President’s Message
Our President, Sgt Frank Wust, would like to wish all members and their families a safe, healthy and happy 2014.
1. PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn Complimentary Car sticker
Recently, all Association members should have received a complimentary car/general sticker (see Attachment) which recognises Australia’s armed service in PNG from 1940 to 1975. It has been designed by member Ted Middleton from W.A. with some input from a number of committee members with the idea of widening the awareness of Australia’s involvement in supporting PNG from the days of the PIB, NGIB and later the PIR up until independence in 1975. The approximate size of the sticker is 20cm X 7cm.
The Association is not raising funds from the sticker but is aiming to be cost neutral over time.
For any subsequent orders, the cost of the sticker will be $2 for one (to cover sticker cost, postage and handling) and $1 per sticker for any extra stickers posted in the same envelope.
Payment for any subsequent orders or for extra stickers with the initial complimentary sticker should be deposited into the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Association CBA Account, BSB 064153 Account No 1009 0747 (Please include your name in the description section of the deposit so that I can keep track of orders). Alternatively send money to Kev by post at 11 Kanooka Ave, Coolum Beach, 4573.
Cheers
Kev Horton
Hon Sec/Treas
P.S. The sale of the sticker is not restricted to Association members so anyone with an affiliation with the PIB, NGIB or PIR – be it directly, through family, indirectly through friends etc. and who wants to display the sticker is encouraged do so. The overall aim is that Australia’s involvement in the PIR etc. is promoted and recognized. The more interest it attracts, the better. It is not like a medal where eligibility and criteria are required.
2. Annual Membership
Many thanks to those members who have either forwarded their $5 annual Membership by cheque or by direct credit to our Assn Account. Several members have sent two or three year’s membership or more together which is appreciated.
We would like to welcome several new members including Robert Duff, RAAEC, 2PIR 1969-70, Ted Middleton, Signals, HQ Murray Barracks 1970-71, Greg Smith, RAAEC, 2PIR, 1969-70, and Boyd Robertson, RAAEC, 2PIR 1969-70.
If you know of anyone who may be interested in joining the Association please feel free to direct them to our Membership Co-ordinator, Greg Ivey at iveygj@gmail.com, or to the Membership Form on our website www.soldierspng.com.
A reminder to everyone that :-
Dues can be now paid directly in to the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn Account – BSB
064153 – Account number 10090747.
Please put your name on the Description line so that I know who the money is from. Alternatively, you may post the money as cash or if you are sending a cheque, please make cheques out to PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn and post to – The Secretary, PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn, Kev Horton, 11 Kanooka Ave, Coolum Beach, 4573.
Cheers
Kev Horton
Hon Sec/Treas
3. Annual Kokoda Services
by Greg Ivey
July and August each year are the months when commemorations are held in south-east Qld (and other places) to remember the Kokoda Campaign of 1942-43.
The first 2013 event locally was the Qld Reunion of the 2/14th Battalion Association held in late July at New Farm, Brisbane. The reunion attracted about 80 participants including veterans of World War 2 and family members plus visitors. Visitors usually comprise members of other Battalions which served in TPNG and others with an interest in the Kokoda Track. The guest speakers after lunch this year were Kokoda Campaign author, Patrick Lindsay, and Afghanistan veteran (five tours) Cpl Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG. Ben’s short address was of particular interest to three (injured) soldiers returned from Afghanistan. Our Association was represented at the Reunion by President Frank Wust, Brian Wust and myself.
The second annual event was the Kokoda Day Commemoration Service held on the Gold Coast. Traditionally held on 8th August, invitations are issued by the Surfers Paradise RSL Sub-Branch to Battalions whose soldiers fought in the Kokoda Campaign. The Service is held at the Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall monument in the grounds of Cascade Gardens at Broadbeach, Qld. The guest speaker this year was Brigadier Rod West whose speech appears elsewhere in this Newsletter. Our Association was represented by Patron Lt. Col. Maurie Pears MC, honorary member Capt. Alan Hooper (PIB, ANGAU) and myself.
The third event was the Kokoda Day Memorial Service held at Corinda, Brisbane. Traditionally held on the second Sunday in August, invitations are issued by the Sherwood-Indooroopilly RSL Sub-Branch to Battalions whose soldiers fought in the Kokoda Campaign. The service took place around the Kokoda Stone in front of the Sub-Branch property. The guest speaker this year was author, Patrick Lindsay, chairman of the Kokoda Track Foundation. Again, veterans of the Afghanistan War were present as were the National President and the State President of the RSL. Our Association was represented by (event organiser) Brigadier Graeme Loughton AM, DSM (PIR), honorary member Capt. Alan Hooper, Jeannine Lucas (daughter of Lt. Fred Lucas, PIB) and myself. (President Frank Wust usually attends but had to send a last-minute apology as did Committee Member, Peter Jesser.)
Captain Alan Hooper (PIB, ANGAU) (right) with Norm Rogers (49th Battalion) at Sherwood Service.
PIB soldiers’ images on Rotary Kokoda Wall at Broadbeach (L to R – Sgt. Kari MM, Sgt. Katue MM, Cpl. Tapioli MM, Sgt. Ben Moide(?) CBE, unknown PIB soldier.
Captain Alan Hooper (PIB, ANGAU) (left) with the late Bill Bellairs (39th Battalion) after the 2013 Broadbeach Service.
Jeannine Lucas (left) (daughter of the late Lt. Fred Lucas, PIB) lays a wreath at the Sherwood/Indooroopilly Service.
4. This is a copy of the Address given by Brigadier Rod West at the Kokoda Commemoration Service held on 8 August 2013 at the Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall, Broadbeach Qld.
Factis non Verbis. Deeds not words.
This is the Motto of the 39th Battalion, the militia battalion, the Chockos who ‘saved Australia’ on the Kokoda Track.
The Kokoda Track in July 1942 was not a war of words. It was a war of deeds. Heroic deeds fought by young Australians in the defence of Australia.
The Japanese landed at Gona on the north coast of Papua on 21 July 1942. Their objective was to capture the port and airfields of Port Moresby and to isolate Australia from our allies.
The most direct way across these rugged mountains was by a jungle pathway known as the Kokoda Track. During the next four months, Australian and TPNG soldiers fought the Japanese, first to keep them from reaching Port Moresby and then to push them back over the Owen Stanleys to their beachheads at Buna, Gona and Sanananda.
In mid July 1942, as the Japanese advanced towards Kokoda village, they were engaged by forward elements of the Papuan Infantry Battalion who bravely and effectively ambushed the advancing Japanese east of Awala and then the fight was joined by the Australian 39th Infantry Battalion, a Militia Battalion from Victoria.
Despite the Australians’ stubborn resistance, Kokoda fell to a determined and much larger Japanese force and by the 27th of August the Australians and the Papuan troops who had stayed with them, fell back to Isurava, on the escarpment overlooking Kokoda. Many are still in PNG, buried at the beautiful Bomana War Cemetery.
At Isurava, in the last days of August, the 39th and the 2/14th Battalions, with support further back from the 2/16th and 53rd Battalions, were able to hold the Japanese during a murderous five-day defensive action.
Three days into that battle, on the 29 of August, Private Bruce Kingsbury of the 2/14th
Battalion, rushed forward with his Bren gun to drive back the enemy in a determined
counter-attack which cost him his life, but saved the situation and his mates. He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, the first VC ever awarded on Australian soil.
Throughout September, the Australian units maintained a coherent fighting withdrawal down the Kokoda Track and were joined in the fight by other battalions being rushed into the battle including the 2/27th Battalion.
They stood their ground at Eora Creek, Templeton’s Crossing, Efogi, Mission Ridge and
Ioribaiwa.
Throughout the battle, the Papuan men carried supplies forward and then, carried back to safety those who were wounded or exhausted. Many of our soldiers owe their lives to these Fuzzy Wuzzy angels.
From the 26th of August through to 25 September, 1942 these Australian heroes maintained their fighting withdrawal from Kokoda back to Imita Ridge where they pledged to withdraw no further, the lights of Port Moresby were in view.
With nothing left to gain and having over-reached their logistics, the Japanese abandoned their attempt to reach Port Moresby on the 25 September and retreated back down the track, pursued by a reinvigorated Australian Army.
I think Churchill’s words, intended to honour the victory at the Battle of Britain, are equally applicable to the Battle for Australia on the Kokoda Track – Never have so many, owed so much, to so few.
Behind me is our glorious Gold Coast memorial, honouring the Deeds of all those who fought the Kokoda Campaign and in particular those “ragged bloody heroes” of the 39th Battalion.
The relief of the memorial depicts the people and the difficulties of the track. I commend the artist, David Yardley, a Gold Coast local for his inspirational memorial wall.
I also thank the Gold Coast City Council, the Surfers Paradise RSL, the Rotary Club of Broadwater- Southport, The Southport School, and all of you who have turned out today for keeping alive the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.
Before closing I ask you one favour. Today and every day seek out a veteran, not just from Kokoda but from all of Australia’s conflicts including Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and shake their hands and say Thank You. They deserve the ongoing respect of a grateful Nation.
5. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And If you have any items for publication in future editions of this newsletter, I’d be pleased to hear from you at rrljb@optusnet.com.au
Richard Boddington
Newsletter Editor