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 20

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SECRET       COPY     Appendix IV.
25th. April, 1942. 
W/T Report on work done by Special Reconnaissance Unit.
TO: R.A.A.F. DARWIN. 
FROM: Sq/Ldr. THOMSON.    A1 25    25/4 
For Advanced Headquarters 7 M.D. stop begins stop Report on work of
Reconnaissance Unit stop have completed thorough patrol ROPER River
employing native detachments on foot over wide are stop Patrols
extending  northwards towards LIMMEN BIGHT stop now making patrol
northwards on foot to ROSE River area stop present disposition stop
AROETTA on Lower ROPER pending arrival propellor at GROOTE and am 
establishing O.P. equipped W/T to cover mouth of River and all
approaches to estuary in charge Sergeant ELKINGTON with native detachment 
stop O.C. conducting patrol to ROSE River stop Lieut. PALMER in
charge AROETTA stop Preliminary reconnaissance prove enemy landings
possible any point South Bank ROPER and that A.F.V and W.T could
move to our L.O.C. without difficulty stop recent rains this area
however rendered coastal plains and river flats impassable heavy vehicles but unless further rains occurs area will be again passable
within on week from the date for A.F.V. stop Reconnaissance stresses
conclusion that logical approach  L.O.C if attempted in this area 
would be by south bank nor repeat not North stop old residents ROPER
 area state lagoons and water courses drier than known in past twenty
years and indications of exceptional severity will prevail in ARNHEM
LAND and ROPER stress this year stop probably that almost no surface
water will remain in two months stop ack: stop.
Time of Origin  0138 z/25
T.O.R.   Dar: 0842 z/25 
---------------------- 
SECRET        COPY    29th. April, 1942. 
W/T Report on work of Special Reconnaissance Unit

To: R.A.A.F. DARWIN
From: S/Ldr. THOMSON      AI-25    30/4

For Advanced Headquarters 7 N.D. stop begins stop Ref: my AI-25 of 
25/4 stop report from Special Reconnaissance Unit stop THOMSON
returned April 29 from reconnaissance coastal area ROPER River northwards
forty miles to ROSE River occupying five days stop Patrol
 carried out on foot with detachment of natives covering about 100 miles
stop no trace enemy dumps or E.L.G. no evidence any recent visits by
Japanese stop existence  dumps E.L.G's can be discounted stop. 
Extensive tracts level plain smooth hard surface covered with fine red
ironstone exist about eight or nine miles south Rose Rover approx: 
one mile inland stop this plain would take any aircraft during dry
season and provides clear runs for at least one and a half miles in 
all directions stop but consider this unprofitable for enemy use this 
area on account relative remoteness from military objectives and inhospitable
nature of hinterland stop country very difficult 
and travel on foot severe for personnel experienced this country stop 
Coastal area almost waterless and only water restricted one or two 
small wells stop have now completed establishment O.P. at GULNARE
BLUFF or MOUNT MOORE commanding mouth of ROPER River six miles away 
stop O.P. equipped W/T recently ROPER VALLEY Station 
and in charge Sgt. ELKINGTON with detachment of natives stop will 
complete patrols ROPER Rover and laying down of depots of arms and 
equipment already commenced stop and stop 
Time of origin 0655 Z/3G
T.O.R. Dar: 0322 Z/1

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Appendix IV
SECRET     COPY     29th. April, 1942. 
W/T Report on work of Special Reconnaissance Unit
To: R.A.A.F. DARWIN
From: S/Ldr. THOMSON      AI-25    30/4

For Advanced Headquarters 7 N.D. stop begins stop ref my AI-25 of 
25/4 stop report from Special Reconnaissance Unit stop Thomson
returned April 29 from reconnaissance coastal area Roper River 
northwards forty miles to ROSE River occupying five days stop 
patrol carried out on foot with detachment of natives covering 
about 100 miles stop no trace enemy dumps or E.L.G. no evidence any 
recent visits by Japanese stop existence dumps E.L.G's can be 
discounted stop. Extensive tracts level plain smooth hard surface 
covered with fine red ironstone exist about eight or nine miles 
south Rose River approx: one mile inland stop This plain would 
take any aircraft during dry season and provides clear runs for at 
least one and a half miles in all directions stop but consider this 
unprofitable for enemy use this area on account relative remoteness 
from military objectives and in-hospitable nature of hinterland stop 
country very difficult and travel on foot severe for personnel 
experienced this country stop coastal area almost waterless and only 
water restricted one or two small wells stop have now completed 
establishment O.P. at GULWARE BLUFF or MOUNT MOORE commanding mouth 
of Roper River six miles away stop O.P. equipped W/T recently 
impressed from Roper Valley Station and in charge Sgt. Elkington 
with detachment of natives stop will complete patrols Roper Rover and 
laying down of depots of arms and equipment already commenced stop 
ands stop   
Time of origin O655 Z/30 
T.O.R. Dar: 0322 Z/1

4.
SECRET    COPY    Appendix IV.  

Secret & personal
Roper River.
May 12, 1942.
To: Major NUNN. G.S.O. 11.
I am sending you herewith a brief written report of our
recent activities and movements, and append also a series of three
signals relating to these. You will understand when you look at these
that I have been uncertain as to whether my messages were reaching
you. On April 25th. I sent A1/25 7.0.0. 0135 2/25 giving movements
and dispositions in as much detail as seemed possible by W.T.
Again on April 29th. I sent my A1/2c T.O.O. CO352/30 reporting
the fact that I had completed the reconnaissance northwards to the
ROSE RIVER and covering the area mentioned in your signal, GSI/O
of 11/4. But on May 2nd, only two days after this. I received a
signal, which although it bare  no originator's letters or number. I
assumed was originated by Advanced Headquarters, asking whether we had
been in the vicinity of BATHURST ISLAND and requesting us to keep you
informed of our whereabouts. As my two signals sent only a few days
previously set this out clearly I suspected that my signals were not
reaching you. For this reason I append copies of the two A1/signals
mentioned above and your own signal with my reply to this. If the
reports which I sent by W.T. have not been reaching you I trust that
this will clear the matter up. It would be appreciated also if you

would make acknowledgement of all my signals so that I know that you
are receiving them.

Our first task on returning to the Roper was to establish an

O.P. that adequately covers the mouth and approaches to the river

estuary and flats. We had already marked GULWARE BLUFF or MOUNT MOORE,

and further reconnaissance showed that this way the only really

effective site for it provides high ground for O.P. and the added

advantage of being on the north side of the river the side opposite

to that on which an enemy might be expected to make a landing A most

excellent site commanding a view over all the lower ROPER and the sea

outside the mouth of the River, was selected, and the O.P. built

there. We are proud of it for it is partly excavated in the rocky

ground, and carefully camouflaged with earth and stones to provide the

maximum of concealment. But water was the great difficulty. There

appears to be no water for long distances in this area and as it was

apparent that the O.P. could only be situated at the place chosen, we

had to concentrate on water. We took oil drums scoured out, down the

river, and also removed, temporarily one of the water tanks from the

AROETTA.

Two 400 gallon tanks have now been impressed and we have

these on board. They will be landed in a day or two, en route to

GROOTE EYLANDT.

Unfortunately, as I have reported, on the voyage down the

ROPER RIVER to establish this O.P. the propeller was damaged, as

far as we can ascertain by a submerged floating (waterlogged) piece

of driftwood as we were in clear and deep water at the time. The

wood seems to have been caught by the propellor and passed through

the propellor aperture, breaking one blade and damaging an other.

I reported this to Advanced Headquarters by signal at once,

and requested that a replacement be obtained immediately and want to

GROOTE EYLANDT. A fuller (written) report on the propellor is also

attached hereon. It will be advisable to take the ship to GROOTE 
EYLANDT because there is a fair beach on which to put the vessel up

at the Flying Boat Base and there are really good workshop facilitate

there with an Engineer and a workshop. At the same time, and to get

the new propellor here as with the least possible delay. I sent a signal

to Squadron Leader WELLWOOD of the R.A.A.F. TOWNSVILLE who gave us

much assistance when the vessel was being fitted out there, asking

him to telephone south and to arrange to have the propellor flown to

/ Groote 

SECRET  APPENDIX IV.

take over this O.P. which we have recently established, with his own

men. I have no objections to handing over the O.P. which is now

equipped with water tanks [[?]] as it does not appear to matter who

maintains it, but would like to have your opinion on the matter

before actually handing over. This will mean that we have practically

handed over the ROPER RIVER areas to No. 4Company.

 

I have to report too, that we have given all the assistance

with regard to local knowledge that we [[?]] to members of the Company.

At KATHERINE Ihad several conferences with Major WALKER and Lieutenant

BURTON and other and gave them what assistance I could from my know

ledge of the country.

 

Maps - We are much lacking in maps and would be grateful

if it would be possible for you to source for us two sets of the military

map of this and any neighbouring areas of which these may be available

and send them to us by air to GROOTE EYLANDT where safe hand mail may

also be sent though the R.A.A.F.

 

I understand that there was a survey of VANDEMLIN ISLAND

made by H.M.A.S. GERANIUM, and that a map of the ROPER River exists,

but all my efforts to secure these failed. They would be of great value

to this Unit if they could be obtained.

 

[Sgd.} DONALD. F. THOMSON

Squadron Leader.

12/5/42.

 7.

SECRET                                                                                                          APPENDIX IV.

Date: May 12, 194[[?]]

 

REPORT ON DAMAGE IN PROPELLOR OF A. E. AROETTA IN ROPER RIVER

 

1. As reported by signal, [[?]] of 24/4 despatched to H.Q.

   Norforce the propellor of the A. E. Aroetta was so severely damaged

   floating such in the Roper River as to render the vessel ineffective

   and to require immediate replacement.

2. The circumstances were as follows. On April 19th, vessel

was proceeding downstream under power, from Leichardt Bar Landing.

There are one or two obstructions on the upper reaches of the river

and the vessel proceeded at half speed until these had been cleared.

The engine was the opened up to normal revolutions. The vessel had

been proceeding down the middle of the river on her normal course in clear, open, deep, water for some time, when a noise and jar were heard

aft the stern. The engineer was on duty, standing by the engine, and 

this was at once stopped, but as no obstruction was visible and as

no damage appeared to have been sustained, the vessel proceeded on her

course normally.

3. On the following day, while proceeding downstream, a sudden

rattling sound was heard in the stern of the vessel, and speed was

reduced until the vibration ceased. Subsequently the engineer went

overboard with another member of the crew and examined the stern and

rudder. It was then found that the propellor had been damaged. One

blade was broken completely away and the other two blades were damaged.

4. It must be assumed that a submerged floating log was picked

up by the propellor and [[??]]d completely through aperture. It is

further assumed that this actually occurred when the first noise and

jar was heard on April 19th, and that on April 20th when the vessel

was put at full cruising speed, the fractured blade fell off.

5. As a result of this damage the engine cannot be run at a

speed above six or seven hundred revolutions without excessive

vibration. The vessel has therefore very little power and as she

would make little headway in a [[??]] or in any weather she is not fit

for service until the propellor is replaced. 

6. Action was taken on this matter immediately. Details of the

type of engine with the name of the Agents and the builder of the

ship were furnished in my signal of April 21st. (originated 2225 [[?]/20).

Representations that a spare propellor should be purchased and held

wherever the ship was working had been made more than once, originally

to A. H. Q. and subsequently, when the vessel came under control of 7. M.D.

to this H.Q., but no action appears to have been taken.

In addition, a signal was sent to the [?]. A. A. F. , S. E. Area

Headquarters at Townsville, where the vessel was fitted out last year

and a request was made for assistance in speeding up the casting of a 

new propellor, and for air delivery to Groote Eylandt.

7. Assistance has been offered by R. A. A. F. Townsville, and

every effort has been made to get this replacement to Groote Eylandt with

the least delay, but although the Commonwealth Works Inspector (Mr. G. Beattie) at Townsville, who was responsible for the contracts etc., when

the vessel was on the slip in October - December last, was consulted,

there appears to have been some difficulty in procuring a suitable 

propellor.

8. Numerous signals have been exchanged with R. A. A. F. at

Townsville who have now reported that the new propellor has arrived at

Townsville. In spite of that fact that the fullest possible details

were supplied, without actually being able to slip the vessel, it

appears certain that the propellor, which has now arrived at Townsville,

and which is much smaller in diameter than the first, is unsuitable.

/2.

SECRET

8.

APPENDIX IV.

 

9. To enable the broken propellor to be removed and a new one

fitted, I am now proceeding with the Aroetta to the Flying Boat Base

at Little Lagoon on the North-east end of the Groote Eylandt. Some

facilities exist there for the beaching of the vessel, and an

excellently-equipped workshop is available at the Base.

 

10. In view of the difficulties involved in securing replacements

to exact specification in a technical matter of this kind, and to

avoid further loss of time, I have today made application to you by

immediate signal (E/5), for approval to send Lieutenant Palmer to

Townsville, and if necessary, to Brisbane, provided that it should

prove possible to arrange transport by air with the R.A.A.F.. Much

difficulty has also been experienced in securing other urgently needed

spare parts and replacement for this engine, and it is felt that

if approval is granted of time be affected out we shall also be assured that

the boss is bored to the correct tape to fit the shaft, and the

propellor secured of exact specifications required.

 

11. As has been pointed out in the signal referred to above, a

square of difficulty has been the fact that this is the first engine

of its type brought to Australia and spare parts do not appear to have

been held by the Agents.

 

A copy of the signal, R/E, relating to this matter, is also

appended hereto.

 

(Signed)

DONALD. F. THOMSON.

Squadron Leader.

Commanding Special Reconnaissance unit.

SECRET 12.

APPENDIX IV.

 

COPY OF SIGNAL TO H.Q. 7M.D. RE: PROPELLOR.

 

To: NORTH WEST AREA

From: S/Ldr. THOMSON      E-5   12/5

 

For Advanced H.Q. Norforce stop begins stop Ref my immediate

signal E-2 of 21/4 reporting damage to propellor Aroetta and

requesting replacement stop now proceeding Groote Eylandt as

notified my AI-35 of 11/5 where certain facilities available

for replacement stop have exchanged many signals with R.A.A.F.

who have agreed  fly new propellor Groote and have been informed by

R.A.A.F. propellor now arrived Townsville stop but specifications

indicate that this unlikely to be suitable s top diameter too 

small and other specifications indicate replacement matter urgency

unfit sea voyage and consider immediate replacement matter urgency

indicate that this is unlikely to be suitable a top 

SECRET.   10
APPENDIX IV
Date: May 13th, 1942

Report on Work and Disposition of Special Reconnaissance Unit 
A report on the recent activities of this unit and of the
disposition of personnel and equipment are set out hereunder. Copies
of Operation Orders 1, 2 and 3 area also appended hereto. These
operation orders cover the voyage of the Aroetta to Darwin in March
and April, the establishment of an O.P. covering the mouth of the
Roper River and the approaches thereto, and the instructions issued
to Sergeant T. M. Elkington who has been detached from the ship's company
and placed in charge of this O.P. at Gulnare Bluff or Mount Moore.

1. On the return of the native detachment under my command, from
Katherine to the Roper River area consideration was given to the 
establishment of depots or dumps to provide for dispersal of reserves
of arms, ammunition and food supplies along the Valley of the Roper
River in case of enemy attack on the [[?]] of [[?]] by this avenue, to
provide dispersed equipment for guerrilla activities.

2. Depots have been established as follows:
[[Elsay?]] Station. a quantity of 3 A.R. ammunition, and tinned food stuffs
was placed in a depot at the Homestead preparatory to the relocation
of suitable caches in the bush. The object of this was to wait until 
the novelty of the storage of military stores had disappeared before
commencing to place the stores in suitable dumps. The assistance
of the Manager. Mr. Harold Giles, a son of the well known early explorer
and a man of repute and unparalleled knowledge of the country, 
has been enlisted in the selection of these sites and the actual
dispersal of stores. 

SECRET    12.
APPENDIX IV.
Reconnaissance reports on this area with intelligence
information considered important from an operation standpoint,
and records of the native detachment, remain also to be completed
and it is anticipated that there will be forwarded from Groote
Eylandt.
It will be understood that since it has been necessary
to detach Sgt. Wikington and place him in charge of the O.P. at the
Roper River mouth, the white personnel on this vessel is reduced
to three, of whom one, Sgt. Harvey, is wholly occupied with W.T.
duties. This leaves only Lieutenant Palmer and myself to maintain
the ship and arms, and to run the native detachment and crew of the
vessel. It is anticipated that a respite will occur at Groote Eylandt
when the report mentioned above can be completed.