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 14
25.
Appendix II.
(continued)
Communications and Recognition Signals.
6. Communications will be maintained by W/T through Army
channels. In the absence of R.A.A.F. cypher, which will no
longer be held on the Ship, communications will cease with
R.A.A.F stations except in emergency or to pass urgent
sighting or other operational reports.
7. On arrival in Darwin, the recognition signals supplied
by R.A.A.F to cover the voyage of the Aroetta from Groote
Eylandt to Darwin, should be destroyed in the presence of
the W/T Operator, by fire, and a destruction certificate,
signed by you and witnessed by the Operator, should be issued.
8. On completion of the journey you will report to Advanced
Headquarters, Norforce, for further orders, arranging, as
soon as possible, to commence a complete check of all stores,
arms, and equipment on charge to the Unit, and which is now
in your custody, preparatory to handing over the Unit to the
new O.C.
9. You will also report to the D.F.O. Rear Headquarters,
and submit accounts, obtaining a clearance for all monies
handled by the Unit.
10. Arrangements should be made with Headquarters, Norforce,
for the removal of R.A.A.F. equipment and arms from the ship
before handing over.
(Sgd.) DONALD F. THOMSON.
Squadron Leader, (seconded).
Commanding Special Reconnaissance Unit, Norforce.
Distribution:
Copy No.1......Lieut. PALMER
Copy No.2......Advanced Headquarters, Norforce.
Copy No.3......War Diary
Copy No.4......File
APPENDIX III
PART I - ARMS AND EQUIPMENT
i. List of Stores, equipment, arms and ammunition for
Land Reconnaissance Party.
ii. Stores, Equipment, Arms, Ammunition etc for Auxiliary
Ketch AROETTA and Crew.
iii. Preliminary List of Medical Stores.
Army Headquarters.
Victoria Barracks.
MELBOURNE S.C.1
18th September, 1941
O.S.0.1
Special Operations Section,
Army Headquarters,
Melbourne. S.C.1
EQUIPMENT LIST FOR RECONNAISSANCE PARTY
OPERATING WEST OF DARWIN.
_________________
The following list of equipment for the reconnaissance
party which is to operate to the west of DARWIN in the DERBY-VICTORIA
RIVER - WYNDHAM area, has been submitted by Lieutenant MORGAN.
Medical Kit - One outfit as required (to include snake bite
outfits).
Tents and camping equipment -
Tent, four man 1
Fly walls 6
Mosquito nets, Queensland
stockman's type 5
Canvas Sheets, Birkmire 6 x 8 3
hemmed, with eyelet holes.
Cordage, 1½" 2 coils
Blankets 8
Clothing -
Putties 6
Rucksacks 2 Complete with Web
equipment & Everest
carriers
Packs. Infantry 3
Bottles, water 6 With Carriers.
Tomahawks 4
Knives, sheath 4 And leather sheaths
Straps, heavy 6 1½" width.
Compasses -
Binoculars 2
Torches and batteries 3
Maps - (Authority to obtain these in Western Australia required
by Lieutenant MORGAN).
Map making instruments -
Protractors 2
Dividers 2
Compass 1
Arms - (N.C.Os to draw overseas rifles, bayonets and
scabbards as personal equipment).
Rifles -
25/20 1
.22 repeater Winchester 1
Shotgun, single barrel,
H & R 1
Spare parts for all above, Covers, carriers for two
sporting rifles as above.
2.
Pistols -
Automatic. Colt .38 with holster web 3.
Ammunition -
25/20 1,000 rounds
.22 long rifle 2,000
12 gauge B.S. 75 )
3 100 ) 250 Bulistite
4 75 )
.303 500 rounds
Colt 500 "
Cleaning materials and oils.-
Oil, A. 1-qt. in 2 1-pt. containers
Grease, preserving, 2-lb.
Pullthroughs
Flannelette
Fishing line and hooks -
Lines, heavy 12
Hooks, mixed sizes, 1 gross, sea hooks
Cooking Utensils -
Pots, cooking, 5-quart 2
" " 2-quart 2
" " 3-pint 4
Pans, frying, 10" 2
Mess tins, infantry 4
Camp oven, 10" 1
Can openers, standard 3
Knives 6
Forks 6
Spoons 6
Plates, tin 12
Pannikins 6
Lanterns, Deitz 3
Stove, Primus 1
Stationery -
Paper, foolscap, 1 ream
" carbon 1 box
Notebooks, shorthand 6
Notebook, (Journal) 1
Envelopes, small 100
" large 100
Wax Sealing 6 sticks
Pencils 1 dozen
Pens 6
Nibs 1 box
Ink 1 bottle
Stores and Rations -
(Authorities to draw rations from 7 M.D. requested).
Also fuel for light and cooking.
Transport - It is suggested that horse and pack equipment should
not be purchased, but that authority be provided for the hire of
such pack equipment for use in this area, if required.
It is further requested that M.T. be made available at
KATHERINE, together with fuel supply for preliminary reconnaissance
during October and November.
(Sgd) DONALD F. THOMSON Flight. Lieut
R.A.A.F.
50/517
STORES FOR RECCE PARTY. 7 M.D.
"O" Branch
It would be appreciated if arrangements could be made
for the undermentioned equipment to be made available as soon as
possible for a second reconnaissance party proceeding to 7 M.D.
This equipment is required for Lieutenant H.G. MORGAN, to whom it
should be consigned when packed.
The consignee's address will be -
C/o O.C., No.2 Independent Company.
WAYVILLE. 4 M.D.
4 man tent complete 1
Fly walls 6
Tents, M & S.F. proof 3
Canvas Sheets, Birkmyre 3
(Sheets 6' x 6', hemmed with 10 eyelet
holes).
Cordage, Manilla white hawserlaid 1½"
fathoms 20
Blankets 8
Putties (or Knee Lenth Gaiters) 6
Rucksacks -
France, steel 3
Haversacks 3
Packs 6
Straps attachments 6
" support 3
" securing 3
Pouches, Basic. W.E. Patt. '37 3
" Ammunition pistol W.E. Patt. '37 3
" Utility -
Front 2
Rear 2
Braces, W.E. Patt. '37
Left 3
Right 3
Attachments. Brace W.E. Patt. '37 6
Bottles, water, Mk VI 3
Carriers, waterbottle, W.E. Patt. '37 3
Tins, mess 3
Covers, mess tin 3
Covers, rifle 3
Pockets, Compass W. E. Patt. '37 3
Belts, Waist W.E. Patt '37 3
Cases, pistol, W.E. Patt. '37 3
Axes, hand 4
" halves 4
Knives, sheath (with sheath) 4
Straps, leather 1½" wide feet 6
Compasses, prismatic, liquid 3
Binoculars 2
Torches, hand 3
Batteries, dry torch (for above) 3
Dividers, Math. Mk II 2
Compass (instrument, drawing) 1
Protractors, rectangular, 6" ivorine 2
Rifles -
25/20 1
.22 Winchester repeater 1
Shot gun, single barrel H & R. 1
4.
Pistols, Revolver, No. 1, Mk VI 3
Ammunition -
25/20 rounds 1,000
.22 long rifle " 2,000
12 Gauge BB. 75 }
3 100 } Ballistite " 250
175 }
.303 500
.455 500
Line, fishing, heavy 50 fathoms 12
Hooks, fishing, various sizes,
sea hooks. gross 1
Oil. A. in 1-pt containers qts 1
Mineral Jelly lbs 2
Flannelette, 4 x 8 yds 12
Pans, frying. Rectangular, L.P. 2
Pannikins 6
Openers, tin 3
Camp over, 10" 1
Knives 6
Forks 6
Spoons 6
Plates, tin 12
Stoves, primus 2
Pots, cooking, 3-qt 2
" " 2-qt 2
" " 3-pint 2
Lanterns, Dietz 3
Sergeant PALMER of No. 3 Infantry Training Centre is
available to assist in purchasing and inspecting of items
requiring precision action.
Finance Authority: Objective "B" (War Cabinet Minute
M93). It will be necessary to put in Contract Demands or
Munition Orders chargeable to the above to replace issues from
stores.
(SGD) W.R. SCOTT. Lt. Col.
for Colonel.
Director of Military Operations.
19 Sep 41.
5.
MOST SECRET
14th August, 1941
(Revised Sept. 9th, 1941)
The Director,
Special Operations Branch,
ARMY HEADQUARTERS
LIST OF STORES FOR RECONNAISSANCE PARTY
INCLUDING STORES FOR OUTFITTING OF
AUXILIARY KETCH.
The following is a list of stores and equipment necessary
for the fitting out of the reconnaissance party and the auxiliary
ketch.
Awnings -
Canvas for awnings and side screens 80 yards double
width Birkmire water proofed canvas.
Life Belts - 12 Lloyds standard pattern
Fire Extinguishers - 4
10 x ½" galvanised turnscrews, fitted with shackles
and solid hearts complete.
6 double sheaf ironstrapped wooden blocks to take
2½" rope.
12 single sheaf ironstrapped wooden blocks to take
2½" rope.
3 davit blocks ironstrapped to take 3½" ropes.
Shackles -
1 doz. 7/8-in., 1 doz ¾", 1 doz 3/8", 1 doz. ½"
galvanised shackles.
50 fast flexible steel wire rigging wire 1½" circum.
Chain -
45 fathoms 1" chain.
Rope -
2 coils 2½" manilla rope
1 coil 2" " "
1 " 3" " "
2 coils 1½" " "
120 fathoms 4" coir grass rope
Stores - Deck:
One bolt Canvas Cotton 18-oz. 45 yds 3ft. width
5 doz hanks marlins
10 sheets 16-oz. Triple Crown Naval Brass
10 lb ½" copper sheathing nails
5 gals. Stockholm Tar
5 " Coal Tar
10 " Raw Linseed Oil
5 " Boiled Linseed oil
34 lbs White Zinc in oil
20 lbs White Putty ready mixed
35 lbs Red Lead Dry
6 Gals Turpentine
10 lbs Marine Glue
10 lbs Beeswax
12 hanks Seaming twine
6.
Stores - Deck (Contd)
3 packets 14 sail needles
1 " roping needles
12 hanks roping twine
3 rolls caulking cotton
10 lbs Oakum
4 gal. Marine varnish
6 " Berger's Handrail black
12 " Berger's white gloss paint
2 " Green Enamel
3 x 1" sash tools
4 x 2" " "
6 x 3" " "
6 only Paint Scrapers
3 Chipping hammers
12 coils seizing wire / 8 gauge
Assorted bolts and nuts
Cotter nails
Sail Bag. containing -
1 large wooden fid
3 small fids
1 wire splicing spike
2 large marlins spikes
2 small " "
2 heavers
2 serving boards
1 rigger's screw
4 palm seaming
4 palms roping
Tool Chest. containing -
1 rip saw
1 panel saw
1 Brace
1 doz. augers, assorted
1 doz. Bits, assorted
6 wood chisels, assorted
Caulking irons (1 set)
1 pair pinsers
1 hammer claw
1 mallet caulking
1 plane, 14"
1 rule, 3-ft
3 oil stones
3 rasps
2 full axes
4 x ½ axes
4 tomahawks
2 adze .
Navigating Instruments -
One compass, Kelvin Dead Best, with Azimuth
Mirrors attached.
1 Chronometer
1 sextant
1 pair Binoculars
1 pair parallel rulers 12"
1 pair parallel rulers 24"
2 pair dividers
2 yacht logs Walker's Mk IV with spare log and
lines, and 8 rotators.
Navigations books, i.e.:-
Azimuth tables, Davis
Moriss' Sentinel Tables
Nautical Almanac
1 set code flags and signalling manual
Book on position line methods, star and sun.
7.
Navigating Instruments (contd) -
1 Complete set of charts from Thursday Island (Gulf
of Carpentaria) Queensland, to Broome (W.A.) with
charts of harbours and anchorages.
Pacific Island Pilot, Vols. 1, 2 and 3.
Coastal Pilot.
Boats -
1 x 14-ft open boat fitted with sail and centre
board and fitted with bouyancy tanks
Oars 6 pairs spare oars (ash) for above. 10-ft.
length.
Engine Stores, Spares and Tools -
1 set Stocks and Dies ½" to 1"
1 doz mixed files
1 6" emery wheel
2 Hacksaws and blades
2 pairs pliers
1 6" vise
Set of hollow punches ¼" to 2"
1 doz various size cold chisels
2 centre punches
2 engineer's hammers (1 large, 1 small)
1 10" Stilson
1 semi-rotary pump to take 1" galvanised pipe.
Lighting -
12 2-volt Batteries of 200 A.A. capacity
1 12-volt Dynamo to be run off main engine, and
1 12-volt Briggs and Stratton 300 watt electric
light engine.
2 doz. Standard size 25 watt bulbs
1 doz. switches
4 plug-ins
1 doz. lamp shades
150 feet of flex wire
140 feet of heavy wire, for wiring ship
1 Hydrometer
1 Breast drill and necessary drills
2 small 12-volt 40 watt Fans
Cooking Utensils, etc. -
3 Primus stoves (and spare parts)
1 Bonnybridge Dover Stove No. 8
2 Camp Ovens
Lanterns, 6, Dietz, 1" wicks
Cooking utensils and crockery
Boilers, 2 gal. and 4 gal. (for native crew)
Petrol Lamps, 3 portable.
Stationery -
1 portable typewriter }
1 doz. spare ribbons for above }
Ink, pens, pencils } A full list of stationery
Paper and envelopes } required attached
Carbon paper }
Note books }
Signal pads }
Mapping material }
8.
Instruments (Field) -
Binoculars - 3
Telescopes - 2
Compass 1 prismatic compass with hand grip (type in
use by R.A.A.F. suggested)
Torches - 4 (and batteries)
Signalling Equipment -
Signal flags
W/T equipment (to be prepared by experts of Signals
Section).
1 long range W/T set and 2 portable (pack) sets
Signalling lamps
Ground Strips for communication with aircraft in
emergency and necessary books on above.
Signals instructions and manuals.
For Payment of Natives -
Tobacco, Sunlight or other, 20 sticks to lb. (about
2-cwt).
Fish hooks 12 gross mixed sizes
Fishing lines, 50 medium
Wire - trace wire for fish hooks
Tomahawks (say) 3-doz. Brades or other suitable make
1 Coil Fencing Wire. 6 gauge (for cutting up for fish
spears for natives).
NOTE: Two supplementary lists -
(1) Arms
(2) Camping equipment, covering material
required for shore parties and for
reconnaissance parties, will follow.
(SGD) DONALD F. THOMSON Flight-Lieut
R.A.A.F.
9 Sept. 41
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