The Japanese in Milne Bay
This is an account told to us by James Watt, when he stayed at Napatana Lodge in October, 2006. James was in Intelligence at the time and later wrote the book, "61st Battalion".
"The Japs landed at Ahioma: they should have landed at Rabe. They landed 2300 troops and captured 12 of "D"COY 61st battalion and tied their hands behind their backs and used them for bayonet practice. One person, Jock McMillan, had 22 bayonets through him.
The Japs continued on until they reached Cameron Springs, where they met Lt Robinson’s platoon (20 soldiers). The Japs shot Private Whitton, the forward scout, then the 61st Battalion shot the 4 Japs - 100 Japs came around the corner and Lt Robinson fell back to KB Mission.
We ("B" Company) attacked the Japs three times that day and they attacked us at night time twice – always at night. They forced us back to the Gama River*. The 2/10th Battalion came through us at the Gama River, looking for the Japs towards Gama River. The Japs attacked with two tanks and killed 46 soldiers of the 2/10th Battalion and wounded 30.
The Japs then attacked No 3 Strip at night – first of all blowing a bugle to tell that they were coming across the No. 3 Air strip called Turnball Air Strip. We had 1000 troops waiting for them at the air strip. Later they decided to come across at about 3 am in the morning – we mowed them down. Then they decided to come round the right flank, where the 61st Battalion were waiting for them in a defensive position – they did not get far – Altogether of the 2300 that landed, we had killed about 900 – for the loss of 156 Australians. The Japanese tried to escape over the mountains to Taupota. 30 Australians killed 46 of them. This was the very first defeat the Japanese had during the Second World War."
*near Nawae Camp
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