Friday, February 1, 2013 at 11:13AM The young Diggers from 39th parade, average age perhaps 20, based at their 7 Mile Camp at Moresby, watch with growing concern as the daily mail plane leaves for Cairns, carrying civilian evacuees.
The increasing seriousness of their situation is becoming more obvious as they see the civilians leaving and they realize they are the last line of defence between New Guinea and the Australian mainland.
Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 8:23AM Air Raid alarms sound again at Moresby Aerodrome but troops have barely reached their action stations before the all clear sounds and a friendly plane with engine trouble lands.
Tension is building amongst the young Diggers with the daily air raid alarms. They know it’s only a matter of time before the threat becomes a reality and they worry their defensive preparations may not be ready in time.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 8:44AM A busy day at Moresby airstrip as Lockheed Hudson bombers land carrying evacuees from Wau. It is now too dangerous for the plans to fly in and out of Wau without fighter escorts and these are rarely available.
A group of 250 European and Asian men are stranded at Wau and must try to reach the coast by trekking over the Owen Stanley Range via the arduous Bulldog Track, reputedly harder going than the Kokoda Track.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 6:40AM Troops rush again for their slit trenches as an air raid alarms rings out. Gunners run to man their anti-aircraft guns and fire nervous shots before word gets around that the suspected enemy planes turn out to be friendly aircraft evacuating civilians from the old gold mining town of Wau.
The Japanese had bombed Wau a week earlier, knowing that it had become an evacuation centre for those fleeing the earlier Japanese bombing raids on Lae and Salamaua.
Monday, January 28, 2013 at 10:56AM Another air alert at Port Moresby Aerodrome as unidentified plane flies high above. All troops rush to the slit trenches they have recently dug in anticipation of these attacks.
To many it's a welcome breakfrom the monotony of digging trenches, preparing other defensive positions around the airstrip and the harbour and loading and unloading supplies from ships. Many are growing concerned at their lack of offensive infantry training and their lack of contact with the surrounding jungle.
The all clear sounds after lunch and work resumes.