The war against Japan was a vicious and for the most part inhumane introduction to the savagery of war for the "raw" young soldiers that were to defend the Pacific against a determined enemy. An enemy that in most cases would rather die than surrender. Imperative to the success of many operations was not just the bravery of soldiers, sailors, airmen & marines, it was a band of dedicated "eyes" who supplied vital information on the movements of the enemy. The Coast Watchers by the man who led them! Eric FELDT (R.A.N) from "AS YOU WERE !" 1946 As in my avatar, this remembers the 22 who were beheaded on Tarawa............. View attachment 1371 British, New Zealanders & Australians. Shortly after World War 1 (in Australia), the Naval Staff instituted a system of civilian coast watchers, whose duty it was to report any matters of naval intelligence coming to their notice. Slowly the scheme was developed until the settled part of the Australian coast was under observation. In the late twenties the organization was extended to Papua, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Admiral Halsey said that the intelligence signalled by two coast watchers from Bougainville had saved Guadalcanal, and Guadalcanal had saved the South Pacific. Read the full story about the brave men at... http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-navy/coastwatchers.htm
another unknown facet of the war for me that this board has thrown light on!!! Good reference Spidge !!
Also highly recommended on this subject is Lonely Vigil, by Walter Lord, written in 1978. A superb accounting of the Coastwatchers' achievements, based heavily on interviews with both former Coastwatchers and the airmen and sailors they saved. Great reading.
