PNG service a reminder of sacrifice
Important day to reflect with neighbours
When posted overseas for Anzac Day, it’s a unique and poignant time to reflect about all who have sacrificed their lives.
Commander 3rd Brigade Brigadier Dave Mccammon will witness dawn in Papua New Guinea this Anzac Day at a site of major importance to the Australian Army in WWII and its ongoing close relationship with PNG.
The Brigadier will be in Wewak to deliver the keynote address at the Anzac Day dawn ceremony and said the PNG coastal town was the culmination of the final campaign, which also had personnel significance, in the capture of Wewak and the surrender of the Japanese to end that phase of WWII.
But he will not be the only 3rd Brigade soldier in the Pacific during the Anzac Day period with 300 troops also deployed in the Pacific region to PNG and the Solomon Islands, as well as to Malaysia.
The brigadier said the Pacific deployments were a reflection of the operational nature of the brigade.
“As we go into Anzac Day this year that the brigade will be deployed in Malaysia, in to PNG, and small elements into the Solomon Islands.
“We see those commitments throughout the year - but what an important time of year to have those commitments deployed overseas.
“I had the good fortune of being deployed on Anzac Day on two occasions, 2009 to Afghanistan and 2016 to Iraq.
“Certainly when you are overseas and you have time to reflect. It does mean a great deal to look at that opportunity and think about who has gone before you and most importantly, the values that you’re representing as part of
the ADF overseas on deployment.”
He said the whole South Pacific campaign in WWII was a defining campaign for Australia’s a nation and probably more importantly for Townsville.
“Townsville was at the forefront of that campaign, we saw units deployed direct from Townsville into that area of operations.
“In fact, also the air force provided squadrons and flew in PNG and in support of operations in the Solomons.
“Then (the) opening of the Solomons at the start of the Pacific campaign and then through to Bougainville, then the campaign in PNG.
“All incredibly defining moments for not only the army and the ADF, but Australia as a nation.”
He said the PNG campaign in particular was one of the most important events in the growth of the Australian Army.
“We left the fighting in Africa (WWII) and came and effectively established ourselves to fight on the periphery of the continent of Australia.
“Those elements that for them, knowing how close they were to their home and realising how important it was to the nation to win that fight.
“I think it’s also a very defining moment because we solidify these great enduring relationships with the people of Southwest Pacific and you see with the deputy commander of the 3rd Brigade, Boni (Colonel Aruma) being here, how close those relationships are, that have built on the relationships from the Second World War.”
The Brigadier said Wewak was an important ongoing area to the Australian military and its relationship with PNG and also was the site of the final battles with the Japanese before their surrender in PNG during WWII.
“There’s an enduring relationship there but during the WWII, Wewak is effectively the final place of the campaign against the Japanese.
“There was a battle fought from Aitape to Wewak where they cleared the Japanese out which included Lieutenant Albert Chowne being awarded his VC.”
On March 25, 1945, when the leading platoon was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire Lieutenant Chowne, running up a steep track, ‘hurled grenades which knocked out two enemy light machine guns. Then calling on his men to follow him and firing his submachine gun from the hip he charged the enemy’s defensive position. Although he sustained two serious wounds in his chest the impetuous of his charge carried him forward 50 yards under the most intense machine gun and rifle fire’.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be there and see that and my great uncle actually fought during that campaign as well too so to see that will be incredibly moving.”
Captain Hamilton Mccammon was awarded an MBE for meritorious service and gallantry during the campaign.
The brigadier said he was looking forward to the dawn service at Wewak.