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the new guinea volunteer rifles
1939-1943 - a history
ian downs |
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OTHER ANGAU & NGVR BOOKS
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359 pp - hardback - Published 1999
Australia = AUD$69 (including postage, packing and GST) PNG and NZ = AUD$93 (including economy air mail and packing) The World = AUD$103 (including economy air mail and packing)
This is the story of the courageous civilian volunteers who led the defence of New Guinea in the Pacific War. Between January and May 1942 the 500 men of the NGVR were the only armed force in the path between the Japanese forces and Port Moresby until the arrival of Kanga Force at Wau. The NGVR also contained the advancement of the Japanese from the coastal areas of Lae and Salamaua. They rescued 217 soldiers from Lark Force and civilians who were not captured by the Japanese in New Britain. With less than 500 fit soldiers, the New Guinea Volunteer rifles inflicted casualties and unsettled the Japanese in the early stages of the New Guinea Campaign in 1942. Yet many of these men were barred from the Australian regular army due to physical disability, nationality requirements or had exceeded the age limitations. On their own they developed tactics and initiatives that became examples for professional commando units. Many of these men stayed on as Coastwatchers or else joined ANGAU (Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit) until the very conclusion of hostilities in 1945. For the first time their full story is told, in this carefully researched history. Noted author, Ian Downs, has enriched his narrative with numerous first-hand reports from the fighting men them- selves-details of their forays and anecdotal stories of the NGVR. An engrossing account of the force that continued to confront the enemy long after the fall of Lae and Salamaua. NGVR was awarded these Australian Battle Honours - Rabaul Wau South-West Pacific 1942-1943 In 1944, as a consequence of the attachment of NGVR members in the US Brewer Force campaign for the invasion of Los Negros that spearheaded the US recapture of the Admiralty Islands Group, NGVR was awarded the US Distinguished Unit Citation, the only Militia Battalion in the Australian Armed Forces ever to have received such an award.
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