ECHO OF THE WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20337, 20 February 1928, Page 7

ECHO OF THE WAR.

OCCUPATION OF NEW GUINEA. OFFICIAL DISCLOSURES. Very few people are aware that a mutiny of firemen took place on board one of the transports carrying troops to Gorman New Guinea at the time when the Australian Expeditionary Force was on its way to Rabaul. This incident is one of the disclosures made in volume 10 of the “ Official History of Australia in the Great War,” entitled “ The Australians at Rabaul,” by S. B. Mackenzie. The volume deals entirely with the operations connected with the 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 500 troops hastily raised in Queensland as reinforcements for the garrison of, Thursday Island, which had been diverted to augment the force under the command of Coloncd Holmes. Colonel Holmes’s inspection of them showed that, while they were full of enthusiasm, the men were untrained and badly equipped. On the morning of September 7, when tho transports accompanied by their tenders and an escort ot warships, left harbour it was found that the Kanowna was falling back. Shortly afterwards she swung broadside on to the convoy and hoisted the “ out of control ” signal. On turning back the Sydney found that the firemen had refused to stoke the boilers. To the intense disgust of tho troops the transport was ordered back to Townsville, though the men offered to act as stokers. 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 ot being among the first Australian troops to meet the Germans. No _ mention is 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 for 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 part in the operations; as well as" drawing on private diaries and letters. Mr Mackenzie relates that on August 6, 1914, two days after the declaration of war, the Imperial Government told the Australian Government that if it felt itself able to seize the German wireless station at Yau Nauru, and New Guinea it would be of great and urgent Imperial service.” The proposal, which came as a complete surprise to the Commonwealth Government, originated in a recommendation of a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Pour days later the repiy was sent to London that an expedtionary force of 1500 was being organised to undertake the work. The Berrima left Sydney with troops on board on August 19.

From documents captured from tlie enemy it was -ascertained that the Germans had formed the impression that Australians would be useless for bush fighting. It was rather an unpleasant surprise for them when they found how wide of the mark their surmise was. It 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 Germans were poorly supported by their native troops, but the manner in which the Australians were led was worthy of veteran and seasoned officers. Much interest attaches to the communication between Colonel Holmes and the German Governor (Dr Haber), which are given in full.- The strangest document of all is the proclamation in “ pidgin ” English announcing the annexation which was read to the natives. It is too long to give in full, but a few lines are sufficient to show it style and unusual phraseolovv The opening sentences run: “All boys belongina one place, you savvy big master he come now, he new feller master, he strong feller too much, you look him, all ship stop place; he small feller ship belonga him. Plenty more big feller he stop pace 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 three good feller cheers belongina new feller master. No more 'urn Kaiser. God save 'um King.” Only a small part of the work is devoted to military operations. Mr Mackenzie gives a clear account of the history of the German occupation of New Guinea, and of the administration following the Aubtralian occupation. Not the least interesting portion of the history is that relating to the assault on the Rev. W. H. Cox and the reprisals ordered by Colonel Holmes. Many of the details of the incident are now made public for the first time. The lavish illustrations of the volume by photographs and maps adds greatly to its interest and value.