13 April 1942

Bataan Death March gathers momentum with scores dying each day as Japanese guards have no food and only minimal water for 70,000 plus US & Filipino POWs.

12 April 1942

HMAS Laurabada, the Papuan Administrator’s official yacht commandeered to help rescue the survivors of Lark Force, former garrison troops from Rabaul, arrives in Port Moresby after a harrowing journey from New Britain.

The ship is licensed to sleep 8 people but carries 156 escapees from Rabaul whom it had picked up at Palmalmal on the New Britain south coast. Only one soldier died on the journey.

11 April 1942

In Moresby, C Company 39^th Battalion sends more patrols in search of a downed Jap fighter pilot who parachuted into the nearby jungle yesterday but they return without success.

In the Philippines, the massacres start on the Bataan Death March as Japanese kill 350 Filipino POWs in cold blood, beheading or bayonetting them. Dysentery and other diseases begin the spread.

10 April 1942

Moresby hit by air raid No 24 with seven bombers and four fighters attacking the 7-Mile aerodrome. RAAF p-40 fighters engage them and in the ensuing dogfight two Jap planes are shot down. There are no casualties nor damage from the raid.

In the Philippines, the infamous Bataan Death March begins, with the Japanese marching 76,000 American and Filipino POWs without food or medical supplies through the jungle.

9 April 1942

12 Platoon of 39th Battalion spends all night unloading stores and equipment from Malaita transport ship in Molresby Harbour.

C Company patrols return from another unsuccessful patrol serahing for the downed Jap fighter pilot.