Hello John,

Yes, I handled a few of those, fired a Owen and a Bren in Queensland during a familiarization instruction in about mid '43. The Aussies were good with them, NCO's and a few officers we were with carried them. Some of the Aussies carried Thompsons.

That Bren gun did it's bit as well, seemed to put them all in the same spot in short order, they had a trick that caught on, they could cut the top off a coconut palm with a Bren gun, dropping the jap it contained about 60 feet or so to the ground.

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All the Best
Jack

JR,

I've tried to sit down and answer your question three times now, I almost had it but things got the best of me last night, too many faces come with this one, this also has a reoccurring dream that goes with it.

A jap weather/radio transmitter/RDF relay station: locate, chart coordinates, no contact, observe, estimate enemy troop strength, report Island defenses, disrupt enemy operations if possible. 16 men, four rubber boats, mission time to rendezvous for force withdrawal 14 hours, two teams of eight. Enemy force estimate minimal.

Three hours ashore, team one located jap encampment, team two followed an inclined trail western end of island, located hut in clearing surrounded by four log poles with criss crossed wires forming an antenna array. No electronic equipment located, position abandoned. Team one advised on situation, reply reports 2nd jap encampment located, picking up transmissions North of 2nd encampment. Team two proceeds to North end of island, top of shear cliff face, operational transmitter located late afternoon, 3rd encampment discovered, enemy activity observed, large generator running.

I'll pick this back up in a bit,

Jack

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All the Best
Jack

Hi Jack, don't worry about it. If it's hard to answer a question, it's up to you. You know we'll understand. I don't want you to brainstorm this and possibly loose a good sleep and relive it in a nightmare, so if you do not feel comfortable with a question just skip it. We will all understand.

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Thank you Skipper,

I tried to write of that in third person, in the format of an after action report, no luck I'm afraid. Perhaps it's still too soon for some things.

Take care,
Jack

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All the Best
Jack

Sir, this time I'll veer away from the heavy stuff and ask you about something lighter.
I've read of memoirs of other veterans, mostly fighter pilots, talking about their escapades out of their airfields when they went on leave. Of their innocent shenanigans, they somehow managed to get away with a slap on the wrist.
In your unit or fellows, similar events must have occurred. Can you share with us a similar experience?

We understand each other Jack . Age and experience does not matter so much here, it goes beyond, age, generations, nationality etc... I guess it's just because I know you are a good person and that deserves my respect.

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Hi from northwest Iowa.
Jack, I heard a story that I wonder about. Could it have been possible in the jungles of New Guinea, in the night, to not know where one was at and actually awaken in a foxhole with a Jap soldier who was asleep as well? Or is that a stretch? I was told of it firsthand by a man who claimed it happend to him, and that he was lucky to awaken first.

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Have a great day!
Lefty

Hello Lefty,

I suppose most anything is possible. Sounds like a bit of a stretch, it does sound familiar I must say, I think I remember that told as German and British soldiers in a trench during the first world war.

Jack,

Yet another question, possibly hard to answer.

Overall, and perhaps specifically, how did the American and Australians get on, both during the quiet times and during combat. How did they socialise, how did they co-operate during combat and after it?

We both have heard of the 'Battle of Brisbane', and i wonder if the antagonism of the Australians spilt over onto the battlefield.

What was the taking of Buna like, where the two allies fought VERY closely with each other I believe?

Thank Jack,

John B.

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"I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". - Voltaire.

Hello John,

I got on quite well with Aussies, I even married one. Playing cards with Aussies for any sort of stakes was a lesson you only had to learn once.

Tough fellows, they were concentrated on Gona and spread out almost as far as Buna, while we were working our way to Buna beach from what was called the triangle, two men I knew personally from the 32nd, ended up with the medal of honor in that awful bloody place.

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All the Best
Jack

Just wanted to say thanks again Jack for all you are putting forth here. I know that sometimes this can be tough for you. As Skipper stated, we all understand. So, thanks again for telling us all these stories of your life!

I remain spellbound Sir! (i know Jack, but this moment called for it!)

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Scott

Hello Jack. Do you happen to remember what you did while home at this time?

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"Like so many of our people, we have now had a personal experience of German barbarity which only strengthens the resolution of all of us to fight through to final victory."-King George VI
"Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency; we are winning."-Colonel David M. Shoup-Saipan

Jack,
It seems to me that many moons ago I asked you which batallion or company of the 186th. you were in and if I recall you said you weren't sure. Do you have any documentation that might tell you? I recently confirmed my dad to have been in the 3rd batallion, company M of the 186th. Hope all is well with you out west!

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Have a great day!
Lefty

Yes. I just noticed you have not made any posts in near two weeks, now. Hope you are doing well.

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"Like so many of our people, we have now had a personal experience of German barbarity which only strengthens the resolution of all of us to fight through to final victory."-King George VI
"Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency; we are winning."-Colonel David M. Shoup-Saipan

My grandpa is in the hospital, he asked my mom if we could tell you for him.


Venessa

Vanessa, thanks again for letting us know about your grandfather.

Any of your Rogues who wish to comment on Jack's hospitalization, do it in his introduction thread so we can keep the all together.

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Best Regards,
JW

If you're like me you're holding your breath for Jack to return.

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Have a great day!
Lefty

I know what you mean Lefty. I'm here on business in LA and would love to visit him to let him know the Rogues of WW2F are thinking and praying for him!

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“The first lesson is that you can't lose a war if you have command of the air,
and you can't win a war if you haven't.” - General Jimmy Doolittle

Hello friends,

Back with the living again.

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All the Best
Jack

Welcome back, Mr. Jack!!

As you may see from the posts on your introductory thread, there will be many who are thrilled to see you back. I hope you are feeling better and shall continue to improve. I look forward to conversations to come!

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Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."