The detailed account of Australian Commandos in China during World War Two. This, the story of Australia’s first Commandos, is an epic of the war. Here is hardship and adventure, pathos and humour, suffering and excitement. It tells of the men who went to Malaya with the 22nd Brigade, then sailed to Burma to train under Britain’s finest Commando leaders. Escaping from the Japanese, they journeyed the length of the tortuous Burma Road, crossing China almost to the coast. Here they trained the Surprising Battalions, some of China’s crack guerrillas, and operated with them in war torn provinces. The became famous as the “Lost Legion of the AIF” – the boys of Mission 204. After almost a year of guerrilla existence, the survivors were withdrawn to Kunming and flew to India. They were allocated to Brigadier Orde Wingate’s force but were recalled whilst on leave and returned to Australia after two years in the tropics.Hard cover first edition world war ii, ww2, australian commando, australian special forces, australian special operations, world war ii australian operations in china

Brian Walpole, the author, was a Australian Commando and special operations operative behind enemy lines in New Guinea and Borneo during WW2. Brian was a commando with the Australian 2/3 Independent Company. He went to New Guinea in January 1943 and remained until the fall of the Japanese base at Salamaua in September. He fought on the Bobdubi Ridge. His commanding officer was the well-regarded George Warfe, whose portrait was sketched by war artist Ivor Hele. Brian blazed a trail through the New Guinea jungle which appears on some maps as Walpole’s Track, discovering and naming the ambush site Goodview Junction. Soon afterwards (July 1943) Goodview Junction was the scene of a key campaign victory which contributed to George Warfe being awarded the Military Cross.Brian’s Special Operations training mostly took place at Careening Bay (Western Australia) and Fraser Island (Queensland). He arrived in Borneo at the time of the 9th Division’s landing at Labuan Island, and took part in two SRD operations – Colt and Semut 3. After the surrender, Walpole's work continued as many of the Japanese did not recognise the surrender and continued to fight on. Brian relates how on the 14th of September 1945 while still an operative in SRD he was able to save POWs from certain death and after a firefight arrested 10 Japanese soldiers at Simanggang Borneo. He was alone and had been assisted in the battle by 20 headhunters from the jungles along the Rejang River. One of the people saved was a young nurse in her 20s, Lena Ricketts. ww2, australian special operations, australian commando, new guinea, borneo, world war ii

Deadly Secrets tells the engrossing true story of the Allied raids launched on Singapore in World War II. Laying many myths to rest, military historian Lynette Ramsay Silver, the author of The Bridge At Parit Sulong, outlines Operation Jaywick, which used a stolen Japanese fishing boat, renamed Krait, to attack Singapore Harbour. It also discusses the more ambitious raid; Operation Rimau.Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 464 pagesworld war ii, ww2, australian commandos, australian special operations, operation jaywick, operation rimau

This object was issued to William Donald Alsop for his service in the 2/10 Commando Squadron during the Second World War.This object displays Historic Significance through its connection with William Donald Alsop, his service in the 2/10 Command Squadron and World War Two.The War Medal 1939-45 is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has a lion standing on a fallen dragon. The top of the reverse shows the dates 1939 and 1945. The riband is 32 millimetres wide with a 5½ millimetres wide Army red band, a 3 millimetres wide navy blue band, a 6 millimetres wide dark green band, a 3 millimetres wide yellow band, a 6 millimetres wide dark green band, a 3 millimetres wide Royal Air Force blue band and a 5½ millimetres wide Army red band. The forests and beaches of the Pacific are represented by the dark green and yellow bands respectively, while the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, the Armies and the Air Forces are represented by the dark blue, red and light blue bands respectively.On front of medal, above the lion: 1939/1945 On reverse of medal, in a circle around the outside: GEORGIVS VI G. BR. OMN. REX ET INDIAE IMP:alsop, second world war, ww2, wwii, world war two, australian commando

This badge belonged to William Donald Alsop who served in the 2/10 Commando Squadron during World War Two.This badge displays historic significance through it's connection to William Donald Alsop, his service in the 2/10 Commando Squadron and the Second World War. This badge also has a strong provenance with paperwork proving its authenticity.Small metal badge depicting wings, rising sun, crown and anchorAcross the bottom of the badge: RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICEworld war two, ww2, alsop, commando, australian commando, second world war

Plans contain an array of aircraft, majority being from the Second World Warplans, ww2, second world war, mustang, commonwealth aircraft corporation, aircraft plans

Newspaper article reads - "Flamethrowers have a dual purpose for men of the AIF New Guinea - Above - an infantryman is burning out a Jap bunker during a successful attack on Mt Shiburangu in the Wewak area while At right - Pte T Nicholls of Bairnsdale (Vic) is shown using a flamethrower on mosquito-infested vegetation in the Maprik area. - Australian Official" Private T (Thomas) Nicholls of Bairnsdale - VX 80709 2/6 Aust Infantry Battalion Born 22/3/1923 Died 7/7/1945 buried at Lae Cemetery PNGCut out newspaper article containing two photographs with short story bottom left hand corner.Making it hot for the Japs - and the mosquitoes!flamethrower, new guinea, ww2, thomas nicholls, 2/6 aust. infantry battalion, lae

"Smoko" for guards with their mountsB & W. Two guards seated on stack of timber. Three horses in harness.internment camp guards, ww2, camp 13, army personnel, garrison guards, garrison horses

This item presented by the indigenious community to their local police officer on the the occasion of his joining the Armed Services in 1942 which resulting in his interment in ChangiUnique personal gift to this ServicemanLacquered wood hand made. Hand grip to rear"CENTRAL AUSTRALIA / 1942" RISING SUN Emblem at centre ("AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES") Pinstriping in silver and red.ww2, shield, central australia, police officer, storey, indigenous gift

Medals, replica, 5 mounted with ribbons. 1939/45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal.VX31174 W J Craigworld war 2, world war ii, world war two, ww2, wwii, 2nd aif

Circa. 1940Steel inside completeLetter ( W ). printed on front of helmet.world war two, second world war, ww2, steel helmet, warden helmet, warden

Japanese Good Luck Flag was given to a soldier and was signed by dignitaries,family and friends often with short messages wishing the soldier victory,safety and good luck. We understand that it was deliberately dyed blue as they had lost the war and surrendered. This flag may have belonged to -Mr Sueji KOMAGI or KOMAKI Silk Dark blue flag with Red sun in middle. Appears to have faded and may have been dyed blue at later stage. Has faded. Many Japanese markings, inscriptions on the front of the flag. See 'notes' regarding translation.Many Japanese hand written inscriptions on face of the flag.Red sun in middle of flag 45cm in diameter. Believe message from people (relatives/community ) To Mr Sueji Komagi or Komaki. world war two, second world war, ww2, japan, japanese flag, japanese good luck flag

Discharge certificate for VX77603 GNR Bernard Walter MAPLESONworld war 2, ww2, world war ii, wwii, discharge certificate, ras badge a323213

Pictorial record of incidents that occurred during both World WarsLarge Green Leather covered book with Gold Australian Coat of Arms on front.Reproduced from Official and other photographs of the two World Wars. Published under the auspices of the Board of Management of the Australian War Memorial. Contains Dedication - To the men and women of the Empire who in every hour of danger , face the storm … who in their willing sacrifice are bearing the brunt of a struggle for the peace and security of all peoples.world war 1, ww1, world war one, world war 2, ww2, world war two

00081.1 Cotton package containg shell wound dressing. October 1941 00081.2 Cotton package containing shell wound dressing Aprill 1944wound dressing,, field dressing, first aid, cotton bandage, world war 2, ww2

The Australian Service Medal 1939-1945 was awarded to armed Australian forces and volunteer defence corps for their service during WWII. Created by King Geroge IV, this was the first distinctive Australian medal in the British system of honours and awards.Medallion attached to a navy blue, light blue, red and beige striped ribbon. The medallion depicts an effigy of King George IV of Great Britain and the commonwealth with the words: "GEORGE IV S VI (obscured component) G. BR. OMN. REX ET INDIAE IMP" in relief on one side. The others side depicts the Australian Coat of Arms and the words: "The AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945".medallion, medal, australian service medal, service medal, ww2, world war two

This floatation bladder was made for survival whilst crossing rivers and streams. The device would have been inserted into clothing and the user would have blown air into the pipe. The pipe would have been folded in half and held in place to prevent air from escaping.Tough rectangular, flat, khaki coloured fabric and rubber bag. There is a rubber pipe at the top, right corner. There is a fabric flap at the base of this pipe which holds the pipe in a bent position. There are also inscriptions on the front/centre of the bag.The following inscriptions are at the front/cente of the bag, printed in red. The very last inscriptions ('M. KNAUSS') are printed in dark purple. 'BLADDER, FLOATATION, JUNGLE' 'THE B.F. GOODRICH CO.' 'CONTRACT W669QM21639 9-30-42' 'SPECIFICATION P.Q.D. 243' 'STOCK NO. 74-B-303' 'PHILADELPHIA QUARTERMASTER DEPOT' 'INSPECTOR______M. KNAUSS_____' floatation bladder, floatation device, world war two, ww2, wwii, second world war

Framed certificate awarded to Ernest James Bray of the Middlesex Regiment, in memory of combat in June 1940. dunkerque, dunkirk, ernest james bray, middlesex regiment, ww2, combat certificate

photoww2, officer, trench, aif, a.i.f, world war 1