Flying Officer V R W Andrews.

By the end of 1943 the Australian Army had established a base camp at Post 6. (for its location see insert map below.) In perhaps was the last foray the Japanese sent a invasion force of six barges with up to 100 troops the army unit in the area attacked this force from the banks of the Elanden River the Japanese force withdrew and the army requested air support. the C O ordered Red Section to carry out this operation this is his version of what was to be in all probability the last Japanese Army offensive as the tide of war had turned and they were under great pressure to retreat.

I had been advised the an Army unit had establishes Post 6 in the area between the Elanden and Lorentz rivers and on the 30/1/44 the army requested air support.

I was told by the Commanding Officer the post was under threat from six fully laden Japanese barge, the army unit attacked these barges from the river bank forcing them to retreat. I was told of this attack by the C O and ordered to lead Red Section consisting of myself, Rex Beech as No2, Ken Taylor as No 3 and Rol Hambly as No 4. (insert photo above right.) When we arrived and recce there was little to see as the river was very large with only one river bank visible from our height. The trees and jungle came right to the river’s banks. There was no sign of life. No smoke, no nothing. I suspected a trap. I ordered the other three aircraft Ken Taylor to continue to circle the area at 1000 feet while I went down to lower level and inspected the area more closely. I Flew very low within a few feet off the water several times up and down the river inspecting both banks but unfortunately saw nothing. We eventually returned to Merauke after three hours and thirty minutes to be advised by the C O that the enemy had established themselves and the Army had evacuated the Post.

 There was no sign of life. No smoke, no nothing. I suspected a trap. I ordered the other three aircraft under Ken Taylor to continue to circle the area at over 1000 feet while I went down low level and inspected the area more closely. I flew very low within a few feet off the water several times up and down the river, inspecting both banks but unfortunately saw nothing. We eventually returned to Merauke after three hours and thirty minutes to be advised by our S/L Stan Galtonthat the Japanese had established themselves, whilst our Army boys had evacuated. Another section was sent to the area with the same result – no sightings. However a section under Bob Whittle with Steve Kerrison as No2 spotted some oil on the river. These two located the barges and destroyed them. I will always remember that day for it was the first time in six months fresh meat was on the evening menu but I was so disappointed that I could not eat a thing.

1.2.44 (A29-369) Lorentz River

After the Japs and barges had been destroyed the small Army Unit were soon back in service. On the 1^st of Feb. it was arranged that a Beaufort bomber was to drop supplies to the Army boys at a certain spot at 1pm and Red Section from 86 Squadron was to be there for protection and then escort the Beaufort back to Merauke. Red Section still consisted of No.1 Vic Andrews, No.2 Rex Beach, No.3 Ken Taylor and No.4 Roy Hambly.

There was radio silence throughout the whole mission, however on the way back to Merauke I estimated that I would take another 52 minutes to reach base. After I had confirmed with each member of Red Section that they had sufficient fuel for the journey I then called up to say that we may as well continue to escort this ‘slow old bastard.’ It was then that the radio silence was broken and the Beaufort Radio Operator called to tell the Beaufort Captain that they had been called a ‘slow old bastard’

The Beaufort crew had dinner with us later that night at Merauke. During the evening the Beaufort navigator asked me how I knew that the rest of the flight would take 52 minutes because his calculations were the same. (52 minutes.) I explained that fighter pilots had to be good navigators and generally very good at mental arithmetic.

It was in September 1943 that Glen Cooper and myself were sent down to Townsville to pick up two new aircraft.

(P-40M) for 86 squadron. Glen Cooper had arranged things perfectly. We carried no ammunition and no fuel in the belly tanks. Instead we carried 36 dozen bottles of beer and 75000 cigarettes. We flew from Townsville to Horn Island. The last leg from Horn Island to Merauke we were met halfway across the sea. We were met by the Squadron and escorted home like a couple of V.I.P’s. My aircraft was A29-339. The date was 20.9.43.

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