Papers of Cyril John Percy Hill - Part 3
if accompanied by several solders from the Garrison at Fredrich Wilhelmshafen landed at native village about 20 miles higher up. (Gunboat "Nusa" took them) Human bones littered all over the place & temple decorated with sculls "Cormeran" not in river & no Germans entrenched. Another dummy run.
Dec 11th. Returned to Friedrich Wilhelmshafen & completed with oil. Anchored & went to bed. Sick of false alarms & dummy runs.
Dec 12th & 13th At Friedrich Wilhelmshafen doing Nothing.
Dec 14th Commander of flotilla seeing no chance of any fighting with Germans decided to make expedition up Kaiseren Augusta River (Sepik River) & endeavour to track & make friends with native tribes en route. 8 PM. Weighed anchor & proceeded towards river.
Dec 15th 7AM Entered River & anchored 20 miles from mouth.
Dec 16th Discovered two German police with 10 native police encamped on small hill. Rushed hill. Native police scooted after firing two shots which did no damage. Germans surrendered & were taken prisoner.
Dec 17th Visited native village & did some trading with natives. Crowned Chief with seamans cap & gave him a walking stick. Very pleased with himself. Natives very small & weak looking here. Terribly afraid of Germans.
Dec 18 & 19 Proceeding up river with "Warrego" & "Nusa". Passed several big villages on either bank. Natives seemed very fierce, shouted & shook their spears at us as we passed. Could see no women or children 4 Men wearing nothing except bracelets & bones in their hair. Some of the huts decorated with
sculls.
Dec 19 to 28. In Sepik River visiting native villages & making rough survey of river. Warrego & Paramatta reach 320 miles from mouth. Commander D & party went up another 100 miles in Nusa. River very much the same all the way. Natives all canibals. Continually fighting among themselves but never attacked us. Some villages much bigger with much finer
men than others. Native huts very well built. Roofs thatched with palm leaves. Huts built on piles about 12 ft from the ground. Looked something like this:-
[hand drawn diagram]
Average length about 40 ft breadth 20 ft. Nothing much inside except pottery, spears, sleeping bags & sculls. Ladders to get up into the house which they pull up on the approach of an enemy. Arms: Spears & shields. Bows & arrows used for hunting not for war. Very shy of white men having never seen them
before. Very hard to persuade them to come & trade with us. Nearly always cleared off into the jungle on our approach.
Dec 28th Returned to Madang loaded with curios. Ship looks like a curiosity shop.
Dec 31st Returned to river with one officer & six soldiers to garrison Almeran a for station 60 miles up river.
Dec 31 to Jan 7th Waiting for major & native police who were left about 100 miles up river. Don't know what they are supposed to be doing up there.
From January 7 to Feb 7 Destroyers employed cruising round German New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, German Solomons and Admiralty Isls & Desclac Isl.
Feb 18th Arrived in Sydney.
Here endeth the war diary as far as Australia is
concerned.
Cyril J P Hill
SECRET.
Operation Order No. I.
"AUSTRALIA" AT SEA,
7th August 1914.
INTENTIONS.
-
All indications pointing to the probability of German Ships "Scharnhorst," Gneisenau,"
"Nurnberg" and perhaps "Komet" and "Planet" being in the neighbourhood of SIMPSON HAFEN
NEW BRITAIN, and to their being found either in that place or in MATUPI HARBOUR, I intend to
make an attack on these ports with the object of torpedoing any ships which are there and destroying the Wireless Station.
-
To effect this, I intend to proceed with "Australia," "Sydney" and Destroyers to Rendezvous
3, arriving there at about 6 p.m. Tuesday August 11th.
ATTACKING FORCE.
-
"Sydney" will take charge of the Destroyers and proceed as ordered in para. 4 and 5.
"Australia" will move up to a position Lat. 4 33 S, Long. 152 32 E. (Rendezvous No. 4)
to support the above.
ATTACK ON SIMPSON HAFEN.
-
"Sydney" and Destroyers will be ordered to proceed at about 6 p.m. Tuesday, and will
proceed to SIMPSON HAFEN at 20 knots.
Should the enemy's heavy ships be met under way outside, the Destroyers are to attack
at once, "Sydney" informing me as soon as the attack develops, and retire on "Australia" with the
Destroyers.
The moon rises at 10.17 p.m.; the attack should therefore be delivered at about 9 p.m.
It is probable that there may be a patrol in ST. GEORGE'S CHANNEL, this ship should be
avoided if possible, otherwise "Sydney" should attack her, sending the Destroyers on at the same time.
Having reached the harbour entrance, "Sydney" will remain there in support, the Destroyers
will proceed into SIMPSON HAFEN and attack any Men-of-War found there, rejoining "Sydney"
after delivering their attack.
MATUPI HARBOUR.
-
Should no Men-of-War be found in SIMPSON HAFEN, or should only the small ships
("Planet" and "Komet") be there, the Destroyers, after sinking the latter, are to proceed into
MATUPI HARBOUR and attack any ships found there and rejoin "Sydney."
The attack on "Planet" and "Komet" is left to Commander D's judgment, bearing in mind
that the main objective is the enemy's heavy ships.
ATTACK ON W.T. STATION, RABAUL. Daylight 12 Aug.
-
Should no Men-of-War be found in either harbours, the Destroyers are to land a party
and destroy the W.T. station reported to be at RABAUL.
-
Having carried out the above, "Sydney" and Destroyers are to rejoin me.
"Sydney" is to inform me of the result of the attack as soon as possible.
INDICATION LIGHTS.
-
If in action and being chased, "Sydney" on rejoining Flag is to burn her bow lights fixed
before the Chart House vertically red above green 6 feet apart to show from right ahead to 5 points on each bow.
WIRELESS.
- No signals are to be made by W.T. before attacking the enemy.
GEORGE E. PATEY,
REAR ADMIRAL.
The Respective Officers
Commanding H.M.A. Ships
of the Seagoing Fleet concerned.
Parramatta
SECRET.
"AUSTRALIA" AT SEA,
8th September, 1914.
Operation Order No. 3.
____________________
OCCUPATION OF RABAUL AND HERBERTSHOHE, NEW BRITAIN.
_______________________
- INTENTIONS.
Having been ordered to seize and occupy RABAUL and HERBERTSHOHE with the object of
establishing a base for the Fleet, it is my intention to proceed to NEW BRITAIN with all available
ships and auxiliaries, arriving there on September 11th.
2. FORCE AVAILABLE.
(a) "Australia" "Warrego" "Protector"
"Sydney" "Yarra" Submarine A.E.1.
"Encounter" "Parramatta" " A.E.2.
(b) Transports. Troops. Guns.
"Berrima" 1500 4-4-7.
"Kxxxxxx" 500 nil
(c) Auxiliaries :-
"Waihora" - Collier. & "Koolonga"
"Aorangi" - Supply ship.
"Murex" - Oil Fuel ship.
"Upolu" - Submarine Depot ship.
NOTE - Collier "Whangape," "Melbourne" and "Grantala" are expected to arrive about 12th or 13th September.
3. ENEMY SHIPS.
It is possible that "Scharnhorst," "Gneisenau," "Planet" and "Komet" may be in the vicinity
of NEW BRITAIN.
4. CRUISING ORDER.
(a) By Day. - On the signal L T being made, the Fleet will take up Cruising Order in two
division as follows :
1st Division. 2nd Division
"Australia" "Encounter"
4 cables "Sydney" "Aorangi"
apart "Berrima" "Murex" 4 cables
"Kxxxxxx" "Waihora" apart.
"Warrego" "Koolonga"
"Parramatta" A.E.1
"Yarra" A.E.2
"Protector," "Upolu" and Submarines will follow independently.
(b). - By Night. - On signal L U being made, the divisions will open to 6 miles apart, course
being altered as in following paragraph.
"Warrego" and "Yarra" will take station 2 miles ahead of "Encounter."
"Parramatta" will take station 2 miles ahead of "Australia."
Destroyers are to be careful not to close inside 2 miles.
(c). - Instructions for taking up Night Cruising Order from Day Cruising Order and
vice versa - The signal LU will be made at 4 p.m. daily. "Australia" and "Encounter" will then alter
course one point outwards, resuming the original course, when 6 miles apart, without signal.
The signal L T will be made at 6 a.m. daily, when "Australia" and "Encounter" will alter
course one point inwards, resuming the original course when one mile apart on G flag (naval code)
being hauled down.
5. SPEED OF FLEET.
The speed of the Fleet will be knots unless otherwise ordered by signal.
6. ALTERATION OF COURSE.
By day will be made by signal.
By night "Australia" and "Encounter" will alter course without signal; Auxiliaries will be
warned beforehand should it be necessary to alter course for navigational purposes during the night.
Transports to follow "Sydney" at all times except as laid down in para 9.
"Koolanga" "Aorangi," "Murex," "Waihora" are to follow "Encounter" at all times.
Para 7
7. LIGHTS.
H.M.A. Ships will show a shaded stern light only. Auxiliaries will show a stern light only.
8. SIGNALS.
All flag signals which relate to the movements of the Fleet (except LT and LU) will be made by
International Code, with the Code Pendant Inferior as usual.
By night, should it be necessary to make a signal re course or speed to auxiliaries, it will be
spelt out with a shaded flashing lamp, thus :-
"Course North ten West."
"Speed nine knots."
NOTE - Separate instructions will be issued to Auxiliaries.
9. ENEMY SIGHTED.
(a) By Day. - "Australia," "Sydney" and Destroyers will proceed and engage the enemy.
Commander D. being guided by the instructions given him verbally as to method of attack.
Transport will form astern of "Warhora," ^"Koolonga" "Encounter" taking charge of auxiliaries and lead
them away from the action, keeping "Australia" between herself and the enemy.
(b) By Night. - Destroyers will attack at once without further orders.
"Australia," "Sydney" and "Encounter" will open fire; care must be taken to avoid firing on
destroyers while attacking.
Transport is to turn away from the enemy if "Australia" is engaged.
10. RENDEZVOUS.
Should the ships become separated by reason of any action or other cause, they are to rendezvous
3 miles East from CAPE GAZELLE.
11. RECONNAISSANCE OF SIMPSON AND MATUPI HARBOURS.
"Sydney" and Destroyers will be detached at dusk on September 10th, and proceed to SIMP-
SON HARBOUR arriving there at about 3.30 a.m. September 11th.
The same procedure as on August 11th will then be carried out, "Sydney" informing me of the
result of the reconnaissance.
As soon as it is light enough, "Parramatta" is to examine the pier (SIMPSON HARBOUR)
and its vicinity with regard to its safety for transport to go alongside and report to me.
12. SEIZURE OF W/T STATIONS.
After reconnoitring as above, "Sydney" will distribute half the troops on board her between
"Warrego" and "Yarra."
"Sydney" will then proceed to HERBERTSHOHE, arriving there as early as possible and dis-
embark the remaining 25 men to seize the W/T station there.
"Warrego" and "Yarra" will proceed to KABAKAUL (4 miles EAST of HERBERTSHOHE)
and lead their parties.
"Sydney," "Warrego" and "Yarra" will remain off these places to support the parties until
the arrival of the Main Body.
Information re W/T stations : see enclosure I.
13. ARRIVAL AT SIMPSON HARBOUR.
The Main Body will arrive off SIMPSON HARBOUR at a.m. September 11th.
"Australia's" picket boats will sweep a channel and the anchorage in SIMPSON HARBOUR.
"Encounter" will hoist our her steamboat when ordered, which is to the sent to "Australia."
"Encounter" will then proceed to a position 5 miles East from CAPE TAWUI and look out to the
Northward.
"Protector" and Submarines will remain N.E. of CAPE GAZELLE in readiness to attack any
enemy ships approaching from Southward. They will probably not arrive before 12th September.
"Warrego" and "Yarra" will join "Australia" when they have completed their work off
KABAKAUL and will then be sent in to anchor.
Transports and Auxiliaries - will remain in KARAVIA BAY until ordered to proceed into
harbour when "Berrima" will proceed alongside pier, other ships anchoring in berths allotted.
Plan of anchorage and swept channel : see enclosure II.
Para 14.
14. PATROL OFF SIMPSON HARBOUR.
"Encounter," "Protector" and Submarines will leave their look-out positions at such time as
to enable them to anchor in daylight, leaving harbour again at 7 a.m. daily. Destroyers will proceed
out of harbour at sunset, and patrol off the entrance, east of a line joining PRAED POINT and
RALUANA POINT.
At daylight, one Destroyer is to proceed 10 miles to the NE between CAPE TAWUI and
MAKADA ISLAND, and one Destroyer to eastward of CAPE GAZELLE; if anything is in sight they
are to close and examine the vessel, informing me at the same time. Should there be nothing in sight
they are to inform me of the fact and return into harbour.
GEORGE E. PATEY,
Rear Admiral Commanding
H.M. Australian Fleet.
The Respective Officers
Commanding H.M.A. Ships,
attached to Expedition to
New Britain, and to all
others concerned.
ENCLOSURE I.
____________________________
W/T STATIONS NEAR HERBERTSHOHE.
Information received shows there are probably two stations, one of this is believed to be in
course of erection. This one is reported to be directly inland from HERBERTSHOHE, a good motor
road leads to it, and heavy motor lorry tracks are plainly visible; about 4 miles distant. The other
station is reported to be straight inland from KABAKAUL; there is a plantation there belonging
to a Mr. Rundle, the road from this plantation leads to the station.
It is probable that telephone wires will be seen leading to the stations, these should be cut.
There is a motor car at HERBERTSHOHE belonging to Herr Wahlen the manager of Forstyh
Brothers' Store.
COPY.
The Commanding Officer, The Commodores Commanding,
T.B.D. FLOTILLA. 8th Light Cruiser Squadron,
H.M.S. "WEYMOUTH"
Brindisi.
20th November, 1917.
COPY OF SIGNALS MADE BY "PARRAMATTA" TO "ETNA"
ON THE 16TH NOVEMBER, 1917.
11 a.m. G.M.T. 16/11/17 W/T "Parramatta" to "Etna".
"I am going to ship in distress".
12.55 G.M.T. W/T "Parramatta" to "Etna".
"Send 4 tugs. Ship hit stern. Can be saved".
1.20 G.M.T. W/T "Parramatta" to "Etna".
"I have taken ship in tow. Propeller, Rudder Stern gone".
5.37 G.M.T. W/T "Parramatta" to "Etna".
"Tug has ship in tow, escort Torpedo Boats. "Huon" and
"Warrego" to Brindisi. "Parramatta" and "Yarra" to patrol.
1.14 G.M.T. (a.m.) "Left Steamer in two and escort 5.30 G.M.T.
(17/11/17.) "Parramatta" & "Yarra" returned to patrol."
COMMANDER "D".
4.4 a.m. G.M.T. 17/11/17. Have you any news of or from steamer
being escorted.
10.25 a.m. G.M.T. " Steamer "Orione" anchored North
Otranto no one in ship and not
COMMANDER "D".
COPY OF SIGNAL.
16/11/17. The Commodore Commanding.
8th Light Cruiser Squadron to "Huon".
Please convey to Commander "D" on rejoining, my warm appreciation
of the excellent work performed by his flotilla on the occasion of
the torpedoing of the "Oriane".
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