Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 11:13AM The young Diggers of 39th Battalion, working to build defences at Port Moresby aerodrome, are placed on alert after reports that three Japanese flying boats have been sighted heading toward Moresby.
False alarm as day passes without incident and Diggers return to feverishly building airport defences.
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 12:41PM Australia Day 1942 and Diggers and air crew still cleaning up after two aircraft are destroyed at Port Moresby Aerodrome by the first Japanese daylight bombing raid to hit there: 9 bombers with 3 fighter escorts from Rabaul suddenly appeared and attacked on Jan 24 between 2 and 3pm. No casualties are reported.
The Australian Militia Battalions garrisoning Port Moresby harbour and aerodrome are now on heightened alert and re-double their efforts to complete defensive positions in the area.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 9:06AM The Papuan campaign has seen 1972 Australians die: 1449 killed in action; 127 missing, presumed killed; a further 286 have died of wounds; and 110 died from accidents and illness on active service.
The campaign has been catastrophic for the Japanese invaders. Perhaps only 10 percent of the 14,000 troops from the Nankai Shitai (or South Seas Force) who landed in July 1942 ever returned home.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 9:41AM The Allies snuff out the last pockets of serious Japanese resistance at Sanananda, marking the end of the Papuan Campaign. Seven Diggers die on the day, five of whom succumb to wounds previously received.
By now General Vasey’s command has grown to more than 31,000 troops. About 1500 have been killed in action, aound 2500 taken as casualties and another 6500 evacuated due to illness.
The beachhead battles of Buna, Gona and Sanananda have proved total disasters for the Japanese. Of those who fought in the Papuan Campaign, 13,600 died – in battle, from illness or starvation – and another 5500 were evacuated wounded or sick.
Monday, January 21, 2013 at 8:49AM 16 Diggers killed in action on what is the effectively the last day of the Sanananda battle. CO of the Aust 2/12 Bn Lt Col Arthur Arnold says: “the whole area, swamps and rivers included, is covered with enemy dead and the stench from which is overpowering. It is definitely the filfthiest area I have ever set eyes upon. In a great many cases the Japanese bodies are fly-blown and others have been reduced to almost skeletons.”
Even, when starving and facing disaster, Pte Kiyoshi Wada is able to write in his diary today: "Dp not lose hope. Do not forget to be grateful. The foundation for all is based upon military spirit. Loyalty is judged by this."