ECHO OF THE WAR

Evening Star, Issue 19802, 28 February 1928, Page 11

ECHO OF THE WAR

OCCUPATION OF HEW GUINEA OFFICIAL DISCLOSURES Very few people are aware that a mutiny of firemen took place on board one of the transports carrying troops to German New Guinea at tho time when the Australian Expeditionary Force was on its way to Rabaul. This incident is one of the disclosures made in volume 1U of the 1 Official History ot Australia in the Great War,’ entitled ‘The Australians at Rabaul,’ by S. B. Mackenzie. The volume deals entirely with the operations connected with tho occupation of New Guinea and- the adjacent islands. When the transport Berrima arrived at Port Moresby on September 4, 1914, the Kanowna was already awaiting her. She had on board SUO troops hastily raised in Queensland as reinforcements lor the garrison of Thursday Island, which had been diverted to augment the force under tho command of Colonel Holmes. Colonel Holmes’s inspection of them showed that, 'while they were full of enthusiasm, the 'men were untrnind and badly equipped. On tho morning of September 7, when the transports, accompanied by their tenders and an escort of warships, left harbor, it aas found that the Kanowna was .falling back. Shortly afterwards she swung broadside on to the convoy aiid hoified tho “ out of control ” signal. On turning hack the Sydney found that the firemen had relnsed to stoke the boilers. To the intense disgust if the troops the transport was ordered back to Townsville, though the men cilored to act as slrokcrs. Colonel Holmes, however, took the view that in the circumstances the vessel might prove to be a hindrance rather than a help. Many of the men afterwards joined the A.I.F. and won distinction, but this scarcely compensated for their being deprived of the chance of being among the first Australian troops to meet the Germans. No mention was made of what punishment, if any, was received by the mutineers. Mr Mackenzie’s service in New Guinea from April, 1915, to December, 1920, as legal adviser to the military administration and as chief judicial officer for New Guinea, and for two terms as Acting Administrator; has given him special qualifications tor the work. He has taken pains to gather accurate and authentic information by collating German and Australian official documents, and personal statements from Australians and Germans who took purr in the operations; as well as drawing on private diaries and letters. Mr Mackenzie relates that on August C, 1914, two days after the declaration of war. the Imperial Government told tho Australian Government that “if it felt itself able to seize the German wireless stations at Yau Nauru and New Guinea it would bo of great and urgent Imperial service.” The proposal, which came as a complete surprise to the Commonwealth Government, originated in a recommendation of a snb-commit-tee of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Four days later the reply was sent to London that an expeditionary force of 1,500 was being organised to undertake the work. The Berrima left Sydney with troops on board on August 19. li'rom documents captured from the enemy it was ascertained that the Germans had formed tho impression that Australians would ho useless for bush fighting. It was rather an unpleasant surprise for them when they found how wide off the mark their surmise was. ft is, indeed, remarkable, not only that the Australian losses in the advance on the Batipaka wireless station were few, but that any of the force survived, in view of the fact that they operated in entirely unknown country and over mined roads against an enemy which was strongly entrenched. The Gormans were poorly supported by their native troops, hut the manner in which the Australians were led was worth of veteran and seasoned officers. Much interest attaches to the coinninmcatimrhetweeu Colonel Holmes and the German Governor (Dr Haber), which aro given in full. The strangest document of all is the proclamation in “pidjin” English announcing tho annexation which was read to tho natives. It is too long to give in full, but a few lines are sufficient to show its style and unusual phraseology. The opening sentences run:—“All boys bcl’onga one place, you savvy big master he conic now. lie new feller master, he strong feller too much, you look him, all ship stop place; ho small feller ship bclonga him. Plenty more big feller he stop place belongina him, now he come here he take all place.” etc. The proclamation closes with the words: “Me been talk with you now, now you give throe good feller cheers belongina new feller master. No more uni Kaiser. God save ’urn King,” Only a small part of Hie work is devoted to military operations. Air Mackenzie gives a clear account of the history of the German occupation of New Guinea, and of the administration following the Australian occupation. Not the least interesting portion of tho history is that relating to the assault on tho Rev. SV. H. Cox and the reprisals ordered by Colonel Holmes. Many of the details of the incident arc now made public for the first time. The lavish illustrations of the volume by photographs and maps adds greatly to its interest and value.