm with 16 members, Andre Malan and photographer Nic Ellis and Domingos Oliveira representing the Timorese Association in W.A. The atmosphere was one of expectancy and some excitement, but it did not take long for everyone to become acquainted with the two people who proved to be most genuine and full of personality. Mr Iwamura did not speak English, but all proceedings were interpreted by Kiyo. The guest was able to read a specially prepared speech in English which he handed to our President Ted Monk on its completion. He told of the Japanese treatment of the East Timorese and also spoke of the current treatment of these unfortunate people by the Indonesians and sincerely hoped that this getting together of Old Foes would generate a high degree of publicity in Japan and so help to benefit the cause of the East Timorese people. Many questions were passed to the speaker who answered each question in a most able manner. It transpired that Mr Iwamura's speech at United Nations was heard by Domingos Oliveira who was also present at that dramatic meeting. When this was made known to Mr Iwamura, he immediately left his place to embrace Mr Oliveira - it was a most touching moment. [?] During all this time Andrew Malan was taking notes and later had a lengthy interview with our guest. Later a special photo for insertion in the 'West Australian' Wednesday edition was taken and also a full group photo was arranged, a copy of which appears in this issue. The couple were the guests of Mr and Mrs Smyth for Tuesday's evening meal. The coverage in the Wednesday edition of the 'West Australian' was excellent. Mr Malan did the show really proud, had all his facts right and as a publicity affair it was outstanding, and the photo came up in a grand manner. On Wednesday, John Fowler and Jack Carey took the visitors on a tour of the suburbs after the interview for the Gerry Gannon show which was steered through for the guests by Ray Aitken. This was an excellent interview and did the participants great credit. A tape of this event has been forwarded to Mr Iwamura in Japan. The couple were entertained at lunch by Jack and Delys Carey, John Fowler, Ray Aitken and Col Doig. They proved to be a charismatic duo - Kiyoto was especially charming. They took with them a couple of ‘History’ books and a couple of the new ‘A Great Fraternity’, Delys made a presentation of a koala which played 'A Jolly Swagman' and jack presented a special WA ball point pen made of WA timber with the Double Diamond emblem on it. In the afternoon and evening the East Timorese of WA took over and had a good rundown with these people. Bob Smyth delivered the couple to the airport on Thursday morning for onward transit to Melbourne. To sum up the W.A. section of this exercise, it was as much of a success as could be made of such a project. The couple proved to be easy to know and most intelligent. Mr Iwamura is an engineer now retired and Kiyoko is a lecturer at a university. Both are hard workers for the East Timorese cause in Japan and are most courageous in taking this course as it is currently not a particularly happy one to take, especially in acknowledging Japanese war crimes which definitely brought all types of repercussions on to Mr Iwamura's head. As Ray Aitken remarked, ‘they are both people you would be happy to know’. [?] [2] Col Doig ‘An historic occasion: visit of Mr Shohachi Iwamura and Mrs Kiyoko (Kiyo) Furusawa’ 2/2 Commando Courier October 1993: 11-14. PASSING OF SHOHACHI IWAMURA AND HIS RECOGNITION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF TIMOR-LESTE Shohachi Iwamura passed away at his home in Osaka in May 1994 less than a year after his Australian visit. [3] He was posthumously awarded the Order of Timor-Leste by government of Timor-Leste in February 2015. The award recognises ‘… those nationals and foreigners, who in their professional, social activity or, even in a spontaneous act of heroism or altruism, have contributed significantly to the benefit of Timor-Leste, the Timorese or Humanity’. [4] [3] Documents on East Timor from PeaceNet and Connected Computer Networks v. 39, June 28-August 31, 1995: 96. [4] ‘Decreto do Presidente da República n.º 1/2015 de 4 de Fevereiro, São condecorados com a Medalha da “Ordem de Timor-Leste”, os seguintes’ Jornal da República Série I, N.º 5, Quarta-Feira, 4 de Fevereiro de 2015: 1.

More Anzac Day coverage including JB: https://www.facebook.com/johncareyperth/posts/981495992606438 https://www.facebook.com/AustralianEmbassyTimorLeste/posts/303642778618208 https://www.abc.net.au/radio/perth/programs/breakfast/breakfast/13844998 John Carey interview 1:44:34 – 1:54:47 https://www.facebook.com/wamuseum/posts/10158238854087312

Many thanks John - it was a great occasion - many thanks also to 'B' and Rhian for carrying the flag - well done to you also for making the flag holder

WINNIE THE WAR WINNER – MAPE, PORTUGUESE TIMOR APRIL 20, 1942 After resistance by the main part of Sparrow Force had ceased in Dutch Timor on the 23rd February 1942, the forces commander began to reorganise and redeploy his troops in the southern half of Portuguese Timor about the middle of March. Fighting as guerrillas against overwhelming odds, deficient in supplies and out of touch with Australia, it was imperative for the small force to re-establish communications with the mainland. It was for this purpose that men of the 2nd Independent Company, the fortress signals section on the island, and members of Signals, 8th Division, pooled their resources to build a set capable of raising Darwin. The most expert and tireless of these was Signalman ‘Joe’ Loveless. His technical ingenuity and skill was assisted by the professional electrical engineering expertise of Captain G.E. Parker from Dutch Timor. After many trials and much revision, Australia was contacted on the April 20 1942, and Darwin was made aware that the Australians in Timor were alive and well. The set was affectionately named "Winnie the War Winner". Constructing “Winnie the War Winner”. Source: Signals – the story of the Australian Corps of Signals, 1949 The story of ‘Winnie the war winner’ has been told many times. The most recent and authoritative recounting is by Paul Cleary in his book ‘The men who came out of the ground’ which is included in the following extract: ‘[It was] the most important single happening in the life of this fighting force on Timor, as continued resistance would have been impossible for any length of time without it.’ Filmmaker Damien Parer on the remarkable ‘Joe’ Loveless and his building a radio out of ‘odds and ends’ to contact Australia THE 2/2 COMPANY’S enormous logistical reorganisation in March and April had given it a fighting chance. Vital supplies were safely stashed in mountain hideouts, the Timorese were supplying food on credit and some semblance of order prevailed for a company stretched out along mountain tops over a front of more than 100 km. Yet the company’s life expectancy was clearly limited without resupply from Australia, and this would not be forthcoming without radio contact. The company had never had its own radio link with Australia and Sparrow Force’s last radio had been smashed to pieces under orders from Brigadier Veale. Back in Australia, no-one thought to send a search plane to discover the fate of the 270 men who had been left behind in Portuguese Timor. In the chaotic months that followed the fall of Singapore and the Dutch East Indies, most likely no-one gave the 2/2 Company a second thought, let alone bothered to send supplies. ‘The boot position is fast becoming critical …’ While ammunition reserves were significant, they would run out with prolonged fighting, and medical stores were in even shorter supply; ‘supplies are being depleted rapidly despite rigid economy,’ reported the senior officers in the war diary on 28 March. But what inhibited the company’s offensive action more than anything else was not the limited supply of ammunition or the short rations of food or even medical supplies. It was boots. The craggy surface of Portuguese Timor was quickly taking its toll on the leather-soled boots issued by the Australian Army. The company reported in its diary on 27 March: ‘The boot position is fast becoming critical.’ But by the end of April, the situation was extreme. A pair of leather-soled boots had a life of about one month when soldiers were patrolling in the forward positions, while those in the rear could expect a little more wear, about two months. Without supplies of new boots the company would lack mobility and would soon be rendered an ineffective fighting force. The company introduced a routine of taking off boots at times when an attack was unlikely so that the men’s feet would harden, preparing them for a time when they had no boots whatsoever. Senior officers considered the local manufacture of clogs, but this was not found to be feasible. Money was also going to be very important if the 2/2 was to be able to continue to buy supplies of food and to pay for services like the pony trains. The value given by the Timorese to their surats was certain to wane over time if they could not be paid with currency that had an intrinsic value. They could not live on credit forever. TX4745, Signaller M. L. Loveless of Tasmania ‘… the senior command turned their attention to re-establishing radio contact with Australia’ As the company reorganised in March, the senior command turned their attention to re-establishing radio contact with Australia. On 7 March, Major Spence gave responsibility for directing this task to a senior signals officer from Sparrow Force, Captain George Parker, 37, an electrical engineer from the Sydney suburb of Earlwood who had survived the Japanese landing in Dutch Timor before arriving at the Sparrow Force HQ in early March. While Parker had overall responsibility, one of the lowly ranked privates, Signaller Max Loveless, already had the task in hand. Max Lyndon Loveless, 37, a radio technician from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Hobart radio station, was an edgy man who suffered from anxiety and lacked the physical prowess of the bushmen in the 2/2 Company. Had selection been based on his physique alone, Loveless would never have got a guernsey, but he was selected because the skills of a radio technician were in high demand at the time. In Timor, Loveless would face a challenge that he could never have imagined, and he would be called on to contribute more than anyone else to the survival of the company. Loveless, who was known to most people as ‘Joe’, was starting from way behind because the 2/2 Company was badly equipped when it came to radio communication. They had been sent to Timor with unwieldy ‘109’ sets which were used by the platoons to contact Company HQ. When platoons got, their radios working again, each was assigned a time on the quarter hour to contact Company HQ, but the ‘109’ sets used by the platoons weren’t effective beyond a range of about 30 km. The radio set in Dili that had been previously used to contact Kupang was now in enemy hands. ‘… acquiring as much radio equipment as he could lay his hands on’ Immediately after Captain Parker gained his new assignment, he set about acquiring as much radio equipment as he could lay his hands on. One of the first targets was a Japanese-owned SAPT plantation at Fatu-Bessi, in the mountains south-west of Dili, which was believed to have a powerful radio. A party from C Platoon crossed swollen streams to reach the plantation where they seized the radio and interrogated the owner, Jaime Carvhalo, for suspected ‘pro-Japanese activities’. They piled the radio into the owner’s car, a late 1920s Chevrolet Tourer with running boards and a canvas top, and then drove it to Hato-Lia, before the set was eventually sent to Mapé. The set was only a receiver, not a transmitter, but even so Parker’s team kept it for spare parts. The plantation owner was later released. [1] On 20 March, Parker dispatched Corporal Alan Donovan to lead a three-man patrol to Atambua to recover parts from the set that had been destroyed by Brigadier Veale, but all that he could find were some crystals from the smashed set. Donovan, who had also joined the 2/2 from Dutch Timor and worked on the radio project, was sent on a second mission into Dutch Timor where he obtained a power pack from a Dutch transmitter, two aerial tuning condensers and 20 metres of heavy aerial wire. Parker also recovered a ‘109’ radio set that had been buried by Signaller Don Murray after leaving the Three Spurs camp shortly after the invasion. Murray went back to retrieve the set and while struggling to move it he came upon two Timorese boys who offered to help. The boys, one named Roberto, helped Murray carry the set all the way to Mapé, on the other side of the island, and then they stayed by Murray’s side for the rest of his time on Timor. Loveless used the set for spare parts. The probable route taken by Sig Don Murray and the Timorese boys between Three Spurs and Mapé through Taco Lulic, Lete-Foho, Atsabe and Bobonaro can be traced on this road and tracks map. Source: Area study of Portuguese Timor (1943) ‘Loveless and his team were given premises in which to work …’ - Mape On 1 April, Loveless and his team were given premises in which to work—a small windowless shed that had been used to store rice at the local school in Mapé, a sparsely populated and very marginal town in the south-west corner of Portuguese Timor. The signallers worked day and night, burning pig fat to provide illumination. Loveless was supported by a fellow signaller Keith Richards, who proved adept at recycling solder from the spare parts. With the crystals from the Atambua transmitter Loveless constructed an oscillator, which produced a frequency, and he extracted two valves from the Portuguese receiver. Parts from the Portuguese receiver were also used to construct a power supply for the unit. By early April, Loveless had started work on the amplifier using valves from Murray’s ‘109’ set. Ten days later he completed work on the amplifier, and then he turned his attention to the power supply, which was produced with spare parts. All the bits and pieces were housed in the two halves of a kerosene tin. Loveless was almost ready to go, except that he had to devise a system for charging batteries. The hut at Mapé, Portuguese Timor, used by the Signals Section, Force Headquarters, 2/2 Independent Company. It was here that the famous transmitter Winnie the war-winner, a masterpiece of improvisation, the wireless set was constructed by TX4745 Signalman Max Lyndon Loveless. ‘… charge the batteries …’ Using a 6-volt generator donated by plantation owner and former army officer Tenente Lopes, they constructed what Parker called a ‘boong charger’. Occupying a room of about 3 square metres, the generator was driven by a rope that went around a wheel of 45 cm in diameter, and then attached to this was the much larger wheel which had handles on it so that it could be turned by manpower. Four Timorese were enlisted to turn this wheel as fast as they could to charge the batteries. After going to these great lengths, the ‘boong charger’ was a dismal failure. Parker then dispatched a patrol led by Lieutenant Harold Garnett, which brought back a 6-volt, and 100-watt battery charger salvaged from a car near Dili. But there was no petrol to run it; this also had to be obtained by another 2/2 patrol. Petrol was in short supply in the colony, so patrols brought back kerosene and diesel, which was mixed together to produce a substitute fuel for the petrol engine. By 15 April, Loveless had charged his batteries and could listen into the radio traffic in Darwin. This feat alone bore great significance; Sparrow Force learned for the first time that ‘What is the Christian name of Jack Sergeant’s wife?’ Australia had not been invaded, contrary to the propaganda leaflets distributed by the Japanese. By 17 April, Loveless had the radio set ready for signalling to Australia. The signallers identified themselves as YCF, the calling sign for Sparrow Force, without knowing that it had been made redundant by the Japanese invasion of Timor, and without knowing that the faint signal could be barely heard in Darwin. Again, on the night of 18 April, they signalled ‘LOA—LOF— LOW from YCF’. In Darwin, a senior signals officer, Captain Joseph Honeysett, was on duty that night when the weak and outdated signal came through. The next evening Honeysett ordered that all radio communication in the region be shut down so that the signal could be heard clearly. Honeysett thought that the signal could have come from the enemy, given that YCF was no longer in use. One of the signallers in Darwin knew that Signaller Jack Sargeant was with Sparrow Force in Timor, and he asked if he was with them. Indeed, he was. Jack Sargeant was one of the men crouched beside the radio praying like hell that it would reach Australia. The Darwin signaller asked: ‘What is the Christian name of Jack Sergeant’s wife?’ Sergeant answered that it was Kath. Then the Darwin signaller asked a second question—what was Sargeant’s street address. Sergeant gave the details, followed by a stunning message that said: ‘Force intact and still fighting. Stop. Badly need boots, quinine, money, and Tommy gun ammunition.’ [2] ‘… Sparrow Force was still a fighting unit’ The message proved conclusively that Sparrow Force was still a fighting unit. The news that the 2/2 was still waging guerrilla warfare against the Japanese was simply stunning for Australia, as it arrived at the country’s darkest hour. With the capture of more than 22,000 men in Asia from Japanese victories in the Malayan Peninsula, the Philippines, Rabaul, and in the Dutch East Indies, the news that one band of men was still fighting proved to be tremendously valuable both in strategic terms and in terms of morale. After this successful transmission, Loveless’s men named the set after Winston Churchill. They called it ‘Winnie the War Winner’. The chief of the Australian Army, General Sir Thomas Blamey, failed to grasp the significance of this news and he proposed withdrawing the company or using it as part of a much bigger operation to recapture the island. Blamey outlined these options in a letter to General Douglas MacArthur. But MacArthur could see the value of keeping things just as they were, and in his reply to Blamey on 11 June 1942 he stated firmly that ‘these forces should not be withdrawn’. The company should simply continue its campaign of ‘harassment and sabotage’ against the Japanese, as MacArthur put it. While knowing very little about what the company was doing, MacArthur seemed to perfectly grasp their role. While Captain Parker had overall responsibility for re-establishing radio contact, he gave full credit to Loveless for showing the ‘greatest initiative’ which ‘undoubtedly led to our success’. Other men in the unit thought that Loveless’s radio was the work of a genius, or, as his fellow signaller Don Murray put it, ‘pure arse’. …. The stress and strain of working day and night on the assignment took its toll on Loveless, who appeared to have suffered a nervous breakdown and was sent back to Australia a few months later after completing the assignment of a lifetime. His illness continued after returning to Australia and he was discharged from the army in November 1943. ‘Winnie the war winner’ on display at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, in the Second World War Galleries NOTES [1] ‘Report on activities of Special W/T section 2 March–19 April 1942’, Captain George Parker, AWM PR00249. Parker’s account is by far the most authoritative of what took place in rebuilding the radio, though other details have been taken from the accounts by Callinan and Doig. One major factual error in other accounts is the claim that a Qantas radio was used by Parker and Loveless to build the radio. This was not brought to Mapé until 29 April, after radio contact had been established. The company’s war diary for that day says, ‘Several Portuguese cooperated in bringing from Dili an AS Transmitter, property of Qantas airways. This they handed to Lieutenant Garnett, who has been operating in the Remexio area. He arranged for it to be delivered to Force signals. It proved suitable for their work.’ [2] Some accounts say it was Parker whose details were checked, but this could not have been the case. Parker was not married at the time. The reconstruction of the events in November that year by Damien Parer put Sargeant as the person whose family details and address were checked. There are several versions of the ‘force intact’ message. This one is taken from D. Parer, ‘Dope Sheet’, AWM FO1814. Joe Loveless was rewarded for his work on ‘Winnie the war winner’ with a ‘Mention in Despatches’ ADDITIONAL READING Cyril Ayris. - All the Bull's men: no. 2 Australian Independent Company (2/2nd Commando Squadron). – Perth: 2/2nd Commando Association, c2006: 223-230. [Available for purchase from https://doublereds.org.au/store/product/9-cyril-ayris-all-the-bulls-men-pdf/] Bernard Callinan. - Independent Company: the Australian Army in Portuguese Timor 1941-43. – Melbourne: Heinemann, 1953 (repr. 1994): 121. Paul Cleary. - The men who came out of the ground: a gripping account of Australia's first commando campaign: Timor 1942. – Sydney: Hachette Australia, 2010: 105-110. https://www.amazon.com.au/Men-Who-Came-Out-Ground/dp/0733636608 J. D. Honeysett ‘Chance takes a hand’ Signalman vol. 1, no. 2 1978: 7-8. [Informative article by then Brigadier J.D. Honeysett who relates the fortunate set of circumstances in which he was directly involved that allowed the first signals from ‘Winnie’ to be intercepted, responded to and verified] http://www.signaller.com.au/past-editions/Signalman Vol 1 No2 1978/Signalman Vol 1 No2 1978.pdf Karl James ‘Winnie the war winner’ in Australian War Memorial: treasures from a century of collecting / [edited by] Nola Anderson. – Millers Point, N.S.W.: Murdoch Books Australia for the Australian War Memorial, 2012: 394-397. Peter R. Jensen. – Wireless at war: developments in military and clandestine radio 1895-2012. – Kenthurst, N.S.W.: Rosenberg Publishing, 2013. [See ‘Sparrow Force and Winnie the war winner’: 189-193 for a technical assessment of the radio and its construction] Signals – the story of the Australian Corps of Signals / written and prepared by members of the Australian Corps of Signals. – Sydney: Halstead Press, 1949: 128-132. Susan Turner ‘An interview with the inventor of “Winnie the War Winner”’ Signalman vol. 29 1995: 36-37. [Interview with Captain – later Lieutenant Colonel - George Parker] http://www.signaller.com.au/past-editions/Signalman%20Vol%2029%201995/Signalman%20Vol%2029%201995.pdf ‘[Vale Max Lyndon (Joe) Loveless]’ 2/2nd Commando Courier vol. 25, no. 231 June 1971: 4-5. https://doublereds.org.au/couriers/1971/Courier%20June%201971.pdf ‘Winnie's role in war effort remembered’ Commando Courier vol. 60 April 1986: 3. [Opening of the Max Loveless Pioneer Memorial Collection attended by Sir Bernard Callinan] https://doublereds.org.au/couriers/1986/Courier April 1986.pdf Christopher C.H. Wray. - Timor 1942: Australian commandos at war with the Japanese. – Hawthorn, Vic.: Hutchison Australia, 1987: 96-99.

Thanks Rob

WWII IN EAST TIMOR AN AUSTRALIAN ARMY SITE AND TRAVEL GUIDE MANUFAHI DISTRICT QUICRAS GPS: 9° 02'48" S., 126° 01'48" E. Quicras location map [1] Quicras itself was only a few huts, set in a swamp too malarious for anybody to live in permanently. [2] The last two entries in the Lancer Force war diary are for the 9-10 January 1943 and record the ‘main body LANCER FORCE’ boarding (with some difficulty) the RAN destroyer, HMAS Arunta at Kicras [Quicras] and then enjoying an ‘uneventful’ voyage to Darwin. [3] ‘We reached the Beach at Quicras by nightfall, and it was a bugger's muddle …. ‘ [4] The Area Study of Portuguese Timor described the coastline in the Quicras area: 7. South Laclo River to Dilor River: Over these 20 miles (32 km.) there is continuous low sandy beach with no shelter from surf which breaks close in during the southeast season. The beach is unbroken except for a narrow stream entering the sea two miles (3 km.) east of Sahi River. This is 30 yards (27 1/2 m.) wide, with a bar which appears dangerous. Several rivers and streams enter the sea during the wet season, but their mouths are all sanded up at other times. Behind the beach between the South Laclo River and Quicras, there are extensive areas of low alluvial flats, often cultivated during the dry season. Further east the immediate hinterland is largely swamps with much mangrove. Further inland there is much open country except near Clerec River and Quicras, where there is dense forest and thick undergrowth. There are no important tracks close to the shore except at Quicras. [5] No.5 Section, B Platoon, No. 4 Australian Independent Company on the beach at Quicras - Sgt Alan Oakley (left), Doug Gaston, Lofty Hubbard, Arthur King, Cpl Bill Gibbs, Eric Smith, Kit Carson, Dick Spreadborough and Owen McMicking - sitting: Captain Alan Thompson with his criado [6] CALLINAN’S ACCOUNT OF THE EVACUATION OF LANCER FORCE Bernard Callinan recounted the story of the evacuation of Lancer Force from Quicras in his book Independent Company: [7] Quicras had nothing at all to recommend it … ON the 17th of November 1942, Colonel Spence left to go down to Betano and return to Australia, and I assumed command of the force, whose name had been changed for security reasons from Sparrow to Lancer Force; with him went the correspondents. The Japanese had been threatening this beach head from the west, and we had reconnoitred two other possible landing places further east of Betano, one near the mouth of the Quelan River and the other near Quicras. Reconnaissance parties had visited them and reported that they were possible but not extremely suitable for our purpose. The one at Quicras had nothing at all to recommend it except tracks reached to within two miles of it, and it was cut off from adjacent areas by mangrove swamps. [8] Evacuation Date Set - 9th - 10th January 1943 One night a very carefully worded message was received asking how long it would take to concentrate the force at any given spot for evacuation. This was only required for information purposes, and it was not to be taken that evacuation was being considered or was possible. So, I replied that same night: "Three clear days” and went back to sleep before my turn on guard came round. The following night - 5th/6th January 1943 - I was instructed to concentrate the force for evacuation on the night of 9th/10th January 1943, and I was to nominate the port of embarkation. There was no more sleep that night; they had to be some rapid thinking and action. There would be no rearguard for this withdrawal, and if it were not handled carefully there would be a running fight down to the point of evacuation, and that could be very costly to us. Security and control would be the matters on which I would have to concentrate, and on their achievement would depend the success of the operation. The point of evacuation would have to be Quicras. It was the only place available to us, although the only thing in favour was its equidistance from the two jaws of the enemy which were slowly, closing to us the whole of the south coast. Diagrammatic map Portuguese Timor – drawn by Major B.J. Callinan 27 November 1942 [9] The Only Two "Originals" Left But how long would it take to get the various elements into that area without sacrificing security? Every move had to be covered by a reason different from the real one in order to deceive the natives and enemy, and the force had to be maintained substantially in its present position until the last moment. Also, it was important that Baldwin and I should make no moves that would disclose the operation. It was expected by all that we would go back to Australia; we were the only two "originals" left, and it seemed to be the logical thing, so any moves by us towards the coast would be watched closely and discussed widely. There were 50 miles between the detachment at Ainaro in the west and that near Ossu in the east, while there were 25 miles between O'Connor's platoon, at Fatu Maquerec, to the beach at Quicras. Travelling was possible only in the morning and at night, as in the afternoon the rivers became so swollen that it was impossible to cross them. [10] On The Beach Front At Quicras About five o'clock in the evening the whole force with its stores was spread along the beach front, concealed in the scrub that came down to the high tide mark. Private T.E. ‘Kit' Carson, B Platoon No. 4 Australian Independent Company on the beach at Quicras [11] The eastern detachment were on their way and would reach the beach in time. There was no news of the Ainaro detachment. The volunteer party would search for them. All the weapons, equipment, and wireless gear were there, also the parachutes used for dropping the rifles. The wireless was set up and established contact with Australia. Everything was under control. After dusk the three large signal fires were prepared, and the lamp set up for the passing of the recognition signals. Each platoon had its assembly area and its responsibility for stores. The order of embarkation was women and children, then the doctor with the sick and wounded, then the Company, and finally Force Headquarters with Baldwin and me. Farewell Arnalda NOTE: Arnalda was Callinan’s criado – the following earlier extracts from Independent Company reveal how their relationship about and developed during the campaign: Through the efforts of Aranhado I acquired a Portuguese-Tetum grammar and a Portuguese-French grammar. In my spare time I set about the task of translating the Tetum grammar into English. The process was from Tetum to Portuguese in one grammar, from Portuguese to French in the other, and French to English in my head. It was slow work, but it served to keep me busy, One day as I was sitting in the old native school [at Lete-Foho] working on my translation a native boy came up to me. He shyly asked if he could come with me and be my criado. I had not replaced Clementino, and was getting along satisfactorily; also, I doubted if a native would appreciate the continuous moving about which I did. So, not very enthusiastically, I asked him his name. He reached for a pencil and piece of paper which lay before me and wrote "Arnalda". A native who could write was distinctly an asset, so I had a good look at him. He was darker than the other natives, and had short, curly hair; he was about five feet in height, well built, and with an infectious smile. So, I told him he could consider himself my criado, to go where I went, and to treat my possessions as most precious. Later I learnt that he was connected with the liurai or senior chief of the Lete-Foho area and had attended school for three years. He could read and write good Portuguese and spoke Tetum and five or six other dialects. From that day he was always with me, or on a journey for me, except for a period of three days during which he searched everywhere for me. Later, when he was away, everyone on company headquarters missed the "happy bludger" or "black man", as we called him. Baldwin always called him "Excuse me pleeze” because he was very proud of his manners, and he frequently used this phrase. He remained faithful to me to the end. [12] After only a day's rest, a patrol from company headquarters now at Tutoloro, led by Corporal Brown, and with the faithful Arnalda, went back into the Bobonaro area and recovered the battery charger, some petrol and oil, and, strangely enough, a portable typewriter, all of which we had hidden as we moved over the Ramelau Range. It was a particularly good effort by all as they were very weary, and the feet of the natives were torn and cut from the rocks. We had observed that three- or four-days’ continuous movement over the rocky tracks made the natives' feet very tender and sore, and normally they had to be given a couple of days' rest. Arnalda accompanied the patrol as he was the only native who knew where all the equipment had been hidden. [13] Callinan returned to Timor in 1963 and sought out Arnaldo at Lete-Foho: I've only been back [to Timor] once, with my wife in 1963. The Portuguese army commander made a jeep and an officer available to take me wherever I wanted to go. 15 years after the war, there were the postos[districts] and all the colonial officials again, the same as before. …. At Lete-Foho I met [Arnalda] my creado from 1942. He had his two muriadors with him, which told me his status, as a chief. If he wanted a native in his area those policemen went and brought them to him. The Portuguese left most of the administration of justice to the native Timorese. He told me that after we left in 1942, he carefully worked his way back to his own area where he was looked after. There were other creados who survived. The boys of both companies went back and found some and helped them if they needed it. [14] [15] The story of Callinan’s friendship with Arnalda sets the scene for their separation on the beach at Quicras: I ate an emergency ration although I was not hungry. Arnalda had not said anything after we left Quicras. When the last move was obvious, he had said to me, “If all the Australians go, it will be bad for us criados”. I told him that some would remain, and he had been satisfied. Now I sorted out the few things I wished to take away with me. The rest I would give to him. I wanted to bring home my map, my Portuguese-Tetum grammar which I had so laboriously translated into English, Baldwin’s application to stay with me, and a piece of paper on which Arnalda had written his full name with the name of his village and his father’s district. I gave him my belongings and some money and a photo which had been taken only a few weeks before. He did not speak, but when he saw the photograph he said, “That is good; when I look at that I can see you and me together”. I had put on top of my haversack the green enamel mug that he had taken from his home when we were over near Lete-Foho in October. I wanted to take that mug back with me, but I noticed he had taken it away with the other belongings I had given to him. I was sorry, but I could not ask him for it as he would take a request as an order. A little later, with tears in his eyes, he came to me and said, “Please take this mug, and every time you have a drink in Australia, think of Arnalda”. He was crying openly before he had finished, and I was not too happy. I went for a walk alone along the beach to meet Baldwin who had come down by another track. The Evacuation Begins There was nothing to do but wait. We examined the beach and could find no better place, but it was certainly not good. It was long and straight, shelving down steeply, and the surf was coming in breakers five and six feet high with an awkward cross current to the east. At 11:30 pm the signal fires were lit, and soon good blazes were going up. Right on the hour of midnight the first recognition signal came from the darkness out to sea. It was answered, and again came the reply. Everybody was on his feet, and all was set. The minutes dragged out, but eventually the sound of motorboats could be heard, and then the flat-bottomed plywood folding boats could be discerned just beyond the line of the surf. One boat attempted to come through and was swamped; a second succeeded in getting through and was loaded. It capsized in getting back through the surf. Time rushed on. Some boats took several efforts to launch. There were still 160 troops on the beach when the destroyer signalled that no more boats could be sent. The naval shore party had returned to the vessel, and it seemed that the previous planning was to be wasted. I had ordered all the weapons and equipment to be stacked in the scrub. It was a waste of time attempting to get them into the boats, so at least there would be enough weapons. The Evacuation Completed Then another lot of boats came in, towed by their launch. The surf had eased a bit as the tide went out, and an efficient launching party was organized under O'Connor. Now the number was down to 80. But they could send no more boats from the destroyer. Then came an order that all should swim out beyond the line of the breakers. This was useless, as it was a pitch-dark night, and a choppy sea would make picking them up very difficult. Some exceptionally strong swimmers whom we had sent out had found it difficult enough. Then some boats came in, and by packing them to capacity all the troops for evacuation were off; the boats were launched by the volunteer party under Lieutenant Flood. Baldwin went in one and I in the other of the last two boats. I did not feel excited or disappointed. I could not believe it. There was a cheer for the volunteer party, and through the night could be heard a faint reply. … 30 knots straight for Darwin … Hardly was the last man on board than the destroyer, H.M.A.S. Arunta, a new Australian-built ship, was on its way. Very shortly it was doing 30 knots straight for Darwin. There was less than one hour to dawn. I reported to Commander Morrow. I do not think he believed me when I said I was the Force Commander. I was not impressive with my dirty shirt and a pair of shorts, no boots or stockings, hat or equipment, and with a straggly beard. He offered me the use of his day cabin, and after a bath I got into a pair of his pyjamas and into his bunk. Only once, when called to see an officer who was suffering from an attack of malaria and was worried about the carrying out of a duty, did I leave that bunk. I was not interested in food, all I wanted to do was sleep, and that I did for 16 hours. At Darwin in the evening there was a crowd to see us arrive. After we had seen the last of the troops off, Baldwin and I went back to thank Morrow and ran into Commander Tozer; an old family friend, who was searching for me. We went back to some beer, whisky, gin and cocktails in the Commander's cabin. We felt very self-conscious standing there dishevelled and in our bare feet in that well-furnished cabin, surrounded by senior officers. I felt like letting my head go, but, remembering that I had not eaten since the previous afternoon, I wisely stopped after two beers and three cocktails. REX LIPMAN’S CAMERA AND PHOTOS Lieutenant Rex Lipman, who rejoined 4AIC as a member of group of 20 reinforcements arrived on Timor on the Tjerk Hiddes on the 10 December 1942. He had a small camera with him and took the photos of the Quicras evacuation that feature in this story. He recalled his use of the camera and how he preserved it and the photos he had taken in his autobiography Luck’s been a lady: Rex Lipman’s camera When I was informed that I was to rejoin the Squadron in Timor, I thought that it would be fantastic if I could take a very small camera with me and some gear to develop and print pictures. I had a vague idea of returning to Australia and being able to sell them for a vast sum of money. Whilst on the island I took a number of interesting shots and developed them in the middle of the night lying on the ground under a ground sheet. They all came out surprisingly well. When it came to the evacuation, I realised that everything would be ruined in the unbelievable surf we encountered during evacuation. I asked our MO, Doc Hennessy, if he had anything waterproof. He replied that there were some tough old condoms in the RAP kit. We both blew up a couple of these, stretched them and squeezed the camera and the films into them and securely knotted the end. In spite of being a couple of hours in the water, everything arrived back in Australia dry as a bone. Today, more than 50 years later, when I see notices on the backs of the doors of public toilets and those in airports throughout the world with the message "your condoms - don't leave home without them", I cannot help thinking back how versatile they can be for travellers! [16] HMAS Arunta memorial plaque with ‘Timor 1943’ battle honour – Australian War Memorial [17] THE ARUNTA’S STORY OF THE EVACUATION Commander James Morrow, commanding officer of HMAS Arunta, prepared the following account of the Quicras evacuation for the ship’s ‘Reports of proceedings’: [18] ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY From: The Commanding Officer, HMAS ‘ARUNTA’ Date: 12th January 1943 Reference No.: RP 1/43 To: The Secretary, Naval Board Subject: REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS – EVACUATION OF 2/4 INDEPENDENT COMPANY FROM TIMOR Submitted herewith is the report of proceedings for HMAS ‘ARUNTA’ for the period 8th January 1943 to 10th January 1943. After 0400 the boats began to return at fairly regular intervals under their own power and being towed by the motorboats. At this time, I signalled the beach that no more equipment or stores were to be brought off and the men must swim through the surf and board the assault craft outside it, otherwise there would be no chance of getting them off before daylight. I had expected in the beginning to have finished the party by 0400 and been on my way. At 0500 the latest time I was to leave there were still about 100 men ashore and I decided to wait to get them off if possible before daylight hoping that I would run into the bad weather which was a cyclonic storm when about 30 miles clear of the coast. The last boats returned to the ship at 0620 and 0630 I proceeded at my best speed. At 0710 it was daylight and much too clear, but I could see squalls about 20 miles to port of my course and steered towards them and from 0815 onwards the visibility was never more than two miles until I was approaching Darwin. Secured alongside boom jetty at 1900. The numbers embarked were 24 officers, 258 other ranks, 11 women and children and 20 Portuguese who had been working with the Army. Mr Ley, Commissioned Gunner (T), was in charge of the boats inshore and I consider that it was only due to his fine seamanship and drive that all the troops were brought off. He was most ably assisted by Leading Seaman J. Power, Official Number 18457 and Able Seaman H. Asser, Official Number 21453, who were outstanding in handling their boats and generally taking charge. J. Morrow Commander, RAN REFERENCES [1] Area study of Portuguese Timor / Allied Geographical Section, South West Pacific Area. - [Brisbane]: The Section, 1943. – (Terrain study (Allied Forces. South West Pacific Area. Allied Geographical Section); no. 50.): Map 1. [2] Bernard Callinan. - Independent Company: the Australian Army in Portuguese Timor 1941-43 / introduction by Nevil Shute. - Richmond, Vic.: Heinemann, 1984: 217. [3] [Unit War Diaries, 1939-45 War] Lancer Force [Timor] January 1943 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1366347 [4] Rex J. Lipman. - Luck's been a lady / [the autobiography of Rex J. Lipman]. - [Adelaide: Rex J. Lipman], 2000: 88. [5] Area study of Portuguese Timor: 22. [6] Lipman. - Luck's been a lady: 89. [7] Callinan. - Independent Company: 217-220. [8] Callinan. - Independent Company: 185. [9] Bernard Callinan ‘Reports and administrative papers associated With Sparrow Force guerrilla activities In Timor During 1942 …’ Australian War Memorial, Private Record PR82/090. [10] Callinan. - Independent Company: 211-212. [11] Lipman. - Luck's been a lady: 90. [12] Callinan. - Independent Company: 94-95. [13] Callinan. - Independent Company: 153. [14] Telling: East Timor, personal testimonies, 1942-1992 / [compiled by] Michele Turner. - Kensington, NSW: New South Wales University Press, 1992: 62. [15] Callinan. - Independent Company: 94. [16] Lipman. - Luck's been a lady: 75. [17] https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/94625-h.m.a.s.-arunta [18] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1420329 ADDITIONAL READING Paul Cleary. - The men who came out of the ground: a gripping account of Australia's first commando campaign: Timor 1942. - Sydney: Hachette Australia, 2010: 288-291. G. Hermon Gill - Royal Australian Navy, 1942-1945. – Canberra: Australian War Memorial, 1968. – (Australia in the War of 1939-1945, Series 2 (Navy), v.2): 223-224. Naval Historical Society of Australia ‘HMAS Arunta and Operation Hamburger’ https://www.navyhistory.org.au/hmas-arunta-and-operation-hamburger/ G.E. Lambert. - Commando, from Tidal River to Tarakan: the story of the No. 4 Australian Independent Company AIF later known as 2/4th Australian Commando Squadron AIF, 1941-45. - Loftus, N.S.W.: Australian Military History Publications, 1997. See esp. Ch. 15 ‘An unforgettable night’: 191-211.

WWII IN EAST TIMOR AN AUSTRALIAN ARMY SITE AND TRAVEL GUIDE ERMERA DISTRICT VILA MARIA GPS: 8° 46’ 23.922” S 125° 23’ 26.802” E Map showing the location of Vila Maria [1] Vila Maria was an important site in the early stages of the Commando Campaign where the No.2 Australian Independent Company (2AIC) rested and re-grouped and in the weeks following the Japanese landing enjoying the hospitality of the Portuguese landowner Senhor Aphonse Pereira. Company headquarters was located here between the 25 March and 2 March when it moved further west to Cailaco. It was used as a base from which some successful raids and ambushes were completed by the unit against Japanese columns probing out from Dili through Ermera towards Hatu-Lia along the road leading towards Dutch Timor. Signals Lieutenant John Rose gained notoriety for his naïve and brash daring do in these escapades while Private Mervyn ‘Doc’ Wheatley established his reputation as a grimly efficient ambush sniper. Attractive, young Vila Maria resident Brandolina da Silva bravely resisted the depredations of the occupying Japanese troops and gained the respect and admiration of the Australians. From mid-year 1942 Vila Maria was permanently garrisoned by the Japanese who pressed the local Timorese to excavate caves in the surrounding hillsides for use as air raid shelters and to store ammunition and other supplies. A large concrete water storage tank was also constructed in the area. The house at Vila Maria viewed from the roadside LOCATION Vila Maria lies approximately 70 kilometres southwest of Dili by road – way points are Tibar, Railaco, Gleno and Ermera. Dependent upon whether there has been wet weather and flooding, the road between Dili and Ermera is generally in good condition. South of Ermera the road forks and the road heading west towards Hatu-Lia should be taken. The road between Ermera and Hatolia passing through Vila Maria is being upgraded and its condition has improved significantly in recent times. The description given in the 1943 Area Study of Portuguese Timor, however, is still valid: HATU-LIA TO JUNCTION FATU-BESSI ROAD (ERMERA ROAD), approximately 20 miles (32 km.): Road suitable for M.T. in dry weather. Traffic delayed by floods and bogs after heavy rain. Road is metalled and wide enough for M.T. to pass, except across the frequent short bridges. Some, including a 30 ft. (9 m.) concrete bridge 1 1/2 miles (2 1/2 km.) west of Vila Maria were demolished. Vila Maria is a small hamlet of six houses 3 miles (5 km.) east of Ermera. [2] The GPS coordinates (8° 46’ 23.922” S 125° 23’ 26.802” E) accurately allow the site to be located approximately midway between Ermera and Hatolia. The large post WWII residence at the site is situated on the hillside on the right-hand side of the road heading towards Hatu-Lia and can be accessed by a rough track. A little further down the road is a large modern house and a gated Catholic grotto. EVENTS AT VILA MARIA ‘The No. 2 Australian Independent Company was now on its own’ Upon Lieutenant John Burridge's arrival at Three Spurs with news of the Japanese landings, word was immediately sent to Company Headquarters and to Captain Laidlaw of B Platoon. The enemy's next step had to be anticipated. If their normal tactics were followed, after a brief period of consolidation, the Japanese would thrust inland, in which event C Platoon and the company stores at Three Spurs would be in a perilous situation. Captains Laidlaw and Baldwin met during the early afternoon of 20 February and decided to make a hurried trip to Major Spence at Railaco to discuss future moves. Transport was acquired in the form of an ancient truck driven by an even more ancient Chinese man. Despite its antiquity, the truck carried Laidlaw and Baldwin to Railaco and back, and later did sterling work in transporting stores. Captain Callinan arrived at Railaco in time for the conference and was able to give a first-hand account of the Japanese landing. It appeared clear to the officers at the conference that the 2AIC was now on its own. [3] ‘Pigi Vila Maria’ Bernard Callinan made an early reference to Vila Maria in ‘Independent Company’: I moved down that night and stayed with the sappers at the bridge until it was blown, and then moved up to what was known as the Eleven Mile. This was just a clearing on the side of the road and was as far as a native with a load could reasonably be forced to go twice in a day. Here Lieutenant Garnet was in charge. By the judicious distribution of a small amount of money, by the liberal use of promises and by sheer will power, he was getting the stores on to Vila Maria, which was the home of a very good friend of ours, Senor Pereira. Any native coming within Garnet's orbit was quickly given a load and ordered to ‘pigi [going] Vila Maria’. All arguments were settled by a more insistent ‘pigi Vila Maria’, and many a poor native, coming back to complain that he had not been paid, found himself with another load and the injunction ‘pigi Vila Maria’ ringing in his ears. Even the natives saw the funny side of it eventually, and for days after they could be heard shouting out derisively to one another ‘pigi Vila Maria?’ [4] At this stage Van Straaten and the remainder of the Dutch force were assumed to be withdrawing towards Dutch Timor, but the Australians had been given information that he and his staff had been captured and killed on the road to Aileu. As this information accorded with the Australians' knowledge of Van Straaten's intended movements it was accepted as being accurate. The company's senior officers were concerned that a Japanese advance from Dili combined with a pincer movement along the road from Aileu to Taco-Lulic would trap the small force and, as there were reports of a Japanese move on Aileu, it was decided to withdraw Company Headquarters from Railaco to Vila Maria and to pull Baldwin's platoon back from Three Spurs. Faced with Japanese invasion the 2AIC began to move to the new positions in accordance with pre-arranged plans. The plan to move back to Dutch Timor had been frustrated by the Japanese invasion so the alternative scheme to destroy the airfield and to fall back to protect the rear (it was hoped) of the main force was put into effect. After the destruction of the airfield, the forward platoons, chiefly those led by Baldwin and Laidlaw, were to send out patrols, contact the enemy and learn his lines of movement. (As the Japanese were moving out from Dili it was not difficult to make contact). The forward platoons were to delay the enemy as much as possible to give Company Headquarters and its engineer, signals and medical sections time to-move stores back along the company's planned withdrawal route. [5] At this time the main body of C Platoon started its move to join A Platoon Headquarters at Railaco. The men, laden like pack-horses and assisted by a few Timorese, set out on their march over the mountainous interior of Portuguese Timor. On arriving at the A Platoon positions at Railaco the tired men of C Platoon learned that Company Headquarters had moved to Vila Maria, and they were to follow. The march was resumed and the men, many of whom were weakened by malaria, struggled on under their heavy loads. They crossed the Glano River and when the bridge had been blown, they stopped in their tracks, lay down and slept the sleep of the dead. The next morning the march recommenced. Morale was at a low ebb and the fears for the safety of the men who had left for Dili combined with exhaustion from the previous day's march took its toll. The trip to Vila Maria was nightmarish. The heavily burdened troops marched through the still, airless heat of the morning along a seemingly endless track. Distant features seemed to get no closer as the tired men marched on heads down, not daring to look at the climb ahead. The little town of Ermera was reached in the early afternoon during a tropical downpour which turned previously dry tracks to muddy creek beds in minutes. A friendly inhabitant provided the troops with shelter and food. For many of the troops it was the first decent meal in days. The final stage of the trip lay along what the Timorese claimed was a short cut. Leaving the well-made track running from Ermera to Vila Maria the troops were led to another which appeared to lead straight up a mountain. After a long and exhausting climb through the tropical rain the weary men finally arrived at Vila Maria on the evening of 25 February, where they were able to get some rest. While many stores had been destroyed in the withdrawal much was saved, and after the hard work of the Australians and Timorese helpers, ammunition, medical equipment and weapons were removed to the new camp areas. … Fortunately the Japanese did not press on -after their initial drives, giving the commandos time to move their ammunition and stores to safety. By the end of February Company Headquarters was established at Vila Maria. Owned by a Portuguese, Senhor Aphonse Pereira, who was to be of great assistance to the Australians over the coming months, Vila Maria was located between Ermera and Hatu-Lia. A long, low structure built on a levelled area cut into a mountainside, the house looked out over terraced rose gardens to the mountains. [6] Callinan described his first meeting with Senhor Pereira: Just out from Ermera we met Senhor Pereira, the owner of the Vila Maria coffee plantation, and with him was Father Carlos. It was the first time that I had met Pereira, but Turton knew him quite well. He was a most entertaining person to talk to; he had a wealth of descriptive gestures with his hands and arms, and his facial expressions were a language of their own. He did a great deal for the Australians. His house was always at our disposal, and because of this he was eventually a refugee in the hills with his wife and ten children. [7] Harry Wray Sights Vila Maria Signaller Corporal Harry Wray recalled his first sight of Vila Maria: At last, we reached the top of a ridge and could see a large Porto house below us. We were given to understand that this was close to our destination and with the clearing off of the rain our dropping spirits revived somewhat. The sides of the track were scored with deep narrow waterways along which the red coloured water from the rain rushed in torrents. I slipped off the track into one of these miniature mill races and found it hard to regain my feet and scramble out, covered in clay, and dripping in muddy water. I was so wet from the rain that it did not matter much, but I was very annoyed about it at the time. We slithered and slipped down the hillside to Vila Maria and were halted at the gates. This house was a long low structure, built in stone and roofed with iron. The gardens were spacious and well laid out. I can remember admiring the wonderful display of roses in this garden. [8] Callinan Visits Vila Maria Callinan described his first visit to Vila Maria: Later in the morning Baldwin and I set off to return by a different route to his area, and we slept that night with Dexter's section, and the following day Cornelius and I set off for company headquarters at Vila Maria. This took us down into the Glano Valley, and then a climb up to a coffee plantation at Ai-Fu. We progressed very slowly, and I had to leave Cornelius half-way up the hill and send a native with a horse back for him. These people at Ai-Fu were very good, and I filled in the time waiting for Cornelius by having a bath. When he arrived, they gave us a meal which was much appreciated as we had not eaten since early that morning, and it was now well on towards evening. We pushed on the mile or so into Ermera, where it was arranged that Cornelius would sleep for the night whilst I went on to Vila Maria. The owner of Ai-Fu lent me a horse and saddle for the trip. It was my first experience of riding a Timor pony. It was not a very long trip, fortunately. I had difficulty in staying in the saddle as the pony jumped from rock to rock; at least, that is how it appeared to me at the time. It was about eight o'clock when I arrived at Vila Maria, and there met a Portuguese girl who was to give us a lot of assistance and, because of it, to be placed on the list for an unpleasant death if the Japanese caught her. She was Brandolina da Silva. She directed me on to the actual headquarters, which was about half a mile further on. Vila Maria was a high house placed on a platform cut into the side of the hill. The roof was thatched, and the walls were of the typical sawn timber framework, filled in with palm stems placed vertically; there were wooden shutters over the windows which lit the few large rooms of the house, and the whole was very attractive. The kitchen was a separate building. The soil cut away from the hillside had been spread out in front of the house to give a terraced garden which was laid out in regular little garden plots filled with roses, and in the centre was a fishpond with water lilies. Later it was to achieve fleeting world notice when the B.B.C. announced that Allied planes had attacked an enemy post at Vila Maria in Portuguese Timor. The next day was spent in passing on my information to Major Spence, and in learning all the dispositions he had made to protect this area against a Japanese attack. The ammunition was being hidden in small dumps, most of them within a small area, because transport was unprocurable; but wherever possible the dispersal was being increased. Our role at this stage was to protect the rear of the main force. Everything there was organized, so it was decided that I should set off to go overland down to Koepang to contact the main force, and to give them a report of our positions, also to ask them for food, money, tommy gun magazines, and quinine. [9] ‘Our fine leader became deeply infatuated …’ Reinforcement detachment member Private Des Lilya recalled his arrival in Timor and progressive movement to Vila Maria where his sub-section officer Lieutenant John Laffy succumbed to the charms of Brandolina da Silva: On January 16th, 1942, I sailed from Darwin as a reinforcement to the 2/2 Independent Company which was stationed somewhere in the NEI [Netherlands East Indies]. After three days at sea, we arrived at Koepang, the capital of Dutch Timor. Our party for the 2/2 AIC [Australian Independent Company] consisted of 50 ORs [Other Ranks] and 3 officers. We were immediately transferred to a Dutch gunboat, and after half a day wandering through the dusty, yet somehow picturesque street of the small capital, we sailed for Dili the capital of Portuguese Timor. On arriving the following day, we moved straight out to the Dili drome, and I was taken on by truck to Three Spurs camp. There we were made into D platoon, and after about a week we moved on to occupy Railaco. Here we stayed about three weeks digging AA [Anti-Aircraft] defences and building Water Pipe Camp. Then a subsection of us with Mr [Lieutenant] Laffy in charge, moved on to make the first staging camp at Vila Maria. Here, our fine leader became deeply infatuated with a Portuguese by the name of Brandolina de Silva. But on the night of February 19-20th, news came through that the Japs had landed at Dili in force, and our movements were much faster from then on. Major Spence came through and detailed us all our jobs and patrols. [10] Laffy along with Lilya, Arnold Webb, Bob Larney and ‘Curly’ Freeman shortly afterwards defected from their assigned patrol and decided to attempt to make their way independently back to Australia by boat. [11] Love (or lust) prevailed and Laffy left his three compatriots when they reached Suai on the south coast and rejoined the unit making his way to Hatu Builico where he was temporarily reunited with Brandolina. Ray Aitken observed their relationship with interest: At this time, Brandolina had a 'thing' about one of our reinforcement officers known as Tenente Jack [Lieutenant John (Jack) Laffy]. The Tenente was a plausible rogue of considerable presence and carriage. Brandolina's image of him was that he was the individual hero of the Company and that while he stayed on the island the Japs were in imminent danger of defeat. This was not at all our opinion of the Tenente, but emotional interest is notoriously blind. [12] Brandolina da Silva (left rear) with her family in Portugal, June 1945 [13] Battery Charger Retrieved There is a report that a battery charger was retrieved from Vila Maria while it was occupied by the Japanese and used in the construction of ‘Winnie the War Winner’: Loveless got to work on a second transmitter twice as big as that first attempted, which proved unsuccessful, and built it into a four-gallon kerosene tin. A battery charger was recovered from enemy-held territory. To get it 14 Commandos went through the Japanese lines to the old Australian headquarters at Vila Maria. There, within 100 yards of Japanese sentries, protected only by the dark, they dug up the charger which had been buried when the headquarters were evacuated. [14] Anzac Day Ambush Anzac Day 1942 (25 April) brought considerable Japanese movement from Lete-Foho and Hatu-Lia to Ermera and Dili. Lieutenant Rose and a party of four men ambushed a truck filled with Japanese troops near Vila Maria. The Australians fired into the truck from their ambush positions and the panic-stricken survivors attempted to clamber up an almost vertical bank beside the road, less than 50 metres from the Australian positions. The approach of a large convoy forced the Australians to break off and withdraw into the bush before they could complete their work. Behind them they left between 12 and 15 Japanese dead. One of the commandos, Private M.L. 'Doc' Wheatley, a professional kangaroo shooter in civilian life and regarded as one of the best marksmen in the company, accounted for eight of the enemy. [15] The Australians were now falling into instinctive jungle fighting. They were adopting the policy of hitting hard, quickly and often, then getting out. As they knew the country well that they had selected to work in and knowing that the Japanese would not leave the road in pursuit, their getaways were usually fast and safe. To the Australians this was a particularly adaptable policy and proved most effective. The rugged conditions and lack of manpower made it almost impossible to transport casualties and it was far better to kill a small number of Japanese in a short, hard hitting action with no casualties to the Australians than to engage in longer battle which would almost certainly produce wounded. This policy was to prove very effective and fitted admirably to the peculiar situation. It had a great moral effect on the Japanese, who after every ambush sent out large parties of troops, at times as many as 200 strong to attempt to ferret out the Australians. This usually amounted to nothing more than additional casualties to the Japanese and the Australians, using the jungle where the enemy used the roads would then proceed to pull off a series of ambushes until the Japanese tired of the fruitless pursuit and retired to their bases. These continuous hard hitting actions also built up 'face’ with the Timorese who soon were talking of the white men's bravery and skill. The troops were getting very sure of themselves, knew that they were more than a match for the Japanese, even at the great odds which they allowed the enemy. The Atura Raid By early May the Japanese were occupying the Villa Maria down to Ermera area and from reports received from native sources it appeared that they were going to consolidate probably for a push south. Plans had already been made by the company to move east if the Japanese forced them from their central and southern coastal positions, but at the same time it was considered that a little diversion behind their own back, a strike at their rear may take their minds off their direct front. The Japanese had established a base at Ermera, and the commandos soon found the convoys moving along the road from Dili to be a tempting target. After several ambushes had taken their toll the Japanese set up strong posts along the road from which they sent out patrols to prevent further raids. This was just what the Australians wanted. The Japanese troops were dispersed and tied down in fixed locations where they could be observed by the Australians and attacked at leisure. One such raid took place on 9 May when Lieutenant John Rose and a soldier, who had been on a two-week reconnaissance in the Vila Maria area, attacked an enemy outpost at Atura, a small village on the main road to Lete-Foho. After blacking themselves with dirt and grease from the native cooking pots, Rose and the soldier together with a party of Timorese entered the village at night and attacked two huts occupied by Japanese soldiers with tommy-gun fire and grenades. The outpost was wiped out, some 20 Japanese soldiers being killed or wounded. [16] Vila Maria Under the Japanese By the beginning of June, reports showed clearly that there were about 1200 Japanese troops occupying Ermera, so Sparrow Force headquarters asked for a bombing raid on the town. They also asked that Vila Maria, Taco-Lulic and Tai-Bessi be bombed at the same time. This was done on 6 June and details of the strike were immediately radioed back to Australia. From late 1942 Vila Maria was permanently garrisoned by the Japanese who pressed the local Timorese to excavate caves in the surrounding hillsides for use as air raid shelters and to store ammunition and other supplies. A large concrete water storage tank was also constructed in the area. Reputedly, after August 1942 most of the local leaders switched their support to the Japanese. What Happened to the Pereira and da Silva Families? All members of the Pereira and da Silva families were evacuated from Portuguese Timor to Australia and survived WWII. Whilst resident in Armidale, NSW Brandolina studied for and gained bookkeeping qualifications. She corresponded with Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Spence and in a letter to him she referred to a visit from some of her Australian ‘soldier friends’: Now a few items of news from Armidale: Captain Dexter, Bill Tomasetti and Captain Neave [17] … came to this town to meet their Portuguese friends, and of course we were thrilled at having had the chance of seeing our soldier friends again, and of speaking about past times and adventures in Timor. Captain Neave whom I met only once over there, brought his wife to meet us and I think she liked the Portuguese people fairly well. Captain Dexter looked very happy and different from when I met him in Vila Maria …. [18] The da Silva family, including Brandolina moved to Portugal at the war’s end. The Pereira family returned to Portuguese Timor. [19] John Burridge met up again with Aphonse Pereira on a visit to Timor in 1966: I had little more than one day left and was quite busy. The first call was to Aphonse Pereira, who many will remember at Vila Maria. He is starting to look a little old now but really has changed very little in 24 years and still has the same ‘explosive’ personality. [20] Visiting Vila Maria Today A substantial post WWII residence now stands on the site of what was the simpler structure described above. The existing house unfortunately has been abandoned and neglected and is falling into ruin. Overgrown agricultural or garden terracing and two roofless subsidiary buildings can be seen to the left-hand side of the house as you face it. Local residents can point out and lead more agile visitors to the caves reputedly built during the Japanese occupation further up the steep hillside behind the house. A Japanese built concrete water tank is situated further down the road towards Hatolia on the right-hand side – again, local residents can guide visitors to its location. [21] Overgrown agricultural or garden terracing and two roofless subsidiary buildings on the left-hand side of the house at Vila Maria REFERENCES [1] Area study of Portuguese Timor / Allied Geographical Section, South West Pacific Area. - [Brisbane]: The Section, 1943: Map 1 – Portuguese Timor [163] https://repository.monash.edu/items/show/26455#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 [2] Area study of Portuguese Timor: 36. [3] Christopher C. H. Wray - Timor 1942: Australian commandos at war with the Japanese. - Hawthorn, Vic.: Hutchinson Australia, 1987: 71. [4] Bernard Callinan - Independent Company: the Australian Army in Portuguese Timor 1941-43. - Richmond, Vic.: Heinemann, 1984: 50-51. [5] Wray, Timor 1942: 71-72. [6] Wray, Timor 1942: 72-74. [7] Callinan, Independent Company: 72-73. [8] Harry Wray Timor memoir. Manuscript copy in 2/2 Commando Association of Australia archives: 65. [9] Callinan, Independent Company: 54-55. [10] ‘Des Lilya's Story via Dave Dexter’ 2/2 Commando Courier April 1991: 7. [11] Ed Willis ‘Escape from Timor – how four men made it back to Darwin after the Japanese invasion of Portuguese Timor – Arnold Webb's and Des Lilya's Stories’ https://doublereds.org.au/forums/topic/218-escape-from-timor-–-how-four-men-made-it-back-to-darwin-after-the-japanese-invasion-of-portuguese-timor-–-arnold-webbs-and-des-lilyas-stories/#comment-399 [12] Ray Aiken - Tales of the Second Second: 60-61. Manuscript copy held in 2/2 Commando Association of Australia archives. [13] Photo in 2/2 Commando Association of Australia archives provided by Genevieve Isbell from the Alexander Spence collection. [14] ‘Let us remember these men, too - Rabaul, Ambon, and Timor’ The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.: 1864 - 1946) Sat 28 Oct 1944: 9. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142419751/12685836 [15] Wray, Timor 1942: 95. [16] Wray, Timor 1942: 100. [17] Lieutenant (later Captain) David St Alban Dexter, VX38890, 1 Section, A Platoon 2AIC; Staff Sergeant William (Bill) Ernest Tomasetti, VX28767, Headquarters Section, 2AIC and Captain Reginald (Reg) Claydon Neave, NX70843, Sparrow Force Headquarters. [18] Letter from Brandolina da Silva to Alexander Spence from Armidale, NSW, dated 19 September 1944. Copy in 2/2 Commando Association of Australia archives provided by Genevieve Isbell from the Alexander Spence collection. [19] Yvonne Fraser - Bob's Farm cadre camp: refugees from Timor in Port Stephens during World War II. - Tanilba Bay, NSW: Port Stephens Family History Society Inc., 2014: 58-59. [20] John Burridge ‘A report on a trip to Portuguese Timor: June 15 to June 22, 1966’ 2/2 Commando Courier July 1966: 10-11. [21] Notes by Ed Willis made during visit to Vila Maria on 11 May 2019. Thank you to John Cramb for providing me with his notes on the site prepared during a visit to the site in 2013. See also ‘Australian link with East Timor’ Wyvern Magazine Issue 23, 2014: 12. Copy attached to this post.

WWII Timorese Z Special veteran Senhor Câncio Dos Reis Noronha recently passed away (late February 2022) at his home in Melbourne aged 99 years. Ed Willis, President expressed condolences and sympathy to Snr Noronha’s son Nando and the rest of his family on behalf of the 2/2 Commando Association of Australia. [1] Timorese at Fraser Commando School, Fraser Island – November 1942 --Câncio Noronha 4th from left, Bernardino Noronha 2nd from left. [2] Câncio’s elder brother Luís dos Reis Noronha was the liurai of Laclo (a village situated 11 kilometres west of Manatuto) when the Japanese invaded. [3] Câncio recalled later: The Japanese knew our family helped Australians and our elder brother Luís was in hiding. They caught one of our chiefs called Macao. He was tied up, beaten and burnt, but still he would not tell where Luís was, so the Japanese made him dig his own grave, then killed him. There were so many like Macao, brave people who died so they didn't betray their friends. If there was a book recording the heroes of Timor from that war it would be too long for anyone to read. Our people told us the Japanese knew most Timorese would help Australians, so they took revenge on any, took people off to fix roads that had been destroyed and treated them very badly and many died. At first the Japanese tried to make our sisters stay in a brothel for Japanese soldiers. Many girls were forced to go there. But our sisters knelt and said the rosary and would not see the soldiers, so the Japanese put them in a separate place, where they had to stay until the war ended. My sisters were told by those who saw Tenente Pires that still in prison he held his head high. He was a brave man who loved Timor. They captured Luis. He wrote to our sisters asking them to forgive the man who informed on us to the Japanese, not to have him killed. Luís was tortured, hung by his feet and forced to drink water. A friend of his, Procopio Rego, was killed with him. [4] During 1942-43 over 600 Portuguese and Timorese men, women and children were evacuated to Australia from Timor to escape the harsh Japanese occupation. [5] Motivated by what had happened to their elder brother Luís, Câncio and his other brother Bernardino were two of the approximately 100 of the men evacuated who volunteered for service with the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), which was the special operations arm of the Australian Army. Both young men were among those selected to receive formal commando training and become operatives in the Z Special Unit of the SRD. They completed training courses at Mount Martha, Fraser Island and Rockhampton, were qualified in signals, throwing grenades and parachute jumping and noted as being ‘very keen’. Though fully trained and ready to be deployed to undertake coast watching in their home area on Timor, successive missions to which the brothers had been assigned were cancelled. [6] They were perhaps fortunate in that regard because all the missions that were inserted were undermined by compromised radio communications – most of the men involved (Australian, Portuguese and Timorese) were captured by the Japanese or killed in action. Many of those captured were tortured and starved and also did not survive. [7] Câncio and his brother Bernadino were both members of a select Timorese ‘band of brothers’ who served with distinction in the Australian Army’s Z Special unit and deserve considerably more recognition and reward than they have so far been accorded; Ernie Chamberlain so aptly titled his book about them ‘Forgotten men’. Chamberlain summarised his life after WWII as follows. Câncio requested release from SRD in March 1945, and he departed Newcastle on the SS Angola on 27 November 1945. He joined the Health and Hygiene Service on return to Dili as an aspirante. First serving in Dili, then posted to the Sub-Delegação at Ossu in October 1947. He was later employed at the Overseas National Bank (BNU) in Dili – as empregado bancário and ‘treasurer’ an appointed as a member of the Conselho do Governo on 15 November 1959. Member of the União Democrática Timorense UDT political association/party from 1974-75 and served on its Central Committee resigning only in 1994. Following the Indonesian invasion in late 1975, he moved with his family to West Timor in 1976, then to Portugal and Australia arriving in 1986. He was granted Australian citizenship on 7 May 1992, working and living in Melbourne (Gladstone Park) for the rest of his life. [8] LEST WE FORGET REFERENCES [1] ‘In Memory of Câncio Dos Reis (Mass) Noronha, 1923 – 2022’ https://tobinbrothers.com.au/tribute/details/23705/Cancio-Dos-Reis-Mass-Noronha/obituary.html#tribute-start [2] The photograph was taken by H.B. Manderson and is in the Australian War Memorial (AWM) collection – PR91/101 Part, L15. [3] ‘Luís dos Reis Noronha’ in Ernest Chamberlain - Forgotten men: Timorese in special operations during World War II. - Point Lonsdale, Vic.: Ernest Chamberlain, 2010, Annex A: 45. [4] Câncio dos Reis Noronha ‘So, they didn't betray their friends’ in Telling: East Timor, personal testimonies, 1942-1992 / [compiled by] Michele Turner. - Kensington, NSW: New South Wales University Press, 1992: 54. [5] Yvonne Fraser - Bob's Farm cadre camp: refugees from Timor in Port Stephens during World War II. - Tanilba Bay, NSW: Port Stephens Family History Society Inc., 2014. [6] ‘Bernardino dos Reis Noronha’ and ‘Câncio dos Reis Noronha’ in Chamberlain - Forgotten men, Annex A: 20-21. [7] Narelle Morris ‘Gross inefficiency and criminal negligence’: the Services Reconnaissance Department in Timor in 1943–45 and the Darwin war crimes trials in 1946’ Intelligence and National Security 32 (2) 2016: 179-194. [8] ‘Câncio dos Reis Noronha’ in Chamberlain - Forgotten men, Annex A: 21. Prepared by Ed Willis Revised 8 March 2022

WWII IN EAST TIMOR AN AUSTRALIAN ARMY SITE AND TRAVEL GUIDE THE JAPANESE ASSAULT ON DILI, 19-20 FEBRUARY 1942 THE FATE OF THE NO. 2 AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT COMPANY MEN WHO WERE VICTIMS OF THE RATION TRUCK MASSACRE AND KILLED IN ACTION DEFENDING THE AIRFIELD The Documentary Evidence from the Australian War Crimes Section Investigations and Related Files INTRODUCTION In September 1946 No. 1 Australian War Crimes Section (1AWCS) began investigating which Japanese armed services personnel were responsible for the execution of 15 Australians in two or more incidents that occurred in Dili between 20-22 February 1942 usually referred to collectively as the Ration Truck Massacre. [1] This process involved interrogation of Japanese Army and Navy personnel who were involved in the initial sea-borne assault on Dili on those dates. The investigation was taken over by 2AWCS and its Commanding Officer submitted his final report on the investigation in May 1949 and referred to difficulties in completing their work because of the duplicity of a primary witness, Naval Warrant Officer Kasai Tomojiro and collusion between officers of the Army’s 228 Regiment - their further interrogation clearly established the fact that they had conspired at Rabaul to give false information to the Australian investigators there and that since repatriation to Japan they had maintained a liaison with one another. Whilst admitting the conspiracy, the officers maintained that their object had been to hasten their own repatriation to Japan not to conceal evidence of the executions. Six weeks of extensive investigation that were made following Kasai’s allegations failed to establish the probability that any of the Army officers named by him had participated in the executions, other than 228 Regiment Captain Maeda (deceased) concerning whom there was a doubt. Former Naval Warrant Officer Okamura Toshio, who unsuccessfully attempted suicide in February 1949, was also recalled. On 18 May, after several days of interrogation, he completed a sworn statement in Japanese and then tellingly early the following morning hanged himself. [2] Though the report concludes by stating that ‘The investigation is proceeding’, at the time Australia was under pressure from the US and UK to wind down its war crimes proceedings, and all efforts to pursue justice in this case were abandoned in 1951. [3] RON KIRKWOOD ENQUIRES Ron Kirkwood enquired to the Adjutant-General, Army Headquarters in Melbourne about the status of the war crimes investigation into the Ration Truck Massacre on behalf of the Ex 2/2 Commando Association on 20 July 1950: Ron Kirkwood’s enquiry elicited the following reply: NO. 2 AUSTRALIAN WAR CRIMES SECTION FINAL REPORT ON THE RATION TRUCK MASSACRE The Adjutant-General’s succinct reply was based on the following report on the investigation prepared on 24 May 1949 by Lieutenant Colonel D. Beresford Goslett, Officer Commanding No. 2 Aust War Crimes Section (2 AWCS), Supreme Command of the Allied Powers (SCAP): (46A) AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES DBG/HSW/bej 2 Aust War Crimes Sec SCAP In reply quote TOKYO WC 533 24 MAY 49 Subject: EXECUTION OF AUSTRALIANS – DILI AREA, TIMOR 20 FEB 42. Refs 2 AWCS memo WC 329 dated 24 Mar 49. Army Headquarters, MELBOURNE. 1. In the abovementioned memorandum it was advised that: (a) Naval Lt HONDO Mitsuyoshi mid WO OKAMURA Toshio had ordered the killing of 4 Australian PW during the morning of 20 Feb 42; (b) Naval WO KASAI Tomojiro had named 7 Naval officers and 5 Army officers as having killed the remaining Australian PW on the night of 20 February 1942. 2. Because of the information furnished by KASAI it was confidently expected that the investigation of this case would be concluded within about 4 weeks from that date. All the Japanese named by KASAI were called for interrogation. Some of the Army officers had already been interrogated at RABAUL in 1946 prior to repatriation to Japan, and they had subsequently been interrogated in TOKYO several times. Their further interrogation clearly established the facts that they had conspired at RABAUL to give false information to the Australian investigators there and that since repatriation to Japan they had maintained a liaison with one another. Whilst admitting the conspiracy, the officers maintain that their object was to hasten their own repatriation to Japan. 3. Six weeks of extensive investigation that were made following KASAI’s allegations failed to establish the probability that any of the Army officers named by KASAI had participated in the execution, other than Captain MAEDA (dead) concerning whom there is a doubt. KASAI was therefore recalled. From the attached translation of his latest sworn statement it will be noted that he has withdrawn his former sworn statement, which he now admits was false. However, KASAI has proved such a ready liar that little credence is now attached to anything that he says. 4. Former Naval WO OKAMURA Toshio, whom it will be recalled unsuccessfully attempted suicide in February last, was also recalled. On 18 May, after several days of interrogation, he completed a sworn statement in Japanese (translation enclosed) and then early the following morning hanged himself. 5. The results of the investigations made to date are summarised hereunder: (a) 16 Australian soldiers, comprising a ration party, were captured on the morning of 20 February 1942. 4 were shot shortly afterwards. An hour or so later one was handed over to the Army, and about the same time an additional Australian soldier who was riding a motorcycle was captured. The 12 prisoners who were then alive were taken to DILI town nearby. According to KASAI they were killed the same night. OKAMURA claimed that they were killed on the night of 21 or 22 February. (b) Suspects - Execution of 4 Australian PW on morning of 20 Feb 42. (i) Naval Lt HONDO Mitsuyoshi - ordered the execution. An order for the apprehension of HONDO was issued, but his arrest has been deferred because he is at present hospitalised with TB. [Died 14 June 49] (ii) Naval WO OKAMURA Toshio - implemented order for execution. Committed suicide on 19 May 49. (iii) Maintenance WO (SEIBI HEISOCHO). KASAI states that this man was WO KUBO (KIA IWOJIMA, 17 Mar 45), whereas OKAMURA denied that KUBO was present. (iv) 1st Cl Seaman SASAKI (FNU) - believed to be identical with SASAKI Tadashi - not yet located. (v) 3 other Naval ratings of 3 Air Force (not yet identified). (c) Suspects - Execution of 12 Australian PW on night of 20, 21 or 22 Feb 42. (i) Naval Lt HONDO Mitsuyoshi - ordered execution (vide sub-para (b) (i) above). (ii) WO KUBO Takaichi. (KIA 17 Mar 45). 6. The undermentioned Japanese have been interrogated since our memo WC 329 of 24 Mar 1949 was forwarded: OZEKI Wasaburo (No connection with case) UNIGUOHI Tadamitsu Lt-Comd, 3 Naval Air Force. SEINO Isao (No connection with case) NAKAMURA Tetsuzo (No connection with case) IMAI Miyoshi (No connection with case) NAGATA Kiyoshi (No connection with case) ISHIWATA Asakichi Lt, 3 Naval Air Force, OZAWA Kunio 2nd Lt, 228 Inf Regt. MAEDA Eichiro (No connection with case) NAWATA Hisakazu Civilian guide attached 228 Inf Regt. ONUKI Shigenobu 2nd Lt, 228 Inf Regt. ONUKI Zenzo (No connection with case) ONOGI Isamu Capt, 228 Inf Regt. GOTO Takezu Seaman, 3 Naval Air Force. IWATA Seiichi Capt, 228 Inf Regt. MORO Hajime Surgeon Lt, 3 Naval Air Force. KIMURA Eijiro Major, 228 Inf Regt. YOSHIYASU Tatsuo Lt, 228 Inf Regt. YAMADA Nobuyoshi Lt, 228 Inf Regt. ARAKAWA Kuwakichi 2nd Lt, 228 Inf Regt. NAKAJIMA Yasushi 2nd Lt, 228 Inf Regt. OKAMURA Toshio W0, 3 Naval Air Force. YOKOUCHI Keisuke Surgeon 2nd Lt. 228 Regt. Copies of interrogation reports, notes and sworn statements in connection with the above interrogations are forwarded herewith for information. 7. The following Japanese who are referred to in some of the interrogation reports and sworn statements are reported to be dead: Paymaster Lt TODA Shigeo 3 Naval Air Force. Naval WO KUBO Takaichi 3 Naval Air Force. Army Capt MAEDA Eichiro 228 Inf Regt. 8. The investigation is proceeding. A further report will be submitted as early as possible. Lt Col D Beresford GOSLETT OC 2 Aust War Crimes Sec SCAP THE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN WAR CRIMES SECTION INVESTIGATIONS A landing force consisting of elements of the Imperial Japanese Army’s 228th Regiment (DOI Butai) and Imperial Japanese Navy’s 3rd Naval Air Force arrived off Dili early in the morning of 20 February 1942 in two transports escorted by two destroyers. The Army made a landing west of the airfield, with the object of capturing the airfield and then advancing on Dili town. The non-combatant 3rd Naval Air Force landing party of about 80 men comprising airfield construction workers and signals personnel, landed further west on the other side of the Comoro River and followed in the rear of the Army. Sketch map showing landing place and route taken by the 3rd Naval Air Force landing force into Dili via the airfield The landing party were charged with occupying the airfield after it had been captured by the Army, establishing radio communication with 3rd Naval Air Force headquarters in Kendari, assessing the condition of the airfield and then organising and conducting the work required to bring into operational use by the unit’s Zero fighters as soon as possible. It was not a combat unit – the officers carried swords and revolvers while only some of the seamen carried rifles and others just bayonets. Commanded by Lieutenant Hondo Mitsuyoshi, the group was weighed down by heavy signals gear and construction tools. The party had only just crossed the Comoro River west of Dili when they heard a truck coming along the road. The armed Navy personnel fired on the truck as it approached, puncturing one of the tyres and bringing it to a halt. When the Australians alighted from the truck, they were surrounded by the sailors who bound the hands of all the men before loading their heavy equipment onto the back of the truck. This meant there was no longer enough room for all 16 Australians, so four men were forced to march behind. The truck had only gone a short distance when the remnants of the Dutch force opened fire on the Japanese with a machine gun. Warrant Officer Okamura Toshio saw the bullets hitting the dust about 50 metres beyond the utility, though one of the marines, Leading Seaman Goto Takeza, was wounded just above the knee and an Australian soldier suffered a flesh wound in the arm. The Dutch broke off the engagement, but Lieutenant Hondo is alleged to have then ordered that the four Australian POWs be killed because the situation was deemed dangerous. Warrant Officer Okamura, acting on instructions sent to him from Lieutenant Hondo, ordered that the four prisoners at the back of the truck be executed. He decided to shoot the Australians in a field just off the road. As the rest of the Australians looked on, Sergeant Gordon Chiswell, and privates Harvey Marriott, Frank Alford, and Keith Hayes, were rounded up for execution. Okamura asked some of his men to step forward to form the firing squad. The men who were being pressed into service looked puzzled as discussions proceeded about how to conduct the execution. Okamura thought it was ‘too cruel’ to shoot them without blindfolds, so some had to be found. Then there was a discussion about what part of the body to shoot at, the head or the chest. After some minutes they decided that they would shoot the prisoners in the head. As this was happening, an English-speaking Japanese officer approached and spoke in an agitated way to the officer in charge. He wanted one man to go into Dili to search for the Japanese consul and his family. For this task Private Peter Alexander was chosen. Sketch map showing the disposition of the Japanese personnel and the Australian prisoners for the first executions With the execution party assembled by the side of the road, the four Australians were told to turn their backs. The Japanese sailors were reluctant to follow Okamura’s orders; only two had agreed to form the execution squad, so the four soldiers would have to be shot two at a time. Private Keith Hayes was standing alongside Chiswell and Alford when the bullets struck them in the head, killing them instantly. Moments later, the sailors fired on Marriott and Hayes. Okamura watched the four prisoners fall down, and then he ordered that they be bayoneted ‘to kill them completely’. The executioners took what valuables they could find on the Australians; one untied the hands of Keith Hayes so that he could take his watch. Shortly afterwards, the Japanese heard the sound of a motorcycle, and captured Private Reg Alexander, who joined the remaining prisoners. Alexander, had been sent from the Railaco headquarters, located above the Three Spurs camp, to travel to Dili with a message for Callinan. The main Company HQ was also oblivious to the dramatic events earlier in the morning. Members of the Navy landing party brought the 12 remaining prisoners to Dili in the early afternoon and kept them under guard. The Japanese Army had allowed medical treatment to be given to the wounded Private Merv Ryan, but Lieutenant Hondo refused the Army’s request to hand over the prisoners for interrogation. Surgeon 2nd Lieutenant Yokouchi Keisuke attached to DOI Butai observed the POWs in Dili: On 20 February I participated in the landing that was made at DILI, Timor. I was then a Surgeon 2nd Lieutenant attached to DOI Butai. The first time when I saw a prisoner of war was during the morning when I saw a young Australian soldier. He seemed so young that I asked him his age. He replied 16. He did not seem to me much older …. Later that day, the 12 were taken to a shed adjacent to a church near the airfield, while Lieutenant Hondo was heard discussing plans to execute them. Hondo told Warrant Officer Kubo Takaichi to arrange for the execution of the prisoners. Kubo collected shovels to bury the prisoners, and later that evening some of the senior officers and warrant officers — Okamura, Toda, Moro, Hondo, and ensign Sasaki — boasted that they had ‘tested their swords’. Some days after the executions, Portuguese resident Sebastião Graça saw the bodies of as many as seven Australians, still with their hands tied, half buried in a ditch by the side of the road near the airfield. They were only partly covered, with legs and feet still protruding out of the ground. Francisco Tilman de Ataídealso witnessed this gruesome sight and saw another three Australian bodies on the airfield. A month after the massacre, Callinan tried to investigate the whereabouts of the Australians while on a visit to an observation post in Dili. He was shown from a distance a spot where the bodies of six soldiers had been burnt, but he was unable to get close to it. Callinan learned that two Australian soldiers were being held prisoner in the town. Peter Alexander had escaped execution because his custody had been taken over by the army. He was joined by Merv Ryan, who had been wounded on the airfield, together with some Dutch soldiers. [4] ‘The Ration Truck Massacre’ Cover illustration for Ken White. - Criado: a story of East Timor. - Briar Hill, Vic.: Indra Publishing, 2002 - an original oil painting by Wolfgang Grasse ATTEMPTS TO LOCATE THE REMAINS OF THE EXECUTED SOLDIERS AND THOSE KILLED IN ACTION Captain R.J. Crilley of the 16th Australian War Graves Unit and Captain A.D. Stephenson of the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) visited Dili in March 1946 and initiated the war crimes investigation of the Ration Truck Massacre. They submitted the following report: EXTRACT FROM REPORT BY CAPT COCKS, 9 MAR 46 Para 4. MASSACRE OF IND COY PERSONNEL AT DILI With further reference to LANDFORCES AG10729 of 251500K. Capt CRILLEY and Capt A.D. STEPHENSON of SRD have visited DILI, searched the area in which 2 Ind Coy and later 4 Ind Coy operated, and recovered all known bodies. They were accompanied by TX4141 Sgt MILSOM G of 2 Ind Coy. During the interrogation of natives in the area, nothing was heard of any massacre of Australian personnel. On the day of the Japanese landing at DILI, 20 Feb 42, a truck load of Aust personnel were proceeding from THREE SPURS towards DILI, unaware that the landing had taken place. This vehicle was ambushed, and a number of the occupants killed, though some escaped. It is suggested that this incident might be the massacre referred to. A thorough search by 16 Aust War Graves Unit has failed to locate the remains of the above personnel, or the wreckage of the vehicle. ….. Para 8 ……. e. SW end of DILLI airstrip: Remains of 6 unidentified Aust soldiers in a trench - probably members of the detachment from 2 Ind Coy, defending the airstrip, on 20 Feb 42. [5] Major N.F. Quinton, (later with 1AWCS) also visited Dili soon afterwards in June 1946 to conduct further enquiries. He reported as follows: Memo by Maj N.F. Quinton, OC 3 Aust PW Contact & Enquiry Unit (SEAC Detachment), 23 July 1946 ….. I have to report that as requested by you in your memo above, I proceeded to Portuguese Timor, leaving Singapore on 1st June 1946 and arriving at Dili, Portuguese Timor on 21st June 1946, after very considerable movement difficulties. The journey to Dili was taken by Air to Darwin, by sea to Koepang, Dutch Timor, and overland by various means to Portuguese Timor. On arrival at Dilli I reported to the Australian Consul, Mr. Chas. Eaton, and to the Portuguese Acting Governor. It was found that Captain Hugo POS of the N.E.I. Army had arrived in Dilli on the same mission with credentials from Captain McCloud of Batavia Aust War Crimes Section and also at the request of the United States Chief Prosecutor, TOKYO, to enquire into acts of violation of Portuguese neutrality by the Japanese and murders of Portuguese civilians and the massacre of natives. Information regarding these matters is mentioned in para 8 of your number 96 of 31st March 1946 to HQ, A.M.F. The Portuguese authorities in Dili had not permitted Captain POS to commence his investigations so I arranged a conference with the Acting Governor for Captain Pos and myself. It was requested by the A/Governor that after communication with his Government in Lisbon that I, Capt. Pos and a Portuguese representative be formed into a Committee of Enquiry to examine witnesses and make full investigations into war crimes committed against Australians, Portuguese and natives and other acts of Japanese against Portuguese neutrality. I consulted with the Australian Consul regarding this and pointed out that such an inquiry would involve me in a number of matters of a political nature and extraneous to my particular inquiries. A further conference was held with the A/Governor who stressed that I would not be permitted to make independent inquiries or interview witnesses unless they were brought the proposed Committee of Inquiry. As it appeared that I could not get my information by any other means I agreed to this course and the Committee of Inquiry was set up. It became evident however, that the Portuguese authorities were not co-operating to any great extent in obtaining witnesses and Capt. Pos and I were obliged to make independent inquiries amongst the population of Dili in order to obtain the necessary witnesses and bring them before the Committee. In obtaining these witnesses difficulties regarding the Portuguese and native (Tetum) language were encountered. …… During the examination of witnesses, it became apparent that none of the witnesses could give any information as to the particulars of the Japanese units or their Commanders during the relevant period of our inquiry and although the Japanese Headquarters was established at the Governor’s Palace during the occupation, we were informed that the there was no record of the Japanese units or their Commanders. It appeared that this information was being suppressed from us. Regarding the alleged murder of twelve Australians by Japanese near Dilli in February 1942, the evidence of one eyewitness, namely SEBASTIAO GRACA, of the murder of seven Australians was obtained. A number of other statements of hearsay witnesses regarding the murder of these seven Australians was also obtained. No names of the Japanese responsible for these murders could be obtained. From previous statements obtained by Flt/Lt McDonald it appears that there were no members of the Kempei-Tai in Dili until October 1942 and the Kempei-Tai do not appear to be concerned in the murder of these seven Australians. …… Lieutenant Colonel R.C. Smith, Officer Commanding 1AWCS, subsequently provided the following progress report of the investigation in September 1946: Memo by Lt Col R.C. Smith, OC 1 Aust War Crimes Sec SEAC, 4 September 1946: Subject: EXECUTION OF AUSTRALIAN POWs, DILI AREA, TIMOR, 20 FEB 42 On 20 Feb 42, a party of japs wearing caps bearing a Gold anchor on front, captured near DILI, a ration party of 16 Aust soldiers. Four of these men were ordered to stand at the side of the road and were then shot from the rear. Three of these men died, but one, WX12317 Cpl HAYES KH survived his wounds and later provided the above information. The twelve remaining were placed in a truck which was driven towards DILI aerodrome. Out of this party, WY,12344 Pte ALEXANDER P was detained, survived, and later provided corroboration of HAYES’ story. A Portuguese eyewitness saw 7 Australians bayonetted to death on or near DILLI aerodrome about this time. The fate of the four others is not determined but, in absence of advice of their survival, are presumed dead. ….. Northern Territory Memorial to the Missing located in the Adelaide River War Cemetery COMMEMORATION AND BURIAL Further research needs to be done regarding the work done 16 Australian War Graves Unit to locate the remains of the 2AIC men executed and killed in action during the Ration Truck Massacre and defence of the airfield. No detailed information has been located thus far. [6] The dearth of information is highlighted by the fact that the remains of one massacre victim were located – those of Private Harry Cotsworth. His remains were interred at the Ambon War Cemetery. Interestingly, map coordinates in Dili given for where his remains were found show a location 2.3 kilometres south of where the executions of the men are believed to have taken place. [7] All the other men are commemorated on Panel 3 of the Northern Territory Memorial to the Missing located in the Adelaide River War Cemetery. ‘The Northern Territory Memorial to the Missing is one of several erected around the world for those who have no known grave. This Memorial was erected specially to commemorate those of the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Merchant Navy who lost their lives in the South West Pacific region during the Second World War’. [8] The men are also commemorated with individual plaques in the Lovekin Drive Honour Avenue, Kings Park located in association with No 2 Australian Independent Company - 2/2 Australian Commando Squadron memorial. [9] REFERENCES [1] https://doublereds.org.au/news/the-ration-truck-massacre-75-years-ago-r20/ [2] All the war crimes investigation documents referred to in this post were contained in three key files held at Australian Archives – Melbourne Office, Victorian Archives Centre, North Melbourne: War crimes Timor - Murder of members 2 Independent Company near Dilli - Porto – Timor. Execution of Australian Prisoners of War and natives - Dilli Timor - February 1942 - MP742/1, 336/1/2073 Parts 1-3. [3] See Tim McCormack and Narrelle Morris ‘The Australian War Crimes Trials, 1945–51’ in Georgina Fitzpatrick, Tim McCormack [and] Narrelle Morris [editors]. - Australia’s War Crimes Trials 1945-51. - Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill Nijhoff, 2016: 5-26. [4] Callinan report, AWM52 25/3/2. [5] Re-occupation of Portuguese Timor - NAA: A816, 101/302/9. All of the following findings related to the efforts to locate the remains of the men were extracted from this file. [6] [Unit War Diaries, 1939-45 War] 16 Australian Graves Registration and Enquiry Unit, October 1942 - May 1945 - AWM52, 21/2/17. [7] Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial record for Private Henry James Cotsworth, Service Number: NX23164 - https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/4007094/henry-james-cotsworth/ [8] Adelaide River War Cemetery brochure https://www.dva.gov.au/documents-and-publications/adelaide-river-war-cemetery [9] Images of the individual plaques can be searched for and viewed through Honour Avenues Group website: https://honouravenueskingspark.com.au Prepared by Ed Willis Revised: 17February 2022

Hi Fiona: My apology for not replying sooner. I don't have access to the original photo of John McInerney's grave but have attached a copy of the 1966 issue of the 'Courier' where it was displayed. A quick web search brought up an article about the plane crash in which Dr McInerney was killed - 'Wewak, Vanimo and the Auster crash of 1953: Peter Skinner' https://pngaa.org/wewak-vanimo-and-the-auster-crash-of-1953-peter-skinner/ . Making an enquiry to the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia through their website https://pngaa.org may be helpful - they may have a photo of the grave or be able to direct you to a source where one can be obtained. Regards Ed Willis, President1966-01 - Courier January 1966.pdf1966-01 - Courier January 1966.pdf1966-01 - Courier January 1966.pdf1966-01 - Courier January 1966.pdf

CHARLES ‘MOTH’ EATON – AVIATOR AND DIPLOMAT - THE TIMOR CONNECTION [1] INTRODUCTION Charles Eaton (1895–1979 had long experience as a pilot; he left school at 14 to become a messenger with a town council in London. His chance to fly came with WW1 after a stint in the army as a trench bomber, he joined the fledgling Royal Flying Corps and flew as a bomber and reconnaissance pilot in France. When the engine in his DH9A failed in June 1918, he crashed into the forward line of German trenches and was captured. Undeterred, he made three escape attempts, the third successful. Between the wars Eaton continued his flying career with the Royal Air Force; flying the world's first international passenger service between London and Paris; with the RAF in India; and with the RAAF in Australia, which he joined on 14 August 1925. The nickname ‘Moth’ was awarded after he piloted the first prototype metal De Havilland Gypsy Moth, Prudence, in the 1929 Sydney-Perth air race. [2] Commanding Officer RAAF Station Darwin Group Captain Charles Eaton, October 1941 [3] TIMOR RECONNAISSANCE MISSION 1941 In February 1941 Pearl Harbour was still 10 months away but fears of a Japanese advance into south-east Asia were gathering strength. Australia hurriedly set out to plan the defence of the islands to its north. One of these islands was Timor. On 27 February 1941 Group Captain Eaton and Wing Commander W.L. (Bill) Hely left Darwin under ‘most secret instructions from the Air Board’ to travel to the Netherlands East Indies. They returned on 11 March. [4] This was a reconnaissance mission to Dutch Timor, Ambon, the Tanimbars, Buru Island and Babo, in western Dutch New Guinea, to gauge the current defence strengths and capabilities of those areas and to report on the possible use of facilities there by the RAAF. [5] They flew first to Koepang, the capital of Dutch West Timor where the local Dutch commandant, Lieutenant Colonel W.E.C. Detiger, met them when they landed and over the next few days assisted them as they travelled around the island. Eaton was able to make great use of information he gathered on this visit in air operations over Timor later during the war. Mina River bridge, Dutch Timor. Photograph by Eaton during his visit to Timor in 1941 [6] Eaton took many photographs of possible targets for the RAAF. One that most impressed him was the Mina [Mena] River bridge, which connected Koepang with the hinterland. This bridge was of strategic importance but, as he observed, ‘was supported by very strong concrete pillars and was fairly narrow’ - a difficult target. COMMANDER 79 WING, NORTHERN TERRITORY After returning from the Netherlands East Indies in March 1941, Eaton was posted to various RAAF commands, and in 1943 he returned to the Northern Territory to form and command 79 Wing, a composite wing operating against the Japanese in Timor and the eastern Netherlands East Indies. Four squadrons, operating from four different airfields, made up the wing: 1 and 2 Squadrons, RAAF, flying Beauforts for bombing and reconnaissance; 31 Squadron, RAAF, with Beaufighter strike fighters; and a Dutch unit, 18 Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) Squadron, flying B25 Mitchell bombers. Not far away Louis Spence was commanding a squadron of Spitfires. In 1947 Spence became one of Eaton's first military observers in Indonesia and was later killed in Korea in 1950. [7] NEIAF No. 18 Squadron at Batchelor, May 1944. Second from right, Captain Dick Asjes. Far right, Group Captain Eaton [8] The relationship between NEIAF and RAAF officers was far from cordial at the time, with a perception existing that some top-ranking RAAF officers were anti-Dutch. Eaton, however, stated that No. 18 Squadron was one of the best he ever commanded. To the Dutch he became ‘Oom’ Charles (Uncle Charles) and was well respected by all the Dutch Officers, NCOs and men, including the Indonesian contingent. [9] ‘… BOMBING TIMOR ON A DAILY BASIS’, 1944 By 1944 Eaton's wing was bombing Timor on a daily basis. Invariably accompanied by his pipe, ‘Moth’ often flew with the lead aircraft of a strike. This meant enduring many uncomfortable hours standing in a cramped Beaufighter cockpit between the pilot and navigator. One such raid brought him close to disaster. In Eaton's own words: In a Beaufighter, with S/Ldr Boyd, together with other Beaufighters, we set out to do some ground strafing at a camp near Dili, and I had rather an amazing and exciting experience. After crossing the coast at Timor low down, looking for targets, we were in a valley, when an odd .5 bullet from the Japanese hit our starboard engine. It went right through the front housing and out came the hot oil enveloping the engine with smoke. The propeller was immediately feathered, and we climbed out of the valley and headed for home some 400 miles [640 km) away. Eaton with officers of No. 79 Wing planning a mission. Batchelor, August 1944 [10] As a protection one of the other Beaufighters was ordered to accompany us and the other six to carry on with the job. Over Timor, with one engine, was not very pleasant, but once the coast was reached, we seemed fairly safe. Our predicament was wirelessed back to Darwin and a Catalina was sent out to pull us out of the drink if necessary. About 50 miles (80 km) out from the coast of Timor the port engine started to give trouble and developed a tremendous vibration. It seemed the only thing to do was to ditch and so down we went to ditch. Boyd let the ditching hatch go and I opened my parachute to rest my head against to take the bump. At that time, I lost my hat. When only about 100 feet [30 m] above the sea, the port engine came good again, so we went towards the coast of Australia. About halfway across, Boyd endeavoured to pump the petrol from the starboard (wing) to the port engine, but unfortunately the pipes were blocked, and the petrol could not get through. There was nothing to do but to dump the petrol on the starboard side into the Timor Sea and go on until we ran out of petrol. With great skill in the use of his remaining engine, after what seemed a very long time, the north coast of Australia was sighted, and we got down OK at Snake Bay at the top of Melville Island. ‘A wing and a prayer’ was often sung to me after that show. An even more calamitous event had occurred on this particular flight: during the excitement, ‘Moth’ had broken his beloved pipe! Eaton instructed the Beaufighter's navigator, Fred Anderson, to signal RAAF Darwin for a new pipe and a car - in that order - to meet them if they got back. Anderson later reflected that the Group Captain might have been less worried about his pipe if he knew that the rubber dinghy was shot through, and they only had five minutes' petrol left when they landed. ‘The Mena River Bridge’ by Charles Bush (1945, oil on canvas, overall: 45.2 x 60.4 cm, AWM ART26318) ATTACKS ON THE [MENA] RIVER BRIDGE AND HATOLIA On 19 February 1944, three years after the Japanese bombing of Darwin, Eaton had the chance to put his pre-war reconnaissance to work by launching an attack against the Mina [Mena] River bridge. Three of the wing's squadrons took part in the raid. Eaton, who had photographed the bridge before the war, flew with Wing Commander Mann in the leading Beaufighter, and later recalled: On the day in question, we set out from Darwin with Beaufighters andB-25s. I went in low with W/Cdr Mann to strafe the bridge with cannon and put out any defences. As we passed through, the Mitchells bombed from 6,000 feet [1,850 m] and on top of the Mitchells again more Beaufighters as air cover. The plan worked well. We got three direct hits with 600 pounders on the bridge and returned without casualty. A year afterwards the bridge was still under repair. Hatoelia [Hatolia], Timor. 1944-11-17. The shadow of a Beaufighter of no. 31 squadron RAAF can be seen on the ground as aircraft attack Japanese occupied buildings. This attack was the first use by the RAAF of rocket projectiles in this theatre of war. Eaton was keen for the Beaufighters to be equipped with rockets, and in November 1944 he was responsible for the first RAAF rocket strike in the South-West Pacific Area. The target was a Japanese headquarters in East Timor, located in an old monastery in a deep valley near Hatolia. [11] Conventional bombing had proved impossible since aircraft could not line up to release their bombs without plunging into the sides of the valley. Now six aircraft equipped with rockets executed a close and aggressive air strike against the hitherto invulnerable target. The attack was pressed at such low altitude that the Beaufighter in which Eaton flew returned from the attack with a ‘chunk of rocket’ wedged in the wing. Under Eaton's command the wing completed some 30,000 operational hours and sank 107 vessels of all descriptions, from 4,000 ton ships to seagoing barges. Nearly 1,200 tons of bombs were dropped on military targets on Timor and in the surrounding areas. After the war General T. Kaida, the Japanese garrison commander on Timor, commented that all Japanese military and naval movement came to a standstill as a direct result of these attacks. Eaton may have done his work too well, as his units were running out of targets, but as a result of his efforts in Batchelor he received a Mention in Despatches (MID). His participation in the Mina River bridge bombing was mentioned in the citation as an example ‘of his interest in the operational work of his units’. The citation went on: ‘His outstanding keenness and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to all personnel and is deserving of the highest praise’. Eaton was later honoured by the Dutch also; at the direction of Queen Wilhelmina on 10 August 1945 Eaton was made a Knight Commander in the Order of Orange Nassau with Swords. [12] POST WAR – AUSTRALIAN CONSUL, DILI In December 1944 Eaton was appointed Air Officer Commanding Southern Area, but he was not finished with Timor. After the war he joined the Department of External Affairs, and early in 1946 he arrived in Dili, the capital of Portuguese East Timor, as Australian Consul. In an unhappy precedent to the destruction of 1999, the town had been almost completely destroyed by the combination of Japanese occupation and allied bombing. Consul Eaton and son coming ashore after arriving at Dili on HMS Camperdown, 26 January 1946 [13] The destruction caused by Allied bombing in the territory was widespread and the governor had his hands full in planning reconstruction. Eaton felt it would be indiscreet to elaborate on his own not insubstantial contribution to the destruction but took the opportunity to visit the sites of some of No. 79 Wing’s more memorable bombing missions, especially the ones where he had been present. [14] Eaton threw himself into the task of assisting the Portuguese authorities by organising supplies from Australia and acting as intermediary between Portuguese and Australian contractors. He was responsible for setting up a regular RAAF Catalina mail and cargo service from Darwin and, drawing on his aviation experience, gave advice on the building of airstrips and other matters. ‘Mt Paicnau from Cape Lore’ by Charles Bush (1945, colour wash on paper, overall: 21.6 x 27.9 cm; AWM ART26156) During his time as consul, he toured the rough terrain of East Timor by jeep and was also able to travel to West Timor and inspect the site of the Mina River bridge which he had reconnoitred in 1941 and bombed in 1944. Eaton visited Hatolia in October and December 1946 but made no mention in his report of the events he had been involved in two years previously. During his visit to the Lore district, however, Eaton made a point of inspecting the sites of former Japanese camps and defence works and the ‘Cape Lore’ radar station. Eaton had been personally involved in the bombing of the radar station in December 1944: During my last visit to the interior, I was particularly interested to see the Japanese defences of Lautem-Cape Lore areas. I do not know if the full facts are known to our military authorities but at one time some 25,000 Japanese soldiers occupied these areas. The Japanese camps and defence works along the road between Lautem and Fuiloro were considerable and the camouflage almost perfect. The Cape Lore beachhead was the best defence work I have seen in Timor; the earth and wire works were extensive. I also visited the Japanese Cape Lore radar station. This station is actually on the top of a mountain at the rear of Cape Lore. I was very interested in this station as I personally took part in an attack on this work in December 1944. The attack was an interesting one as it was the first time that diaphragm bomb-heads were used in Timor. The Radar Station had been hit but the extent of the bomb damage was difficult to ascertain as after the attack the Japanese dismantled the remains. Without doubt the main building was severely damaged by the diaphragm bombs. [15] Dili, Portuguese Timor, 1946-01-20. The bomb damaged cathedral. (Photographer Sgt K. B. Davis) Another case where Eaton had been personally involved was in the bombing and destruction of the Dili Cathedral following the reception of intelligence that it was being used by the Japanese for munitions storage. Indeed, Eaton, or men under his command, had been involved in much of the extensive destruction of housing and infrastructure throughout Timor during the war. Eaton was very conscious of this and suggested to his wife and son that it would be indiscreet to mention the role that he had played in the destruction of so many public and private buildings. [16] On one occasion he flew the Portuguese Governor, Captain Oscar Ruas, on an aerial inspection of Timor in a Portuguese Air Force Tiger Moth. The Portuguese government asked that Eaton be allowed to receive and wear the decoration of Commander of the Portuguese Military Order of Christ: … in recognition of his useful co-operation in securing all necessary facilities in connection with reconstruction and development in Timor. The Australian Prime Minister, R.G. Menzies, refused to allow him to accept the award. CONCLUSION Australia's recent closer engagement with East Timor would not have surprised Charles Eaton, who in his diplomatic despatches stressed the strategic importance of Timor to Australia and reported militia-type infiltration from West Timor. Much sooner than that, however, he was to play his own part in the history of peacekeeping. In August 1947 he left Portuguese Timor to take up an appointment as Acting Consul-General in Batavia, capital of the Netherlands East Indies. In that position, as a member of the United Nations Consular Commission charged with monitoring a ceasefire in the war between the Dutch colonial masters and the Indonesian Republicans, he was instrumental in bringing military observers - the first ever United Nations peacekeepers - to Indonesia. [17] REFERENCES [1] This post has been adapted and expanded from - Mitch Williamson ‘On a wing and a prayer: ‘Moth’ Eaton over Timor’ Wartime: official magazine of the Australian War Memorial no. 10, Autumn 2000: 31-35. [2] Charles Stuart Eaton. – The cross in the sky: the life and adventures of Charles ‘Moth’ Eaton - soldier - pioneer aviator - pathfinder for global peacekeeping. – Melbourne: Echo Books, 2021. See esp. Chapters 1-17: 1-182 for Eaton's pre-WW2 life and career. [3] Steven Farram. - Charles ‘Moth’ Eaton: pioneer aviator of the Northern Territory. – Darwin: Charles Darwin University Press, 2007: 26. [4] RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) RAAF Station Darwin Jun 40 - Jun 52 - NAA A9186 208. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1359597&isAv=N [5] Farram, 2007: 27. [6] Farram, 2007: 44. [7] See Peter Londey ‘The first United Nations Peacekeepers’ Wartime: official magazine of the Australian War Memorial Issue 1, November 1997: 52-56. Coincidentally, Squadron Leader Louis Spence was the brother of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Spence, OC, Sparrow Force in Portuguese Timor, May-December 1942. [8] Farram, 2007: 39. [9] Eaton, 2021: 234. [10] Farram, 2007: 46. [11] 31 Squadron – Operations record book, Appendix 8 – Commanding Officer’s operational summary for the month of November 1944: 266 https://31squadronassociation.com.au/archives/31-squadron-operational-log/. [12] EATON CHARLES: Service Number - 24 - NAA: A9300, EATON Chttps://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=5370909&isAv=N [13] Farram, 2007: 15. This photograph was probably taken by Sergeant Keith Davis of the Australian Military History Section Field team, which was still in Dili when Eaton arrived; see W.B. Horton, ‘Through the eyes of Australians: the Timor area in the early postwar period’, Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, No. 12, March 2009, p. 271. [14] Eaton, 2021: 260. [15] Eaton, 2021: 268. See also RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Number 2 Squadron May 37 - May 46 - NAA: A9186, 5: 717-718. See also Gordon R. Birkett ‘The Churchill Wing Offensive operations Chapter 3: The November 1944 raid’ ADF Serials Telegraph News: News for those interested in Australian Military Aircraft History and Serials 1 (5) Summer 2011: 9-11. http://www.adf-serials.com.au/newsletter/ADF%20Serials%20Telegraph%20News%20-Summer%202011%20Vers%201.pdf. ‘On board the lead B-25, captained by F/Lt Hodges, there was an additional observer, G/Capt Eaton of 79 Wing had decided to accompany the crew on this mission’ and John Bennett. - Highest traditions: the history of No. 2 Squadron, RAAF. - [Fairbairn, ACT]: Royal Australian Air Force, Air Power Studies Centre, 1995: 225. [16] Eaton, 2021: 261. [17] Peter Londey. - Other people's wars: a history of Australian peacekeeping. – Crow’s Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin, 2004. See esp. Ch. 2 Indonesia: 13-28 and Ch. 15 East Timor: 231-261. Prepared by Ed Willis Revised 21 January 2022

‘What the bloody hell is happening in Portuguese Timor’ INVESTIGATION MISSION TO DILI 8 January 1942 INTRODUCTION (Edwin) Harry Medlin (1920–2013) was Deputy Chancellor of the University of Adelaide from 1978 to 1997. [1] As a young man he was commissioned in 1939 and was serving as a Lieutenant in the 2/1st Fortress Company Engineers at the time Sparrow Force took up defensive positions around Koepang in Dutch West Timor in mid-December 1941. He was captured by the Japanese and held as a prisoner of war in Timor from 23 February 1942 and transferred to Batavia in Java in September 1942 until he was freed on 23 September 1945. Medlin wrote in detail about events in Timor, especially in relation to the action, but also before action and afterwards, including his life as a POW in Timor and Java; his objective was to 'set the record straight' about what he believed to be serious errors of omission and fact in all accounts of the history of Sparrow force in Dutch Timor, and his first-hand account provided valuable insights. [2] In early January 1942, prior to the Japanese assault on Timor, Medlin was a member of a small Allied (Australian/Dutch) mission that travelled from Koepang to Dili in Portuguese East Timor to investigate a report that the ‘… Portuguese Governor has complained that Allied Commanders, particularly the Dutch, are behaving in a very high-handed manner and are requisitioning extensively, impressing foreign residents etc. [and] that fresh troops are being disembarked and that Governor is in state of high indignation’. HARRY MEDLIN RECALLS THE MISSION TO DILI Medlin’s recollections of the mission follow [3]: Wigmore [4] reports on a conference in Koepang on the evening of 15 December 1941 between Mr. Niebouer (Dutch Resident at Koepang) [5], Ross [6], van Straaten [7], Leggatt [8], Detiger [9], Commander of the Soerabaja (5644 tons), Wing Commander F. Headlam (C.O. RAAF squadron) [10], Major A. Spence (OC 2/2 Indep. Coy.) [11] and staff officers. The decision was taken to occupy Dili because Japanese ships were said to be in the vicinity. Wigmore then describes negotiations with the Governor of Portuguese Timor (Manuel de Ferreira de Carvalho) and the subsequent occupation by Australian and Dutch troops. There is no record anywhere that I can find of the next development which, it was said, arose out of a curt telegram from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Portugal (like Sweden and Switzerland) was neutral during WW2, and it suited the (Northern Hemisphere) antagonists’ purposes to preserve that neutrality. Portuguese troopships were said to have been coming from Lorenzo Marques in East Africa. The hearsay catalyst is said to have been the cable ‘Highest British Political Authority demands to know what the bloody hell is happening in Portuguese Timor’. Athol Wilson [12], a Melbourne lawyer, led the Inquiry in Dili. I was chosen as Staff Officer to Major Wilson. I assume that Wilson was chosen because Leggatt, although also a lawyer, had been involved in that initial decision to occupy Portuguese Timor. Although I do not recall the date, I believe it to have been about 10 January 1942, but it might well have been later because photographs show me with a ‘tin hat’ and air raids did not start until 26 January 1942. Fokker aircraft of the type used to fly the investigation team from Koepang to Dili We flew in a 3-engine Fokker with ‘pusher’ engines; we were camouflaged from above and flew extremely low to evade possible Japanese fighters. There were two pilots and three passengers namely Wilson, Headlam and Medlin. I have photographs of Wilson, Ross, van Straaten and Spence in conference and with (Capt.) Callinan [13], Medlin and (? Mr.) Whittaker [14] in attendance. I have other photographs taken that day including one of a small Japanese ship tied up at a jetty in Dili Bay. I think that I know that the recommendations were that our occupation was justified, and that the Dutch presence was no long-term threat to Portugal. In the final event the Japanese invaded the whole island and demonstrated a complete contempt for Portuguese neutrality. There is no reference by Churchill even in his history, The Second World War, nor of any concern for Timor except to comment [15] (v.4 The hinge of fate, p.128) upon its loss to the Japanese. I repeat that I find it, at best, strange and possibly somewhat sinister that there is no record either of Wilson’s inquiry or of his report. The Inquiry was conducted -- I was there - and I knew Athol Wilson well enough to know that there was a Report. WHERE IS IT? Medlin recorded another recollection of this event: [16] Senior officers always have to have junior officers around, looking after their needs and what not, so I went. We met with Major Spence who was the commanding officer of 2/2nd Independent Company, and the governor of Portuguese Timor, and as I say I have taken photographs in the plane and we flew very low because we were camouflaged from above, not below and there was a risk of being shot down by Japanese fighters. And I believe that the conclusion of Athol Wilson and of the governor, and of the Dutch was, that although Dili had been occupied there was no long-term risk of the sovereignty of Portugal over Portuguese Timor. Now I have tried myself to find a copy of that report, I knew Athol Wilson well enough to know that there would have been a report, but it could find nothing. But you have triggered me into remembering this, I will look again, there will be a report somewhere, and I know enough about the army to know that they never destroy anything, not openly anyway. So that was that. Well, I think I said before, when the Japanese landed, they took no account of Portuguese neutrality, and the Independent Company just withdrew and harassed them from the hills. PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF THE MISSION Harry Medlin notes that a camera was in his possession during the mission and he took photos at various times featuring the participants and street scenes and aerial views of Dili. As Medlin himself appears in some of the photos, Athol Wilson probably took some of them. These images provide a unique and valuable record of the occasion; the personal photos are remarkably candid and evocative. [17] 1. Major Athol Wilson (rear), unidentified soldier (front) 2. Frank Whittaker (Australian Naval intelligence officer) (left), Dutch officer Lieutenant Jan Zijlstra (right) 3. Frank Whittaker (Australian Naval intelligence officer) 4. Wing Commander Frank Headlam (left), Lieutenant Harry Medlin (right) 5. Lieutenant Harry Medlin (left), Wing Commander F. Headlam (RAAF) (right) 6. David Ross (Left), Lieutenant Colonel Van Straten (right) 7. Left to right – Lieutenant Colonel Van Straten, Major Athol Wilson, David Ross, F.J. Niebouer (Dutch Resident Koepang) 8. Major Alexander Spence (left), Lieutenant Harry Medlin (right) 9. Portuguese artillery piece 10. Portuguese artillery piece close up 11. Dili street scene 12. Dili street scene 13. Dutch soldiers 14. Dutch soldier 15. Japanese spy ship Nanyei Maru 16. Dili harbour 17. Residence British Consul, David Ross 18. Dili street scene 19. Aerial view Dili 20. Portuguese military barracks, Dili (Dutch HQ) 21. Dili street scene 22. Rua de?, Dili 23. Aerial view Dili (Taibessi?) 24. Aerial view Dili Harbour 25. Aerial view Dili 26. Sunset, Port of Dili THE DOCUMENTARY RECORD OF THE MISSION Medlin is correct in asserting that ‘… there would have been a report’ submitted on the mission but the documentary record is patchy and difficult to locate. The earliest relevant document located thus far originated on 26th December 1941: DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS CABLEGRAM 2648, sent 26th December 1941 TO BRITISH CONSUL, DILLI. C.G.S. has been informed by Sparrow force through Army channels as follows: ‘Dilli position most unsatisfactory. Governor organising troops who may harass our troops and will certainly assist any Japanese landing. Van Straaten awaiting instructions Dutch headquarters. Essential to take military control and disarm Portuguese. Delay through political negotiations becoming dangerous. Urgent.’ Inform Commander of Australian forces that on other hand Portuguese Governor has complained that Allied Commanders, particularly the Dutch, are behaving in a very high-handed manner and are requisitioning extensively, impressing foreign residents etc. that fresh troops are being disembarked and that Governor is in state of high indignation. You will observe that this is [a] complaint which reaches us from U.K. via Portugal. I am greatly surprised that you have not sent regular reports as I have asked. We desire urgently your comments and suggestions on above. In particular what restrictions or censorship are being imposed upon Portuguese authorities. MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [18] On the next day, the following signal was received by Sparrow Force; note the reference to ‘highest political minister’ that connects with Medlin’s recollection of the stimulus for the mission: To Sparrow Force From Army Melbourne MC4088 27/12 Immediate For OC SPARROW stop Your message 27/12 through DARWIN regarding situation DILLI stop Whole message now being considered main body highest political minister officially informed essential SPENCE OC no contact ROSS and last named forward his views immediately. [19] No documents have so far been located that specifically refer to the establishment and conduct of the mission though Medlin’s recollections and subsequent reports confirm that it actually took place; for e.g., the No. 2 Independent Company War Diary entry for 8 January 1942 recorded: … Visit to Dili by NEI resident from KOEPANG. PORTUGUESE GOVERNOR has reported adversely on behaviour of NEI and Australian commanders in requisitioning Portuguese property and impressing foreign nationals, particularly NEI commander. This report which has just reached Dili has surprised all – at the same time as he sent report off – told Colonel VAN STRAATEN that the behaviour of the occupying force had been good. The opinion of interested persons have that Colonel VAN STRAATEN, who has CO of Force, carried out all negotiations with governor, has been most restrained, in spite of lack of cooperation from Governor. 15 natives arrived at company HQ for work on shelters. [20] Prime Minister John Curtin communicated the findings of the investigative mission to the British government on 10 January 1942: PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT CABLEGRAM. DECYPHER TO SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS, LONDON 0.985 0.986 0.987 DATE SENT: 10 January 1942 No. 38. Repeated to Governor of the Straits Settlement for Commander in Chief, Far East, No, 3, and Prime Minister of New Zealand No. 18. SECRET. TIMOR. Your telegram 25th December No. 895 paragraph 1. Ross reports that allegations against occupying force attributed to Governor entirely without real foundation and that no serious complaint had been made by any inhabitants including foreign nationals now under restraint. No Portuguese property other than open land has been requested. Ross adds that complaints to Lisbon referred to are even contrary to the views expressed personally by the Governor to the Dutch Commander. In his opinion complaints are nothing more than an attempt to stir up trouble and influence political negotiations. No restrictions of any sort have been placed on Portuguese authorities who are at liberty to send and receive any radio messages on Government business. Whole attitude of Dutch Commander has been one of extreme courtesy and consideration oven when latitude allowed has been abused and petty obstructive tactics employed against him. CURTIN Copy sent to Dr. Evatt, Mr. Forde, Col. Hodgson, Mr. Shedden 13.1.42 [21] The British Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs responded to Curtin’s message two days later (12 January 1942): ‘Ross’s reports as to allegations against the Allied Force noted’. [22] REFERENCES [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Medlin [2] Peter Henning. - Doomed Battalion: mateship and leadership in war and captivity - the Australian 2/40 Battalion 1940-45. – 2nd ed. - [Exeter, Tasmania]: Peter Henning, c2014: 7. [3] Dr. Harry Medlin ‘Timor and Java’ https://studylib.net/doc/9066385/timor-and-java---the-recollections-of-lt-harry-medlin: 11. [4] Lionel Wigmore. - The Japanese thrust. - Canberra: Australian War Memorial, 1957. (Australia in the war of 1939-1945. Series 1, Army; v. 4) - Ch. 21 ‘Resistance in Timor’: 469. [5] Mr. F.J. Nieboer, Dutch Resident (Governor), Koepang 1941-42. [6] Mr. (later Group Captain) David Ross, British Consul, Dili, Portuguese Timor, 1941-42. [7] Lieutenant Colonel N.L.W. van Straten, Commanding Officer, Dutch contingent, Portuguese Timor 1941-1942. [8] Lieutenant Colonel W.W. (Bill) Leggatt, Commanding Officer, 2/40 Battalion, also original Commanding Officer Sparrow Force, 1941-42. [9] Lieutenant-Colonel W.E.C. Detiger, Commanding Officer, Dutch Timor and Dependencies Territorial Command, 1941-42. [10] Wing Commander Frank Headlam, Commander, No. 2 Squadron, Penfoei, Dutch Timor 1941-42. [11] Major Alexander Spence, Commanding Officer, No. 2 Independent Company, Portuguese Timor, 1941-42. [12] Major Athol Wilson, Commanding Officer, 2/1 Heavy Battery, Koepang, Dutch Timor, 1941-42. He died of wounds 20 February 1942 at Klapalima, Dutch Timor. [13] Captain Bernard Callinan, 2nd In Command, No.2 Independent Company, Portuguese Timor, 1941-42. Callinan was in fact not present at the meeting. [14] Mr. F.J.A. (John) Whittaker, Civil Aviation clerical officer, British Consular Office, Dili, Portuguese Timor, 1941-42. In mid-April 1941, the Director of Naval Intelligence proposed appointing an officer to Dili ostensibly in the role of a Civil Aviation clerical officer – citing an Australian War Cabinet agendum (No.109/1941 – February 1941) that directed their military intelligence services should arrange ‘for special watch to be kept by them on the peaceful penetration by Japanese into Portuguese Timor … ‘. The Australian Naval Board concurred and coordinated with DCA for a naval intelligence officer – Paymaster Lieutenant F.J.A. Whittaker, to operate ‘nominally as a clerk to assist Mr David Ross’ and ‘who would, in the guise of a civilian, be able to discharge the Naval Intelligence duties required of him’. See Navy Office, Memorandum 018820 - 43/85, Melbourne, 28 April 1941 (NAA: 981 TIM P 6, p.57; NAA: B6121, 114G). [15] Winston Churchill. – The hinge of fate. – London: Cassell & Co., 1950: 126. [16] ‘Edwin Medlin (Harry) - Transcript of interview Date of interview: 8th March 2004’ Australians at War Film Archive http://australiansatwarfilmarchive.unsw.edu.au/archive/1503 [17] These photos were in the personal papers of Sir Bernard J. Callinan and were kindly made available to the 2/2 Commando Association of Australia archives by his son Nicholas. [18] 26/12 War Cabinet Agendum - No 270/1941 and supplements 1-3 - Occupation of Portuguese Timor - NAA_ItemNumber11294556 2.pdf – NAA, A2671, 270. [19] Sparrow Force war diary, message received 27 December 1941 – Australian War Memorial RCDIG 1024692. [20] No. 2 Independent Company War Diary 8 December 1941 - 16 December 1942. An entry in Colonel Van Straten’s dairy covering this period also provides confirmation: Furthermore, the ashes in Lisbon are burning quite violently, which even resulted in an official complaint via London, whereupon the GG (Governor-General Sjarda van Strakenborgh Stachouwer) sent the resident of Koepang (Niebouer) for an investigation, which, however, was entirely in my favour. Source: E-mail from: Gerard van Haren to author sent Thursday, December 23, 2021 10:13 PM. [21] War Cabinet Agendum - No 270-1941 and supplements 1-3 - Occupation of Portuguese Timor - NAA_ItemNumber11294556.pdf – NAA A2671, 270/1941. [22] Occupation of Portuguese Timor - (File 1) to 30-1-1942 - NAA_ItemNumber170185-2.pdf. – NAA A816, 19/30. Prepared by Ed Willis Revised 9 January 2022

CHRISTMAS DAY IN DILI 25 DECEMBER 1941 INTRODUCTION The fullest (and frankest) account of how the men of the 2nd Independent Company spent Christmas Day 1941 in Dili is provided by Cyril Ayris in ‘All the Bull’s men’ (pp.71-74). Annotation on rear of photo: Timor-Dilli Chinese Studio Xmas 1941: Colin Criddle – Pinky L, Fred Smith – Smithy C, Cyril Doyle – Tiger R - [Source: 2/2 Commando Association of Australia photo archive] One photo located in the Association archives was taken on Christmas Day 1941 in Dili. It is a remarkably evocative informal group portrait of three men from No. 2 Section: Colin (Pinky) Criddle, Fred Smith, and Cyril (Tiger) Doyle; they distinguished themselves in the defence of the airfield when the Japanese landed nearly two months later on February 19 1942. 2nd Independent Company men on leave in Dili – January 1942 – Tony Adams tentatively identified on the right – [Source: 2/2 Commando Association of Australia photo archive] The men of the Signals Section also spent the day together and Corporal Harry Wray recorded his memories of it and related events and personalities. HOW THE SIGNALS SECTION SPENT CHRISTMAS DAY IN DILI, 1941 [1] For the first few days at the Dili aerodrome my Section was camped in a lean to shed of palm thatch, about six feet high in front and three feet high at the back. The mosquitos were very thick at night and we slept under nets, all snowy white, and could be seen for hundreds of yards at night. The Dutch had green nets, and green tents, all our equipment shone with new whiteness, and was difficult to camouflage. Photo included in 'Report on a visit to Portuguese Timor' by Captain Johnston, Dr. Bradfield and Mr. Ross - 29th December, 1940 - 1st January 1941 (NAA: A816, 19/301/778) Later we shifted to a coconut grove skirting the aerodrome and pitched tents there. The ground was very wet, almost boggy in fact, and even with ground sheets under our sleeping bags became damp.On Christmas Day, we were allowed leave to visit Dili in the afternoon, and several of us hired a tiny carriage drawn by two Timor ponies and set off in state. We had a look at the cathedral, and a walk around the town, which did not take long. Portuguese postcard showing the Dili Cathedral We bought soap and Chinese cigarettes from some of the numerous Chinese shops, then went to the waterfront and had a look at the small Jap ship tied up at the jetty. This ship used to lie off Dili prior to our arrival and before the Jap entry into the war, and every day would go out beyond the three-mile limit and send and receive messages from Japan on the very powerful wireless set, which had been installed on board. After the Japs came into the war our Hudson’s based at Koepang heard of the ship and how it went out each day to send and receive messages, so one day a Hudson swooped down and machine gunned it to such an effect that most of the crew jumped overboard, and the crew of the Hudson had the pleasure of seeing sharks put an end to those who did so. The remainder of the crew took cover and let the ship run as she pleased until she piled up on the beach of a nearby island. Later a Dutch ship found her deserted and towed her back to Dili where the Dutch almost tore her apart searching for what they could find. When I saw her the panelling was ripped off walls, bedding ripped open, and everything in a terrible mess after the search. Goodness knows if anything worth having was found. We managed to get a few batteries from the radio installation, which came in very useful later on. A fair number of drums of oil and petrol were found in the holds of the ship; however, the Japs had put sand in the oil and petrol before leaving her derelict. After filtering, some of the oil and petrol came in quite handy to the Dutch, and us also. The Japs had also taken the precaution of removing a few vital parts from the engine, which made it hopeless to attempt to get the engine running. I noticed that the Hudson had made a good job of the doing over, which it gave the ship, as the bridge and decks were holed like the top of a pepper pot. Patricio Luz, a radio operator at the Portuguese radio station prior to the occupation. Behind him is the wreckage of the Japanese ship, ‘Nanyei Maru’, in Dili harbour. It had been bombed and strafed by the RAAF immediately after the declaration of war with Japan and after drifting unmanned was eventually towed to Dili harbour. (Photographer Sgt K. Davis). Source: AWM photo ID number 121402: Dili, Portuguese Timor 1945-12-09. After visiting the Jap ship, we went back to the town square near the cathedral and hired a couple of the carriages to take us back to the aerodrome. The drivers at once whipped at their horses and off we went at a gallop. Our ponies managed to take the lead, and one of our chaps in the other carriage thinking he could make a better job of the driving took the reins from the native boy, and with whip and shouts urged the ponies on to greater efforts. This resulted in his carriage gaining on us, and in trying to pass he took his carriage too near the edge of the drain running alongside the road. This drain was about twelve feet deep and about twelve feet wide. Jerry’s carriage hung balanced on the edge of the drain while the ponies hung down the sides. We ran back to the rescue and soon dragged the terrified little ponies back onto the road and righted the carriage. Jerry had to pacify the boy with an extra Pataka (1/8). Annotation on rear of photo: Taken January 1942 – One of the carts used to a great extent – L to R – M. Ryan, F. Smith, A. Dalbridge. Source: 2/2 Commando Association of Australia photo archive. All hands were supposed to take quinine twice a day. This quinine was in powder form, and it was very difficult to persuade anyone to take it, and I imagine this contributed to the heavy toll malaria was soon to take. I had the job of seeing that my Section had his quinine, and watched to see that everyone did take it, but I used to wrap each dose in a cigarette paper, and consequently did not have much trouble getting everyone to have his dose. One man who preferred the powder neat, and said he liked it: a peculiar taste. The only other time I was in Dili was one morning when we had a few hours leave. One of our officers said he would take a few of us who had happened to run into him in the street, to dinner at one of the few hotels. [2] On the way, there he told me that he was short of money and perhaps I could lend him some. I did and had the pleasure of him standing us all drinks and dinner at my own expense, as I only recovered a very small part of the loan a few days later. Source: Hudson Fysh ‘Australia’s unknown neighbour – Portuguese Timor’ Walkabout, vol. 7, no.7, May 1st 1941, p.7. At this hotel, we met a man who was an employee of Imperial Shell and had been making a survey of Timor for the purpose of assessing the geological possibilities as regards oil. [3] This chap told us an amusing tale, or rather an amusing experience. Not long before the Jap declaration of war, such as it was, the Japs had concluded a treaty with the Portuguese by which they were given full rights to the use of Dili aerodrome, for civil purposes of course, or what they told the Portuguese at the time. On the day that this treaty was finalised the Shell man happened to be in Dili staying at the hotel. Later in the day a Qantas flying boat pilot came along to the hotel for the night. The flying boats stayed overnight at Dili at that time. The pilot and the Shell man were old friends. The pilot asked the Shell man to accompany him to a function that evening to celebrate the treaty between the Japs and the Portos. The Shell man was finally persuaded, and the pilot obtained the necessary invitation for his friend. Mr George Bryant, an Australian who has lived in the area for the past 24 years, being welcomed aboard the RAN vessel HMAS ‘Warrnambool’, a section of Timforce, which has arrived in the area to ensure that the Japanese forces carry out the surrender terms. Source: AWM phot ID number 117047: Dili, Portuguese Timor, 1945-09-23. The Shell man told us it was a terrific celebration, with both the Japs and the Portos getting more and more drunk as time went on. Everyone was on the best of terms with everyone else, the Japs sang songs in praise and honour of their Porto friends, and the Portos did likewise, but the cream of the piece came when the Japs and Portos decided to honour their English and Australian friends by roaring out ‘God save the King’ in the heartiest fashion. Only a few weeks after this token of their everlasting friendship, they were at war with us. I do not know what became of the Shell man, as several Qantas flying boats called after I saw him, and before the Japs appeared on the scene. He may have left safely, and in time. There was an old man living in Dili, an Australian who had been there for years. He did a little prospecting at times, but latterly I think he was living at the Australian Consul’s house doing odd jobs there. As it happened, he was the uncle of one of our men, quite a coincidence that they should meet in Dili of all places. I do not know what became of this man, he was in Dili during the Jap occupation I believe and may still be there. [4] I forgot to say that our Lieutenant [John Rose] managed to buy a bundle of fresh fish something like herrings in appearance, and full of bones, for our Christmas dinner. We also provided a few fowls, which we souvenired from a deserted house nearby. The owner of the house was an Arab, and we learned later a spy in the pay of the Japs. He kept well out of the way while we were at the aerodrome. We did hear subsequently bumped him off for some reason best known to themselves. They liquidated several of their friends at different times, as you will hear later, one of their very good friends just because he was unlucky enough for appearances to be against him. To get back to the Christmas dinner, the fowls gave us a terrific chase in the heat of the day, but we managed to catch about six of them, so with the fish did quite well for ourselves. NOTES [1] Corporal Arthur Henry Kilfield ‘Harry’ Wray (WX11485), Recollections of the 2nd Independent Company Campaign on Timor, 1941-42, manuscript in 2/2 Commando Association archives. [2] This was probably Lieutenant Colin Doig. [3] This was M.L.E.J. Brouwer, a Dutch geologist from Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij (Shell), arrived in Timor during April 1941. There was considerable suspicion that Brouwer was a Nazi sympathiser, but a later memo indicated that 'Brouwer is a geologist for cover only' suggesting that his primary role was not exploration. See Tim Charlton ‘History of petroleum exploration in Timor-Leste’ http://www.timcharlton.co.uk/other-projects/timor-leste-history-of-oil-exploration [4] Bernard Callinan described Bryant as David Ross’ ‘general factotum’. Bryant’s nephew was Cpl. Bryant, William Frederick VX29713, a cook in Q Section. Bryant was born in Melbourne in 1882 and had worked in Portuguese Timor for at least 28 years. Although ill, Bryant survived the war in Dili. For an interesting summary of Bryant’s life, see J. Carey ‘Link with the past’ 2/2 Commando Courier vol. 140, September 2002, pp.10-11 https://doublereds.org.au/couriers/2002/September/ Revised and adapted from an earlier post commemorating the 75th Anniversary of this event Ed Willis 23 December 2021