Historical information
This is a set of 23 photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking tasks in New Guinea 1956 – 1957. The surveyors were employed in the establishment of mapping and geodetic control for Project Cutlass, the “Ship-Shore” survey of the New Ireland province. In this survey operation surveyors used theodolites to observe horizontal and vertical angles and chains to measure base line distances between survey stations. Bob Skitch shown in photo .7P was in the 2nd year of his career in the Australian Army. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and his last appointment was the CO of the Army Survey Regiment from 1976 to 1980.
Physical description
This is a set of 23 photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking duties during Project Cutlass located in New Ireland, New Guinea 1956 – 1957. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi.
.1) - Photo, colour, 1956. Surveyors travelling main road from Kavieng to Namatanai, New Ireland.
.2) - Photo, colour, 1956. Unidentified surveyors assessing recovery of their vehicle after bridge collapsed on west side of New Ireland.
.3) - Photo, colour, 1956. Unidentified surveyors assessing recovery of their vehicle after bridge collapsed over flooded creek on west side of New Ireland.
.4) - Photo, colour, 1956. Survey personnel L to R: Bev Uwins, John Lambie, Bob Thompson, New Ireland.
.5) - Photo, colour, 1956. Survey base camp, New Ireland.
.6) - Photo, black & white, 1956-1957. Geoff Helsham with possible human remains, New Ireland.
.7) - Photo, black & white, 1956-1957. Bob Skitch undertaking survey observations using Wild T2 theodolite, New Ireland.
.8) - Photo, black & white, 1956-1957. Chas Beach undertaking survey observations using Wild T2 theodolite, New Ireland.
.9) & .10) - Photo, black & white, 1956-1957. Kev Parker (cook) New Ireland.
.11) - Photo, colour, 1957. Brian Berkery taking a break, Top Manor Island, Lihir Island Group off New Ireland. Latitude -2° 46”, Longitude 152° 40”.
.12) - Photo, colour, 1957. Survey base camp L to R: Chas Beach, Bev Uwins, Feni Islands, New Ireland. Latitude -4° 05”, Longitude 153° 45”.
.13) - Photo, colour, 1957. A Hous Kiap. (Kiaps, known formally as district officers and patrol officers, were travelling representatives of the British and Australian governments), New Ireland.
.14) & .15) - Photo, colour, 1957. L to R: Joe Farrington, Tom Royle Bob undertaking survey observations using theodolites from an improvised timber tower, New Ireland.
.16) & .17) - Photo, colour, 1957. US Army ship FS216 used for ship-to-shore triangulation docked at Rabaul, New Britain.
.18) - Photo, colour, 1957. US Army ship FS216 used for ship-to-shore triangulation docked at Kavieng, New Ireland. Sight target on top of mast.
.19) - Photo, colour, 1957. Survey personnel onboard US Army ship FS392, L to R: Peter Frodsham, Bob Thompson, Doc Reid, John Underwood, remainder unidentified, New Ireland.
.20) - Photo, colour, 1957. Survey base line party heading ashore, New Ireland.
.21) - Photo, colour, 1957. Survey personnel rowing US Army assault boat L to R: Kev Parker, Chas Beach, folded up survey beacons overhanging stern, New Ireland.
.22) - Photo, colour, 1957. Les Bailey onboard US Army ship departing Rabaul, New Britain for Brisbane.
.23) - Photo, colour, 1957. Ron Newman onboard US Army ship departing Rabaul, New Britain for Brisbane. Active volcano in background.
Inscriptions & markings
.1P to .23P annotated on back – ‘Operation Cutlass’, personnel names, the year and the location.
