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.