Read on Twitter
Thread
1/8
The Defence of the North
After Darwin and Broome were bombed in early 1942 it was realised that Japan could invade anywhere in northern & western Australia’s thousands of kms of uninhabited, undefended coastline.
The Darwin area could be easily outflanked & surrounded.
1/8
The Defence of the North
After Darwin and Broome were bombed in early 1942 it was realised that Japan could invade anywhere in northern & western Australia’s thousands of kms of uninhabited, undefended coastline.
The Darwin area could be easily outflanked & surrounded.
2/8
The North Australian Observer Unit, n/named the “Nackeroos,” was urgently formed as an early warning system; 550 lightly armed horsemen, “men with a bush background and adventurous spirit” surviving outdoors for months at a time in small remote groups on their own initiative.
The North Australian Observer Unit, n/named the “Nackeroos,” was urgently formed as an early warning system; 550 lightly armed horsemen, “men with a bush background and adventurous spirit” surviving outdoors for months at a time in small remote groups on their own initiative.
3/8
Operated secretly; no medical aid, no evacuation. They covered 4 million square kms and a 5,500 km coastline. An extensive radio net linked them to HQ in Katherine w/ direct links to Darwin Army HQ & northern RAAF bases. All needed to be warned of enemy movements or landings.
Operated secretly; no medical aid, no evacuation. They covered 4 million square kms and a 5,500 km coastline. An extensive radio net linked them to HQ in Katherine w/ direct links to Darwin Army HQ & northern RAAF bases. All needed to be warned of enemy movements or landings.
4/8
Mounted patrols were carried out in all seasons; from swamps to deserts by day and night, the longest of long range patrols. The longest patrol was 800km and took two months. Many natural dangers were faced, including crocodiles. Many horses were lost to crocs or exhaustion.
Mounted patrols were carried out in all seasons; from swamps to deserts by day and night, the longest of long range patrols. The longest patrol was 800km and took two months. Many natural dangers were faced, including crocodiles. Many horses were lost to crocs or exhaustion.
5/8
The NAOU was equipped with 1,000 horses, donkeys and mules, some of which were half-wild. 3 or 4 Aboriginal men were allocated to each platoon. All food and facilities were shared equally. The Aboriginals were incredible trackers, stalkers and food-finders and never get lost.
The NAOU was equipped with 1,000 horses, donkeys and mules, some of which were half-wild. 3 or 4 Aboriginal men were allocated to each platoon. All food and facilities were shared equally. The Aboriginals were incredible trackers, stalkers and food-finders and never get lost.
6/8
A patrol of NAOU in the Gulf country were swimming their horses across a deep creek, the last soldier in line felt something strike his horse.
The horse screamed, struggled then disappeared beside him into blood-stained water.
Saltwater crocodile - largest reptile on Earth.
A patrol of NAOU in the Gulf country were swimming their horses across a deep creek, the last soldier in line felt something strike his horse.
The horse screamed, struggled then disappeared beside him into blood-stained water.
Saltwater crocodile - largest reptile on Earth.
7/8
Another role of the Unit was search & rescue of downed planes and crews.
Off the coast of WA they found and rescued two Americans in a very small boat.
They had evaded capture in the Philippines and had sailed their tiny boat southwards for 23 weeks.
An epic trip of 2,500 km.
Another role of the Unit was search & rescue of downed planes and crews.
Off the coast of WA they found and rescued two Americans in a very small boat.
They had evaded capture in the Philippines and had sailed their tiny boat southwards for 23 weeks.
An epic trip of 2,500 km.
8/8
The Unit operated in small groups over an enormous area, in observation posts or in mounted roving patrols.
They seldom assembled as troops, companies, or squadrons; never as a single Unit.
As the Japanese threat declined, patrols reduced.
March 1945: The unit disbanded. End.
The Unit operated in small groups over an enormous area, in observation posts or in mounted roving patrols.
They seldom assembled as troops, companies, or squadrons; never as a single Unit.
As the Japanese threat declined, patrols reduced.
March 1945: The unit disbanded. End.
