Successful and dramatic rescue of Indian Prisoners of the Japanese by the Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB), Sepik Party, in February, 1945.
Map associated with Lieut. R.K.Walls’ Kurringe op.
The Sepik Party under the command of Lieut. R.H. McColl, R.A.N.V.R. and assisted by Lieut. R.K. Walls, A.I.F. became aware that there was a group of Indians, prisoners of the Japanese, who were in dire need in Kurringe Village, in the vicinity of the Sepik River.
The intelligence regarding the state of these Indian POWs was gained by Lieut. Walls, and he was – “impressed with the necessity for succouring these Indian Imperial Troops as soon as possible in order to save lives, with all possible haste…”
A party consisting of: Lieut. R.K. Walls, Havildar Khazan Singh of 10/2 Punjab Regt. , 11 Native Police armed with Owen guns and 7 others with a variety of weapons including a Carbine, Bren gun and rifles, supported by 4 other natives with shot guns. All members carried grenades. The party also included 28 carriers.
On the 24th of January, 1945, this party arrived at Nunguaiia, a friendly village, as a staging post for the attack and rescue operation.
Early attempts to penetrate Kurringe failed owing to the flooding of the Screw River. Walls radioed for supplies to be dropped at Ndaina, a nearby village, and over the next couple of days, reconnaissance was secretly carried out on Kurringe.
Three so called Jap Captains were apprehended and interrogated at Nunguaiia, and some information was obtained which proved fairly reliable.
On February 2 & 3 rescue and attack operations were successfully carried out in the various parts of Kurringe Village.
This account is based on a covering note from Lieut. McColl to D.S.I.O. New Guinea with Lieut. Walls’ report of the Kurringe Operations, but I don’t have Appendices C & D which list the names of rescued Indians, and captured Japanese, but from what I can gather, 3 Japanese were killed and 4 or 5 were captured – one Cpl. Khawasakhi was killed while attempting to escape by Numbia, a Native Policeman. Nine Indians were rescued, some in dire physical condition.
In his covering note Lieut. K.H. McColl stated: “Attached herewith is Lieut. R. K. Walls’ report to me of his activities in connection with the rescue of Indians from Japanese hands at Kurringe. His plans for the project were very sound, and were carried out with commendable despatch, and were highly successful. I concur with his remarks regarding Havildar Khazan Singh of 10/2 Punjab Regt., who, in my opinion, is a fine soldier.”
Rabaul & Vunapope, 1941 (Photos taken by R.K. Walls)
1. The Cathedral – Vunapope Mission – Kokopo
2. Bishop’s Palace. The path is of powdered coral.
3.Central Administration Bldg Rabaul – note the sentry – native police – bldg. is discoloured by the dust.
4. The Rabaul Swimming Pool – Rabaul C. Coy in Capt Freddie Field and Pte Charlie Hilliard in foreground.
5. Supreme Court Building Rabaul.
6 .Carpenter’s House viewed from across the lawn – Bill McClemens and self ( Kevin. Walls) – A hill formerly in existence here was levelled for site of house and a valley filled in for lawns – all by native labour by hand.
7. The verandah – adjustable verandah blinds imported from America – practically everything else is an Eastern curio or treasure. Big bowl is of green glass half filled with water – purple flowers very tiny floating on top. Lt Crawford and self (Walls) in background.
Photo taken in 1941 by R.K.Walls
Click on link below:
CQMS Draper & Pte Bob Watts at Kabakaul Plantation where Aussies landed in 1914. Note plantation in the background & tinned beer in hand.
A rare beauty!
“I haven’t seen one like this about here. It is probably taken on one of the islands – none of the locals can approach the good looks of this girl.”
Kevin Walls
Rabaul, 1941
Scenes around Rabaul,1941
Photos taken by R.K.Walls.
For photos click on the link below:
https://deberigny.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/scenes-around-rabaul-1941.pdf
Japanese prisoners of war at Aitape in 1945
Click on link below:
https://deberigny.wordpress.com/japanese-prisoners-of-war-at-aitape-1945/
Kevin Walls’ photos 1941
Click on the link below:
https://deberigny.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/1941-photos-2.jpg
Photos from left to right:
1. Â Good example native hut – sides of coconut fronds – roof thatched with kunai grass
2. Â New Guinea Club
3. The Treasury Building, Rabaul
4. Snap through porthole of ‘Katoomba’ in Sydney Harbour en route to Rabaul
5. – outside the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Rabaul
6. Sgt. Walls & Lieut. Tolmer
7. Capt. Stockwell & Tommy Brannelly
8. Typical example of road around Rabaul
9. R.C. Church, St Xavier’s – possibly the only fence in Rabaul
10. New Guinea Club
For a informative account of Kevin’s (R.K.Walls) active service, I would suggest a reading of The Coast Watchers by Patrick Lindsay, published by William Heinemann Australia, in 2010.
Photos of Rabaul taken by R.K.Walls in 1941.
Click on the link below:
https://deberigny.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/rabaul-19412.pdf
‘Easter Monday Sports Day, 1941, Rabaul, Spectators – note Chinese girls’
Recently a number of photos, taken by the late Kevin Walls while he was in Rabaul in 1941 with the AIF, 8th Division, 2/22 Battalion, Lark Force as a Sergeant, have come into my possession, and gradually I’ll upload them on my blog with his comments.
New Guinea photos taken by R.K. Walls during the War
December 10, 2013 at 10:04 am (Commentary, R.K.Walls, Rabaul)
R.K. Walls, 1941
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