Uncle Frank’s War Diary and some letters from Molly.

Frank and Molly at the zoo,

Easter Monday, 1941

A LETTER FROM MOLLY TO FRANK

The letter is in really bad condition. It is written in cursive in fountain pen. It is dated in the top right hand corner: Monday 6.11.44

My Darling Husband Frank,

Congratulations and very best of good wishes for our 2^nd Anniversary, and do hope it wont be long before you are home again and continue on those 6 very happy months which were the happiest days of my life, and thanks ever so much for them Frank Dear, and it's only you who can make me so happy. I hope and pray to God that [indecipherable] send you back safe and well and a speedy return. And I do love you so much. And I could never tell you in writing just how much I do love you. I hope you get this parcel for the 21^st and enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed packing it. I only wish it was something bigger and better. I'll close now and God Bless you and once again I wish you the very best of good wishes and good health. Lots of Love and Kisses. From your ever loving wife Molly xxx

Uncle Frank's War Diary.

This is a true transcription of the War Diary of my great uncle Frank James Alder, VX92353.
He served with the 2/3^rd Battalion of the AIF from 1943 to 1946.
The diary covers the time 21^st December 1944 to 27^th November 1945.

Historical Background:

The 2/3^rd Bn was part of the 6^th Division, AIF. In 1944 they were sent to Northern New Guinea to take over the Aitape area from the outgoing US forces. The US Army had repelled at least one major attack by the Japanese in the area. On arrival the 6^th Division went on the offensive and pushed to Wewak. The campaign is officially called the Aitape-Wewak campaign, and it was the last of the 2/3^rd Bn in the War.

The controversy around this campaign is mostly about whether it was necessary at all, in that the Japanese in the area had already been largely defeated and posed no strategic risk to the overall objective of defeating Japan. The decision to send the 6^th Division back into battle so late in the War was vexed. On the one hand, much of this Division, the most experienced in the AIF, had just spent the last two whole years sitting on the Atherton Tablelands in QLD. When first brought back from the Middle East, the positioning of the division there made sense as it was the most effective and experienced fighting force in the AIF and if Australia were attacked by the Japanese the 6^th Division would form the main defence force for the continent. Parts of the Division (including the 2/3^rd Bn) had served in New Guinea through the Kokoda and Beachheads campaigns. But many of the men who had not successfully transferred out of the Division had seen no fighting for two years, particularly those who joined upon the Division's return from the Middle East. Doubtless some were keen to get back in the fight before the War ended.

On the other hand the 6^th Division had already fought in North Africa, culminating in the defeat of the Italians at Bardia. Then it had been sent to Greece, where it fought the Germans. Some of the Division had then fought on Crete, while some of the Division (including the 2/3^rd Bn) had fought in Syria against the French. And again, parts of the Division had already seen some very vicious fighting in New Guinea. As the 6^th was the first AIF Division raised in 1939, many of its men had already been serving continuously for five years, a length of time rarely surpassed in Allied armies. A widely held belief was that the deployment of the men of the 6^th Division in a campaign of questionable strategic worth at a time when the end of the war was in sight, was an unnecessary and cruel burden to put on those who had already given so much. The 2/3^rd Bn could rightly claim to be firmly in this second category of men, having already fought the Italians, Germans, French, and Japanese. The 2/3^rd was one of only two battalions in the AIF to fight all Australia's enemies in WW2 (the other was the 2/5^th) and I believe only one other battalion in the whole Allied forces also saw action against all enemies.

The campaign itself was a difficult but steady advance in two prongs along the coast. The Japanese fought delaying actions all the way. This resulted in an ongoing series of nasty engagements, none of them really set piece battles, but ugly and vicious nonetheless. It was a campaign of patrols and manoeuvring through thick jungle. The fighting itself, which you will see Frank experienced, was close and confused and terrifying. Perhaps because of the relatively small scale of the engagements the fighting became extremely personal, local, and ruthless. Nearly all the fighting took place at close range. It was a fight of bayonets and grenades, and for most of the time neither side took prisoners.

The Diary is no record of great fighting deeds. Frank was awarded no special citations. He was 24 years old when he landed in New Guinea. He liked cartoons and movies. He was deeply in love with Molly, his wife, forever. He was also seriously Catholic. He had been the gardener at the convent in Oakleigh, and then worked as a chill attendant (?) for the Dept of Munitions before leaving to join the AIF in May, 1943. In total he was in the Army for 590 days, on 345 of them he was overseas.

The diary is in a small, square ruled notebook, more like a paybook, but with the word 'Notes' written in cursive relief on the front. The cover was originally purply-brown but has largely worn away on the front. I have not fixed spelling or grammar mistakes, nor annotated historical inaccuracies.

The inside cover has: VX92353 PTE Alder F. J. HQ Coy, 2/3 A.I.B.N. A.I.F
(he is soon to transfer into a line company)

The diary is printed in capitals using fountain pen and then, after July 1944 in pencil.
The back pages of the diary contain a record of outward mail to his wife, Molly, and a page of friends and family addresses.

The Diary:

Embarked at Cairns 21 Dec 1944 for Service in New Guinea.

Ship "Bontekoe". Dutch.
Disembarked at Aitape. N.G. 17-12-44.
Queit trip. Xmas day at sea. Beer issue ½ bottle per man. Rec 9 letters N.Y.Eve. Attended 'Sing-sing' N. Years Day at "ANGAU" village. Interesting. Left Aitape on advance party 20^th Jan for "Idakabul" on Danmap river to relieve 2/8 BN – 19 Bde. Washed out at jnc 20-1-45 at commando camp. On 27^th big flood down Danmar. Damage serious. 7 lives lost. I lost 12/6- . Saw first Jap P.O.W. (2) approx 24 Jan. Bn moved up Jan 25 – 29. First patrol Jan 28^th. Uneventable. Crossed to A Coy Jan 12^th from HQ Coy. Weather wet. Dropping ground at Marlin. 3 changes of commd first fortnight. Capt Gibbons O.C., Lt Boyer 2 i/c.

FEBRUARY
Everything in full swing. Patrols every day. I average one about every six days. Casualties light. Lt Pope died in hospital after operation for head wound. Ratio 1 Australian killed for approx 12 Japs. Hills very steep and mud everywhere. Just about had it several times. Nobby killed accidently. Tucker very good.

MARCH
6^th March, Coy relieved by B Coy, 2/3 AMGB down on coast at Annum River on 6^th March. 2/2Bn in font, 2/1 Bn rear. Surf not suitable. Very rough. And heavy. Big dumpers. Rain very heavy. Papers and parcels arrive. Returned to AITAPE on 14 March with Lt. Boyer to rear details. Received by post first comic from Molly March 16^th. Second March 28^th. Easter 30 M. – 1^st April. Good Friday 30 March. Boys going well up front. Malaria prominent. To AITAPE by jeep.

APRIL
Had a good rest at AITAPE. Plenty of pictures. Saw "Laura", "Mrs Partinction", "Going my way", "The Princess and the Pirate". Bob Hope technicolour, and other shows. Left AITAPE per barge (Australian) for BN at DAGUA on 20 Apr. Arrived 21^st. Trip weary. Dist approx 60 miles. Left barge at BUT. Saw first Jap plane. RAAF working on it. Dozens Jap wrecked planes on DAGUA airstrip. 96 bombers and 120 fighters at BUT and DAGUA strips.
Wonganarra Mission captured behind Dagua early in month. Biggest stoush up till then. Cas 2k, 2w (1 off. K.). Very lucky. Japs approx 27 k. Missed Jap general. Light cas due to work of "Boongs".
Rec telegram at DAGUA from Molly. News father in law RIP passing on. Went to Mass 22 Apr Sun same day. Rec 3 bottles beer at KARAWOP. Arrived at BOIKEN 27 April. First Jap mines and morters between KARAWOP and BOIKEN. Tanks came into action for first time this side of KARAWOP. Results excellent against bunkers etc.
Changed to C Coy 22^nd April with Capt Boyer. 19^th Bde passed through at HIAWIAN river. This side BOIKEN mortared by Japs three times. At BOIKEN. No damage or cas. Weather generally fine. Malaria and Typhus very bad. BOIKEN was formerly plantation and R.C. Mission. Padre Glover RC 2/1 BN used to minister to natives at BOIKEN. Church and school wrecked. Nuns taken P.O.W. by Japs is the report. Recovered later at Hollandia I believe. Fr Glover celebrated Mass at BOIKEN on Sunday April 29 in portion of the Mission cemetery. Good attend!

MAY
On Sunday 29 April left BOIKEN in company 2 plns + Coy HQ of C Coy for a recce patrol of hills behind BOIKEN. Back on Monday afternoon was planned. Ran into Japs Mon AM and fight lasted 3 days. Cas 5 K 9 W. Japs 26 K. Hetric time. Water scarce. No shave for 5 days or wash either. Ran out of ammo Wed AM. Pioneers arrived with same just in time. Full Company plus 1 Pln "D" Coy relieved by "A" Coy on Friday 4^th. On Tues night Japs attacked and harassed all night. No Cas. Nerve-wracking mainly. Grenades and S.A. fire mainly used. This was the first time to our knowledge that flamethrowers were used by AIF. Results excellent. On return to coast camped by beach ½ way BOIKEN and HIAHIAN river. Fishing first class. Several feed of same made welcome change of diet. 1 meal of shark very good. Pictures at BOIKEN "B" Coy! 9 DIV landed Tarakan early in May. V-E Day May 8 Germany beaten! Spell very welcome. Local patrols only. Thur May 24 – 2 day patrol to TEWE village via POROM. Police boys object contact natives and bring them into ANGAU. Natives shot through with Japs. Heard BN got onto them later in June while I was in hospital. We returned with four natives only. Japs 2 K on way home! Spent bad night at TEWE. Shivers etc. Only made camp through boong carrying gear for me and Lt. Broadfoot my rifle. Sat May 26^th felt trifle better but went out to 2/1 FLD AMB on Sun 27 with Malaria. Thence to DAGUA to 13/14 FLD AMB where caught plane to 2/11 AGH, AITAPE. First ride in plane. Enjoyed it as well as able to. Better looking down on hills than climbing them. Pretty scenes from above. In hospital at AITAPE for fortnight. Nurses wonderful and great company.

JUNE
Went Commie before leaving hospital. Good examination by DR before leaving. Left AITAPE per Yank barge for BN on Sat 9 June. BN at BORAM. "B" Coy killed 57 Japs. Lt Doug Adams sev. W. And Pte Nicholl "C" Coy killed. Quiet trip up in barge. Landed at Cape BORAM. BN moved down to CAPE PUSS 2 days before hand. Followed on. Greeted by issue of 6 bottles of beer. Missed "The Great Waltz" at both AITAPE and BN. Saw "The keys of the Kingdom" at both places. Saw results of damage to WEWAK by RAAF and AIF for first time returning to BN. Rec approx 30 reos toward end of month. Mid year hamper A.C.F. distributed end of June. Japan being belted about by USAF and us and British battle and Task Forces. 7 DIV lands at BALIKPAPAN late June or early July. BN resting. One or two scares down at 2/1 BN and at Engrs. Capt Boyer left for India, British Army.

JULY
BN resting early July. Camped WEWAK side CAP PUSS ½ way CAPE WDM. Parcel and papers in. Molly sent book of Felix the Cat. Rec on July 15^th tin of sweets and a yo-yo on 19^th. Same had followed me to 2/11 AGH and back. Left coast on 28^th advance party to relieve 19^th Bde and in 14 days 2/2 Bn. Transport per truck as far as WAIRU Mission where Pte Kenna 2/4^th won VC. Route then over hills to Mount Shibarangui. Arrived 2pm echured completely after 6 or 7 weeks of spine bashing. 29^th proceeded to the "Blot". Wonderful view 30 mls with naked eye towards SEPIK RVR. Mt. SHIB 1,640 ft. BLOT 1,620 ft. Weather generally fine. Engineers reached top of MT SHIB, working on big road.

AUGUST
2^nd Moved over to HAMBAUIZ. To "D" Coy. 2/2 Bn copping it 2,000 yds ahead on BAMAHEITA RIDGE. Food dropping by plane did store. Tucker ok. Casualties coming back to adv fld amb at HAMBRAUIZ. Arty party attachment overseas radio news at 7am and 6pm. Russia entered war against Japan on 8^th. 1^st atomic bomb 10^th, 2^nd 13^th. Jap surrender offer 10^th Fri. Molly's birthday 14^th. Wrote letter special on 26^th (?). VJ Day 15^th. Great news. Every happy with visions of being home for the cup and Xmas. Moved down to coast to R details on 28^th. Lt Broadfoot left for Aussie under 5 yr plan. Also Maj Williams and 50 Ors. On 31^st Jack Clarke Len Cass Tom Capel, about 20 HQ Coy chaps. Rejoined HQ Coy. 3^rd Sept with 5 Pln pioneers. Wrote to Oak on 2^nd accepting offer to claim. Wrote 11 pager to Molly on 8^th. Work in building camp, not too bad. Weather fine, also surf. Plenty of rumours flying about hard to believe what is right or wrong. YM built by boongs. Bn came down from hills toward end of month (Sept)

SEPT
Above wrong Sept starts on line 6 from top of page [this would be with 'Wrote to Oak . . .]. Sept very quiet. Pictures twice a week.

October
Things as usual. Rumours plentiful. Tucker very bad for a couple of weeks. Letters to the paper and Mr. Forde worked wonders. Boys very discontented generally. Food and lack of shipping main cause. Caulfied Cup won by St. Fairy 20^th Oct. DIV parade at WEWAK on Fri 26^th. Tom told us Army trying to get us home for Xmas: But shipping very scarce. Rec Pacific Star and the 1939 – 45 Star. 2 days leave credited for VJ Day. Lt General Robinson accepted Lt Gen Adachi surrender at WEWAK strip. Big parade. Japs coming in ok. Total on Muschu Island 12,000 odd. Dying at rate of 200 per week. Beri beri and malnutrition main cause. Demob started Oct 1^st. Points system.

NOVEMBER
Rumours and rumours of rumours. Things not too bright for Xmas. Point list out. All under 135 going to 8^th Bde in exchange 180 and over. 135 to 179 being used to relieve high pointers at various places. 56 to LAE and MORESBY on the 28^th Oct. On 3^rd Nov 260 to the 8^th Bde. Rec 460 in exchange. On the 10^th Nov only approx 100 old chaps 2/3^rd Bn left in unit. 3^rd Nov back T Star (2/-) at 20 / 1. Cup day on Tues 6^th Nov. Backed winner Rain Bird 12/1 (5 / x) saw Cup film on Sat 10^th. Rec special from Molly for 13^th on 12^th. OK too. Claim came through on 12^th Nov. Saw demob officer on 13^th. Med exam on same day. Everything ok. Wrote to Molly and Oakleigh. Hope to be home soon, Xmas. Wrote special for 21^st to Molly on the 14^th. Rec same on 18^th very nice and welcomed. Rec ACP issue on 18^th. Very happy on 11^th on a/c of dream. Just about given up hope of seeing Melbourne for Xmas, when on the 24^th after coming back from the pcts and just nearly asleep when informed to report to demob. Told going home next day at 7am aboard HMAS Shropshire or Bataan. Much rushing about packing etc. and wrote to Molly and home to bed approx 12.30 AM. Up at 4.15 breakfast at B Coy 5 AM, down at beachhead at 6.45 AM. Boarded Shropshire approx 8.30 AM. Left WEWAK 10am. Last saw N.G. around 6.30 PM, near LAE. Roast pork for dinner, very nice. Wonderful lot of chaps aboard. 590 AIF. 806 men and 200 officers in crew. Pcts Sun night 25^th "Dead Men Tell No Tales". Having great time everyone happy. Had first ice cream in 16 months on 27^th. 3 helpings. Meals first class, at 6.30 AM, 1 PM and 7 PM with tea at 4 PM, cuppa and bread. 100 cigs issued 27^th. Fired Bofor gun A-A 6 rds. Nice gun. Band recital ship's band at 11.30 AM to 12.30 PM. Crossed Coral Sea 27^th. Hope to be in Sydney Friday AM. Talk by Maj Cozier on Japanese plays, ways, life and beliefs – very interesting. Opposite Townsville approx 4 AM on 28 Nov. Trip ok and not too hard to take music every day before lunch. Opposite Brisbane 10 AM 29^th. First sight of good old Aussie at the same time. Welcome sight. Saw H.S Manunda 10.30 am. Also 6 dolphins and 3 porpoises_

A LETTER FROM MOLLY TO FRANK
The letter is written in cursive fountain pen on lined paper. It is dated in the top right hand corner: 17/12/43
3 P.M.
My Darling Husband Frank,
I only hope I'm in time to send this for you to get it by Friday, although I'm doubtful as it's only a week off. I'm also sending cake at same time today and didn't bother to put a letter in that too, so I hope you get both together. I really didn't think I'd be sending you one and that's why I'm late in sending it as when I went to [Manton's] and Myers they have stopped making them and so Alice and I went to home made cake shop near their place and to my disappointment they were only closed 1 day out of 7 and that is Monday. I got this cake out at Richmond after waiting a few days for Adam's to get theirs in, so I thought this one was better than none at all, although it isn't iced and it's a bit small for the tin but managed to fill it up and I only hope the tins are not spoilt by being too crushed up. I only hope you get as much fun opening it and eating them as I've had in packing them as it's been a pleasure and I would like to see your face at the 2 tins. I did intend to do this last night and another reason why I didn't mind having day off. If I'm not too late, a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year and I only wish I was there too. Lots of Love and Kisses from your ever loving wife Molly. xxxxxxxxxx