Written Records, AWM54 741/5/9 PART 2 - [Patrols - Reconnaissance:] Report on Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit, by Sqn Ldr D F Thomson RAAF [Report minus maps] - Part 12

5.
Appendix II.
(continued)
SECRET

Roper River.
April 25, 1942

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT 7 M.D.
OPERATION ORDER NO. 2,
To: Lieut A.H. PALMER.

1. You will assume charge of the A.K. Aroetta with crew and
native detachment and remain on the lower reaches of the Roper
River during the absence of the O.C. on patrol.
2. After landing the O.C. Reconnaissance Unit and party, you
should proceed with the Aroetta upstream to the vicinity of
Gulnare Bluff where an O.P. is to be established and cover the
approaches to the mouth of the Roper River and the South Bank.

3. On arrival at Gulnare Bluff anchorage you are to unload
and place in a concealed Depot ashore, sufficient arms,
ammunition and stores from the Aroetta to equip a party to
carry on a guerilla campaign in the event of the vessel being
lost by sudden attack such as by enemy aircraft.

4. In establishing the O.P. the site of which has already
been examined, you should make the location of fresh water
either in a native well reported in this vicinity, or other
source or supply, your first consideration. The site should
then be fixed and the work of constructing the necessary depot
carried out by Sergeant Elkington, who is to be assisted with
the installation of the W.T. equipment by Sergeant Harvey.

5. While the work on the O.P. is being carried out you will
proceed with the completion of the reconnaissance of the
lower reaches of the river and the probable approaches to the
L of C to Darwin, which might be used by an enemy force landing
in this area. Information of operational value from all
available sources should be collected and collated and the
work completed as far as possible by April 28th.

Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader, (seconded)
R.A.A.F.
Commanding Special Reconnaissance
Unit 7 M.D.

Distribution:

Copy No. 1. . . . .Lieut. A.H. PALMER

Copy No. 2. . .. . Advanced Headquarters, Norforce

Copy No. 3. . . . .File.

Copy No. 4. . . . .War Diary.

6. 
Appendix II.
(continued)
Date April 30th.

SECRET

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT 2. M. D.
OPERATION ORDER NO. 3.

For Sergeant T.H. ELKINGTON.

1. Commencing on April 30th, you will take your Station at
the O.P. which has been established at Gulnare Bluff, Roper
River, making your headquarters at this O.P. and employing the
natives detachment which is to remain with you, for watching
and reconnaissance duties.

2. Your primary role will be to serve as an observation and
watching station for the mouth, estuary and approaches to the
Roper River, and responsibility to carry out detailed reconnaissance
in the area. It is desired that the approach of all ships
and aircraft especially aircraft which cannot be readily
identified, and any unusual activities in this area, be reported
immediately to Headquarters of this Unit.

It should be remembered at all times that a few hours,
sometimes as in the case of aircraft approaching the L of C
Darwin, a few minutes warning may be of vital importance.

3. Your Headquarters will be, as stated in para. 1 above, at
the O.P. which has been prepared and equipped for observation
purposes, at Gulnare Bluff.
4. Forces at your disposal. The forces at your disposal for
the maintenance of the watching organisation referred to above,
and for carrying our reconnaissance patrols in the area covering
the mouth of the Roper River, and the estuary and hinterland,
will be the detachment of twelve natives led by Bindjarpuma
("Slippery"), with any local natives who may later be available,
and whose local knowledge you many consider to be of value to you.

5. Communications. Communications are to be maintained at
regular intervals with the Headquarters of this Unit by W/T at
the time arranged. You will be handicapped in the initial
stages by the absence of a receiver, but this deficiency will
be remedied at the earliest possible date, and it is anticipated
that your full two-way communication will be completed within
10 to 12 days.

In the meantime, the commercial call sign of this Unit, VNAA,
is to be used.
At the contact, a listening watch will be kept for you at each
of the following times:-
0600 hours C.G.T.
0930       "          "
1230       "          "
1830       "          "
1200       "          "
In addition, arrangements will be made with Mr Port of Station
6SG to listen for you at 1530 hours C.S.T.    This latter schedule
is to be regarded as emergency only and is not to be used for any
but important or operational traffic.    In the meantime, until you
have been equipped with a receiver, you should make a brief call 

7. 
Appendix II.
(continued)

at each of the above times, including that with station 6SG

In the event of an actual enemy landing in this Area, your
role will still be primarily to obtain and pass information of
enemy forces, such as numbers, equipment, arms, transport,
disposition and movements, to this Unit. But you may be
obliged and must at any time be prepared, to abandon your
present Headquarters and to live in the bush with your detachment,
fighting where possible, a delaying action by attacking
from ambush, especially at night, small enemy parties, sentries,
scouts, O.P.S. etc. It is important, however, to avoid revealing
to an enemy the limited numbers and resources of the detachment
which distract materially from its "nuisance value".

On account of the exceptionally dry conditions which
already prevail in this area you must take all necessary precautions
for the safety of yourself and your detachment.

Arrangements are being made to supplement as soon as possible,
the supply of water already available at the O.P., but if there
should be any delay in the arrival of these supplies you may be
obliged to move upstream to fresh water. Any such movement, and
the reason for it, is to be reported to this Unit immediately,
and adequate precautions should be taken to safeguard arms and
equipment.
(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader, R.A.A.F. (seconded)
Commanding Special Reconnaissance Unit
7 M.D.
Distribution:

Copy No. 1. . . . .Sergeant T.H. ELKINGTON

Copy No. 2. . .. . Advance Headquarters, 7.M.D

Copy No. 3. . . . .File.

Copy No. 4. . . . .War Diary. 

8.
SECRET
Appendix II.
(continued)
A.K. AROETTA
Roper River
Date.....July 3, 1942.

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT
OPERATION ORDER NO. 4.
1. On July 4th you will take command of the A.K. Aroetta
at the Four Mile Landing, Roper River, and the Native force
serving in conjunction with the ship and carry out the
following duties:

2. You will leave the Four Mile Landing, A.M. July 4th and
proceed down the Roper to the O.P. at Gulnare Bluff, calling
en route at the Roper River Mission.    At the Roper River
Mission, you should obtain steps to obtain one or more natives
with reliable local knowledge of the Limmen Bight and the McArthur
River.

3. At the O.P. you will meet Captain Thompson of No. 4
Independent Company, as arranged, and hand over to him the
O.P. which has been established and maintained there by this
Unit.    The O.P. together with the two four hundred gallon
water tanks there is to be handed over to Captain Thompson or
his deputy, and the whole of the remainder of the equipment,
arms, ammunition and stores are to be taken on board the
Aroetta. Sergeant Elkington and the native detachment under
Bindjarpuna, which is serving with him, will be embarked and
Sergeant ELKINGTON is to resume duty with the Unit aboard the
Aroetta as before.

4. From the O.P. at Gulnare Bluff you are to proceed to the
McArthur River near Borroloola, calling again en route, at
Maria Island. You should aim to reach Maria Island by the
evening of July 5th in order to enter the McArthur by July 7th.
 5. It will be advisable to land most of the native force not
required on the McArthur River, at Eagle Bay, Maria Island.
Although there was a good well at Eagle Bay, which is known to
these natives, every care must be taken before these men are
left there, to ascertain that there is still an adequate supply
of fresh drinking water sufficient for all the needs of these
natives. The drums which have already been filled for this
purpose, and are now aboard the Aroetta, might also be landed
there in case of emergency. A dinghy, equipped with oars and
sails, should also be left at Maria Island, during the absence
of the Aroetta. This dinghy is for emergency use only, and 
is not to be used for any other purpose by the natives. Care
must be taken to see that this order is understood and enforced.
 6. Any unnecessary stores, other than arms, not required, and
easily removed from the ship, may be put shore and suitably
cached in a safe place at Maria Island, in order to lighten the
ship for work in the McArthur River.

7. On arrival at the McArthur River, the Native Detachment
that accompanies you is to be put ashore, and you are to carry
out extended reconnaissance of the area with the objective of 

9.
Appendix II.
(continued)

familiarising all personnel with the region with a view
of possible future operations.

8. The O.C. Special Reconnaissance Unit will return overland
by M.T. via Hodgson Downs and Nutwood Stations, from Force
Headquarters, and will rendezvous with Aroetta on the
McArthur River as close to Borroloola as practicable.
E.T.A approximately July 10th.

(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader
Commanding Special Reconnaissance Unit.
Distribution:

Copy No. 1. . . . .Lieut. PALMER

Copy No. 2. . .. . Advanced H.Q.

Copy No. 3. . . . .File.

Copy No. 4. . . . .War Diary. 

10.
Appendix II.
(continued)

A.K. Aroetta
Caledon Bay
Arnhem Land N.T.
Date   August 12th, 1942. 

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT NORTHERN TERRITORY FORCE.
OPERATION ORDER NO. 5
 To:   Lieut. A.H PALMER  A.I.F.

On August 12 you will take command of the A.K. Aroetta
and proceed direct to GROOTE EYLANDT to carry out the following 
duties:-

2. You will proceed to the Flying Boat Base at Little Lagoon
to deliver safe hand mail, and to load three hundred (300)
gallons of Dieseline Fuel for the Aroetta.  Subsequently,
you are to arrange to load the Stores which have been left
at GROOTE EYLANDT, together with the Native Detachment under
Bindjarpuma, left to guard these stores.

3. On arrival at the Flying Boat Base you may find it possible
to arrange with the O.C.  R.A.A.F. to make the journey to the 
S.W. and of the island overland and to bring back stores and 
personnel by R.A.A.F. transport.  If it is found practicable to
make this arrangement, and if you find that it represents a 
saving in time and in fuel, you should do so.  If, however, this 
is not practicable, the ship must proceed as soon as the fuel
has been loaded, to the anchorage off the Groote Eylandt Mission.

4. Arrangements should be made to get under weigh during the 
night of August 12-13 and to return as soon as possible to 
Caledon Bay.

5. A close watch is to be maintained for aircraft, and all
sightings of a doubtful or suspicious nature are to be reported
by priority signal to Advanced Headquarters, Norforce.

(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader, R.A.A.F.
Commanding Special Reconnaissance Unit,
Northern Territory Force.
Distribution:

Copy No. 1. . . . .Lieut. PALMER

Copy No. 2. . .. . Advanced H.Q.

Copy No. 3. . . . .File.

Copy No. 4. . . . .War Diary.

11.
Appendix II.
(continued)

A.K. Aroetta
Caledon Bay
Arnhem Land N.T.
Date  August 19th, 1942. 

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT NORTHERN TERRITORY FORCE.
OPERATION ORDER NO. 6.
To:  Private Kapiu.  (Native Soldier)
 From August 20th you will be in full charge of the Station 
(O.P.) at Caledon Bay, and you are to remain here until the 
return of the Aroetta from patrol.

2. You have only a few single things to remember.  The first
is that you are a soldier, and that your task is to watch for 
any enemies, especially Japanese, who may try to land on this
coast.

3. You must remember that the reason why we have made this
station is to make it possible for us to keep in close touch
with the fighting natives led by Natjialma and Mau, whom you
and I know so well.  You must do everything you can to help
these people, who have been serving with us, to remember the 
training we have given them during this last six months.
You must continue to teach them to be always watching and 
listening, and ready at any moment to join with you and to 
attack an enemy who lands.  The best time for you to do this
is at night and from hiding places in the bush. 

4. If any enemy should land, you must do all you can to destroy
him, using all the strength that is in you to lead the natives,
to use the cunning and the courage that they showed towards the 
Japanese who wronged them years ago.

5. But you must not forget that the most important thing of all,
and the greatest service you can possibly render to your country,
will be to get news of the enemy who might try to land, to the
Army.  To do this you would have to send a message on foot to 
Yirrakalla Mission where there is a Wireless Set.

6. The news that you would send if such an enemy did come would 
be, who he was, whether he definitely looked like Japanese, and 
how many men or ships there were, as well as where the enemy was
going and what he was trying to do.

7. If any enemy should land, you must remember to take your 
rifle and all your ammunition away in the bush at once, with 
the fighting man who are with you.  You should generally hide
in the day, send out scouts or "adlgnu" as you know the Arnhem
Land people call spies, and to attack from ambush at night.
Try to catch the enemy off his guard and by surprise. Catch 
him away from his friends.  Watch his scouts and kill them.
Watch for him to go to water and kill him then.  Kill his 
sentries.  Encourage our natives to have their own spears and 
to work at night.

8. We do not believe that this will be likely to happen, but 
you must think out just what you would do if it should come to 
pass. 

12.
Appendix II.
(continued)

9. Remember that we with the ship will not be far away
and that we will not fail you.  We will come, or send and 
join you as soon as possible.  Therefore, look for us.
Lie low, fight, and never give in.  It is better to die than
to surrender to an enemy who invades one's native land.

10. Do not forget that you alone are in charge.  Remember
that you take orders from no one but the officers of your 
own Unit, Lieutenant PALMER or myself, and do not answer any
questions asked by strangers.  If strangers come and you are
not satisfied about them, send a messenger quickly and 
secretly to Yirrakalla for Darwin to tell them what has 
happened.  But if British or American sailors or airmen should 
come, tell them that you are a soldier that you were left in 
charge by Squadron Leader Thomson.  Tell them nothing else.
Be suspicious of anyone you have not met before, no matter
what he tells you.  Read this and show it to no one.
11. While you are at the station no one but yourself must 
enter the house except for work.  You must always lock the 
house when you are hunting and leave two natives as guard.

12. ROUTINE WORK.
While the ship is away you should carry on with the work
of laying the ant bed flour in the house, and work in the 
garden.  You should try to have the fence around the garden
finished when the Aroetta returns.

(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader,
Commanding Special Reconnaissance Unit,
Northern Territory Force.
Distribution:

Copy No. 1. . . . . Private Kapiu

Copy No. 2. . .. . Advanced H.Q.

Copy No. 3. . . . .File.

Copy No. 4. . . . .War Diary. 

13.
Appendix II.
(continued)

MOST SECRET
Derby River,
Arnhem Land.
August 30, 1942.

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT - N.T.  FORCE.
OPERATION ORDERS NO. 7

To:   Lieut. A.H. PALMER.

Patrol from Darby River to Liverpool River - Arnhem Land.
1. On August 30 you will proceed with the A.K. Aroetta from 
Derby River, westwards, through the Crocodile Islands, to the 
Liverpool River.

2. On arrival at Haul Round Island off the south of the 
Liverpool River, a launch is to be sent into the River to land
the two natives, Kuninbal and Yirindilli, from this Area, who 
have been serving with this Unit on reconnaissance.

3. Before landing these natives, they should be carefully
instructed again to the importance of maintaining a watching
patrol along the coast line as far as Goulburn Island, on the 
lines on which they have been trained.

4. Contact is also be established with the natives camped
 at the Liverpool River and any reports of sightings of ships or 
aircraft as well as other incidents which may be reported should 
be investigated.

5. After completion of the duties above mentioned, the vessel
is to return immediately to the Darby River.  It is anticipated
that the vessel will return P.M. on August 31st, but if the ship
should be delayed no attempt is to be made to enter the Inner
Islands of the Crocodile Group by night.

(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON.
 Squadron Leader
O.C. Special Reconnaissance Unit N.T. Force
Distribution:
Copy No. 1. . . . .Lieut. A.H. PALMER

Copy No. 2. . .. . Advance H.Q.  N.T. Force

Copy No. 3. . . . .File

Copy No. 4. . . . .War Diary

14.
Appendix II.
(continued)
Caledon Bay,
Arnhem Land,
September 14, 1942

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT.  NORTHERN TERRITORY FORCE.
OPERATION ORDERS NO. 8.
To:  Lieut. A.H. PALMER A.I.F.
Caledon Bay to Groote Eylandt.  September, 1942

1. On September 14th you are to proceed with the Auxiliary
Ketch Aroetta from Caledon Bay to Groote Eylandt to carry out 
the following duty: - 

2. At Groote Eylandt you will visit both the Civil Flying Boat 
Base, and the R.A.A.F. Operational Base. 

3. On arrival at the Flying Boat Base enquiry is to be made
for safe hand Mail from Headquarters, N.T. Force.  Arrangements
should also be made to obtain 40 gallons of D.T.H.  Extra Heavy 
Lubricating Oil from the Shell Co.'s representative or from the 
Control Officer, Civil Flying Boat Base.  A request for the
supply of this oil has been made by Signal to Headquarters, 
N.T. Force.

4. After leaving the Flying Boat Base, you will proceed to 
the R.A.A.F. Operational Base and load there the fuel which is
held for this Unit. 

5. While at Groote Eylandt the Ground Mount for the Vickers
Gun on loan to the R.A.A.F. is to be collected and held on the 
Ship.  Stores and equipment, which it is anticipated have 
arrived from TOWNSVILLE, are also to be loaded.

6. Arrangements are also to be made to enlist the co-operation
of the Officer-in-Charge, Aeradio, and the Signals Officer at 
the Operational Base, to facilitate the establishment of W/T
communication with the O.P. at Caledon Bay and to pass urgent
or operational messages to Headquarters, Norforce. 

7. Immediately on completion of the above-mentioned duties,
the Aroetta is to return to Caledon Bay. 

(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader, R.A.A.F.
O.C. Special Reconnaissance Unit.
Distribution:
Copy No. 1. . . . .Lieut. A.H. PALMER

Copy No. 2. . .. . Advanced H.Q.  N.T. Force

Copy No. 3. . . . .File

Copy No. 4. . . . .War Diary