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#1
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10th December
On the 10th December 1942 father's battalion (2/2) were pulled out of battle at Sananada in New Guinea , they set out from Pt Morseby on the Kokoda Track , they first engaged the Japanese at a place called Templeman's Crossing on the 20th October 1942.From there they chased the enemy to Sananada which is on the coast. There were only 60 of them left when they pulled out (I think from memory there were over 500 at the beginning). Father came out bare footed from his pit from there he was sent to the doctor they fitted him with new boots with the sides cut out to make room for the blisters on his feet. He was then called to do one more patrol of which only 18 were fit enough to go on.Once the patrol was completed and a few days rest the survivers where flown to Port Morsby and once in camp farther's company only had 2 of them left. After this father came back to australia and remained in hospital until he recovered.
Max |
#2
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10th December
Max
Very nice of you to share. The memories and the pride obviously live on. Bob |
#3
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I second that MAX!
THANK YOU so much for sharing your Father's personal story... it's wonderful,in a bitter-sweet way, to have them isn't it? Here's to your Dad and all the men he served with, and to you for the sharing some of the history. Carman |
#4
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Second to none
Max, the 2nd battallion, 2nd AIF had as their motto "Nulli Secundus" meaning Second to None. Your father's story shows that this was very appropriate in your dad's case and his mates, too! The war in New Guinea was not was not about sweeping battallion sized or brigade sized manoevres with massive Artillery and Air support as they had experienced in North Africa, but was more about section sized engagements at ranges of under 10 metres in an unbelievably difficult environment. The sucess of the Aussies in New Guinea was due more to their individual skills as soldiers than any strategic planning by the higher-ups. Good on 'em all, true gems!
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#5
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Charlie Hedges
I have had the honor of meeting and interviewing Max's dad and if people find these stories interesting (I certainly do!) I'll include some in the Year of the Blitz 2.
Charlie Hedges has some amazing stories and he tells them well. What a man! What's the feeling - is this the sort of thing you'd like to see? People who have seen Year of the Blitz will remember Charlie as the chap explaining the markings on Max's F15A.
__________________
Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern |
#6
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Story
Just a short story for a book called Nulli Secundus Log. published by 2/2nd Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F
It may be of interest to some. Father has wrote own book on his war history called A Corprals War Max |
#7
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Part 2
Hope you have good eyes
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#8
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YOTB 3
Hi Keefy
Your next production should be Year of the Blitz 3 - Memories. This edition should incorporate experiences of Australian Blitz owners re. rescuing, restoration, ownership etc. plus those personal annecdotes such as Charlie Hedges etc. plus wartime & post war hands on Blitz annecdotes. Year of the Blitz 4 - Memories 2. Same as above but relating to overseas owners. Assistance offered, royalties accepted. Bob |
#9
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126 US regiment
Would anyone know of or where to find any history of the 126 US regiment,especially when they served in New Guinea.They served at Sananda whith father's unit
Max |
#10
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Hi Max
Try this for a start. I just used a search engine and wrote in 126 US Regiment. Using different search engines could give you different results. Put on your bathers and surf the net. www.st.net.au/~dunn/usarmy/usarmy.htm Bob |
#11
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the 126 th
The 126 th belonged to the 32 nd division a national guard formation from Michigan and Wisconsin. The 2nd battalion of the 126th crossed the Owen Stanley Range by the Jaure track, meeting up with 16 th Bde (father's unit) at Soputa.
Bob I found this information in the book South West Pacific Area First Year. By the way I am pretty slow on these things so if I put my bathers on and surf the net I could end up on a beach anywhere that would be a nasty shock to the locals. Max |
#12
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American dixie
Whilst at Sananada there was an American chap wounded who was with father, his dixie was left at his pit. On the dixie it has the name Stanley on the bottom and also so has scratched on it the initals R.H. Makes you wonder if the unit has a war history documented. The makers name could be AGM Co 1918. Father never knew if the american survived the war.
Max |
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