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 30

Lt. Palmer returned

Crew stand down in p.m

18/1/43

S/L Thomson ashore to arrange emergency W/T
calls with Airadio in event of landings
or sightings
Crew sanding decks. Cpl Ritchie on Arms
and ammunition.

Anchored Jagged Head as tide was too low

to attempt entrance to Little Lagoon

Crew ashore cutting firewood

Instructions on Bren, setting up tripod

for fixed line and A.A.

Anchored off passage as still insufficient 

water to attempt entrance to lagoon

Clear. passage Hove. 1000. 1015 Lay alongside

Civil Aviation wharf. Discharged cargo from
main hold and checked same.

Removed all ammunition from counter and
checked and stored same in No. 2 hold 
Sgt. Elkington removed intermediate shaft to
check alignment.

Wind nil. sea 0. sky O.C.

Total: " In view of weather conditions & the
general improbability of having the vessel
US. the coupling of the shaft was
ordered immediately and the engine used
to move the vessel to a more suitable 
anchorage. (Bgd) D.F.T.

0730

0800

Hove up and left under power. Hove 200.

1025 Hove 1000

Lt. Palmer and Sgt. Elkington returned. Pump 

repaired and replaced. Heavy rain squall from
 S.W.

Alt. Co. 135° 1350 Alt. Co. 180° 1430 Co.

145° Running Anglis Isld.

Hove too to inspect 41 gal. drum floating.

Picked up drum which contained 

Kerosene. 1545 resumed under power 

Anchored off O.P. Caledon Bay in 2½ Fath.

Deloaded all fuel oil from deck. Crew

cleaning ship

A/Sgt Kapui reported all well at O.P.

during advance of 'Arostia' on patrol

Crew sanding decks. Cleaning out and

stacking forward hold. Also repairing and

making new gun covers. Twin .50 cal. 
dismantled for overhaul. S/L Thomson

ashore at O.P.

Signal tests with Army were commenced today

at request of CEO Norforce who has been

informed by signal of the proposed schedule.

W/T operator reported no contact made.

Crew ashore drilling

Recovering main awning and reroping. Cleaned 
out launch. Chipped and red leaded exhaust

pipe, also cleaned exhaust pipe inside.

Recovered engine room scuttle with new canvas

Checking over main engine and generator.

W/T operator reports contact not made with

Army

Owing to rain crew unable to drill

Cleaning caulking and painting chart house

Chipping and cleaning machine gun standards

Crew filling water tanks from lagoon

1700

1900

Loaded Guns, oil and kerosene and petrol

Heavy rains lasting nearly all night

W/T operator reports no contact made with 
Army.

At Caledon Bay

Crew ashore drilling

Chipped and painted machine gun standards

and davit sockets. Treated all gun covers,

hatch covers and main awning with water-

proofing material.

.50 cal Twin guns completely overhauled and

reassembled.

Crew ashore for drilling. Rains in evening

lasting nearly all night. W/T Operator reported no contact with Army

Crew ashore for drilling

Painting Chart house, davits, and machine

gun mounts, Vickers machine gun and started

.50 cal. taken down for overhaul and replaced

1600 Crew ashore for drilling

Var-

ious

At Caledon Bay 0800 ashore for drilling

Painting ironwork and main cable bay. Cutting 
firewood and cleaning .50 cal ammunition

Fine clear weather. 1100 W/T operator reported

contact made with Army. 1600 crew ashore

for drilling.  .50 cal. machine gun on Port

hand cleaned overhauled and replaced.

First fine day for some time, took advantage

of this to dry bedding and wet equipment on 
ship and ashore. Calm and clear at night but

later heavy rain fall, marking in this last 
week the real onset of the Wet (N.W. monsoon)

that failed in 1942. First signal received tonight

through Army signals direct in Army code.

Less effective than RAAF communication now on
ship but every effort being directed by W/T 
operator to build up this system that is to be 
installed later. (SGD) D.F. Thomson S/L O.C.

23/2/43 'Areotta' at anchor off O.P. at

Caledon Bay. Tuesday.

Lt. Palmer remaining aboard 'Aroetta' at anchorage O.C ashore at
O.P. Heavy deluge of rain for several hours in early hours of
morning and until some time after day light. Signal (OSI/343)
received from Norforce stating that relief of Lt. Palmer, Sgt
Elkington and myself has been approved by L.H.Q. and that this will
be implemented as soon as personnel to replace us can be obtained.
To select these personnel I am to proceed to Norforce at first
opportunity. Following the receipt of the above signal I

arranged with Lieut. Palmer to load most of the stores and all
equipment except that actually depended ashore and to transfer this to
Groote Eylandt from the O.O., at Caledon Bay, which it is understood,
is now to be withdrawn. Loading somewhat hampered by choppy sea
at anchorage and on beach at G.I. Little rain during day, sky
wholly O.C with low cloud. Pig. obtained recently at Yuikale,
killed today for crew as change from wallaby, and kangaroo meat on
which ship's company has depended for some time. Lieut Palmer
will complete landing early N.W E4/11 and proceed to Groot Eylandt
F.B. Base. On his return the 'Aroetta' will proceed on patrol
along southern shore lines of  Arafura Sea.
Satisfactory contact now being maintained with natives. Groups
have visited O.O. in past week from Woolongong River area, Wine Wood
Bay, Arnheim Bay, Glyds River and Fort Bradshaw. All reports of
serious importance. Shore drill admitted today on account of water
conditions. 2d watch maintained on ship at anchorage as well as
at sea for reconnaissances A/C. etc.