1. Brisbane ANZAC Day April 2014
A message from Kev Horton (Hon Sec/Treas PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn)
G’day all.
Once again our Association will be marching at the Brisbane ANZAC Day March led by our President Sgt Frank Wust, who recently turned 92 years young. All members who are able to march are very welcome to join us, as numbers were down a little last year.
The NAVY will be leading the march this year followed by the ARMY. Arrangements will be as per previous years with our group marching in the ARMY Section immediately behind the PNGVR Assn and in front of 49th Battalion. We have been assigned number 52 position in the Army Section of the march. At the last ANZAC Day March Committee our name was reinstated on the OAM (Order of March) programme after a hiccup last year. If you have trouble finding the Assn position, ask one of the marshals or phone Kev on 0418 750 189. We will line up at the Number 52 position somewhere towards the Southern end of George Street and should be in position by 9.30am for the march to begin at 10.00am sharp. Our flagbearers, Frank Wust’s sons Ian and Noel, will have the Association banner (blue in colour) in position. Frank (in his buggy) and I will join the group at the corner of Elizabeth and George Street as the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn reaches that position.
Wives, friends, etc are welcome to again meet at the “Sugar and Spice” Coffee shop on the northern side of Adelaide Street near ANZAC Square for a coffee and chat and to watch the March.
As in previous years after the march, everyone is welcome to meet at the Geebung-Zillmere RSL for lunch and a yarn at approximately 1.00pm. The RSL is on the train line near the Geebung Railway Station and all train transport is free for Veterans wearing medals and their carers/family.
As per last year, the AGM will not be held on ANZAC Day. It will be held on Sunday, 1st June at 1.00pm at the Geebung-Zillmere RSL. This has been done primarily to enable members who have commitments at other venues on ANZAC Day to attend the AGM.
Looking forward to seeing as many as possible there on the day. The Brisbane March Protocols are included in this Newsletter.
Cheers, Kev Horton
P.S. If you are going to be marching please send Kev a short e-mail so that we can be on the lookout for you as things get pretty hectic on the day.
2. INFORMATION RE SYDNEY ANZAC DAY MARCH from Peter Porteous
The usual arrangement in Sydney is for The Pacific Islands Regiment Association to meet at the corner of Bligh and Hunter Sts for the ANZAC Day March at 9.00 am. A reunion will be held at the NSW Leagues Club at 11.00 am. However there are changes afoot this year due to the diminishing numbers of WW2 veterans. At the moment the RSL is pushing to have all units march together.
So it seems these changes may or may not affect when and where we march. However I am going ahead with the traditional arrangements until I’m told otherwise. At the moment there are only Wayne Bensley and myself from the PIR and Jock Wilkinson (95) from the PIB who marches with us. The others are all descendants of veterans who have passed on, although Ray Bassett said he might come up from Melbourne and join us this year.
For Sydney veterans who want to march, Peter Porteous’ e-mail is pporteous@optusnet.com.au and he is happy to be contacted closer to the date of the march to update details.
3. Australian Commandos train with PNGDF at Wewak
(From a series of articles by Sgt Dave Morley in Army News 26 September 2013).. Thanks to ex- Nasho Graeme Johnson, Medical Corps, for bringing this recent article to our attention.
Hundreds of locals lined the shores of PNG’s Wewak harbour in August to watch an impressive historic moment. One hundred members of 2 Cdo Regt conducted a Parachute Load Follow Insertion into the waters of the harbour.
Lt-Col B, CO 2 Cdo Regt, said it was the first time a commando group had parachuted into waters off PNG, and indeed off-shore of any foreign nation for some time, possibly since WW II. “They jumped with their Zodiac boats, which they assembled in the water, before transiting across Wewak harbour to land, which was a significant undertaking,” he said.
The jump signalled the start of Exercise Night Naip, the annual combined training activity between 2 Cdo Regt and elements of the PNG Defence Force. This year the exercise was based out of Moem Barracks, Wewak, home to the 2nd Royal Pacific Islands Regiment. The PNGDF’s Long Range Reconnaissance Unit also participated in the exercise. The exercise focused on amphibious and jungle training activities to enhance both the ADF and PNGDF’s capability and ability to operate effectively together. The training included activities jointly instructed by ADF and PNGDF members, demonstrating the mutual learning benefits that come with such a combined exercise.
Lt-Col Vince Gabina, CO of 2RPIR, said exercises like Night Naip were extremely valuable as the PNGDF had limited exposure to this high level of training. “It is a two-way thing; we like to learn as much as we can from the Australian soldiers and for us we can also provide some of our specialist knowledge back to them,” he said.
Lt-Col B said as Afghanistan drew down it was important to engage with one of Australia’s closest regional partners in the PNGDF. ‘This has been fantastic to get back here and relearn significant amounts from the PNGDF about our near region, how to operate in the jungle environment, the littoral environment, but most importantly how to engage effectively with the PNGDF,” he said.
“At the same time, we hope to pass on some of the lessons we have learnt through 10 years of operations, and from our own continual development back in Australia. Importantly, exercises like Night Naip provide opportunities to validate the Commando Company Group force projection capability.”
Lt-Col B said the regiment’s primary role was to conduct offensive special operations in support of both Australian and foreign forces. “The exercise has provided the opportunity for our soldiers to get out and combine a lot of their different skill sets, from parachuting to maritime operations, and to bring the whole package together,” he said.
The three-week exercise ended as it began with a para jump. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Australian Army’s first successful airborne operation of the Pacific War**, 2 Cdo Regt parachuted into Nadzab Airfield, bringing to a close a very successful exercise.
Farewelling 2 Cdo Regt from Nadzab, the Head of Australian Defence Staff, Col. Dick Parker, praised the positive outcomes achieved by the exercise. “Exercises like Night Naip demonstrate Australia’s commitment to building a more professional and capable PNGDF while enabling our soldiers to learn from their regional counterparts. We share responsibility for the security, stability and cohesion of our immediate neighbourhood and this exercise has added to the already very strong links between our two Defence organizations,” he said.
**Editor: Readers may recall the key role played by Sgt. (now Association President) Frank Wust and two other PIB soldiers in patrolling the vicinity of Nadzab Airfield for Japanese troops in 1943 before the signal could be sent to Port Moresby that it was safe to commence the combined U.S. and Australian airborne operation (see Association Newsletter, July 2012).
4. Funeral of Sgt Ben Moide.
Greg Ivey’s report and photos of the Port Moresby state funeral for Sgt. Ben Moide (Papuan Infantry Battalion) are now on our website and can be viewed by clicking here.
Sergeant Moide passed away peacefully on 30 December 2013. As an 18-year old he fired the first machine gun burst against the advancing Japanese at Awala on 23 July 1942 which has since been proclaimed as Remembrance Day in PNG.
Sergeant Moide and his fellow soldiers in the Papuan Infantry Battalion became known as ‘Green Shadows’ because of the ability to melt into the jungle. They were feared by the Japanese.
Sergeant Moide’s story has been recorded in a recent book, Nameless Warriors by Lahui Ako – http://malumnalu.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/new-book-tells-story-of-nameless.html
5. Captain Alan Hooper
Our Association was also present at January’s funeral for author and member, Captain Alan Edwin Hooper (PIB, ANGAU). Alan’s death on the 16th January, 2014 was announced during the service for Sgt Moide, and Ben’s sons and daughters were saddened, knowing the deep and long-term friendship between Ben and his former Platoon Commander during the War.
6. A special item provided by Graeme Johnson, Medical Corps, Moem Barracks 1969-70
Following in this Newsletter are some details written by the mother of Association Member, Graeme Johnson: Nancy Johnson (nee Mercer). Of special significance to Graeme is Page 99 of the copied pages (page 9 of this Newsletter) towards the top under the ‘Ward Orderlies’ heading. Here it lists Graeme’s mother WFX 34293 Mercer N (her maiden name ). Of the WA contingent, Nancy is the “last lady standing” now aged 93 and turning 94 in April – all the others have passed on. They were at the 2/8th AGH BUNA for 7 months in 1943/44.
7. 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
8. BRISBANE ANZAC DAY MARCH PROTOCOLS:
Article written by Nancy Johnson (nee Mercer) (See item 6 above)
