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 23

Conflict:

Second World War, 1939–45

Subject:

Official Records

Status:

Open to contributions

Accession number:

AWM2022.1720.28641

Difficulty:

13.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
2/2/42				At No. 3 Buoy Port Darwin
				Torrential rains from W & NW force 6 Sea 3. Private Richardson to Hospital for test for malaria. Impossible to do any loading or refuelling.
3/2/42				At Darwin. Wind N.W.6. heavy rain.
				Ashore at D.F.O. and Ordnance.
4/2/42				At Darwin. Overcast and cloudy,
				with fresh winds from N.W. 5. Native crew received pay. Arrangements for refuelling unsatisfactory.
5/2/42		N.W.4		At Darwin. Fuel and oil landed on
		O.C.R.		wharf by A.A.S.O.
			1930	Shifted vessel from buoy to Francis
				Bay. Loaded 100 gals petrol 20 gals kerosene, 15 gals lub. oil.
6/2/42		N.W.3		At Darwin. American armourers
		O.C.R.		working on .50 guns.
7/2/42		N.W.3		At Darwin.
		O.C		Loaded 20 X 44 gals drum diesoline.
8/2/42		N.N.W. 3		At Darwin.
		O.C.	1650	Alert sounded.
			1820	All clear sounded.
9/2/42		W.3		At Darwin. Occasional rain squalls.
		B.C.		Loaded rations from Vesty's.
				Crew filling water tanks Armourers on gun mountings.
10/2/42		W.2 B.C.		At Darwin
				King's Harbour Master reports sea and weather conditions not favourable outside. Gun mounting still unsatisfactory taken back to workshops.
11/2/42		W.1. S.C.		At Darwin
				Gun mounting still in hands of
				mechanics.
			1800	Gun mounts returned from workshops.
12/2/42	Various	W.1	0720	Hove up and left under power.
	N.	Sea 1 B.C.	0800	Clear Boom Gate.
	N.XE.	Sea 1/B.C.	0845	Alt. Course.
		W1	1150	South Vernon Is. abeam.
			1210	Reduced to half speed.
			1220	Vessel touched. 1240 Vessel refloated
		W.3 O		Anchored lee of S. Vernon Isld. In
				5 fathoms. O.C ashore in launch for some hours on reconnaissance. Distance travelled 32'

14.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
13/2/42			0110	Sentry reported single aircraft
				over Vernons.
	R.N.R.	W1 Sea 1 C.	0810	Hove up and left under power.
	N.E.		1030	Cape Hotham abeam. Alt. Co.
	E.N.E.	W2 B.C.	1045	Alt. Course.
		W3 Sea 3	1300	Beacon abeam to port
			2000	Anchored 3 miles West of Mogogout
				Isld. in 10 fathoms.
14/2/42	N.N.E.	W.3 Sea 3	0800	Hove up and left under power. Half
				speed.
			1100	Anchored in unnamed river and
				landed Sqd/Ldr. Thomson and Raiwalla
		W.3	1200	Resumed under power, half speed.
			1245	Impossible to get vessel over sand
				bank off Mogogout Isld. 1330 Anchored taking sounding in launch.
	S.W.	N.W. 4 Sea 3	1500	Resumed under half speed between
				Endygout Isld and Mogogout Isld.
		O.C.R.	1620	Resumed under full speed at clear of
				banks.
			[[17?]]	P.B.Y. passed low overhead flying
				in S.W. Direction.
	N.W.X.N.		1845	Altered Course.
			2010	Anchored lee of Greenhill Isld. in
				8 fathoms. Distance travelled 28'
15/2/42	S.E.X.S.	N.W. 3. Sea 2	0730	Hove up and left under power.
	S.W.	C.C.	0800	Alt. course. 0845 Alt Co. N.W.½W.
	NWXN½N	NW4 Sea 4 OC	1125	Alt. Course.
			1245	Cape Don abeam. Alt. Course Set all
				sail.
	N.E.	N.W.2 Sea 2	1345	Course altered.
	N.	BC	1545	Port Essington abeam.
	[[EX/?]]		1600	Alt. Course
	S.E.X.E.	N.W.3 Sea 2	1850	Altered course. jibbed sails
		C		Entering Bowen Straits.
			2025	Anchored Bowen Straits in 8 fathoms.
				Distance travelled 96'
16/2/42	SEXE	Sea 0 N1	0725	Hove up and left under power.
	S.W.		1000	Alt. Co. S.W. Entering Mount Morris
				Bay.
		W.1 Sea 1	1015	Sent launch to pick up Sqd/Ldr
		B.C.		Thomson
			1045	Anchored Mount Morris Bay in 3 fathoms
	N X E	W.1 Sea 1 OCR	1115	Hove up and left under power.
			1135	Heavy N.W. Squall with rainforce 4.
				Sea 3.
	N.W.		1200	Put aboard.
			1300	Anchored under lee of Corker Isld. in
				3 fathoms. Distance travelled 30'
17/2/42	N.E.	Nil Sea C Sky	0810	Hove up and left under power.
			1040	Anchored Mission Station Croker Isld.
				in 3 fathoms. Crew getting firewood and water.
			1500	N.W. Squall force 6 and heavy rains.
				Distance travelled 14'

15.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
18/2/42		N.W.2 Sea 1 OCR		At Croker Isld. Mission.
			0610	Hove up and left under power.
	S.E.	W2 Sea 2 B.C.		Set mainsail and headsails.
			1200	Anchored Malay Bay in 3 fathoms.
			1600	Rain squall from N.W. Force 3.
				Distance travelled 22'
19/2/42				At Malay Bay
			0730 0805	Hove up and left under power. Co. E Anchored West side of Bay. Landed
				Sqd/Ldr. Thomson.
	N.E.	W.1 Sea 1 BC	0900	Resumed under power.
			1000 1050	Alt. Co. S.W. 1020 Alt. Co. SEXS. Anchored point SE of De Courcey. Is.
				in 6 fathoms. Distance travelled 17 '
20/2/42	E.S.E.	W.1 Sea C BC	0615	Hove up and left under power.
			1030	South Golbourn Isd. abeam to port.
	E	W.1 Sea C BC		Alt. Co. to E.
			1110	Anchored Mission Station in 2 fthms
				Distance travelled 37"
21/2/42		W.1 Sea 1 C1	0515	Hove up and left under power, half
				speed.
	N75°E		0630	Full speed ahead.
			0830	Alt Co. NE 0930 Alt. Co. SEXE.
		W.2 Sea 1 BC		Fine clear weather, steady westerly
				wind.
	SEXE	W3 Sea 2 BC	1200	Nolling Bay abeam
		S	1430	Haul Around Isld. abeam. Alt. Co.
			1435	Reduced speed to half.
			1515	Anchored Mouth Liverpool River in
				3½ fathoms. Distance travelled 55"
22/2/42				At Liverpool River
		W 3. Sea 2 BC		Sanding decks, checking Bren
				Magazines.
23/2/42				At Liverpool River
		W 3. Sea 2 BC		Launch up River on recce. trip.
24/2/42	N	Nil. Sea O BC	0620	Hove up and left under power.
			0640	Anchored Entrance Isld. in 3 fathoms.
	NEXN	Nil. Sea O BC	0800	Resumed under power.
	EX N		0840	Altered Course.
			1340	Anchored Milinginable in 2 fathoms.
				Landed mail filled water tanks.
	Various	Nil. Sea O CI	2155	Hove up and left under power.
			2310	Anchored Derby Creek in 2½ fathoms.
				Distance travelled [[?]]
25/2/42				At Derby Creek
				Sent natives inland. Struck Wireless nests. Working on same.
		NE1 BC	1530	Sqd/Ldr. Thomson left in launch for
				Cape Stewarts to contact natives. Distance travelled 25'

16.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
26/2/42				At Derby Creek
		N.E.1 B.C.		Native Crew drilling ashore
27/2/42	Various	N1 Sea 0 SC		At Derby Creek. Working on ships
				lauch.
			1330 1400 1445 1500	Hove up and left under power. Reduced speed to half. Increased speed to full. Anchored Millingimbi in 2½ fathoms.
				Filling fresh water tank. Picked up fuel. Distance travelled 6'
28/2/42	Various	N1 B.C. Sea 1	0610	Hove up and left under power.
	N50^°		0755	Alt. Co 0635 Alt. Co. N158^°E.
	N158^°	SE2 Sea 1 BC	1105	Anchored SE side Banyan Isld. in 9
				fathoms.
			1700	Heavy SE rain squall force 5.
				Distance travelled 34'
1/3/42		S.E.1 Sea 0		At Goyder River
		BC
	N NE		1155 1215	Hove up and left under power. Altered Course
	N68^°E	S E 2 Sea 2 BC	1340	Altered Course
			1545 1600 1645	Sand Cay Island abeam Entering Cadell Straits. Anchored lee of Kicho Island in
				3 fathoms.
				Distance travelled 28'
2/3/42		SE1 Sea 0 BC		At Cadell Straits
	E	ESE 2 Sea O	1345	Hove up and left under power.
		BC
			1545 1635	Reduced to half speed Anchored Eastern Entrance Cadell
				Straits 4 fathoms.
				Distance travelled 15'
3/3/42	Easterly	SE1 Sea C BC	0640	Hove up and left under half speed.
			0815	Anchored Napier Peninsula in 3
				fathoms.
				Fine clear S.E weather.
			1530	Natives arrived from Elcho Island.
	SEXE	SE1 Sea 1 BC	1540	Hove up and left under power.
			1730 1900	Flinders Peninsula abeam Alt. C. Anchored Arnhem Bay in 2 fathoms
				Distance travelled 36'
4/3/42			0630	Hove up and left under power.
		SE1 BC Sea O	0700	Anchored lee of Hardy Island in
				3 fathoms.
				Discharging all deck cargo and heavy stores.
5/3/42		Wind from	0830	Took vessel ashore and prepared
		NE with rain		[[?]] preparatory to tide falling
		in a.m. clearing	1400	Low tide commenced cleaning copper
		up in P.M.		and replacing damaged sheets.
				5 sheets replaced. Copper is [[?]] condition. On inspection 3

17.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
5/3/42				coachscrews were discovered to be
(Contd.)				missing from Sten bearing. *
				These were replaced by brass lugs driven into the deadwood. The Sten tube also appeared to have been fractured.
			1900	All work on ships hull completed.
				* Was informed that spare parts ordered by Mr. Hayes, Commonwealth Engineer and ship surveyor had not been loaded and had therefore to order that the brass lugs as above be employed as a makeshift.
6/3/42				At Arnhem Bay
		NNE 2 BC Sea C	0100 0700	Refloated vessel without incident. Commenced reloading all stores sent
				ashore and refuelling tanks.
7/3/42		Nil Sea C BC		At Arnhem Bay
			1130 1145	Hove up and left under power. Anchored off Nardy Island in 2
				fathoms.
	E X S.	S1 Sea 1 BC	1705	Hove up and left under power.
			1915	Anchored East side Arnhem Bay in
				2 fathoms. Landed natives ashore. Distance travelled 20'
8/3/42			0830	Landed Sqn/Ldr Thomson with 36
				natives ashore with provisions. To meet him Caledonian Bay.
	NW	SE1 Sea 1 BC	0910	Hove up and left under power.
			1120	Mallison Isld. abeam.
	NEXE	SE2 Sea 2 BC	1245	Alt. Co. NEXE. Strong head tide.
	SEXE		1615	Cape Wilberforce abeam to stabd.
				Alt. Co.
			1900	Bremer Island abeam.
			2025	Anchored Yirrakala in 2½ fathoms.
				M/v Larrapan anchored here. Landed all cargo for Vessel Islands aboard Mission vessel which was returning to Millingimbi, informed by Mr. Horsell. Distance travelled 65'
9/3/42	E.S.E.	E.1 Sea 2 C1	0310	Hove up and left under power.
	S.S.W.		0430	Cape Arnhem abeam. Dist 4' Alt Co.
			0510	Sighted light on starbd bow.
			0540	Passed M/V Larrapan enroute to
				Groote Island.
	SWXW½W	NE3 O BC	0945	Alt. Co. to enter Caledon Bay.
				Crew cutting firewood and chipping ironwork. Rowlock sockets fitted to launch and engine painted.
			1145	Anchored Caledon Bay in 2 fathoms.
			1915	Sqd/Ldr Thomson arrived from overland
				patrol with large detachment of natives for unit to be formed for scouting and guerilla fighting. Distance travelled 62'

18.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
10/3/42		SE2 Sea C BC		At Caledon Bay
				Crew filling water tanks Rifle drill and musketry in p.m. Second detachment of natives from Arnhem Bay arrived under [[Haiwalls?]] who had not been able to keep up with the main body yesterday.
11/3/42				At Caledon Bay
		NE2 Sea 0 BC		Crew on shore drilling.
				Chipping iron work and painting same. Cleaning and overhauling Bren magazines and Vickers belts.
12/3/42			0230	Sent boat ashore to collect native
				party.
	SE	SE1 Sea 2 C1	0350	Hove up and left under power (half
				speed)
	S	SE2 Sea 2 C1	0505	Resumed under power (full speed) set
				jib.
	NW		0710	Cape Grey abeam to strbd. Alt. Co.
				Reduced speed. Note: Rocky Ledge, which dries at L.W bears S (magt) approx. Dist. 1' Deepwater channel between Rock and Cape Grey.
			0815 0910	Hove to landed party on beach. Anchored Northern Corner Trial Bay
				in 3 fathoms. Distance travelled 50'
13/3/42		SE1 0 C		At Trial Bay.
				Crew chipping and painting ironwork. Signal received from H.Q. notifying Sgt. Palmer's promotion, the granting of his commission as Lieutenant. Distance travelled 0.
14/3/42		SE2 Sea 0 BC	0530	Hove up and left under power.
	SWE	SE3 Sea 3 BC	0950	Clear Trial Bay. Set main and jib
				sail.
	SWXW		1115	Cape Arrowsmith abeam.
	SSE	S1 Sea 0 OC	1500	Connexion Isld. abeam. Heavy rain
				squall in W.
			1830	Anchored Groote Isld. Mission in
				3 fathoms. M/V [[?]] anchored discharging patrol for A.O. B. No attempt made by them to conceal lights until told to do so. Distance travelled [[?]]
15/3/42			0110	M/V [[?]] left anchorage.
		SE2 Sea C BC		At Groote Island. Filling water
				tanks.
			1800	Lieut Palmer left for C.A. Base in
				Mission truck.

19.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
16/3/42				At Groote Isld. Crew working on
				vessel.
		SE3 0 BC	2000	Lieut. Palmer arrived from C.A. Base,
				Groote, having been delayed 8 hours through waiting for launch from C.A. Two unidentified multi-engined FB over A.O.B. and later over ship at anchor. Recalled Lieut Palmer immediately to clear this anchorage. A.C. Not identified later and undoubtedly Japanese long distance reconnaissance A.C., probably on photographic reconnaissance of A.O.B. Groote Eylandt and environs. Passed to W.N.W. over Blue Mud Bay.
17/3/42	SWXS	Nil 0 C1	0300	Hove up and left under power.
	SW		0430	Altered Co. 103^°Maria Island
				abeam Co. W.
		NE1 2 BC	1140	Anchored on Bar to Roper River in
				7 fathoms. Launch ahead finding channel and sounding to River mouth.
			1705 1930	Resumed under power. Anchored 1st point Southbank in
				3 fathoms. Distance travelled 75'
18/3/42		Nil 0 B.C.		In Roper River awaiting turn of tide.
	Various	SE 3 0 BC	1115	Hove up and left under power.
			1630	Hove to and landed party on South
				bank Mt. Roper to lighten vessel.
			1700 1800	Resumed under ½ speed. Anchored West of Small Rock Island
				in 6 fathoms. Distance travelled 45'
19/3/42	Various	Nil BC 0	0640	Hove up and left under power.
			0940	Anchored Roper River Mission Station.
				Distance travelled 24'
20/3/42				At Mission Station
		NE2 0 SC		Crew drilling. Issuing equipment to
				natives.
			2300	M/V Larapan arrived from 4 mile
				landing.
21/3/42		NE2 0 SC		At Roper River Mission Station
			1100	M/V Larapan left for bar with
				evacuees and Lt. Dower.
			1000	Civil Biplane circled Station Red
				Cross markings VE-[[UMO?]]
			2040	Capt. Hall arrived in police launch
				from Roper Bar

20.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
22/3/42		NE2 0 BC		At Roper River Mission Station.
				Crew drilling ashore 2½ hrs.
			0730	Capt Hall left for Roper Bar in
				police launch.
23/3/42		NE2 0 BC		At Roper River Mission Station
			1215	M/V Larapan left for down stream.
	Various		1230	Hove up and left under power.
				Leaving sailing skiff and 5 natives to follow up stream.
			1455	Anchored 4 mile landing Roper River.
24/3/42				At 4 mile Landing Roper River.
			0515	Sailing skiff arrived from Mission
				Station.
		NE 2 0 BC	0830	S/L Thomson with Lieut Palmer left
				in motor launch for Roper Police Depot.
			1145	Returned to vessel.
			1215	Moved vessel alongside landing.
				Unloading equipment and ammunition for shore party.
25/3/42				At 4 mile landing
		NE3 0 BC		Crew and natives drilling in a.m.
				Unloaded and cleaned out forward hold. Painting dingey. Overhauling main engines.
26/3/42		ENE 2 0 B.C.		At 4 mile landing
				Crew and natives drilling in a.m. Painting boat. Overhauling main engines.
			1800	Trial run with engine.
27/3/42				At 4 mile landing
				Crew drilling in a.m. Painting boat.
		ENE 3 0 B.C.	1245	Lieut Palmer left in launch for
				Mission Station.
			2200	Returned vessel. Transports arrived
				in p.m.
28/3/42				At 4 mile landing
				Crew and natives drilling in a.m.
		ENE 3 0 B.C	1000	Transports arrived from Bar.
			1430	One transport left for Bar with
				personnel. 2 M.Ts remained.
			[[?]]	Loaded 2 M.Ts with equipment for
				shore party.

DECK LOG BOOK
OF THE
DEFENCE KETCH "AROETTA"
FROM THE PORT OF "NORFORCE"
TO SEA PATROL - COASTAL RECONNAISSANCE ARAFURA SEA - GULF
OF CARPENTARIA
COMMANDED BY
DONALD. F. THOMSON - Squadron Leader, R.A.A.F.

COMMENCING March 29, 1942.
ENDING November 9, 1942.
KEPT BY
A.E. PALMER, Lt. A.I.F.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
29/3/42				At 4 mile landing Roper River.
			0700 0745	Motor transports arrived. " " left with Squadron
				Leader Thomson, and party of 50 natives
				together with stores and equipment.
	Various	Nil 0. B.C.	0750	Started engine and cast off.
			0935	Anchored Mission Station in 3 fths.
				Landed cargo. Mission Ketch "Iorena" here at Station.
			1330 1810	Resumed under power. Anchored off Kangaroo Island.
				Awaiting high tide.
			1945	Resumed under power.
	"	NE 2.0 B.C.	2400	Going well. Visibility good.
30/3/42			0100	Anchored first Bend in river in 5 fths.
	Various	[[?]]1. 0.B.C.		Landed pilots (paid 3/-)
	[[?]]	[[?]]	0845	Clear River bar. Resumed under full
				speed.
			0900	Alt. Co. N.E. Alt Co at 1000 ENE.
	NEXN ½N	[[?]] O. [?].C.	1200	Alt Co NEXN½N.
		SE2. 1. B.C.	1400	Set All sail.
	N.X.E.		2140	Alt Co NXE. 2300 Alt to E. 2350
				Alt Co E X S.
			2400	Alt Co ESE. Going well. Entering
				Fort Langdon. Private Richardson off duty (sick).
31/3/42			0020	Alt Co S. 0100 Anchored Air Base
				in [[?]] fths. Landed Safe Hand Mail.
	N.X.W.	N.2 . Sea [[?]]	0915	Hove up and left under power.
		B.C.
	N. B.C/1/4 E		1530	Trial Bay abeam Alt Co
			1700	Anchored Dudley Isld. in 4 fths.
	[[?]]EX[?][?]		2330	Resumed under power.
		N.E.1.	2400	Going well. Visibility good.
		Sea 1 C.1.		Private Richardson off duty (sick)
1/4/42	NW	Nil O.C.1	0445	Cape Arnhem abeam Alt Co.
			0515	Reduced speed to half 0545. Anchored
				Yarrakala 5 fths. Mt. Howell reported pilot to [[Milingsbush?]] Signal: 2240 Z/27.
	NW SW	Nil. O.B.C. SE2. B.C.	0825 1000	Resumed under power. Cape Wilberforce abeam. Alt Co.
			1330 1645	Clear English Company Islds. Alt Co. Clear Cunningham Isld.
	NXXX		1730	Clear small channel between Drysdale
				Isld.
	W½S		2100	Sand Cay Isld. abeam. Alt Co.
	W	S.E.1 0/1 2	2400	Mooroonga Island bearing WXN Dist 5'
				Richardson still sick.

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Deb Parkinson

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21 April 2025, 9:32 pm

Last updated: 21 April 2025