Chapter 12 7th Division; Huon Peninsular (9th Div); Refreshing Bonegilla

TRACK-WORN AND AIR-BORNE (7th Division)

The men of Signals 7 Aust. Div. have twice shared in conquering the jungle and the Japanese. They tramped and carried their equipment over the slippery, damp, backbreaking tracks of the Kokoda Trail in the 1942 campaign. just over a year later they covered greater distances in less time in modern air transports when the enemy was driven from the Markham and Ramu Valleys.

Jungle introduction

Upon return from the Middle East, the unit completed months of training throughout South Australia,
New South Wales and Queensland until August 1042 when H.Q. and No. 1 Company embarked for New Guinea. The actual trip to Moresby was quiet but had an exciting finish when twenty-four Japanese bombers flew over as the transports dropped anchor. The unit established camp in the 12 Mile area while Divisional H.Q. was situated a few miles closer to Moresby. In the meantime, "J" Section had proceeded to Milne Bay with its brigade and subsequently distinguished itself there, though several men were killed and wounded. "K" Section worked with the 21st Brigade over the Owen Stanley Ranges and later at Gona and Sanananda. "L" Section was with the 25th Brigade from Moresby to Gona, while the H.Q. and No. 1 Company sections supplied the divisional communications.

Over the ranges

Within a few days of arrival, "K" Section was on the way up the Kokoda Trail with its brigade and in action beyond Myola. The men were soon learning by hard experience the difficulties of jungle communications. Rain, mud and fungus growth on equipment proved a real test. Malaria casualties were high. Meanwhile, the divisional communications were established round Moresby. All available personnel co-operated with Signals 1 Aust. Corps in repairing and reconstructing the existing permanent line and field cable routes.

First line across the ranges.

The unit laid the first line ever across the Owen Stanley Ranges. One D.VIII pair and one D.III single
were laid behind the leading brigade from Bisiatabu to Kokoda. The linemen continually wallowed in mud up to their knees. This was probably one of the most remarkable lines of the campaign. It was
continually dropped in the mud, walked on by hundreds of troops, had trees felled across it, but was always kept through. A fullerphone connected in series with the line with, in addition, twelve volts across the key was worked from Kokoda. to the N.G.F. Signal Centre at Bisiatabu-a distance of sixty miles over one of the worst and most treacherous jungle tracks in the world. For this work, the lines officer and his sergeant were mentioned in despatches.

Tide turns

As the 25th Brigade pushed on, divisional H.Q. was established at Uberi from where it made successive moves through Menari and Efogi north to Myola. During these operations, all cable (made up in 30-lb. coils) had to be transported by native carriers. Every yard had to be laid by hand. Daily
downpours and leaky shelters improvised from jungle timber, leaves and sometimes rotting tent files, gave the maintenance men many headaches. Wireless sets wrapped in blankets and ground sheets for transport when opened would be dripping with moisture. Despatch riders had to carry on the D.R.L.S. on foot and, in common with the linemen, climbed and slid and stumbled back and forth over the always muddy track. Wireless and line operators worked long hours with water dripping on their message pads and insects crawling down their necks.

On to Kokoda

Overshadowing all other difficulties was the struggle to get Signals supplies and equipment forward. The number of native carriers available was limited. All equipment for the brigades and battalions had to be supplied through Signals channels. "J" Section (Signals 6 Aust. Div.) with the 16th Brigade, which had been placed under the command of 7 Aust. Div., joined the 25th Brigade in operations forward of Myola. On the 30th of October, Advance H.Q. moved to Templeton's Crossing and on the following day to Alola. Between these two places, at Eora Creek, was the grave of Sgt Rudd, the unit's first fatal casualty in New Guinea. Linemen erected a railing of saplings to protect their comrade's last resting place. H.Q. moved farther on to Deniki and from there to Kokoda where the Signals Office was opened on the 3rd of November. It was there that the unit ended its initiation into jungle communications.

AIR-BORNE DIVISION

WHEN Signals 7 Aust. Div. reassembled in Australia in the early months of 1943, the ranks were sadly depleted in strength. Malaria had taken its toll. Many men were classed as medically unfit and did not return to the unit. Fresh personnel had to be trained or transferred from other units until full strength was reached. Intensive jungle training commenced and the lessons learnt over the Owen Stanleys were put to good use.

In August "bush telegraph" whispered of movement. The packing of Stores and equipment confirmed this. As the ship sailed into Port Moresby, the faces of many reflected the memories of their previous
experiences in New Guinea. An air of mystery surrounded the preparations this time. It was not until training on dummy aircraft was introduced that the solution was obvious. Months of training were to be put to the test.

Attack is launched

Wireless detachments moving off indicated that "D" Day was not far away and when the American Parachute Regiment took to the air the operation opened. Flying in large transport planes was a novel experience to many. Added to this was the fact that they were flying straight into operations. It can be imagined just how keyed tip everyone was. The complete operation was successful. Lae, Kaiapit, Marawasa and Dumpu were all captured in the advance. Loading and unloading on aircraft became routine. Opening new Signals Offices, closing the old, laying and maintaining miles of cable and wireless stations working at high pressure all had their part in the onward drive. The wireless detachments bore the brunt of the thousands of groups which passed daily through the offices.

Defence at Dumpu

The division was allotted a defensive role at Dumpu between November and January. All lines were poled. Two D.VIII spaced pairs were built and poled to the airstrip at Gusap - a distance of thirty miles. New wireless sets arrived, were tested and proved satisfactory on short and long-range patrols. Mention must be made of the carrots which appeared on every meal. It was said that they were to prevent night blindness, but the operators claimed that the idea was to save batteries when taking messages at night. After a while it was like the case of the boy who could not write in the day time because he had been educated at night school - nobody could sleep at night because it was said the carrots kept their eyes open.

ADVANCE IN THE HUON PENINSULA (9th Division)

EARLY 1943 found Signals 9 Aust. Div. back in Australia. The sand of the Western Desert lay behind. Ahead - the land and mosquitoes of New Guinea. A new kind of war had to be fought, imposing different Signals tactics. Khaki was exchanged for green, riding for walking. Personal manhandling of every pound of equipment was necessary. Gone were the days of swift, modern transport. The spade was replaced by the machete. The era of atebrin commenced.

Early strenuous training

Early training for New Guinea was started in northern Australia in country that was chosen for its similarity to that which would be en countered on the island. At times the training was harder and in places the country tougher than what was eventually encountered in the jungle. Schemes lasting for several days at a time formed the basis from which all lessons were learnt.

The hardening-up process, including unarmed combat got under way. The Signals Office - no longer in modern, compact Signals trucks - was something to be produced from the materials in the jungle itself with the assistance of a machete. This very handy instrument was a much prized possession. With its aid, quite comfortable "bush beds" or "jungle doovers" were made. Lessons on mosquitoes and malaria received special attention. And so after about four months, when the powers that-be decided to ''Slap the Jap", the 9th Division sailed for New Guinea, well trained and equipped to fight both the jungle and the Japanese.

First time since Gallipoli

After a short time off for acclimatization upon arrival, it was announced that the division's first task was to be the capture of Lae. To effect this, a seaborne invasion would be necessary. Troops were assembled on L.S.Ts and L.C.Is. The large convoy steamed into the Huon Peninsula in the early light of the 4th of September. This was the first large-scale amphibious operation undertaken by Australian troops since Gallipoli. The Navy poured a pre-invasion bombardment of shells into the strip of shore and jungle known as "Red Beach". Overhead, Lightnings provided an aerial canopy. The 20th Brigade made the initial landing and with each battalion were line-men, specially detached from "B" Section,
to enable them to keep in constant communication with H.Q. Little opposition was encountered early, consequently the Infantry's advance was rapid. This taxed the linemen to the full, forcing them to lay
their lines practically on the run. River crossings added to their burden. Crossing the Buso, Bonga and Burep rivers in rapid succession, the attack was halted temporarily at the Busu, which was in flood. The was held up for four days but on the twelfth day after the landing the forward troops marched into Lae. This was the minimum time allowed for Lae's capture.

Finschhafen, Satelberg, Sio

Halting only to reassemble, the division embarked for another amphibious operation. This time Finschhafen was the destination. Again the 20th Brigade was the spearhead, making the initial landing and establishing a beachhead, alone. The Japanese were better prepared this time and the landing on "Scarlet Beach" was the scene of much bitter fighting. The arrival of the 24th Brigade stabilised the position. The 26th Brigade followed and took up the attack. The Jap was driven from his strongholds at Satelberg and Wareo and along the coast till Sio was captured when the 9th Division was relieved.

Another campaign finished

Signals had accomplished another job. Under trying conditions, communications had not failed. A pleasant surprise was the efficiency of wireless which, despite preconceived rumors, had proved highly efficient. The linemen were the real heroes of the campaign. Theirs was a heart-breaking lot but, willingly assisted by the D.Rs, cooks, batmen, drivers and operators, they never failed. The 24th Brigade Signals Section was unlucky. Losses were one out of every six men killed and others wounded.

Prior to this latest campaign, Signals 9 Aust. Div. were honored with several decorations. Two commanding officers Lt-Col. Veron and Lt-Col. Campbell - received the O.B.E. Major H. H. Woodford also received this Order while commanding No. 1 Company. Lieut. A. H. Dixon was awarded the M.B.E., Sgt R. W. Anderson the B.E.M., Signalman T. McAllister the D.C.M. and CpI R. Langsford and Signalman J. Trinder the M.M. Several officers and men were also mentioned in despatches.

REFRESHING BONEGILLA
A VERY Important Person called into the camp switchboard where a very efficient A.W.A.S. was doing a very efficient A.W.A.S. job. After watching her for a few minutes and struck by the expert way she handled the plugs, he murmured aloud: "Have you ever been to Bonegilla ?"
There was a ghastly silence in which you could hear a shutter drop. She was frozen into immobility, her mouth opened and a look of horror spread across her attractive face. The plug in her hand never reached the Jack and the lights flashed, but still she did not move. The V.I.P. broke the spell, "Well, I suppose there is no need for you to go there." She broke into life again, the plug completed the call, a smile regained countenance on her face and the subscribers stopped muttering curses. This is all very sad. If one says to a "Tommy" of the Royal Corps of Signals, "You are going to Catterick," he (or she) does not burst into a cold sweat and apply for a discharge. To the "Tommies", Catterick is their home - the cultural and spiritual home of Signals. Bonegilla in its attractive surroundings on the Upper Murray alms at the same ideal. Every arm of the service must have its depot; every commander must have a reserve and so Bonegilla is the reserve for the Australian Corps of Signals. There are trained efficient signalmen and women. Additional attractions are provided in 'the form of congenial companionship, free dances, pictures, an attractive countryside, swimming in the weir in summer and the sight of snow on the not so far distant hills in the winter. While the A.I.F. was in the Middle East, Signals training depots were established in both New South Wales and Victoria. Their locations moved from time to time. For instance, the depot which was established in Liverpool and the Sydney Showground moved to Greta, back to Sydney and then to Tamworth. The Victorian depot travelled between Albert Park, Caulfield, Balcombe, Bonegilla, Bendigo and then back to Bonegilla. It is recorded that it was moved nine times within Bonegilla itself. Upon the return of the A.I.F. to Australia, it was decided to form a central Signals training battalion at Bonegilla and under the command of this depot were placed the L.H.Q. School of Signals (from Casula) and a combined Signals training battalion made up of I Aust. Signals Training Bn (M.E.) and the two training depots already in Australia. At later dates, the A.W.A.S. Signals training centres at Ingleburn and Ivanhoe moved into Bonegilla and were amalgamated to form 2 Aust. Signals Training Bn (A.W.A.S.). At a later date 2 Aust. Regimental Signals Training Unit also moved to Bonegilla and the "family" was complete with the arrival of the Signals Wing of the Second Army Junior Leaders' School. The powers-that-be at Bonegilla only boast of three alms - to refresh you in your Signals trade or to upgrade you to a higher one, to train you in the shortest possible time, and to clear up your leave and send you to a unit at the earliest possible. There is only one proviso. Don't blame anyone if you get married while you are there because it sometimes happens in Bonegilla. Talking of Bonegilla, always good for a laugh are the farewell words of a cynic: "We shall always remember the flaming dawns, the flaming sunsets - and the flaming procedure."