Tagged: #dangerouslife

17 August 2024

Van Diemen’s Land – Damned Whores, Dispossession, Brutality and Rebirth

Do you really know where you come from?

On my mother’s side I was always told my ancestors left Kilkenny, Ireland around 1860. First to New Zealand then settling in the State of Queensland, Australia. In 1860 Queensland was an awful long way from Van Diemen’s Land, now the Australian State of Tasmania. Was my family connected to Van Diemen’s Land? And why flee Ireland seeking refuge in New Zealand?

New Zealand was still in a war, trying to steal the Country from the native Mauri people – surely Ireland was not that bad, that it was preferable to move to the other end of the Planet into a colonial war zone? Well Ireland was still suffering from the effect of several potato famine, about half the Irish had died or joined the diaspora seeking a future and survival abroad. But still New Zealand in 1860, there weren’t even many ‘Micks’ there!

Recently I started researching the ‘Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB)‘. In around 1858 British Army Intelligence had cracked open that Irish secret society. Another example of traditionally how experienced the British Army was at infiltrating insurgency movements. Though this time they had for years missed the growth of IRB operatives within their own British ranks. An underground Guerilla Army of around 80,000 formal recruits.

Off to Tassie seeking answers.

The British Army commenced a round up, local imprisonment and for some, transportation for life Down Under to Van Diemen’s Land. 1860, Kilkenny was a hotbed of Republican resistance. My Australian Catholic Irish family were still proudly republican down to those I grew up with. So, do I come from Fenian guerrilla independence resistance? Or terrorists in other’s views! Did my ancestors bolt to avoid the door kick in at dawn? Were they indeed rounded up and sent Down Under for their political views?

I’m not sure yet. So, continuing my personal journey of discovery, I’m in Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia’s early convict prison and about its most southerly European settlement.

If you’re ever Down Under pop down to Tassie. With a population of 570,000, ‘Tassie’ is indeed small. Yet that’s a good thing, small enough to suffer no vehicle or pedestrian congestion, large enough and old enough to be very interesting. Two of its primary assets are pristine wilderness and heritage.

Ghosts and spirits of Convicts passed.

But be warned it’s rather spooky! What with the spirits of dispossessed First Nations People and British Convicts – There’s many reasons for disgruntled spirits to seek some payback! But on this day, it’s a balmy 4 degrees Celsius with crystal clear sky: I’m ignoring the ghosts, instead pondering a temporal local spirit or two that would make a Scot say: “Those bloody Aussies can make a superb wee dram!”

The Author at Port Arthur, Australia's Prison Colony in Van Diemen's Land. — **Beautiful, yet cold day – Need some spirits to keep the Spirits at bay.**

Where is Port Arthur, Tasmania?

In 1866 an unwilling ‘tourist’ described Port Arthur as follows:

“To find a prison in one of the loveliest spots formed by nature in one of her loneliest solitudes creates a revulsion of feeling I cannot describe.”
Unknown Irish Political Prisoner

Tasmania, Australia, or until 1840, ‘Van Diemen’s Land’, is a beautiful place to this day. Tasmania is home to Port Arthur, one of Australia’s notorious convict prisons. Port Arthur is about as far South as European occupation in Australia – No land mass separates it from the South Pole, just a huge wild cold Southern Ocean. Consequently, Port Arthur can be bitterly cold and wet. Typical of Australia, Tasmanian suffers awful drought and is at risk of ravaging by bushfires. Indeed, the ruins you see in this Postcard are the consequence of bushfires from 1897.

Port Arthur is readily accessible by aircraft or a large vehicle ferry. I flew from my home in Queensland. It cost about $600 (AUD) return and takes 2.5 hours. The ferry from Melbourne, capital of the mainland State of Victoria immediately adjacent Tasmania, is popular, but first you need to get there, and second you need to cross the Bass Strait. Matthew Flinders proved the Bass Strait existed in 1798. Matthew quite rightly called the strait, the most dangerous water on the Planet.

**Port Arthur Australia’s Notorious Convict Prison.**

Van Diemen's Land the original name of Tasmania Australia. — **Van Diemen’s Land and Port Arthur.**

Why did Britain occupy Van Diemen’s Land?

The answer is simple – International politics! In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook will chart the east coast of Australia. He claimed it for Great Britain, ignoring the First Nations People who had been there for 60,000 years. The First Fleet of British ships arrived at Botany Bay, Australia on 26 January 1788 to establish a Penal Colony. But other Europeans had previously been eyeing parts of Australia, specifically Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania).

Explorer Abel Tasman discovered Tasmania in 1642, working under the sponsorship of the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. In January 1793, a French expedition anchored near Port Arthur, exploring the area for a period of five weeks. In 1802 and 1803, another French expedition explored the region adjacent Port Arthur as well as charting the area Lieutenant Matthew Flinders had previously named Bass Strait.

Britain could not tolerate such interest from France. Consequently, in August 1803, the Govenor of the mainland colony established a military outpost on the Derwent River, now Hobart the capital of Tasmania. Thus, Britian believed it had forestalled any claims to the island arising from the activities of the French explorers.

First Nations People and Tasmania.

Before the British arrival, there were an estimated 3,000 – 15,000 First Nation Tasmanians. Their population suffered a drastic drop in numbers within three decades, so that by 1835 only some 400 full-blooded First Nations people survived. Incarcerated in camps where all but 47 die by 1847. As on mainland Australia, introduced disease claimed thousands of lives. Starvation due to European’s decimating traditional food sources, seals and kangaroo – easy prey to gun powder weapons. However, an active genocide occurred as the trespassing British Government and a desire of settlers for land, simply destroyed the existing inhabitants of Tasmania.

A photo showing the last four Tasmanian First Nations people, who were the original inhabitants of Van Diemen's Land. — **1870 – The last four Tasmanian First Nations People.**

And what of the Transported Convicts?

By 1710 Britain decided to rid itself of the ‘Criminal Classes’, so they sent them to the future United States. The War of Independence closed that opportunity, so eventually Australia became the new destination. You don’t need to look far into transportation to see the rampant hypocrisy of the white Christian ruling class. For indeed this ‘Criminal Class’, were largely the agricultural workers, made redundant by the Industrial Revolution. Already living a subsistence existence laboring in the production of crops, the introduction of machinery made their labour redundant. Many fled to the big cities, but these opportunities working in mechanized factories only offered very long hours, barely subsistence wages, workplace danger, poor food, and a polluted, overcrowded environment.

The crimes of most convicts were petty by our standards: Stealing food, pick pocketing, and frequently amongst the women, stealing a hankie or scarf. So, whilst the Industrial Revolution created a new wealthy Merchant Class and boosted an existing Professional Class: Bookkeepers, architects, engineers, etc. – It completely destroyed a rural Working Class whose lives had not really changed much in centuries.

A drawing of 18th Century London - The Benefit of Industrialization. Many of these people would be sent to Van Diemen's Land. — **18th Century London – The Benefit of Industrialization.**

Convict Transportation Downunder – The first Convicts arrive:

26 January 1788, the First Fleet arrived in Australia, carrying 1400 people: Marines, sailors, civil administration, and free settlers, of whom 796 were convicts. The 600 male and 196 female convicts had languished after sentence locked in rotting old British ships. After surviving six months at sea, they found themselves on a foreign shore, most never to return.

We often imagine such convicts locked in our contemporary image of prison. But for these convicts, there were no prisons, they simply lived in tents or rough built huts. Not till much latter were prisons, which we would recognise, such as Port Arthur actually constructed. None too eager British Marines will provide security. The Marines themselves were a scruffy lot, for Britain’s Navy had taken the opportunity to also rid itself of troublemakers. Troublesome soldiers and marines will be a constant theme in the new colony. British officers, marines and soldiers will create Australia’s first and only military coup in 1808 when the Government of William Bligh, of Mutiny on the Bounty fame, is overthrown.

So, for many convicts, arrival in Australia meant open space, fresh air and at least some relative freedom. Sustenance will be a problem. The first colony will nearly starve until they learn to harvest the bounty of a new Country and what crops to grow. But we need to retain the context of where this ‘Criminal Class’ came from, risking starvation in Australia was perhaps preferable to starvation in their country of birth.

A painting showing British convicts arriving in Van Diemen's Land. — **Arriving in Australia – For many the worst was behind them.**

Van Diemen’s Land – Male Convicts go to work:

Food and shelter were the most pressing priorities. Convicts were quickly separated according to skill sets – farmers, fisherman, and carpenters being looked on favorably. Convicts in these categories, if they were well behaved, rarely spent time in chains, though the military guard was ever present. Punishment was harsh and brutal. Many convicts would have ‘interviews’ with the ‘Cat of Nine Tails’, the British Military flogging with a nine roped lash. For male convicts lacking such critical skills, having only their labour, days were spent in chain gangs, building roads, cutting and hauling timber. Always the marines were present and always the gangs were chained at the ankles.

A painting showing convict punishment in Van Diemen's Land, unskilled Convict Male Labour - The Chain Gang. — **Unskilled Convict Male Labour – The Chain Gang.**

And what of Convict Women?

Anne Summer’s 1975 publication, ‘Damned Whores and God’s Police‘, well describes the lot of Australia’s convict women. The first grouping is self-explanatory if not all that accurate. What of God’s Police? In the latter Anne was describing the outcome for many. In a male orientated colony, with at the social bottom: uneducated, unskilled ex-convicts, sailors and common soldiers, none of whom had any money let alone investment capital, versus a controlling hierarchy of comparatively wealthy, well-educated military officers, public servants and increasing privately funded settlers – wives were in big demand, the status quo hierarchy having the first pick.

Consequently, many female convicts, upon arrival, immediately were sent to established households as domestic servants. Not one day of the original sentence actually will be served in what we would recognise as prisons conditions. Servants quickly became lovers, carers of children from previous deceased wives, and then wives and partners in business, property investment and farming. They became ‘God’s Police’, upstanding morale defenders of Britain’s transported society. So, for many convict women, transportation Down Under provided opportunities and a quality of life they could never have attained in Britian.

Anne Summers excellent work on the foundational role of Women in Australia. — **Foundational role of Women in Australia**.

Van Diemen’s Land and Irish Political Prisoners?

40,000 Irish convicts were transported to Australia between 1791 and 1867. The most common offence was stealing and only 600 were transported for the ‘political’ crimes of treason-felony and mutinous conduct. The largest group arrived in New South Wales in 1798-1806, following the United Irishmen uprisings against British rule. The leaders of the brief ‘Young Ireland’ uprising of 1848 were convicted and sent to Port Arthur. In 1867, 62 Fenians (members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood) were convicted of treason-felony and mutinous conduct and were transported to Western Australia.

In our contemporary ‘enlightenment’ its perhaps difficult to understand that transportation, as opposed to execution, showed considerable leniency on behalf of Britain. By comparison the Easter Rising in April 1916, would see 16 Irish Republicans executed by firing squad by order of a British Military Court Martial. The Court was held in secret and none of the accused allowed defence representation. 3,430 were arrested, some held until June 1918, all without trial.

So, it seems there was considerable support in Mid 19th Century Britain, for Irish Republicanism, enough to pressure authorities to treat lightly those convicted of treason. This becomes clear when we look at the Young Ireland movement that found themselves in Port Arthur.

Port Arthur and the ‘Young Ireland Traitors’

William Smith O’Brien was the leader of the Young Ireland uprising. Convicted of Treason/Sedition, his death sentence was commuted to transportation to Port Arthur, after Petitions for Clemency were signed by 70,000 people in Ireland and 10,000 people in England. Upon arrival in Van Diemen’s Land, O’Brien and his three fellow traitors, were immediately offered a ‘Ticket of Leave’, effective parole and the right to live free in society. O’Brien refused and was imprisoned, well kind off! A small but quaint cottage was built for O’Brien. He latter accepted a Ticket of Leave, after lobbying from the local press.

A photo of O'brien's Cottage - Van Diemen's Land, now called Port Arthur, Tasmania. — **O’Brien’s Cottage – The lightest penalty for treason in British History.**

London’s hierarchy seemed not to appreciate that sending your unwanted, especially the troublesome Irish, too the other end of the Planet, was all well and good. But a ground swell of Irish Republicanism became established Down Under. Traitors like O’Brien were supported by the local newspapers, and off course a substantial part of society who were Irish and had themselves been transported. Both Irish Republicanism, and the tension between British Anglicanism and Irish Catholicism became a significant element in Australian life. I felt the tail end of it in the 1970’s. These days most Australians are agnostic at best, and more likely to fight over a Rugby League match.

In Search of My Own Beginnings.

Although I have not as yet discovered at Port Arthur a relative of political prisoner status. And I acknowledge it’s perhaps distinctly Australian, to desire to prove my existence stems from a common convict, let alone one transported for treason. I have found a likely suspect though in one John Walsh transported for the grievous crime of knicking six potatoes!

The Convict record of my Ancestor John Walsh - Potato thief! — **Convict # 26397 – John Walsh – Potato thief!**

John Walsh (Walsh is my Mother’s Maiden Name) was Roman Catholic and born in Kilkenny. At the time of his trial in 1852 there were 3000 Roman Catholics registered with the parishes in Kilkenny. My own empirical experience of living in a rural town of 10,000, proves that if you share a surname, well your definitely related.

This is simple conjecture on my part, but it’s possible that this is where my journey as an Australian started. If nothing else John serves as an example of the humble foundation stock from what successful Countries are often made. Just imagine – Dispossessed by the Industrial Revolution from your simple life of agricultural labour, watching your loved ones starve and die as yet another potato cropped failed, and then sent to the arse end of the world for knicking a few dollars’ worth of spuds!

Conclusion – Lesson’s from Van Diemen’s Land:

If you don’t know where you have been, how can you navigate the future:

Despite harsh punishment if caught, some convicts did escape, but there was nowhere to run. Tasmania still remains a largely wild natural place full of dangerous snakes, wombats, Tasmanian devils, wallabies and other abundant wildlife and edible flora. But knowledge and tools are required. Escaped convicts had little such survival know how. Many returned and accepted several dozen ‘interviews’ with the ‘Cat of Nine Tails’, solitary confinement and more years on their sentence.

Contemporary photo solitary confinement cell in Port Arthur. — **Solitary Confinement – Many simply went mad.**

Some were adopted by First Nations People, the legitimate owners and custodians of the Land. Who often had sympathy for escaped convicts, from a safe distance they had seen how British Authorities brutalized, they did not like it. I can’t help but wonder just who were the ‘savages’?

Those convicts became the genetic seed pool of contemporary Australia. Yet we tried for generations to erase the ‘Convict Stain’. However, from around 1950 a new view emerged. Today convict heritage is quite a badge of honor – Yet another quirky Australia cultural tradition. And contemporary Tasmania?

Well, I’ve eaten amazing ‘Goat Curry, Garlic Naan, and Rice’ at a crappy shopping mall in one of Hobart’s poorest neighborhoods. Saturday brunch – ‘Persian Lamb, Mint and Yogurt Turkish Wrap’, accompanied by Chilean Tempura Mushrooms. And one of the best Vietnamese Pho and BBQ Crispy Pork in a cheap student cafe.

From such beginnings, Nations can rise and seek something better. What will be required? Knowing where you’ve been, accepting it and making a choice to proactively embrace change, and acceptance of all.

RIP those poor bloody British Convicts!

Reluctant heroes – Hate, compassion, daring, Kokoda and Cannibalism

Military History / Time Travel Modern History

21 January 2024

Reluctant heroes – Hate, compassion, daring, Kokoda and Cannibalism

Let me introduce two reluctant heroes, Private George Whittington and Raphael Oimbari. Raphael and George met in 1942, they would have preferred not to. This Postcard tells the story of men such as these. A story in our troubled times I believe it’s worth remembering.

Reluctant heroes - Raphael and George on the Kokoda Track, WW2, New Guinea — **Reluctant heroes – Raphael and George on the Kokoda Track, WW2, New Guinea**

39th Militia Battalion- very reluctant Aussie heroes.

George was part of the 2/10th Australian Infantry Battalion, professional soldiers, who relieved the decimated reserve 39th Militia Battalion, who had slowed the Japanese advance down the Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea in 1942. George though shot in the face, survived, but died in 1943 of scrub typhus.

Both George and Raphael were reluctant heroes. George is a representative of all the young Aussie men, whose fight, wounds, and death on the Kokoda Track became legend. Raphael, the thousands of Papuans who carried wounded Aussie boys out of the bloody combat, back to the comparative safety of Port Moresby. What is a reluctant hero?

How do you recognize a reluctant hero?

Don’t take my word for it. I’m a notorious tale spinner and bull shit artist. So, in respect to yourself the reader, as follows a quote from Jessica Morrell who actually knows about such things:

“A reluctant hero is a tarnished or ordinary man with several faults or a troubled past, and he is pulled reluctantly into the story, or into heroic acts. During the story, he rises to the occasion, sometimes even vanquishing a mighty foe.”
Jessica Morrell in ‘Bullies, Bastards and Bitches’.

Why my interest in legitimate heroes?

I remain interested and proud of the Aussie reluctant heroes. National heroes create national myths. Such concepts are important to a Countries identity. Maintaining their legacy will require honesty, transparency and integrity. National mythology remains a consistent theme of my pondering Postcards. ‘Bastard Horses and Scared Young Men’, explores this further. Primarily because they typically are ordinary people, people who eventually say: ‘Enough, I don’t like what’s happening, I’m going to stop it”. I’m also very cynical about ‘classic heroes’, that some politicians pretend to be, that pretend they are our salvation, that they by stint of their ‘specialness’, can make things better. Sounds like bull shit to me! But, genuine classic heroes, well we are going to meet one of those, but also a small group of reluctant heroes. Firstly, a little time travel back to 1942 and the Kokoda Track:

Where the hell is the bloody Kokoda Track?

The Kokoda Track runs over the rugged steep inhospitable Owen Stanley Range, Papua New Guinea. Which in 1942 was an Australian protectorate and had been since the opening days of WW1 when Australia destroyed a German garrison in occupation. Papua had been a German colony from 1884 till 1914.

The Japanese Imperial Forces sent a naval force to seize Port Moresby, the capital of Papua, a strategy designed to separate Australia from the United States. However, subsequently Japan received a beating in that Battle of the Coral Sea. Inconsequence their second option prevailed, a force march over the Own Stanley Range.

Map of the Kokoda Track. In 1942 Australian and Papuan New Guineans, fought the Japanese Imperial Forces. It's a story of reluctant heroes. — **Kokoda Track – Bastard of a Place.**

Kokoda – What a bastard of a place!

The Kokoda Track was 150 kilometres of hell! Even today, with modern light backpacks, structured trails and professional guides – 10 days, and that’s only one half, Ower’s Corner to Kokoda. The rainforest is thick, dark, steep and impenetrable, a soldier wandering off 5 metres to relieve his dysentery, risked not ever finding his mates again.

Compared to the great land battles of WW2: Kursk, Alamein, Guadalcanal – Kokoda was a skirmish. A skirmish that killed 625 Australian, 10,000 Japanese boys, and an unknown number of Papuan New Guineans. Kokoda descended into a clash of cultures. A relatively new Australian society, versus a centuries old Japanese culture of martial pursuits. And the poor bloody local Papuans found themselves smack in the middle.

Kokoda was fought with rifle, pistol, bayonet, machine guns, small mortars, fists, and teeth. There were no tanks, no air support for resupply or evacuation – No Australian artillery to break up Japanese attacks, yet somehow the Japanese had manhandled their own artillery up there! Another aspect of Kokoda, complete underestimation of the professional Japanese Forces: We would more aptly call it racism!

Death, torture and yes, the human taboo – cannibalism!

Kokoda displays all the horrendous, horror of men at war: Death, mutilation, hunger, sickness, disease, murder, rape, torture and yes, cannibalism.

Cannibalism! Though the men of the 39th had no delusions about war, they knew it was not ‘cricket’. But they were totally unprepared for the Japanese culture of war. In the crisis of nearly being overrun, a group of Aussie wounded were left behind to the tender mercy of the Japanese. A counterattack drove the Japanese back, the 39th discovered all their mates had been tortured as bayonet practice, slain and then some eaten. Kokoda was a clash of cultures, much like Ukraine and Russia. Kokoda’s fighting had no limits, no pity or compassion – There were few if any POWs on either side after that episode. 10,000 young Japanese boys marched down the Kokoda Track towards Australia. Only 600 would ever see the Cherry Blossom in Japan ever again.

23rd July 1942, the Australian 39th Battalion first contacted the might of Japan at Awala, small extremely remote village on the Kokoda Track. The American Fleet lay smashed at Pearl Harbour, Singapore had fallen – All seemed lost and dark. Japan was rampaging toward Australia – In their way the 39th – A Bloody Rag Tag Bunch of Reluctant Heroes!

39th Militia Battalion – Boys and old men, reluctant heroes all.

The soldiers of the 39th were part time reserve soldiers, some only just 18, many were well past 60. Australia introduced conscription in 1939, but it only applied to the Militia, the professional Army remained all volunteers. Militia members often joined the permanent Army, many didn’t. Some of the 39th had been passed over by the regular army. Too old, broken down, misfits, hopelessly unfit, lame, crippled, lacking fighting spirit, and reluctant. Fighting in Australia was one thing, but Africa no thanks, see the Militia could not by Law be sent outside Australia. The Lads had seen what WW1 did to their fathers and uncles – War was no longer some grand adventure. Understandable reluctance, yes!

Then some bright politician had an idea. If Papuan New Guinea was an Australian protectorate, well pretty much part of Australia – Off to Papua it is then lads!

So, the lads found themselves crawling and scratching up Kokoda, very little training – a few rounds through a 303, old weapons as befits ‘simple’ reservists. Clad in highly visible khaki uniforms in a sea of dark green – It really was a desperate measure! Australia’s professional army, Australia’s Imperial Force (2AIF) was fighting in Africa, would take time to ship them back. Assuming we could get around Winston Churchill, he did everything he could to block the return of the AIF.

So, there we are, reluctant heroes in place, in hell on earth and all hell is about to let rip.

How did the Australian Government lead such reluctant heroes?

The answer is not very well, well certainly not at supreme command level.

General Douglas Macarthur was the supreme allied commander based Down Under. Had been since the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbour and Douglas’ abandonment of his own troops in the Philippines. The US decided it needed an unsinkable aircraft carrier – What about a little place called Australia?

Winston Churchill did not help. Winnie, you said Singapore was invincible, now we are about to be overrun by some very brutal effective lads from the Land of the Rising Sun – We like our own land of glorious sunset plains and vision splendid, thanks a lot! And as for knicking our AIF because of some equally effective German Panzer commander in Africa – Might just call Washington.

United State General Macarthur became supreme commander in Australia in World War 2. He was no reluctant hero, you just had to listen to him say how brave he was! — **US General Macarthur – All mouthy corn cob, no trousers!**

Two Generals with big heads – But NFI about Kokoda.

Macarthur was all corn cob and personal self-seeking puffery – Just perfect for his aspiration to be the next US President!

Macarthur broke the cardinal rule of warfare, know your terrain. Douglas infamously said of Kokoda:

“It’s just like Leonidas the Spartan, at the Pass of Thermopylae, two old *iggers with shot guns could hold it.”
General Douglas Macarthur. Description of the Kokoda Track.

I’m sure Australia’s Prime Minister John Curtin, wished the British War Cabinet under Churchill was still in charge. But John has another blow hard to contend with, Australian grown, Field Marshall Sir Thomas Albert Blamey.

Australian Field Marshall Blamey WW2. Also, no reluctant hero, he always told you how brave he was. — **Thomas Blamey, another blow hard.**

Field Marshall Sir Thomas Albert Blamey, the Australian, supreme Australian commander, under ‘Old Corn Cob’, well he had no more idea of the horrendous conditions our reluctant heroes were facing at Kokoda. Not sure what ‘Field Marshall’ signified as he certainly knew nothing about the ‘Field’ of Kokoda, and little of infantry tactics.

Thomas said of the 39th:

“You ran like rabbits, remember it’s the rabbit who runs who gets shot, not the man with the gun.”
Field Marshall Sir Thomas Albert Blamey

Blamey was describing the 39th’s simply brilliant series of textbook tactical withdrawals, more of that soon. Thomas thought he could run Kokoda from Army HQ, Brisbane. Some 2000 kilometres away, an awful long distance in 1942. Thomas did more brown nosing, than nosing around such that he had appropriate knowledge of the Kokoda logistical obstacles.

Kokoda and Legitimate Leadership.

In Blamey it is hard to imagine a worst leader to be in charge of Aussie troops, However,

At the front the 39th were led by NCO’s and Officers who were simply first class. They really were ‘Dad’s Army’, veterans of WW1, they had reenlisted expecting to pass on their knowledge to their sons in boot camp. Another round of combat carnage was the last thing they expected. They lead from the front, statistics prove that. -Officer and NCO casualties were 15 times higher than in Africa fighting Rommel. If they were reluctant, they did not show it. Men like Colonel Ralph Honner who took command of the 39th, replacing the previously killed CO.

Colonel Ralph Honner lead Aussie Troops at Kokoda. He was far from a reluctant hero. — **Shakesperean Drama on the Kokoda Battlefield.**

So how did the 39th Perform:

From the first contact on 23rd July 1942, The 39th could not possibly block the Japanese, so they fought a series of textbook tactical withdrawals back to the Village of Isurava, where on 26 August 1942 the full-time professional soldiers of the AIF started to arrive and fill in their depleted ranks.

Together the 39th and the AIF continued their tactical withdrawal, until on the 05 September 1942 the 39th were relieved – All remaining 185 of them.

**39th Battalion – Scruffy, Knocked about – Not Beaten!**

The AIF dug in at Imita Ridge on 18 September 1942, the planned last stand, there would be no more withdrawal. But the Japanese were defeated. But there were no words for ‘retreat’ nor ‘tactical withdrawal’ in the Japanese Imperial Field Manual – They were simply instructed to ‘Advance to the Rear’.

No casual withdrawal, as the AIF chased them all the way back to Gona.

So, what was so heroic about the reluctant heroes of the 39th?

There are no recorded grand classic heroic actions by the soldiers of the 39th. But their big brothers of the AIF, at Isurava, they displayed plenty of that. Take Charlie McCallum’s action in covering the withdrawal of 39th and his own mates from the AIF:

“Charlie had already been wounded three times when his platoon was ordered to withdraw just as the Japanese were about to swamp their position on the high ground at Isurava. Charlie held and fired his Bren gun with his right hand and carried a Thompson submachine gun in the other hand. When his magazine ran out on the Bren, he swung up the Tommy gun with his left hand and continued to cut down the surging Japanese as he changed magazines on the Bren. When the Tommy gun was empty, he used the Bren gun again, and continued his one-man assault until all his comrades were clear. When he knew his mates were clear, Charlie fired a final burst and calmly moved off back down the Track.”
Extract from Charlie’s Victoria Cross nomination.

The Teamwork of heroes.

The 39th’s heroics were typically not of the individualistic self-sacrificing type, though there was plenty of that. Theirs was one of teamwork, the ability to learn fast and adapt in life-threatening, soul-destroying conditions. The fact that they mastered one of the most complex of infantry manoeuvres, the successful tactical withdrawal, and kept it over 7 weeks is quite remarkable – Many of these men had not even fired a 303 rifle until the voyage to Papua.

On the evening of the Japanese attack at Isurava, a Platoon size group of 39th seriously wounded had been sent, in the care of Papuans, back along the track to Moresby. On hearing the escalating din of battle from Isurava, the platoon about turned, hopped, crawled and staggered back to rejoin the fight. One had no foot, the other a bullet in the throat, and a third a forearm blown off.

One of the young 39th soldiers said:

“We never did it for King and Country – Fuck that. We did it because the 39th expected it of us.”
Unidentified digger of the 39th.

Lost, crippled, and bloodied – Not so reluctant heroes now.

Four days prior a 39th forward patrol had been driven off the Track by Japanese units surging on Isurava. Surviving the murderous, groping jungle, they emerged back on the Track.

Their Commanding Officer Col Ralph Honner described what happened then:

“It was enough to make a man weep, to see those poor skinny bastards hobble in on their bleeding legs. On hearing of the news that the 39th and AIF were fighting for their lives at Isurava. They turned and hurried off back up the track to Isurava, as fast as their crippled feet could carry them”.
Colonel Ralph Honner

Shakespearian elegance in the jungle of death.

How did the 39th perform? Strewth, all bloody rippers!

Col Ralph Honner, with much more Shakespearian elegance, addressed the last parade of the 39th on 05 September 1942:

Lt Col Ralp Honner’s address has understandably become a significant event in Australian nation building. The Australian made 2006 movie ‘Kokoda’ brilliantly and tear jerkingly recreates this address in the short extract.

The End of Reluctance:

May we never forget that common ordinary men can do extraordinary things. They can beat the odds.

Yes, we need classic individual heroes, men like Prime Minister Churchill, and President Zelensky – People who inspire us to keep going. Men and women who would rather stand against evil then hitch a ride away from danger.

But, more than ever we need everyday heroes, people prepared to stand up and resist oppression, evil and all the crap things in our world – Even if they start out somewhat reluctant!

Lest We Forget.

Military History

14 January 2024

Mongrel Warriors – Les and Bill the Bastard: Tough Buggers!

Bill the Bastard and Les - Aussie mongrels fighting a War. — **Bill the Bastard and Les – Aussie mongrels fighting a War.**

Let me introduce Bill the Bastard. You have already met my Uncle Les in my previous Postcard ‘National Myths – Bastard Horses and Scared Heroic Young Men’. Les was a country lad: riding, shooting, and living rough was part of his way of life. Leslie was like all Aussie Lighthorseman of the First World War, rough, tough, adventurous, brave, courageous – And that was the horses I am describing! Bill the Bastard was an Aussie War Horse, a Lighthorse Trooper. Les and Bill spent the War chasing Turkish cavalry around the Palestine Desert. Other Australian Light Horsemen were dispatched to the battlefields of Gallipoli and France. Their stories are accessible for reading through this provided link.

Mongrel Warriors - Aussie Troopers and their Horses of World War 1. — **Mongrel Warriors – Aussie Troopers and their Horses of World War 1.**

What a contrast. Turkish troopers represented the upper segments of their society, mounted as they were on highly trained thoroughbred horses. Australian’s troopers, Les and Bill, well they were the other end of the social spectrum. They had the characteristics required for success. What Australians will still describe as: “You gotta have some mongrel in you to succeed.”. By example, my previous Post, ‘Lawrence of Arabia and other Lying Bastards’, describes another adventure of the Australian Waler. You can read their story by following this link.

The language we speak is ever evolving, and a brief historical example explains this. At the 1066, English Battle of Hastings, we would not recognize the English, French, or German languages being spoken. The English of 1066 used words, and changed their meanings in a manner we would recognize. A ‘bastard’, who we know as William, was present at the Battle of Hastings.

Another right Bastard called Bill.

William the Conqueror, led the successful Norman Invasion of England in 1066, which changed the course of British history. British King Charles 3 is directly descendent from William, consequently the ruling British Monarchy actually took the British Throne by force of arms. Try doing that in Europe in 2024, without creating an awful fuss. The Pre-Norman English, preferred to call William ‘Bill the Bastard.’ Not all was wine and roses in 1067, England.

Jumping forward to 1914, the year Australia entered World War 1.

1914, the Aussie subjects of George 5, King Charles 3’s, Great Grandfather: Well, they had turned the ‘Kings English’ on its head. ‘Bastard’ had become a salute of honour, praise, and respect. Only Australian’s would take another country’s derogatory terminology, spin it, give it a completely opposite meaning. Aussie’s still do this. It’s origins?

Perhaps started with British convicts, those from the ‘back blocks’ of London, those transported to Australia for petty crimes. Such people created a coded language ‘rhyming slang’, intended to be their own, intended to confuse those in authority.

Definitely an Australian motivation for such colloquial language is in large part a ‘thumb your nose’ approach to those who get above their station. Australians still aspire to an egalitarian society where no man is king, and no man’s fine language makes him better than the rest.

Up steps ‘Bill the Bastard’! A horse who really represented this Australian Mythology of the ordinary bloke, being as good as the next, and capable of extraordinary achievements.

Australia’s War Horse – No they weren’t all called Bill.

Bill was an Australian ‘Waler,’ a War Horse. A Waler is an Aussie Iconic image: stout, ugly, tough, loyal, and resilient war horse unique to Australia. Troopers, like my Uncle Les, consider them mates. Bill had his origins in the English Thoroughbreds and Arabs the English Government shipped Down Under, along with an awful lot of Convicts. This was a tough new land; no fine English blood line would cut it. After introducing some ‘mongrel’ blood from South Africa and Timor: Bill appeared. A tough new breed, just the thing for: Beating the toffs at the Local Races, pulling the wife and kids in a buggy to Sunday Mass, riding to the pub: And fighting a war!

Bill fought in and survived the Battle of Romani 1916. He and his rider, raced through Turkish gunfire to collect four wounded Aussie Troopers. Two wounded troopers climbed up in the saddle behind the rider. Bill’s stirrups each supported another. It was fortunate for all, that the Turkish soldiers were consistently poor marksman. Bill galloped 1.6 miles back though soft sand, with Turkish rifle fire cracking around their heads.

This old horse was tough, he was a ‘Ridgee didge ewe beaut Bastard!’

**Bill the Bastard rescues five Australian soldiers.**

Bill, the now tired old bastard, had earned his rest. Withdrawn from combat, he worked on Gallipoli, retrieving the fallen bodies of Aussie and Turkish boys. He retired on a farm in Gallipoli, and now rests in a marked grave with other fallen heroes. Bill has not been forgotten and recently a large bronze statue has been created in his honour.

How these Australians bastardize the King’s English.

(Another diversion to discuss Australian slang. I did warn in 'Time Travel and Me' of my unapologetic Aussie voice. The Aussie use of the derogatory 'Bastard' is the finest example of what my Countryman have done with the King's English. As follows a famous quote to illustrate)

(During the 1932-33 cricket test between England and Australia , English captain, Douglas Jardine, walked into the Australian dressing room to complain about being called a bastard. The Australian captain asked his team):

“Which one of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?”
Bill Woodfull, Australian Captain

Bill and Les – Leadership lessons.

What is the point of this Postcard? It’s a ripping good yarn. National Myths, Values and Ethos develop and are sustained by such yarns. Language changes and morphs with time and context. Another reason explaining my interest in Time Travel, or the study of history. And,

It is a Leadership Lesson, about the risk of underestimating the underdog, the rough trade, low breed, back blocks stock, non-establishment types: They are often the heroes!

And, if it is just a good story, you can find ‘Bill the Bastard’ by Roland Perry, on ABE Online Books, for as low as $3.60 AUD, bloody good read about a real tough bastard!

A book about Bill the Bastard, tough Australian War Horse.

War in Australia – Death, hate, violence, innocence – Clash of cultures

Military History / Postcard Snippets / Time Travel Modern History

13 January 2024

War in Australia – Death, hate, violence, innocence – Clash of cultures

(This Postcard is one of my 'Postcard Snippets' range. Intentionally abbreviated, little more than introductions to a complex subject. Often, they first appeared as spontaneous Posts on Facebook or LinkedIn, sometimes on the anniversary of a historical event discussed therein. I provide links and suggestions to the interested reader so they may follow the bouncing ball and discover more about the endlessly fascinating stories History and Time Travel expose.)

On the 7th of December 1941, Australia was at war with Japan. Both Countries commenced their catastrophic clash of cultures in the Pacific. Australia declared war on Japan, in consequence of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. That surprise attack awoke the sleeping giant that was the United States. It was however, along with the British Commonwealth, woefully unprepared for war. Japan had the upper hand as a result of preparation, recent combat experience, and shear bloody ruthlessness.

Then things changed as a result of two primary victories. Firstly, men such as though below, halted, reversed, and then drove the Japanese forces out of New Guinea. Secondly, in parallel with the first action, A combined US and Aussie fleet, defeated the Japanese Imperial Navy in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

One of my passions is Time travel, you may recognize it more readily as the study of history. Military history remains at the forefront of historical studies, above all because it contains so many lessons about the nature of humans.

Japan brings war Downunder.

23rd January 1942, Japan landed on New Guinea, approaching Australia via the Kokoda Track. After a year of brutal, ruthless, slaughter, where few POWs on either side were taken; on the 9th of December 1942 Japan began its withdrawal from New Guinea. But such withdrawal came with a problem. Japanese Imperial forces had no military order for retreat, they had never needed too or even drilled a retreat action. The commanding General had a pragmatic solution:

“Advance to the rear“.
General Tomitarō Horii

However, it was not that simple. Aussie men, men of my grandfathers and father’s generation, men just like those below, they weren’t having any of this simply walking away routine. Consequently, they chased the Japanese all the way out of New Guinea, well actually most Japanese boys stayed permanently, rotting in the ground.

Yes, typical of Aussie troops, what are scruffy lot! They might have been unkept, but when Australia was at war, well these blokes stepped up.

1941 multicultural Australia at war.

This photograph is historically interesting, because of the two issues it illustrates:

An Australian will recognize the multicultural mix we already were by 1941. First Nations, fair skinned Scots, olive skinned Italians and Welsh, light-built Angles and heavy-built Saxons – All Australian; and
For a Country caught with its pants down by the outbreak of war, well in barely more than half an Infantry Section, there are by 1942 standards, a predominant number of automatic weapons. 303 Bren Gun, jungle clearing sweeper, usually fired from the hip in advance, and supplying fire support in withdrawal. The .45 Thompson Machine Gun of 1920’s gangster fame, a heavy unreliable weapon, but critical fire power at close quarters in New Guinea’s heavy rainforest. Devastatingly effective when poked through the firing port of a once concealed Japanese bunker.

Scruffy Aussies at War.

“I saw an Australian step out of the jungle, naked other than a pair of torn shorts, firing a Thompson with one hand, he threw grenades with the other. I knew we could not defeat men such as these.”
A Japanese Warrant Officer

**Scruffy, naked, but effective Aussie Diggers.**

Australia at War – Lest we Forget, but please don’t celebrate.

On ANZAC day, Australians and New Zealanders stop and remember the sacrifice of men such as these. War is the worst form of human behaviour. As a result, war must always be the last resort. Of course, sometime wars of self-defense are the inevitable response to aggression. The Rules of War must be maintained, otherwise we many never find our way back to peace. It’s difficult to consider peace with an enemy, who invaded without provocation, and then rapped, pillaged, tortured and cannibalized their way across your Country. The alternative to war by rules is simply terrorism and inhuman brutality.

17,000 Aussie men like these, died in the War against Japan, 8,000 of these as starved, brutalized, tortured, and over worked prisoners of war.

10,000 Japanese boys marched down the Kokoda Track, New Guinea toward Australia – Less than 600 would ever see Japan again.

Fortunately, Australia and Japan are now close friends, as Australia is with Vietnam, after similar brutal combat. No holds barred enemies, don’t have to remain so, things can change, but both sides must make the choice.

Lest we forget out shared humanity in our present troubled times.

Travel Singapore

19 December 2023

Singapore Adventure – Crazy Exciting Negative Emotions

The author, Peter, loves travelling and adventure. This photo shows his backpack from his Army days in contrast to the backpacks he uses for contemporary travels. — **Backpacking for Adventure – Then and now.**

Negative Emotions Haunt Me.

Packing for my October 2022 Singapore adventure. Negative emotions haunt me, ghosts of my preparations, almost 20 years back, for one of the other great adventures in my life.

I had enlisted in the Australian Army at age 38. Why do something stupid like that?

I had wanted to enlist in 1979, Australia had only just extricated itself from the bloody war in Vietnam, my Country was giving shelter to refugees: War was fresh in our minds. My mother had endured my father’s 30-year military service, which had caused her great stress. She was also devoutly Catholic, and South Vietnam, a predominant Catholic country had just fallen to the ravages of communism, which added to her emotional stress. I did not want to break my mother’s heart by continuing the family military tradition, so, I became an Architect. But that urge and drive never left me. 2003, age 41, enlisted 3 years in, serving as an infantry soldier part time and volunteering for short term continuous full-time service: The Aussie Army was busy: Iraq, Timor-Leste – such things meant soldiering work for even middle age-old people.

It had been a long 3 years, undertaking study to achieve a commission from the Australian Royal Military Academy (Duntroon). Serious academic study are you serious! I am an Architect, it’s not that serious academically, I signed up to shoot and blow stuff up! Ok, I get paid to fire thousands of rounds through machine guns, sweet as Bro: What? You’re now telling me I have to hit a moving target at 300 metres, with just one shot! Sorry, Sarge can I ask, why you gave me an automatic weapon if I am only allowed one single shot? Ok, I will shut the F*ck up, and no I don’t want another arse hole, but I can’t even see that far! And, if I don’t qualify on that ridiculous task, twice a year I’m out!

Military Memories.

Oh yeah, long weekends, long weeknights, and regular trips away out to a month, but nothing like the last adventure. What was I thinking? Enlisted at age 38! Fat, heavy drinking, chain smoking over working Architect, then divorce. 20 years older than my Duntroon class mates. Dislocated shoulder from a horse-riding accident, lost me a year. First year was tough, how does one turn around a neglected body: Running, lifting, boxing, cold turkey on the smokes: And just digging deep most of the time. So,

Age 41, off on a two-month adventure, my last combat course: Hopefully, the Queen, would see fit to offer me the Commission I had wanted at age 17. How did I feel?

Nervous: What am I doing? Why? This is going to be a shear nightmare! Apprehension. Going to miss my family. Fear, yes! Little sleep, disgusting food and let us not think about the academic stuff. Face it, you are no ‘Rocket Scientist’ nor the sharpest tool in the shed! Ironically,

Welcome to the ruling Class.

I actually had a mate at Duntroon, who was doing his PHD in Rocket Science! See, I was a working-class boy from a working-class town, educated at a working-class Catholic School, I did not even go to University, I completed my architectural degree part time at a technical college in the evenings. My peers at Duntroon, many of them: Well, let me just say for the first time I met the ruling class. Sons and daughters of Generals, Senior Officers, Politicians and Corporate Titans, realization that indeed some people start life with one foot up the Journey of Life ladder. An awful lot of fire power to open doors for you. However,

Egalitarian Australia saves me.

Fortunately, Australia still holds onto to its desire for egalitarianism, embraces meritocracy. There were just as many from the back blocks, and every race, colour, and creed: It really represented contemporary Australia. Generally – Merit, drive, and determination had been their entry ticket.

So, yes 20 years previously I was far from excited – Negative emotional overload, definitely!

What else am I pondering?

Travelling companions.

Well, looking at my old once best companion: My standard Aussie Army Backpack and Combat Webbing. Like a shell to a tortoise, it had been my bedroom, kitchen, pantry, wardrobe, protection, and shelter. Contrasted with my Singapore kit: I think what a load of crap! All soldiers will tell you, check your kit, remember your government had it made for the lowest possible tender price. Check, check and check again.

What of my new adventure to Singapore?

Excited cannot describe it! Every corner I turn will be new, fresh full of opportunity. At age 60 it is so important to avoid physical and mental staleness. The narrow mindedness of age and experience. Mark Twain, writing in 1880, captured my feelings:

A photo of United States author Mark Twain. Twain was a prolific adventure traveller. He recommends in the quote that travel is a antidote to prejudice and bigotry.

So, what about my adventure of 20 years previous, what happened?

Smirking your way through life.

**If in doubt, well smirk your way through life!**

Well, I passed my course, never had to reset any academic subjects. The old corpse stood up pretty well, though I lost 8 kilograms. Posted out as a newly printed Troop Commander to First Field Artillery. I remember doing an awful lot of smirking, which is really my message to the world, that I don’t take either myself or it very seriously.

But I moved on again after several years. Life changes! Was all that work wasted? Not really. I spent another 14 odd years Project Managing Defence Construction Projects. I had the time of my life, complex, tough projects, long, mostly satisfying hours, collaborating with incredible people: None of that would have happened without doing something really stupid, like enlisting at 38! Certainly, none of that would have happened if I remained a fat, heavy drinking, chain smoking over working Architect.

Every Journey requires a forward step.

Sometime, life requires a step into fear and the unknown. Opportunity seldom comes to the sedentary man. Ernest Hemingway captures it for me:

United States author, Ernest Hemingway, states in the quote, "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
Ernest Hemingway

What a journey Singapore will be!

Travel Indonesia

17 December 2023

Living Dangerously – Lies and Death in Indonesia

Living dangerously.

Ever had a Year of Living Dangerously? Did you enjoy it? Did it make you feel alive?

I have. It was great! Adrenalin is addictive. Sometimes you get close to Yoda’s advice, ‘Feel the Force Luke‘ or ‘Scared, you will be‘. But it impacts and hurts others, and it damages yourself.

Disappearing time.

The 1978 Christopher Koch novel, ‘The Year of Living Dangerously’, tells the tale of Indonesia’s 1965 descent into hell! The threat of communism became the fuel, which fired the dominant Indonesian families to fight for power, at any cost. It ended in a successful military coup, that still reverberates today. Alleged communists paid with their lives, it is estimated that 1 million were slaughtered!

I have travelled Indonesia extensively. It is almost impossible to have anyone speak of this period. Though, that may well be down to my notional attempt at speaking Bahasa Indonesian! It is known as the ‘Disappearing Time’, which perhaps explains precisely what occurred.

In pondering these events, I suspect that all is not as it seems. Did the victors slaughter their opponents in order to save Indonesia from totalitarian communism? Or was it all a ‘Big Lie‘, driven by an urge for self-seeking power and control? I’m sensing Deja Vu here.

Indonesia intrigue.

I am intrigued where Indonesia’s future lies. The Planet’s largest Muslim Nation. 275 million people can’t easily be ignored. How will their future process the events of 1965? Who, if anyone, will Indonesia choose to align itself with?

The 1982 Aussie film, of the same name, stars Sigourney Weaver and Mel Gibson. It is essentially a love story at many levels. Sigourney is excellent. Mel is, well Mel: Handsome and charming at his best. Mel was not always the bloated, loudmouth fool we have come to know. The 1980’s was a classic period of brilliant Australian Cinema, ‘Living Dangerously‘ is comfortable in that group.

Shadow and Light.

The movie expands on the theme, all is not what it seems, through the theme of traditional Indonesian puppetry. Ok, this bit’s ‘very arty’ yes, but it works cleverly, capturing, mood, shadows, danger and uncertainty. Indonesian puppetry, or correctly ‘Wayang Kulit‘, portrays human life through shadow and light, metaphors of evil versus good, the known, and the half seen. Given the dark forces at play during this period, the movie brilliantly uses this traditional art to echo the drama, love and violence. Shadow and light touches on Indonesian spiritualism, a subject I have previously written about, can be seen by clicking this link.

A photo of Indonesian shadow puppetry. This form of art has a tradition of criticizing Indonesian governments. The Year of Living Dangerously has been silently criticized through this art form.

So, the book and the movie are firstly informative and then entertaining. Best to read the book, then watch the movie. What’s to loose? : A romping good story if nothing else. Critical history not commonly known. An Indonesian National Mythology was created in 1965: And sustained the Coup, until it finally collapsed in 1998. I am also intrigued by, ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ of National Myth Making. And, no I’m not obsessed by Italian Spaghetti Westerns!

Ok, readable copies of the book can be obtained on ABE Books, an online international seller of preloved editions. Cost start at $3.00 US dollars. If you are into books, even if you are not obsessed like me, you should make ABE a friend.

Till next time. National Myth Making? Now there is an intriguing subject to ponder.