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A TRUE WAR EXPERIENCE

BY CORPORAL GEORGE PROLONGEAU


W W I I V E T E R A N , 1 5 T H A U S T R A L I A N -F I E L D A M B U L A N C E

Although I am 101 years of age, I still have vivid memories of the


push for Salamau.
We were in dense jungle area in the mountains of New Guinea when
Colonel Refshauge approached me and said “I am making up a front
line group of four to carry out  the work we do in battle.You will be
the Corporal, Smith the Sergeant and a Private with the Captain” (a
doctor  whose name I can’t remember). Within ten minutes we were on
our way,  walking  in a shallow creek alongside because the track was
too muddy. To my amazement we only went what appeared to be 150
metres when we came to a small clearing in the jungle.  It was then
that the Captain said, “I think this is where we start”.  Amazed I said
“Sir, there is no noise, no evidence of the enemy or troops”. I think he
was disappointed with my remark and said, “in the army you obey my
orders!” So we started to cut saplings and vines to tie together to
make a shelter and a workplace for any injured.
After about 10 minutes of being in the area, there was gun fire near by
and we took shelter for a brief period. The Captain had a pistol, the
Sergeant a 303 and the Private and I had machetes. Back to work ( I
happened to be approximately thirty metres from the others cutting
vines to tie) when suddenly to my amazement I was surrounded by
about 14 of our own soldiers with guns at the ready.  The Sergeant In
charge said in a stern voice ”what are you doing here?” He was not at
all impressed when I said, “I have as much right as you to be here”.
 He exclaimed, “No you haven’t! You are in a dangerous situation and
 there are only the scouts ahead of you.”  He then approached the
Captain and a lengthy debate and search revealed the disappearance of
the enemy.
The scouts revealed no enemy to be seen. Alarmed and cautious we
travelled with the troops, everything at the ready, but alas there was
no sign of the enemy who were apparently retreating at a fast rate.
After about three days we reached a clearing and were able to look
down at Salamau on the Isthmus. Having no further responsibility as a
medical  team we separated ourselves from the infantry and were the
first into Salamau when it fell from enemy control. Later that day an
anti aircraft - gun and staff appeared nearby. That evening we sat
down eating our evening meal and watching enemy planes attacking
Lae across the bay. We were joined by others from our unit and were
later taken off the Isthmus by ship at midnight without lights.

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