55|53 Battalion - WWII
By December '42, the Japanese had been driven back from the mountains into their garrisons at BUNA, GONA and SANANANDA. The linked 55th/53rd, now 527 strong, was airlifted from PORT MORESBY and went into action at SANANANDA alongside the 49th (Queensland) Battalion and the U.S. 126th Regiment. The 55/53 Bn were to relieve that much-reduced 2/3 Battalion.
The 7th DIVISION Headquarters situation report on 7th December praised the efforts of the 49th and 55/53rd Battalions - to quote: "- Elements of the US troops under command are performing a block on the track between companies of the 55/53rd Bn, 49th and 55/53 Battalions made a very fine performance."
SANANANDA. The unit was heavily committed during the Dec '42- Jan'43 period in the Sanananda-Gona area during the 3RD PHASE of the Kokoda Campaign.
On the morning of 5th Dec '42, troops were made ready to move to Ward's Strip and duly arrived at Popondetta and Dobodura dromes where they were mustered for the 18-mile march to the Sanananda Track and became a part of the 30th Brigade.
Before departure from Port Moresby, LEWIS GUNS were swapped for BREN GUNS and, in some instances, TOMMY GUNS for OWEN GUNS. Obviously, the policy was to learn what you can about the weapon when you can, with a considerable amount of this learning to take place in action.)
DECEMBER 7th. During the morning of the 7th, "B" Coy advanced some 800 yards on the left of the Sanananda Track to create a diversion for the 49th Battalion attacking along a line to the right of the Sanananda Track. Heavy small arms fire and continual sniping from the tree tops brought this advance to a halt.
Following a reconnaissance by the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. D.J. Lovell, who acted on extremely inadequate knowledge of the Japanese dispositions and strength, resulted in a simple operation order for an attack, on that afternoon: “The 55/53 Bn will attack enemy positions astride the road." He suspected 3 machine-gun posts were near a "big white tree" which lay ahead and just to the right of the track.
So, it was at 1515 hours, "A" and "C" Companies attacked on the left of the track. This advance was made with fixed bayonets (1914-1918 style), and soon these companies were in the thick of fire from cleverly concealed positions. The heavy growth and their own inexperience caused them to bunch up in little groups, which enabled sharpshooters to pick them off. By nightfall, the advance achieved was 100 yards. Battle casualties for the day: 8 officers, 122 other ranks (Total 130), and this loss included 28 N.C.Os.
Between 8th and 19th December, there was active patrolling, and the Battalion mortars were brought into action on specific targets and scored well, direct hits were observed on the very few known enemy positions.
19th December 1942: A second attack took place at 0730 hours on the 19th December, initiated with "D" and "C" Companies in a forward role and the massacre of 7th December was developing again. At the end of the day casualties being 9 officers and 99 other ranks.
Activities were then restricted to patrolling until early January 1943, when the 7th Division Cavalry Regiment took over.
The unit received a one-day rest period back at Soputa and then moved through to the Gona area on 6th January.
At this time, generally speaking, the war at Gona was over, but not finalised until it was absolutely certain that the last of the enemy in the area had been accounted for. Despite a heavy, torrential rainfall period, patrolling continued until 26th January 1943, when American relief troops moved into the area.
The unit then moved to the Donabadu Rest Camp for a reissue of clothing and the celebration of a late '42 Christmas.
After returning to Port Moresby, the unit embarked on the "Duntroon" for return to Cairns and home leave.
After the SANANANDA and GONA Campaign, the Battalion returned to Queensland and was involved in work parties unloading ships, training and guarding vital installations at RAVENSHOE, TOWNSVILLE and BRISBANE until November 1944, when they went overseas once more, this time to BOUGAINVILLE.
BOUGAINVILLE December 1944; BOUGAINVILLE,E the largest island in the SOLOMON group, was captured early in the war by the Japanese 6th Division. In November 1943, U.S. Marines recaptured the principal port, TOROKINA and turned it over to the army 37th Division; but no attempt was made to clear the Japanese from the interior.
The 11th Brigade relieved the U.S. 148th Infantry Regt., on 11th December 1944, in the western sector of the perimeter around TOROKINA.
Each Battalion of the Brigade took its turn in this patrol work, the 55/53rd operating from 3rd February to 15th March. In all, the Battalion carried out 36 deep patrols, killing 107 of the enemy.
With regard to Numa Numa trail service, the G.O.C. Bougainville Forces Lieut. General S.E. Savage commented: -
“The work of the 55/53 along the Numa Numa Trail is equal to the best yet done by any other battalion on the island, and I congratulate them on a fine job of work the 55/53rd Battalion 36 will do me. I would appreciate any arrangements you can make to let all officers and N.C.O's and men of the 55/53rd Battalion know the high value I place on them. They themselves have created this value." "GOOD LUCK TO THEM ALL"
Units Battle Statistics for this campaign Dec'44 - Jul '45, 11 officers, 211 other ranks (Total 222, including evacuated sick personnel.
JAPANESE SURRENDER in August 1945 saw the unit move to Rabaul; as an occupation force GUARD DUTY of 20,000 Japanese P.O.W.s until its return to AUSTRALIA for disbandment in May 1946.
Sources: Alec Bell and some material extracts taken from the book ("That Mob" written by NX 143807 Lieut.. F.M. Budden) by kind permission of his son, Brian Budden.