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 29

Conflict:

Second World War, 1939–45

Subject:

Official Records

Status:

Awaiting approval

Accession number:

AWM2022.1720.28641

Difficulty:

6.
13/12/42
Fine clear weather Wind W.1. sea O. B.C.
Cpl Egan on launch. Lt. Palmer to L. of C. H.Q.
Overhauled and checked all arms aboard ship. Crew stand down
in p.m.
14/12/42
Fine clear weather. W. E.2 sea 1 B.C. Lt Palmer to D.A.D.O.S.
ret Equipment from Brisbane. Lt Palmer to Armourers collected C.O.
Vickers and magazine paniers for 60 call 1430 all engineers work
completed on ship. 1500 Bows up and left under power to take
vessel on trials. Course Various. Engine worked well from 600 revs
to 1200. Stern gland slightly warm but no more than to be expected
from new bearings. Full speed average 8. 5 knotts. Tested 50 Cal
Twin brownings very satisfactory. 1730 ship anchored Taylor Slip.
Launch engine still unsatisfactory.
15/12/42
Lt. Palmer to H.Q. for transport to trace goods shipped Brisbane 3/12
and 4/12. Finally sent signal to Brisbane for truck number.
Crew cleaning rifles and M.Gs. Unable to check on goods from
D.A.D.O.S. Charters Towers. 1330 Lt. Palmer to Francis Street
Equipment Officer. To Garbutt re windlass also Instrument repair
branch. Received Camouflage goods from 1 Aust Cam Trg Unit.
Wind from S.E. all day fresh. Cloudy and Overcast. Rain in p.m.
16/12/42
0930 Lt. Palmer to H.Q over rations loading and equipment from

D.A.D.O.S Brisbane. Still no sign of stores requisitioned from
Charters Towers. 0945 Received wire S/L Thomson leaves Brisbane
tonight. 1400 Lt. Palmer L. of C. re rations and fuel
Engineers on launch engine. Wind SSE 6 sea 1 O.C.R Crew clearing
and checking magazines.
17/12/42
0830 Took vessel alongside Hynes Wharf for loading of fuel and rations
1100 Loaded from Shell Co. 180 gals Dissvolene in bulk.
7 x 40 gals drums 3 x 44 gals. CE3 Lub oil. Loaded all rations
180 days for 13 men, plus 1 ton flour, 1 ton rice. One oil tank
leaking, emptied same engineers repairing and refilled.
1500 S/L Thomson arrival. Wind S.E.3. sea 1 O.C. Overcast in p.m.
18/12/42
0600 Lt. Palmer to L. of C. H.Q re: equipment from Brisbane,
Goods arrived from DADOS, at goods yards. Arranged to have them
sent to [[?]] P.O.P. Lt. Palmer to Shell Co. returned 7 x 44 gals
drum Dissvolene and one drum CY3 Lub Oil. S/L Thomson sick with
fever. 1730 S/L Thomson to RAAF hospital at Kurajong.
19/12/42
GOC Lt. Palmer of D. H.Q. arrange transport, unloaded certain
stores and handed such to D.I.B. Truck working party to goods yards
loaded equipment from Brisbane. Unloaded and carried same aboard.
Sent surplus stores and equipment to 128 F.O.D Show grounds Townsville
to be forwarded to Groote Eyland first available opportunity.
1400 S/L Thomson returned from hospital.
E.H.I seas b Sky B.C Light rains in p.m.

7.
20/12/42
Cross checked and cleaned all arms and machine guns.
0830 S/L Thomson to N.H.A. 1100 Col. North and Staff Officer
aboard "Aroetta". Crew stand down in p.m. Lt. Palmer checked
all receipt vouchers.
21/12/42
0630 Lt. Palmer to H.Q. L of C thence Garbutt re: windlass, thence
LHQ Melbourne. S/L Thomson N.H.A and A.O.C. Armourers aboard
re: counting of new .50 guns.
Equipment still not arrived W/T Transmitter. Bilge pump. Lag sail
and rigging screws. Crew sewing new forward awning.
23/12/42
S/L Thomson to N.H.A and operations re signal communications,
re-shipped old davits as new material supplied by D.A.D.O.S was
too big. 1000 Lt. Palmer to Charters Towers re: A.F. ammunition
and Filing Cabinet. 1900 Lt. Palmer returned new awning completed.
Heavy Rains in p.m. Crew paraded before C.O over complaint
about wages.
24/12/42
S/L Thomson to N.H.A. arranging signal Skads and recognition signals
for forthcoming cruise. Lt. Palmer to L of C. H.Q. re: Rations,
petrol and Kerosene, also Engineers missing [[Feint. ?]] Also
arrange Canteen goods for Crew. Wind W.N.1 H.C. Sea o.
25/12/42
Very heavy Rains all day. 198 Pack sets returned off charge,
Cpl. Ritchie reported for duty. Notified Control Officer delay in
ships sailing date.
26/12/42
Lt. Palmer to L. of C, H.Q. re fresh rations and return of steering
gear. S/L Thomson che cking up on recognition signals.
Cpl. Ritchie away for .50 Cal. ammunition 1700 returned 30 C/3,
A.C.1. Macell reported for duty. Overcast and Rain all day.

Hours	Remarks	Co.	Wind	Sea	Sky
0830	27/12/42 S/L Thomson left per Quantas Flying Boat for Groote Hylandt Cpt Ritchie to Garbutt re. windless. Lt. Palmer to N.H.A. to see F/Lt. Collie thence to Engineers re minor break down
1245	F/Lt. Collie returned with mail
1320	Hove up and left under power. Revs 100		NE.1	1	O.C.R.
1330	Clear Break water Hove 500	NN	NNE₁	2	O.C.R.
1450	Orchard Ft. Magnetic Island abeem Alt. Co.	325^o
1545	Passed steamer steering south
1730	Alt. Co.	310^o	N.2	2	R.
1815	Reduced speed to 500 Revs
1830	Anchored lee of Muranda Point in 7 Fath.		N.3	1	R
0600	28/12/42 Very Heavy Rains and overcast delayed sailing
0745	Hove up and left under power	315^o	N.3	1	O.C.R.
0830	Stopped Ship as signalled by Warship
0900	Resumed under power Revs 900	335^o
0930	Stopped engine as trouble with generator drive wheel.
0945	Resumed under full speed Revs 900	340^o	NW3	3	R.
1115	Pelories Island abeam. Alt. Co. 3 warships passed "Aroetta"	335^o
1330	Heavy Rains and wind visibility nil		NW4	4	R.
1430	Another Heavy Rain squall Alt. Co. to park lee of Family Group	270^o	NW4	5	R.
1740	Anchored lee of Richards Island as visibility too bad to proceed
0630	29/12/42 Hove up and left under power	Vari ous	N.1	1	O.C.R.
0715	Clear Dunk Isld. Revs 900	15^o	NW1	1
0900	Alt. Course	345^o	NW2	2	O.C.
1030	[[Manburn Rk.]] abeam. 1100 Innisfail abeam
1315	Mussell Island abeam wind and sea interesting	345^o	NW3	3	O.C.R.
1320	Short Sunderland passed flying South [[Tran?passed]] going south
1600	Fitzroy Isld abeam. Alt. Course	315^o	NW3	3	C.
1715	Green Isld abeam. Wind and sea freshening
1900	Haycock Isld abeam to port alt. Co.	530^o	NW4	4	R.
2100	Reduced speed as visibility bad	540^o	NW3	3	O.C.
2215	Low Island Light abeam
XX20	2040 5am what appeared to be [[d???]] lights dropped in vicinity of Trinity Opening 2255 Saw six flares dropped
2345	Very heavy rain squall from W.	340^o	W.3	2	R.
0020	30/12/42 Rain Cleared a little Low Isld light bearing 3	240^o	NW.2	2	R.
0200	Cape Tribulation abeam	340^o	NW.1	1	O.C.R.
0500	Picked up leading lights Archer Pt. Hevs 900	336^o	NW.1	1	O.C.
0645	Hove too to signal Archer Point
0710	Resumed under power Revs 900	N	NW.1	1	C.

Hours	Remarks	Co.	Wind	Sea	Sky
0915	30/12/42 Steamer passed going South
0930	Cape Bedford abeam	N	NW1	1	O.C.
1140	Alt Course	325^o	NNW.2	2	B.C.
1400	Pt Lookout abeam. Alt. Co.	310^o
1445	Anchored lee of Turtle Group W/T mechanical working on Generator as not charging. Armourer of 50 cal. sights and mount. Crew cutting firewood.		NW0	0	O.C.
0615	31/12/42 Hove up and left under power.	310^o	NW.1	1	O.C.R.
0900	Miles Reef abeam. Alt. Co.	305^o
1030	Alt. Co. [[1145 P05 and F4D]] overhead S, 1M15 Rocky Point abeam	320^o	NW2	2	C.
1330	Cape Melville abeam. [[1545]] Alt. Co.	270^o	NW3	5	O.C.
1550	[[B.25]] passed overhead flying S. 1550 Cass Flinders abeam. Alt.Co.	275^o
1700	Wharton Reef abeam. Very heavy NW rain squall Alt. Co.	270^o	NW5	4	R.
1800	Eden Reef abeam. 1830 [[Fanay]]Reef abeam Alt. Co.	315^o	NW5	3	R.
[[040]]	Anchored Burkett Taland Isld Fth Heavy Rains
0530	1/1/43 Hove up and left under power	200^o	NW.1	1	O.C.
0545	Alt. Co. 0640 Raymond Isld. abeam Alt.Co.	360^o
0815	May Isld abeam. 1100 Bow Reef abeam	355^o	NW2	2	O.C.R.
1115	Alt. Co. 1145 Tramp steamer passed heading South	325^o	NW.3	3	R.
1155	Alt. Co. [[??] cal practice Port gun not working well	325^o	NW.3	3	R.
1345	Naval Tender Turks passed heading E.
1400	Chapman Isld abeam 1700 Alt. Co. for Port Isnd Bds.	300^o	N.2	2	O.C.
1730	Anchored Fortitude Rds for water 3 steamers anchored here
1815	Saw O.C. U.S. Army re. water. No water required 12 hours notice		NW.3	3	R.
0530	2/1/43 0530 Hove up and left under power. Revs 600 Visibility poor.	360^o	N.2	2	O.C.R.
0615	Alt. Co. 0730 [[?]] Reef Bardon beam Revs [[?60]]	330^o
0900	Piper Island abeam Alt. Co. 1100 anchored Hicks Island	325^o	N.2	2	O.C.R.
1230	Resumed under power	340^o	NW.2	1	O.C.
1330	Alt. Co. 1500 Anchored lee [[?]] Isld 9 Fth. Very heavy rains from N.W. with strong winds all night. Overhauled and cleaned all rifles and [[??]]	320^o	NW.3	2	R.

10.

Hours	Remarks	Co.	Wind	Sea	Sky
0530	3/1/43 Hove up and left under power	340^o	W.3	2	O.C.
??00	Alt. Co. 0730 Cairn Cross Isld. abeam	360^o	W.5	2	O.C.R.
0815	Alt. Co. 1020 Wyburn Reef abeam	330^o
1100	Barrington Reef abeam. Alt. Co. visibility very bad	314^o	NW.3	3	R.
1215	Anchored Somerset. Filling water tanks getting firewood.
1245	Small launch Somerset"" left. 1315 torrential rains.
1345	Very heavy squall from NW. Visibility nil [[De??ed]] inadvisable to proceed to Thursday Isld. under these conditions
1800	Launch "Somerset" returned reported unable to make any progress
2100	Rain lifted and wind eased. Anchor watch all night.
2130	Steamer passed through Albany Passage.
0530	4/1/43 Hove up and left under power. Visibility poor	315^o	N.2	2	O.C.R.
??00	Passed steamer anchored in Fairway
0615	[[?rao]] Isld. light abeam. 0700 Signalled [[Inca]] Point station	310^o	NW	2	R.
0745	Awaiting Reply. Revs 600 0815 Received Reply to proceed. 950 Revs
0915	Anchored Thursday Isld in 3 Fathoms. Heavy Rains. Lt. Palmer ashore to [[F.C.S.O.]] - handed [[??]] received from [[F.C.S.O.]] - T/V. Then to H.Q. re. fuel and work on .50 cal gun mounts.
1200	Returned aboard Lt. Whiting from Ordinance.
1330	Sent guns ashort to workshop
1530	Cpl. Ritchie and Lt. Palmer ashore to Ordinance Workshop on .50 cal.
1700	6 x 44 gals fuel oil arrived and put into tanks. 1830 Lt. Palmer returned with .50 cal.
1830	Cpl. Egen and LAC. Hasell [[^Pt. Kapui/Pt. Make, Pt. Tunala]] leave till 2200. Very Heave rains all night with heave squalls from NW. Fuel consumed since leaving Townsville 270 gals. Lch. oil consumed since leaving Townsville 20 gals.
0830	5/1/43 Very heavy Rains. Delayed sailing Lt. Palmer clearance [[FCSO]] [[rectifed]] sailing instructions.		NW.3	1	R.
0930	Hove up and left under power	Var- ious	NW. 3	2	R.
1015	Clear Good Isld. Set clock back 30 minutes C.A.S.F.	272^o	NW.3	3	R.
1100	Signalled Booby Isld. Replied all clear heavy rain squall
1142	Set course for position "A" Set aft sail heavy rain	215^o	NW.4	[[?]]	R.

11.

Hours	Remarks	Co.	Wind	Sea	Sky
1300	5/1/43 Heavy rain squall from NW. with rain visibility nil
1600	Orders all crew aft and gave action stations and strict orders issued, re: showing of lights on deck after sunset. Two watches forward 1800 - 2000 Lt. Palmer LAC Hasell. [[Yakan, Tiki, Hawalla. 0010 - 0400 0800 - 1200 2000 - 2400 Cpl. Ritchie, Cpl. Egan, Kapui,, GeGe 0400 - 0800 1200 - 1600 Pt. Lakapoli to stand by engine from 0000 - 2400
1800	Weather cleared. Took in sail. speed by DR 7.3 knots.	215^o	S.1	2	O.C.
2000	Altered Co. handed over watch Cpt Ritchie nil sightings	210^o	S.1	2	C.
2200	Visibility Fair. Wind S. confsued sea	210^o		3
2359	Visibility Poor. Handed over to Lt. Palmer Position by D.R. 141^o5¹/_²E. 11^o56'S	210^o	S.2	4	O.C.
0010	6/1/43 Set jib and mizzen trying to steady ship terrific cross sea	210^o	S.3	5	0.C.
0200	Wind from S.E. Visibility fair		SE.3	3	Clear
0400	Handed over to Cpl. Ritchie position by DR 140^o 47'¹/_²E 18^o 22'S
?405	Course Altered. Visibility good	250^o	SE.2	2	Clear
0600	Ship going well. Visibility Fair	250^o	SE.2		O.C.
0830	Visibility good, going well position by D.R. 140^o17'E 120^o[[55'S]]	250^o	SE.3	3
1100	Wind eased	250^o	SE.2	2	O.C.
1200	Handed over to Cpl. Ritchie. nil sightings
1330	Alt. Co. Position by D.R. 139^o47'SE 13^o1¹/_²'S	255^o
1600	Handed over to Lt. Palmer. Machine gun practice	255^o	SE.2	3	C.
1800	Wind from S.E. visibility fair Light Rain squalls. Position by D.R. 138^o55¹/_²'E 120^o57'S Position by [[Obal]] 138^o 49'E 13 10 S. Deviation for the ships Lead. 2^oE.	255^o	SE.2	3	O.C.
2000	Wind changed to East. handed over to Cpl. Ritchie	255^o	E.2	3	O.C.R.
2200	Visibility poor	255^o	E.1	2
2350	" Fair. Handed over to Lt. Palmer nil sightings	255^o	E.1	2	O.C.R.
0010	7/1/43 Wind E. Visibility good	255^o	E.1	2	O.C.R.
0300	Alt. Co. 0345 Reduced sppeds Revs 900	250^o
0400	Handed over to Cpl. Ritchie nil sightings
0720	North East Isld in port bow. Visibility good.
0800	Handed over to Lt. Palmer. nil sightings		E.1	1	B.C.
0750	Alt. Co: Took in mizzen and set awning	220^o

12.

Hours	Remarks	Co.	Wind	Sea	Sky
0900	7-1-43 Alt. Co: Entering Port Langdon	170^o	SE.2	1	B.C.
1050	Anchored off Civil Aviation Base in 2 Fths. Lt. Palmer to Control Officer. Crew cleaning ship sanding decks.
1300	Lt. Palmer returned on board. Sent launch to Greys Camps for safe hand letters from A.O.B. LAC Hasell in charge
1815	Launch returned from Greys Camps with letters		SE.2	1	O.C.
0600	8-1-43 Hove up and left under power	355^o	NE.4	4	B.C.
0730	Set mainsail and head sail. Ship thowing about badly.
1145	Cape Gray abeam Distance 6' 1215 Alt. Co:	330^o
1245	Entering Caledon Bay. Alt. Co: 1450 Took in sail	320^o	NW.3	2	C.
1500	Anchored Caledon Bay in 3 Fathoms. Lt. Palmer ashore reported S/L Thomson handed safe hands.
	9-1-43 At Caledon Bay. Unloaded flour and rice and all surplus stores not needed for the time being to the O.P. ashore.
0630	W/T operator endeavouring to make contact by W/T to N.W.A.	nil	NE.2	1	O.C.
1200	Cpl. Egan and LAC Hasell ashore to overhaul W/T at O.P.
1700	W/T operators reported receiver not working on account of faulty valves. Sgt. Elkington working on bilge pump one main engine reports in bad condition. It is evident that Reeston and Hornsby Engineer did not inspect this in his overhaul at Townsville.
2345	Received safe hand mail from S/L Thomson Hove up and left under power. Revs 600 Visibility nil.	140^o	NE.3	1	O.C.R.

13.

Hours	Remarks	Co.	Wind	Sea	Sky
?010	10/1/43 Alt. Co. 0050 Alt. Co. 150^o 0100 Alt. Co. 140^o	160^o
0200	Alt. Co. set main sail and jib. Revs 900	130^o	NE.3	3	O.C.R.
0230	Alt. Co. Ship going well. Visibility fair	170^o	NE.3	4	O.C.
0345	Engine broke down as flexible coupling on fuel pump drive carried away. Resumed under sail
0730	Installed new coupling and Resumed under power	170^o	NE.2	2	C.
1040	Entering Little Lagoon. Revs 600
1100	Clear of Passage. Revs 900
1120	Anchored Civil Aviation base in 6 Fathoms Lt. Palmer ashore made arrangements with Airship to pass. Two signals from O.C. to N.W.A. Also a [[?]] to Birdum to listen carefully on all skeds for us
2230	W/T Operator reported that he had been unable to make contact with either NEA or NWA.
	11/1/43 At Civil Aviation Base moved vessel along- side wharf Ltd. Palmer ashore with Safe hand and mail Unloaded and cleaned out both aft and main holds. W/T Operators on half hour before till 1 hour after skeds. Have been unable to make contact with Birdum or Townsville W/T Operator Airadio reported signal full strength.		NW.2	1	B.C.
0900	[[Ar?]] Eaton Toombul anchored off wharf. Sgt. Pilkington overhauling and checking main engine.
2200	Second memo sent through Airadio to BIrdum and Townsville
[[??]]	Flying boat arrived from Townsville
1350	Flying boat departed for Darwin
2400	W/T Operator reported unable to make contact by W/T. Cpl. Ritchie working on gears and mounts. Checked machine gears and all small arms on board.
	12/1/43 G.V. Toom bul departed Crew are checking all ammunition both .50 cal and [[??]]. Also make ammunition boxes and covers for clock.		NE. 2	1	B.C.
1030	Quantas Flying Boat arrived from Darwin
1045	Quantas Flying Boat departed for Townsville W/T Operator reports still unable to make contact with [[VNAT?]] or [[VWBAT]]
1500	Crew filling fresh water tanks
1520	Flying Boat sighted flying SW approx. 6000'Ft 5 N of Air Base

14.

Hours	Remarks	Co.	Wind	Sea	Sky
	13/1/43 At Civil Aviation Base. Crew [[cutting]] fire wood loading water and sanding desks. Cpl. Ritchie working on [[??]] for .50 cal. Sgt. Pilkington on main engine and auxiliaries		NW.2	1	B.C.
1200	W/T Operator reported he had made contact with [[VNB?]]
1XXX	Started engine and cast off from wharf	Var- ious	NNW2	1	B.C.
1300	Clear of Little Lagoon	350^o	NNW2	1	B.C.
1615	Anchored under lee of Jagged Head in 3 Fath.
0015	14/1/43 Hove up and left under power. Revs 600	160^o	NW.2	1	C.
0130	Alt. Co. and increased Revs to 950
0200	Alt. Co. [[0930]] Alt. Co. 320^o 0615 Alt. Co. [[350^o]]	350^o	[[N?2]]	2	O.C.
0630	Anchored ship at [[?]] Caledon Bay in 2 Fath. Lt. Palmer ashore with safe hand and mail Crew cleaning ship. Caulking decks W/T Operators. Received signal from [[?EA]] and transmitted signal to WEA for [[NNA]]
	15/1/43 At Caledon Bay. S/L Thomson ashore. Lt. Palmer and Sgt. Pilkington ashore take inventory of stores on hand at G.F. Crew cleaning decks and copper of ship Sgt Pilkington on launch and intermediate bearing of shaft. Cpl Ritchie of small arms and checking ammunition W/T Operators working [[NNA]].	nil	nil	C	B.C.
	16/1/43 At Caledon Bay. Act/Sgt. Kapul put in charge of O.P. Ration list and scale handed over to him. Also operational order No. 10. Sgt. Elkington on hand bilge pump Cpt. Ritchie compiling a checking list of arms and ammunition. Working TNTV satisfactorily by W/T but no calls from [[VN?]] Crew [[?]] after hold sanding decks and firewood. Heavy Rains clouds in ^in land p.m.		Nil	O	B.C.
0650	17/1/43 Swung launch in board too in main awning
0715	Hove up and left under power Revs 500 Revs. at 0720 1000	250^o
0740	Alt. Co. 0845 Alt. Co. 150^o Wind SW	145^o	SW.1	1	B.C.
0915	Cape Grey abeam. Co. 1300 Alt. Co. [[150^o]]	150^o	SW.1	0	B.C.
1330	Alt. Co. 190^o 1450 Anchored Civil Aviation Base [[?]] Fathoms

Last edited by:

Diane Ware

Last edited on:

24 September 2024, 4:15 pm

Last updated: 24 September 2024