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 8

ORs:    Five.  All with sea-going experience in small boats, at 

least three of whom qualified as machine gunners and one, 

preferably, with W.T. experience to act as relief operator.

 

TOTAL PERSONNEL:  10 (all ranks)

 

Finally with reference to the proposal that I should 

assist in the selection of suitable personnel to man this vessel, 

it is suggested that the most effective method of aquiring[[?]] the

type of trained personnel required will probably be to enlist the 

co-operation of the Small Ship's organisation recently formed by 

Army and to interview these men from this organisation personally.

 

SGD:  Donald F Thomson

Squadron Leader (RAAF)

OC Special Reconnaissance Unit

66.

 

66

IV/153/1

(2 pages)

(II)  WAR ESTABLISHMENT

 

SECURITY

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROERTY OF THE AUST-

RALIAN COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT, and is issued 

for the information of officers and responsible

officials.

The officer or official in possession of 

this document will be responsible for its safe 

custody and that its contents are not disclosed 

to any unauthorised person.

The document will be kept under lock and 

key when not in actual use.

Officers commanding units and establish-

ments, etc., are responsible that appropriate 

circulation is given to this document.

ISSUED

22 FEB '43

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY COASTAL RECONNAISSANCE UNIT, 

R.A.N.

 

WAR ESTABLISHMENT

(Provisional)

 

(i)  Summary of ranks

Detail	Number
Captain                     ..                   ..                       ..	1
Lieutenant                ..                   ..                       ..	1
Total, officers	(a) 2
Warrant officer class II (mechanist                 " sergeant major)	(b) 1
Total, warrant officers	1
Sergeants	(c) 2
Total, sergeants                             ..	2
Sappers	5
Total, rank and file	5
Total, other ranks	8
Total, all ranks	10

67.[[?]]

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY COASTAL   

RECONNAISANCE UNIT R.A.N           2.                                               IV/15E/1  
                                                                      WAR ESTABLISHMENT

(Provisional)      

 

(ii) Distribution of rank and file by trades and duties

Detail	Number
Trade group II
Cook	1
Operator-wireless	1
Non-specialists
General dutymen	3
Total, rank and file	5

(iii) Table of weapons and ammunition

 

Detail	Number	Ammunition - rounds
		On man or  with gun	Reserve	Total
Pistols, .38-inch	3	12	18	54
Rifles, .303-inch	7	50	1,000	1,350
Sub-machine guns	4	200	1,600	2,100
L.M.G.s, .303-inch	4	1,000	2,000	6,000
M.M.G.s, .303-inch	2	3,500	9,000	16,000
M.M.G.s, .5-inch	2	3,500	9,000	16,000
Grenades, No. 36, Hand	-	-	50	50

(a) To be qualified masters of craft

(b) Will be qualified to operate and service marine diesel engines

(c) One will be a qualified wireless operator and mechanic and 

one will act as boatswain

68.

(iii) SELECTION OF PERSONNEL

At the request of the O.O.C. [[?]] Northern Territory Force 

I was required to select personnel for the newly organised Unit 

before finally relinquishing the command.

 

For this purpose I again proceeded to H.Q. and on March 15th 

and 16th interviewed about 100 volunteers from Units based in this 

area, of whom however, only four were considered to be suitable for 

the undertaking.

 

Copy of report made at this time is attached hereto:

 

Special Recce Unit

17 Mar. 43.

HQ NT Force

1. I have to report that I have examined the personnel whose 

   names appear on the list of "Applications for Special Reconnaissance 

   Unit" who paraded on 15 and 16 Mar 43, as far as possible without 

   actual test of their seagoing capabilities.

2. Of the personnel examined, four (4) only are considered 

   definitely suitable to be taken on the strength of this Unit.  A 

   large number of the applicants were keen, and there is no doubt that 

   many of these men would make excellent small boat crews with 

   sufficient training and experience.

3. Most of the men have NO seagoing experience in ketches or 

   schooners and these were not therefore considered fit to take a 

   vessel to sea. It is recommended, however, that the following four 

   men be selected to serve on the A.K. Aroetta.  They are :-
                VX  115566   Pte TERRISEN[[?]] J. 20/21  }
                 VX  115852   Cpl. DAVIS T.W.  23/21          } Seamen
                 WX 16807  Gnr.  SESKER[[?]] R.  Aust. AA Bty - Seaman
                  SX  22232  Spr  EDWARDS  A.   Cook & Seaman

4. In addition it is suggested that the names of the 

   following personnel be held in reserve for further consideration 

   if the full complement of men is NOT obtained in QUEENSLAND:-
                WX 50315   Sgt JENNINGS F.W. S Aust Hy AA Bty.
                TX   4648    Pte Hind 2/8 Aust Inf Bn. - Seaman
                W   4982     Bdr JACKSON R.K. - Seaman & Diesel engines
                 NX 142074  Cpl JENSEN J.  [[ 15 ]]Aust Prt Coy RAE
                 NX 142088   WO.II  BIDDLETON F.
   One of the three last-named NCOs may be considered for the posn 

   of engr.

5. In view of the fact that there is no opportunity for 

   testing the members of the crew before they are required for duty 

   it is recommended that all personnel be appointed to the unit on

   probation. This will provide an opportunity for the elimination of 

   unsuitable men to enable a thoroughly efficient crew to be built 

   up. In view of the limited number of personnel concerned this is 

   considered an important prevaution [sic].

6. As I understand that it is desired that I shall select 

   the members of the "AROETTA" personally, it is now suggested that I

   proceed to BRISBANE with a view to securing suitable personnel from 

   the Army Water Transport Section.

7. On account of the arrangement which has been made between 

   this HQ and RAAF for the "AROETTA" to carry a survey party of the 

   RAAF to search for and examine sites on the NORTH coast, ARNHEM LAND,

   it will NOT be possible for us to leave the ship until approximately

    

69.

the first week in April.

 

The following provisional itinerary is therefore suggested for the 

"AROETTA":-

 

Detachment leave MILLIMBIMBI with survey party 19 Mar.  

Approx. 10 days will be required to carry out the programme 

discussed with the RAAF, but during this time it is intended 

to make one voyage to GROOTE EYLANDT and to [[tpt.]] eqpt. now 

used there to MILLIMBIMBI.

 

As it will be necessary for me personally to make final contacts with 

certain of the natives with whom I have operated during the past 

18 months it is proposed to carry out this work after returning 

the survey party MILLIMGIMBI, en route for GROOTE EYLANDT.

 

It is requested that authority be given for me to proceed

by flying boat from GROOT EYLANDT to BRISBANE on approx. 7 April.

 

Following my departure from GROOT EYLANDT about 7 Apl. 

it is proposed to send the A.K. "AROETTA" under Lieut. PALMER to 

DARWIN.  ETA DARWIN approx 14 April.  It is proposed that he then 

check eqpt. and stores and make arrangements with "Q" Branch for 

the handing over of the ship.

 

It is anticipated that by this time a new OC will have 

been appointed and that he will proceed with the new members of the 

crew of the "AROETTA" by air to DARWIN when Lieut. PALMER, 

Sgt. ELKINGTON and the SOLOMON ISLAND crew can all be released.

 

SGD:-  DONALD F. THOMSON Sqn. Ldr.

CC. Special Reconnaissance Unit, NORFORCE

-------------

In view of the fact that suitable personnel were not 

available locally, I proceeded to Brisbane and Melbourne, leaving 

GROOTE EYLANDT by flying boat on April 4th.

 

Subsequently the appointment of Captain Foxton, who was 

considered to be the most suitable officer then available for the 

Undertaking, was approved , and he was placed in command of the 

"Aroetta" with the responsibility of selecting such additional 

personnel as were then required to bring the Unit up to strength

 set out in the War Establishment.

 

14. RECOMMENDATIONS - AWARDS

 

The foregoing report will serve to give a general account

of the undertaking and the conditions under which it was carried out.  

The rough life at sea in a small ship for months on end, the 

severity of conditions on the coast of Arnhem Land, the long 

isolation and monotony, unrelieved by visits to a home port, in 

the first instance, for the greater part of a year's service, added 

to the fact that it was not possible to grant any leave, and that 

no medical, dental or canteen facilities, or any other amenities, 

were available, combined to impose a heavy strain on all personnel.  

But almost without exception every man responded well to the call 

upon him, using his energies, enterprise and resourcefulness to 

the fullest extent, which contributed largely to the success of 

the undertaking.

 

Of the personnel who served with the Special Reconnaissance 

Unit, however, the service of six was so outstanding that I feel 

it now my duty to draw attention to the meritorious service of 

these men and to urge that their service be given recognition by 

the granting of an appropriate award or decoration.

 

In naming these men for special recognition it is desired 

again to point out that all served under conditions of special 

strain and that. they were outstanding in a group already highly 

selected:

The names of these men, with a note on their special 

service are presented herewith:

 

1. QX 19653[[?]] - LIEUTENANT A.E. PALMER, AIF.  2 i/c

Lieutenant Palmer was, throughout the whole period of 

service, Second-in-Command of this Unit, and while still an NCO 

was frequently placed in charge of the vessel.  His service 

throughout was exceptionally meritorious and he proved such a 

loyal, efficient, and fearless officer under severe conditions and 

in many difficult situations, that he set an example to all members 

of the Unit and, to his devotion to duty, and fine personal 

qualities, is due much of the success of the undertaking.

 

2.  No. 21550 - SGT. [[D]].N. RITCHIE,  RAAF,  Armourer-Air Gunner.

Sgt Ritchie served as Armourer-air gunner on the A.K. 

"AROETTA" from December 1942 to April 1943.  he was responsible for 

the maintenance of the AA guns and the whole of the arms, explosives 

and demolition equipment on the vessel, as well as for the training 

of personnel in armament duties. Under difficult, exacting and 

often severe conditions, this NCO showed a loyalty and an exceptional 

devotion to duty which set a fine example to others. His infectious 

good humour, which never failed, was an inspiration.

 

3.   No.     - SGT. KAPIU, NATIVE OF BADU, TORRES STRAITS ISLANDS

Kapiu served throughout from October 1941 to May 1943 as 

Bosun on the A.K. "AROETTA".  He rendered exceptionally meritorious 

service and set a splendid example to his fellows.  He was a fine 

seaman, experienced in sail, knew the Arnhem Land coast well, and 

became also an expert Vickers gunner.  During the whole of these 

19 months Kapiu served continuously without leave or respite.

 

When called for this special undertaking Sgt Kapiu was 

working at Thursday Island close to his home.  Although then an 

old man he willingly left his work and his home from a sense of duty 

and loyalty.  Of his fine service, his sense of responsibility and 

his great devotion to duty, I cannot speak too highly.  Sgt Kapiu 

showed real qualities of leadership and by his loyal and unselfish 

service set a fine personal example to the other native members 

of the crew and to the whole of the native detachment.

 

4.  No.     - PTE MAKAU, POLYNESIAN NATIVE FROM BRITISH 

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Pte Makau was enlisted in the Solomon Islands with other 

members of the native crew for special service on a hazardous 

undertaking in 1941 and served until May 1943.  he was in charge of

the guard throughout the whole of his period of service and acquired 

considerable experience of armament.  Pte Makau rendered service 

of outstanding merit.  He set an example by his devotion to duty, 

which assisted materially in maintaining a high standard of 

discipline among the crew of this ship.

 

5. No. D 178 - PTE NAIWALLA, ABORIGINE OF ARNHEM LAND - for 

extraordinary loyalty, devotion to duty under difficult and adverse 

conditions.

 

Of all members of the Special Reconnaissance Unit, the 

service of this man stood apart.  A full blooded aborigine, Naiwalla 

set an example of loyalty and selfless devotion to duty of a standard 

that few [[ ]]ould follow.  Pte. NAIWALLA, a nomadic Aborigine who had 

hitherto suffered only punishment for a native offence in an area 

not under control, gave his liberty, and placed service to country

71.

before love of family, which their people value more than life. 

Naiwalla was enlisted in Darwin in February 1942 and served until 

April 1943.  He had established a reputation throughout Eastern 

Arnhem Land for his fighting prowess, and when enlisted he devoted 

the whole of his energies and influence to the work of undermining 

and destroying of Japanese influence and prestige and to assisting 

with the formation and training of the native Unit.  Naiwalla 

made many long hard patrols over all sorts of country, often 

pressing on throughout the night without rest, in order to keep 

faith and to arrive at a rendezvous on time.  This man's unfaltering 

loyalty and whole hearted devotion, more than any other single 

factor, contributed to the building up of the native unit and the 

maintenance of order and discipline within this.  Such was this 

man's sense of duty that when in the beginning of 1943 after his 

return to Townsville in the "AROETTA", he found his wife and 

two you children had been stolen and carried off into the 

Interior and he was offered his release, he refused to desert his

post but insisted on remaining on duty until I relinquished command 

and he felt free from his obligation to remain with me.

 

This fine native soldier, by his high standard of duty, and 

honour set an example to the crew of the "AROETTA" and to all 

members of the native force, and won the regard, affection and 

respect of every member of the unit.

 

5. [[NATJIALMA]], ABORIGINE OF CALEDON BAY, ARNHEM LAND

[[Natjialma]] was one of the son's [sic] of the headman of 

Caledon Bay, five of whom were enlisted in the native force in 1942. 

[[ Natjialma]] had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing 

of Japanese who had invaded his country some years ago, but in 

spite of this fact her served with the native force and was selected

as leader of the Caledon Bay section.  This man showed extraordinary 

faithfulness throughout and rendered exceptionally meritorious 

service.  Later when the O.P. was established at Caledon Bay he 

gave most valuable assistance in organising natives and maintaining 

order and discipline.  It was largely faithfulness and sense of 

responsibility of this man that averted disaster to the NCO who was 

left in charge of the Caledon bay Post in 1942.

APPENDIX 1

SECTION I - EARLY ORGANISATION  [[?]]  O.C.

SECTION II - APPRECIATION

SECTION III - AUTHORITIES

SECTION IV - PROPOSD PLAN FOR THE ORGANISATION AND OPERATIONS

[[?]]

-------------------

APPENDIX 1

[[?]] AND EARLY ORGANISATION [[?]]

Documents covering the arrangements which led to the 

secondment of O.C. Special Reconnaissance unit from the [[?]] 

and the [[?]] of the Northern Territory Coastal Patrol 

are included in this [[?]] .  These cover the initial 

arrangements for the purchase of the ketch Aroetta, and the 

special enlistment of natives from the British Solomon Islands 

Protectorate and Torres Straits.

 

SECTION I - EARLY ORGANISATION - [[?]]

On 10th June, 1941, [[?]] letter from Flight 

Lieutenant D. F. Thomson, R.A.A.F., was loaned[[?]] by Air Board at 

the request of Army Headquarters to deliver a lecture on Arnhem 

Land with special relation to the [[?]] activities in this 

area at the time.

 

The following documents, which relate to the early 

organisation are attached:

 

1. Notice of [[?]] on Arnhem Lands Military Board [[?]], 

   [[?]]10th June, 1941

2. Memorandum from Secretary, Department of Army, to 

   Secretary, Department of Air, requesting loan 

   of [[?]] - Flight Lieutenant D. F. Thomson.

3. Memorandum from Secretary, Department of Air to Secretary,

   Department of Army, agreeing to secondment of 

   Flight Lieutenant D. F. Thomson to the Military Forces 

   of the Commonwealth.

2.

APPENDIX 1 - 

continued

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

 

MILITARY BOARD

(Chief of the General Staff)

Army Headquarters,

Victoria Barracks

MELBOURNE, S.C.1

1Oth June 1941

 

"A" BRANCH

 

"Q" BRANCH

"O" BRANCHE

D.M.T.

D.S.D.

--------

 

1. A lecture is to be given at 8 p.m. on 11th June, 1941, at 

   [[?]] Branch Building, Victoria Barracks, by Flight-Lieutenant 

   Donald Thomson, R.A.A.F., and the subject of the lecture is 

   "Arnhem Land and the Native Tribes who inhabit the area."

2. The Commonwealth Government commissioned Flight-Lieutenant 

   Thomson - at that time Dr Donald Thomson, an anthropologist of 

   world repute, to report on the natives of Arnhem Land, and for two 

   and a half years this officer lived with the native tribes for 

   this purpose.

3. Moving pictures taken by Flight-Lieutenant Thomson will 

   be shown.

4. Owing to the limited seating accommodation, it has been 

   necessary to make the following [[?]]

Army             15

Navy                5

Air Force         5

Provision has been made for the seating accommodation 

necessary for the members of the Military Board.

 

(Sgd.) K. McKenzie,

Colonel,

Deputy Director of Military Operations & Intelligence

 APPENDIX I - 

continued

[[?]]

 

MEMORANDUM for -                                                                                                     SECRET

Secretary                                                                                                                       3[[?]]/40[[?]]/41

     DEPARTMENT OF AIR

 

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT D.F. THOMSON, R.A.A.F.

It would be appreciated if the services of Flight Lieutenant 

D. F. Thomson could be made available for three weeks to the

General Staff, Army Headquarters, as soon as possible. In connection 

with the preparation of details for [[?]] plans for the deployment 

of troops in [[?]] Military [[?]].

 

In the event of the plans in question being approved, it is 

proposed to ask for the services of Flight Lieutenant Thomson on 

a more permanent basis.  In this regard, a further communication 

will be sent to your Department.

 

(Sgd.)

for (J. J. Fitzgerald)

Secretary.

Copy to [[?]] D.O.T.

       ------

Secretary,

Draft Letter herewith.

(Sgd.)  E. [[/]] - Colonel

for Chief of the General Staff

(30/7/42)

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECRET

[[?]]/[[?]]/41

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Department of Air

[[?]]

16 Sep. 1941

RAAF 29 / 501 /[[?]]

Secretary,

            DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT D. F. THOMSON

With reference to your memorandum [[?]] dated [[?]] September 

1941,  I am to advise that this Department agrees to the secondment 

of Flight Lieutenant D. F. Thomson to the Military Forces of the 

Commonwealth with effect from 15th September, 1941, and that the 

necessary Order-in-General action[[?]] will be taken immediately.

 

[[?]] for

[[?]]

Secretary