Description
Title: The New Guinea Volunteer Rifles – NGVR 1939-1943 a History.
Author: Downs, Ian
Condition: Near Mint Plus
Edition: 1st Edition
Publication Date: 1999
ISBN: 187515003X
Cover: Hard Cover with Dust Jacket – 359 pages
Comments: The detailed history of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles during World War II.
The NGVR was formed in September 1939 from white settlers in New Guinea, and following the Japanese landings in 1942 it was activated for full-time service. Between January and May, with a strength of just 500 men, the NGVR monitored the Japanese bases which had been established in the Huon Gulf region until the arrival of Kanga Force at Wau, being the only Allied force in the area. NGVR personnel also helped rescue 217 survivors of Lark Force from Rabaul in February and March 1942.
NGVR established observation posts and camps overlooking the main approaches and reported Japanese movements, all the time planning their own offensive. In a series of raids NGVR inflicted significant casualties on the Japanese, and led them to believe that they faced a much larger opposing force. On 28 June 1942 NGVR and the newly arrived 2/5th Independent Company carried out a highly successful attack on the Japanese garrison in Salamaua, killing at least 113. The Japanese were subsequently defeated in the Battle of Wau in January and February 1943. Due to significant attrition NGVR was subsequently disbanded in late 1943, its surviving members becoming part of the Australia New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU).
Includes Nominal Roll
