Show Notes
The war in Europe seemed a long way off for the inhabitants of New Britain and there was no real urgency from the Australian Chiefs of Staff to secure this vital island. A token force was sent to Rabaul to observe any movement and to report back to Army HQ. But in December 1941, Japanese forces bombed Pearl Harbor and began their conquest of the Pacific. Rabaul was now under threat, but you wouldn't know it. The Defence Chiefs decided not to reinforce Lark Force, or even provide them with adequate resources to defend the port town. Lark Force commander, Colonel Scanlan, had not even made plans for a withdrawal should the Japanese force arrive anytime soon. And arrive they did, and a spirited yet doomed attempt to defend New Britain was undertaken.
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Links to the Office of Australian War Graves
https://www.dva.gov.au/wargraves https://www.dva.gov.au/recognition/office-australian-war-graves/war-cemeteries-and-gardens-remembrance/gardens-remembrance https://www.dva.gov.au/recognition/office-australian-war-graves/war-cemeteries-and-gardens-remembrance/war-cemeteries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Australian Military History
Having failed in their initial attempt to seize the German positions, the Australian 2nd Division made preparations for another attempt. However the date for this attempt was to be determined by the rate of preparation. As numbers of engineers went forward to prepare the jumping off and approach trenches, the casualty toll continued to rise. Some Brigade commanders chaffed at the delay, but General Brudenell White would not commit the Division until all efforts were made to ensure success.
Bram Connolly is a former infantry and Special Forces soldier, joining the Australian Army in 1991. In his new book 100 Ways I Almost Died, Bram covers the sometimes amusing, often terrifying ways his life was held in the balance both in training and on operations.
Last episode we briefly covered the fate of the 2nd Division's attack on the 28th July 1916, based upon the information which trickled back to Brigade HQ. This time, we look in depth to examine the front line solider perspective and see what went wrong.
Major Hashida's Notebook tells the story of a newly trained Japanese intelligence officer's time in Australia prior to the outbreak of the Pacific War. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
G'day everyone. Just a quick one to apologies for the lack of episode this month. Got snowed under with other stuff and then got crook. Back on deck next month. Cheers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.