Martin

Martin Saunders.

head I first met Martin Saunders in 1952 when I went into his Radio and Electrical Store in Palmerston Street Warragul to purchase a radio for our first home in which we, that is my wife Joyce and our son were renting in Albert Street Warragul. Little did I realize how many past events associated with our Air Force Service shaped our future's. Martin being a few years older than enlisted before me the events in this story relate to the many thousands of young men that served at that time. Martin's date of birth was the 7/9/1923, he was two years and 12 days my senior. He enlisted in to RAAF on the 29/1/42 at Melbourne, his Service No was 50367 he had gained the rank of Sergeant on his discharge from the service on the 19/01/1946. His service was recorded in an article published by the Warragul Gazette titled "War Heroes" published on the 23/3/93 the following is based upon details taken from the article and my own personal rcollections.

Upon enlistment his aim was to become a pilot however his skill preceeded him having already gained his Diploma in Radio he was assigned to that vital field of modern warfare. His first operational posting was to DNG Merauke where he was engaged in the construction ad operations of the three radio and early warning stations covering the area of DNG during this period he became well known through out the Merauke area. The four inserted photos show the completed, the unit under construction and radios in operation. Martin was responsible for the construction of three such stations and was promoted to take command of these units.

Our association grew over the years with our involvement with our children being involved within the Scout Movement, and I being invited to join the Gippsland branch of the Royal Australian Air Force Association, here I met up with Martin again and naturally talked of our service experiences. In the chapter of this website. Here I tell of the detachment of three P51 Mustangs from 86 Squadron to Higgins Field on Cape York to support the Dutch forces in the uprising of the native and militant supporters of the new drive for Indonesian Self Rule over all former Dutch held areas. In discussing this with Martin he umbrage at this stating that I was the one who bombed and strafed them at Merauke, the bombs did very little damage but the strafing was a lot more dangerous.

When compiling the story of 86 Squadron and 72 Wing to defend this area of the Torris Strait and the Arafura Sea great importance was plced on the positioning of the three Radio and radar stations became the key factor in providing air cover but also for the invasion force the broke through the Japanese defences in the Bougainville, Soloman Islands and Admiralty Islands.It was the early 1980's when I first learnt that 86 Squadron had an Association South Australia with a branch in Victoria and Western Australia I attended the next reunion they held and expressed my desire to relate its history. Most of the Officers and Pilots had contact with Martin while stationed at Merauke he was and his staff at the three radio and radar stations were the eyes and ears of every attack and patrol they mounted against the Japanese.

At the age of nineteen he was in control of all the construction, maintenance of all radio and radar stations in the Merauke Area. In this article he discribes the stress and conditions that confronted them the formidable appearance of the fully armednatives and knowning fact that some of these still practiced cannibalism this soon had all service personnel carrying weapons full time.

Martin always held his fellow servicemen no matter where they for he had learnt the hard way that on being sent to serve on foreign soil took its toll and the harsh conditions of former territory of the Dutch in New Guinea were far from perfect.

Upon enlistment his aim was to become a pilot however his skill preceeded him having already gained his Diploma in Radio he was assigned to that vital field of modern warfare. His first operational posting was to DNG Merauke where he was engaged in the construction ad operations of the three radio and early warning stations covering the area of DNG during this period he became well known through out the Merauke area. The photos show the completed, the unit under construction and radios in operation. Martin was responsible for the construction of three such stations and was promoted to take command of these units.

Here I tell of the A detacnt of three P51 Mustangs from 86 Squadron to Higgins Field on Cape York to support the Dutch forces in the uprising of the native and militant supporters of the new drive for Indonesian Self Rule over all former Dutch held areas. In discussing this with Martin he umbrage at this stating that I was the one who bombed and strafed them at Merauke, the bombs did very little damage but the strafing was a lot more dangerous.

When compiling the story of 86 Squadron and 72 Wing to defend this area of the Torris Strait and the Arafura Sea great importance was placed on the positioning of the three Radio and radar stations became the key factor in providing air cover but also for the invasion force the broke through the Japanese defences in the Bougainville, Soloman Islands and Admiralty Islands.It was the early 1980's when I first learnt that 86 Squadron had an Association South Australia with a branch in Victoria and Western Australia I attended the next reunion they held and expressed my desire to relate its history. Most of the Officers and Pilots had contact with Martin while stationed at Merauke he was and his staff at the three radio and radar stations were the eyes and ears of every attack and patrol they mounted against the Japanese.

At the age of nineteen he was in control of all the radio and radar stations in the Merauke Area. In this article he discribes the stress and conditions that confronted them the formidable appearance of the fully armednatives and knowning fact that some of these still practiced cannibalism this soon had all service personnel carrying weapons full time.Martin always held his fellow servicemen no matter where they for he had learnt the hard way that on being sent to serve on foreign soil took its toll and the harsh conditions of former territory of the Dutch in New Guinea were far from perfect. Vale Martin passed away 12th December 2003.