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 13

15.
Appendix II.
(continued)
SECRET.
A.K. AROETTA
Caledon Bay,
Arnhem Land.
September 19, 1942.
SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT. NORTHERN TERRITORY FORCE.
OPERATION ORDER NO. 9.
To:          Sergeant T.H. ELKINGTON. A. I. F. Special Reconnaissance Unit.
1. From September 19th you will be in full charge of the Outpost
recently established by this Unit at Caledon Bay, and you will
remain in charge during the absence of the A.K. Aroetta from
the area.
2. The Primary Object of the O.P. at Caledon Bay is to enable
close contact to be maintained with the fighting peoples of the
Caledon and Blue Mud Bay area by establishing a permanent station
among them. It is intended that this O.P. will form a settled
camp for many of the natives who have been trained by, and who have
been operating with, this Unit on patrol and reconnaissance during
the past eight or nine months, as well as a meeting place for the
nomadic groups from the interior of Arnhem Land and the areas to
the north and south.
3. As a result of the above, it will be possible to maintain
a close watch on the entire seaboard of North Eastern Arnhem 
Land  and also to be in a position to muster at any time and on
the shortest notice, a fighting force of two or three hundred
men. Moreover, as they are living in their own country and 
carrying on largely their normal activities, their morale will
be maintained at a high level.
4. Your first duty, therefore, is to maintain the closest
possible contact with these people , who have been trained and
organized during the past nine months, and to encourage them to 
return from hunting and fishing journeys, to the main base at
Caledon Bay at regular intervals.
5. For the reasons stated above, and in order to enable communications 
to be maintained with Advanced Headquarters, your Headquarters
will be at Caledon Bay itself. Every effort should be made to 
maintain the garden which has been laid out, not only because of
the value of the fresh food under tropical conditions , but also
because of the feeling of the permanency which it will impart to the
natives based in this area.
6. Communications will be maintained with Advanced Headquarters
N.T. Force via R.A.A.F. Groote Eylandt, who will pass all reports
to advanced Headquarters through R.A.A.F. channels. All sightings
of ships or aircraft are to be reported at the earliest possible
time. Under existing conditions, three (3) schedules per day
will be maintained with R.A.A.F. Groote Eylandt, at the following 
times :- 
0700 hours C.S.T.
1200      "           "
1700       "           "

16.
Appendix II.
(continued)
If, however, circumstances warrant watches, these are 
to be arranged with R.A.A.F.
7. In the event of an enemy landing, all stores , and such
equipment as cannot be transported into the bush, must be
destroyed with the materials provided for this purpose.
Your role will then be to organize and land guerilla bands
of the natives who have been trained on these lines, and harass
the enemy forces. At the same time, every possible effort 
should be made to pass vital information to Headquarters, giving
the movements, activities, and organisation of the enemy.
In this way you will carry on until rejoined by the remainder
of this Unit.
8. You must take precautions from the outset, to guard against
possible surprise by a small enemy party, such as might be
landed from a small craft or from an aircraft, and the natives
with whom you are working must be trained at once to assist
in removing arms and ammunition rapidly to pre-arranged
"hide-outs" in the hinterland.
(Sgd.) DONALD F THOMSON
Squadron Leader R.A.A.F.
Commanding Special Reconnaissance Unit N.T. Forces.
Distribution:
Copy No.1......Sgt. ELKINGTON
Copy No.2......Advanced H.Q. N.T. Force
Copy No.3......File
Copy No.4......War Diary 

17.
Appendix II.
(continued)
SECRET -
See Operation Order No. 9
SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT. N.T. FORCE.
O.P. Caledon Bay -
Equipment and Stores -

(Sgd.) T.H. ELKINGTON SGT.
Special Recc. Unit 19/9/42
(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON B/Leader
O.C. Special Recce. Unit N.T. Force
19/9/42 

18.
Appendix II.
(continued)
SECRET -
SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT
O.P. Caledon Bay -
Stores and Equipment -

19.
Appendix II.
(continued)
SECRET-
W/T Communication with O.P. at Caledon Bay.
To:       O. C.    R.A.A.F.   O.P. Groote Eylandt.
In connection with the O.P. which has recently been
established by this Unit, at Caledon Bay, with Sergeant
T.H. ELKINGTON A.I.F in charge, it would be greatly
appreciated if you would continue to do everything possible
to maintain communication with Sergeant ELKINGTON,  and to
transmit all messages and reports from the O.P. as rapidly
as possible to Advanced Headquarters N.T. Force via R.A.A.F.
N.W. Area, during the absence of the A.K. Aroetta from the 
vicinity.
2. As you are aware, the call sign under which the W/T
set at Caledon Bay operates in VJB 6 and it is understood 
that your commercial call sign VHGE will be used in working
your Station.
3. It is considered that under the present conditions, while
this area remains quiet, the three schedules which have been
arranged, namely 0700 hours C.S.T.
                                    1200 "  "
                                    1700 "  "  will suffice, but if the
circumstances warrant it is requested that additional schedules
or listening watches be arranged in order to provide the best 
possible watching organization.
4. It will be appreciated if you will do everything within
your power to conceal the identity and location of this O.P.
Your assistance and co-operation, particularly in regard
to the handling of fuel for this Unit is much appreciated.
(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader R.A.A.F.
O/C Special Reconnaissance Unit, N.T. Force. 

20.
Appendix II.
(continued)
SECRET - 
O.P. Caledon Bay,
Arnhem Land.
Date: January 15th 1943
SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT. NORFORCE.
OPERATION ORDER NO. 10
To:  A/Sgt KAPIU, (Native Soldier), Special Reconnaissance Unit.
1. From the morning of January 15th you are to take full charge
of this Station (O.P.) at Caledon Bay, and you are to remain in
charge during the absence of the Aroetta.
2. Your Duties , and the reason for your being left in charge
at this O.P. are the same as they were when you were left here
in August last.
3. You must remember first of all that the purpose for which 
this Station was set up, and the reason which it is now being
maintained is to make sure that news of any enemy landing, or
enemy reconnaissance or patrol, is known and passed quickly to
our Headquarters in Darwin. You must think of yourself here, 
not just to look after the country and the people, but rather as
the "eyes" (mungotji) that keep watch  on the coastline of this
part of Australia . You must remember especially, that the 
importance of this is not so much in what the Japanese might do
if they landed here, but the use they might make of it to attack
the flanks or "sides" of Darwin - to come in behind our main 
forces to the "lines of communication" that feed and supply our
main forces. Any information therefore, that you might get,
however slight, which would serve to warn our Headquarters in 
Darwin, of any enemy activity or interest, would be of very 
great importance.
4. For this reason it is most important that we should keep in
touch at all time with the natives not only of this one region,
but of the whole of the coastline which stretches from Blue Mud
Bay to Cape Arnhem on the Gulf of Carpentaria, and again westwards
from Cape Arnhem to the Glyde River. The natives must be
encouraged by every means in our power to visit this Station or
O.P. in their wanderings, as frequently as possible, so that we
may keep in touch with their movements about the country, and
know just where to find them at any time, and especially, so that 
we shall hear at regular intervals, reports of anything they may
have seen or heard about.
5. Your first and most important duty, therefore, is to keep 
always on the most friendly terms with the natives, and to use
all the influence or "power" you have to maintain good relations
between the people themselves. You know how important this is
if the natives are to trust us and are to move about freely over
a wide stretch of country. I want you therefore, to use all
your strength to keep these people as they now are, happy and
friendly, until I return.
6. I want you to know that in placing you in charge of this O.P.
you are being greatly trusted, and I know that you will do nothing
to make me feel that I have been mistaken in placing that special
trust in you. 

21.
Appendix II.
(continued)
7. you will have Private Raiwalla with you and he will be
your right hand man. During the absence of the Ship, Raiwalla
is not to be sent away from Caledon Bay, except in special 
emergency.
8. Communications. The W.T. equipment is out of order and
will not be available for service until the return of the
Aroetta. In the meantime, therefore, you will be obliged to
depend in emergency, on two means of communication, to get a
message through to Norforce.
 (i) By runner to Yirrkala Mission, from which station a 
wireless message my be sent.
(ii) By sea to the Flying Boat Base, Groote Eylandt. The
14 ft sailing dinghy, equipped with sails, oars and centreboard
is being left with you at Caledon Bay for this purpose. If
the Aroetta is not at the Flying Boat Base, the messenger will
report to Squadron Leader Hempel, who will transmit any 
necessary message.
It is to be understood clearly that these two means of
communication are to be used only in real emergency, for the
passing of important messages, or in the case of serious injury
or sickness.
Any reports of lesser importance will be passed to the 
Aroetta on her return.
9. It is not anticipated that the O.C. will be absent for
longer than about two weeks, and arrangements will be made for
the A.K. Aoretta to remain in contact with the O.P. and to visit
you, at least once each week in the meantime.
10. Arms & Equipment. Special care must be taken to avoid the
possibility of surprise by a small enemy landing party. You
must make ready to remove all ammunition, and your arms and equipment into the bush in the event of a landing, so that you can then
carry on a guerilla campaign. You will lie in hiding during the
day, using natives as scouts, and attack and ambush at night,
using the methods that these natives of Arnhem Land know well.
You must also take special precautions to see that the
stores and tobacco are secure, and to see that the tobacco and
other valuables are locked up, and the house is also to be kept
locked during your absence. Either you or Raiwalla should
always be at the Station.
11. Routine Work on the maintenance of the garden is to be
carried out every day until the Ship returns.
(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader R.A.A.F. (Seconded)
O.C. Special Reconnaissance Unit, Norforce

Distribution:
Copy No.1......A/Sgt. KAPIU
Copy No.2......Adv. H.Q. Norforce
Copy No.3......File
Copy No.4......War Diary

22.
Appendix II.
(continued)
SECRET-

A.K. Aroetta
Groote Eylandt
Date January 20 1943

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT

OPERATION ORDER NO. 11.
For: Lieut. Palmer A.I.F
1. During the absence of O.C. Special Reconnaissance Unit ,

at Norforce Headquarters, you will assume command of the
A.K. Aroetta.
2. After the departure of the O.C. for Darwin the loading of
the armour plating from the O.B. Landing is to be completed.
One further load of water is to be taken with the motor launch,

and the ship is to be taken direct to the Flying Boat Base, at
Little Lagoon.
3. The Aroetta will leave the anchorage off the O.B.  at the
south-west end of Groote Eylandt early in the morning of January

21 and proceed direct to the Civil Aviation Department's Base.
The vessel is to be taken into Little Lagoon on the first full
tide to enable a thorough examination of the propeller shaft and
gear to be made in order to determine if possible the cause of
the heating which has recently developed. If it should be
absolutely necessary , the propeller shaft may be drawn and examined,

but care must be taken to avoid having the vessel U.S. for a 
period of more than twenty four hours at a time.
4. While you are at the Flying Boat Base the whole of the armour
plating should be landed and some of the crew set to work to chip
and clean this in order to preserve it while in storage. When
this is completed the plating should be stored at the Civil Avia-

tion Base if safe and adequate storage can be obtained.
5. The vessel is to remain at the Flying Boat Base until further
instructions are received unless reports are received that 
necessitate immediate investigation. In that event you must take
what action is necessary immediately, and at the same time inform
the O.C. by priority signal of the circumstances.
6. While at the Civil Aviation Base, every possible precaution
must be taken to safeguard codes, recognition signals, and secret
documents. Arrangements must be made as to the best means of
destroying these in emergency, and a guard must be maintained on
duty to prevent surprise.

(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader R.A.A.F. (Seconded)
O.C. Special Reconnaissance Unit, Norforce.

Distribution:
Copy No.1......Lieut. PALMER, A.I.F.
Copy No.2......Adv. H.Q. Norforce
Copy No.3......War Diary
Copy No.4......File

23.
Appendix II.
(continued)
A.K. Aroetta

Caledon Bay

Date:    Jan 31  1943

SECRET-

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT N.T. FORCE

OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS NO. 12 

1. On February 1 1943 you will assume command of A.K. Aroetta
at Caledon Bay and proceed direct to the Flying Boat Base,
Groote Eylandt.
2. On arrival at Groote Eylandt you will land No.34675 L AC
Hassell, B. at the Flying Boat Base, where he is to remain
under the charge of the Control Officer, Civil Aviation Dept.,
pending arrangements for his return to Townsville where he is
to report to N.E.A.  R.A.A.F.
3. At the Flying Boat Base arrangements will be made with
the Control Officer for LAC Hassell's accommodation and
subsistence in the meantime.
4. Necessary water and fuel will be loaded at Groote Eylandt
P.M. Feb  1st and you will return to Caledon Bay direct,
leaving Fort Langdon, Groote Eylandt at daybreak on Feb 2nd.
5. Advantage will be taken of the run to Groote Eylandt to 
test thoroughly the shaft which has just been installed in the
vessel, and at Groote Eylandt, to test further the W/T set
ATR2A recently received from C.S.O Norforce.

(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON
Squadron Leader R.A.A.F. (seconded)
O.C. Special Reconnaissance Unit, N.T. Force

Distribution:
Copy No.1......Lieut. A.E. PALMER, A.I.F.
Copy No.2......Advanced H.Q. Norforce
Copy No.3......File
Copy No.4......War Diary 

24.
Appendix II.
(continued)
MOST SECRET-

A.K. Aroetta
Groote Eylandt,
Arnhem Land.
Date: April 3rd 1943

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT. NORFORCE

OPERATION ORDER NO. 13.
To: Lieut. A.E. PALMER A.I.F.
1. Following the departure of the O.C. Special Reconnaissance
Unit, from Groote Eylandt on April 4th you will assume command
of the A.K. Aroetta and crew.
2. Duties. The Aroetta is to proceed without delay to Darwin,
where you will report for orders to Headquarters, Northern
Territory Force, but en route you are to carry out the following 
duties.
(i) Return two natives who have been serving on the
Aroetta , to Yirrakala near Cape Arnhem.
(ii) Pick up the R.A.A.F. Survey Party, as arranged,
at Arnhem Bay and carry this party to Milingimbi.
(iii) Return Pte Raiwalla, now discharged from this Unit,
to his own territory, Darbi Creek, near the
Crocodile Islands.
(iv) Load the equipment and stores recently landed at
Milingimbi from the Aroetta, on to the ship for 
transfer to Darwin.
3. The Aroetta will sail from Groote Eylandt on April 4th.
It is anticipated that you will be able to land the two natives
Mataman and Martjari, referred to above, near Yirrakala on the
night of April 4th or early on the following morning, and that 
you will arrive at the rendezvous to pick up the  R.A.A.F. Party
under P/O Graham, on the afternoon of the 5th of April.
4. Your E.T.A. Milingimbi is 7th April. On arrival at 
Milingimbi you will send the Ship's motor launch to land Raiwalla
with his possessions, at the Landing, Darbi Creek. 

5. After landing the R.A.A.F. Party at Milingimbi, returning
the native Raiwalla , and loading the stores and equipment referred 
to in para 2 (4) above, the Aroetta will proceed direct to Darwin,
E.T.A. approximately April 10th.

A revised E.T.A should be sent to Norforce, repeat Naval 
Examination Service, as soon as practicable.