44 Days: 75 Squadron's Defence of Port Moresby 1942 (Part 1)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ส.ค. 2013
- Geoffrey Robertson presents a unique story of real Australian heroes. It's a story full of emotion and humour as the survivors of the 75 Squadron recall their times as Australia's front line defence.
In the early weeks of 1942, Japan had seized most of the Pacific and were poised to launch their offensive against Australia. It was obvious that Australia had little, if any, form of defence.
With the Japanese in New Guinea, it was imperative they be held there or Australia would be lost - this ominous task went to the men of 75 Squadron. Australia's airmen at the time were fighting in the skies over Britain and Africa, having been seconded in the 'Save Britain First' policy. Prime Minister Curtin wanted them back to save Australia. What he got was an order of Kittyhawks, originally destined for England, and a handful of pilots. Most of 75 Squadron were trained in ten days in Townsville before setting off for Port Moresby. Of the 24 planes sent to defend Australia, only one returned after 44 days of intensive fighting. Not only were young pilots having to fly against a superior and more experienced enemy each day, but sanitary conditions also threatened their performance. Even so, only 23 Kittyhawks were lost to an unbelievable 86 enemy planes.
In this special, Robertson interviews Saburo Sakai, Japan's only living war ace who fought the 75 Squadron in those early days, who credits the Aussies with having incredible courage and skill. This is also a tribute to the late John Jackson, 75 Squadron's first leader who, at one time, was shot down and had to crawl through the crocodile infested terrain while being chased by a Japanese patrol. Jackson died later in action.
For a more accurate telling, read Michael Vietch's book, 44 Days: 75 Squadron and the Fight for Australia
when no one else would? or When no one else COULD? Huge difference.
A great bunch of guys who went out and did the job. Be proud of them Australia. My old man was happy to have Ozzies fighting beside him in the desert.
This documentary first showed on ABC (Australia) in 1992 following the opening of wartime archives. The people being interviewed would have been in their early 70's at that time. The presenter is Geoffrey Robinson QC who has had a high profile legal career, particularly in human rights, since the early 1970s.
What do you mean nobody else would ? My Father was an Island Hopper wounded Dec 5 1942 at Bloody Buna Sanananda...32d 126th Combat Infantry Regiment. I buried my Father with Shrapnel still in him.... Eric Underwood class of 81 Downey High School
At the time, early 1942, march-april, the aussies were fighting effectively alone in the air, in fact, the yanks withheld planes that had been promised to us. It wasnt until the 31st of march that the yanks had any machines operating at Moresby, and they weren’t even fighters. The yanks had six fighters there for two weeks in may. By the first of may, the pilots were sharing three airworthy kittyhawks against the entirety of the Japanese Fleet Air Arm.
Two USAAF squadrons arrived on the 30th of April, and the aussies were down to one serviceable plane on the 2nd of May, and withdrew on the third. 35 confirmed destructions, four probable and 44 more enemy planes damaged was the tally for Australia’s 22 Kittyhawks (6 from accidents) and 12 pilots lost.
75 squadron was back in the fight by the end of July, joining the full 76 squadron of 24 planes. It wasn’t until the end of August that American ground forces would engage in ground combat.
So yes, barring the AA gunners, which little historical recording was done of, Australia felt very much alone.
A salute to the R.A.A.F.'s "few," who cured Imperial Japan of their "Victory Disease."
"Never get in a dogfight with a Zero!" Sage words, mirroring Claire Chennault's advice to his Flying Tiger pilots.
Thanks for posting.
Hell of a way to start a squadron but no doubt Aussies were going to get it done.
Interesting documentary, but it must be noted that the Philippines didn't fall a week after Hong Kong. Bataan would hold out til Apr 9 and Corregidor until May 6th, 1942. Nor did Singapore surrender two weeks after the Philippines, but would hang on til Feb 15th.
Also interesting to note that in both the Philippines AND Singapore the Japanese had about HALF the troops that the defenders had BUT in attacking the Australians the Japanese had about 40 times more to start with! By the way I don't think the fact that Philippines ( read American forces) surrendered in April or that Singapore in Feb 1942 is or any relevance at all.
@@iangrantham8300: I think that if you are doing a documentary you have an obligation to be as accurate as possible. Otherwise, don't mention it at all.
Most often when a small army is facing the superpower of the moment, usually that superpower has few different concerns simultaneously. But the small army is under the impression that it is facing alone the opposite side.
In this case, the main focus of the Japanese in those days was their huge naval expedition into the Indian Ocean, where they got close to the Ceylon / Sri Lanka shore and forced the British fleet into a rout.
Shortly after that the Japanese withdrew from the Indian Ocean and devoted most its resources to capturing New Guinea and the Solomons in order to isolate Australia. If not for the US Navy at Coral Sea and then the intense fighting in New Guinea and Guadalcanal they would have been successful.
The introduction said that Nobody would fight for Australia isn't really right, it should be nobody could.
I agree, during 4-8 May we Americans joined with the Australians to fight the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Exactly. It takes *time* to get to the antipodes...
Sign of being lawyer/journo, not historian.
The field was opposite cluden racecourse in Townsville
Yeah Grandpa
Leading Aircraftman
LAC
SAMARAI DESTROYER
‘…shooting rabbits with a .303…’. Seriously. That’d vaporise them.
Back in the day, that’s the reason why the Australians were so good. Won’t see that again.
Selfless heroes all.
Our greatest generation.
Respect.
Lest we forget.
I am not sure if he is mentioned in this doco, but John Jackson led these men.....he lasted until the end and was then shot down and died. He led by example
I believe John Jackson was the OC .
outstanding video, thanks for the post
How old is this video??
It's the hair... I can't take my eyes off it! Look at 11.57. It actually looks like the bloke has got a sleeping Cairn Terrier on his head. Please tell me that he had his hair cut that way for a bet?
if only japan won midway and coral sea.