'FIRE, AT THE TIME AND PLACE REQUIRED'

The island campaigns in the Pacific were rich in episodes where Gunners, by the sweat of their brow and often with amazing ingenuity, overcame incredible obstacles to get the guns into position to deliver fire at the time and place required. One such episode is to be found in the annals of the 2nd/8th Australian Field Regiment during the northern Borneo campaign less than a month before the Japanese capitulation. The 2nd/8th's success in stepping forward a section of guns across what appeared to be ten miles of impassable jungle enabled a small Australian infantry patrol to hold the water-pumping station of Badas, supplying the rich oil town of Seria, against a numerically much superior force of Japanese.

Early in July 1945 a native report stated that 300 Japanese were still holding Badas, on the Belait river, about ten miles inland from the coast. There was evidence that the pumping station was still intact, so a light reconnaissance patrol, with a FOO from the 2nd/8th Regiment, was dispatched from Seria to investigate. They entered Badas, found the plant undamaged and decided to hold the village, as Japanese were still reported in strength in the vicinity and might return to carry out demolitions. The FOO had remained with the patrol, although it was beyond the range of the guns at his call, and he reported there were suitable gun positions near Badas. With a section of guns in action there the pumping station might be held, to help fight the fires raging in Seria.

The patrol had followed the only route to Badas-an old disused timber railway so overgrown that it was impassable to tractor or jeep. Rails could be cleared though, and when 2nd/8th Gunners found an abandoned timber truck in the undergrowth, they determined to repair and modify it, load two 25-pdrs on it and with drag-ropes haul it through the sweltering jungle to Badas. It would be a tough, slow haul, but they had done this kind of thing before and would do it again. They were determined to back the infantry's bluff with some fire at the place where it was certainly needed and at the earliest possible moment.

While they were getting the guns on to the truck a timber-hauling railway engine was found hidden in the jungle, but vital parts were missing. Just when the Gunners had resigned themselves once more to their long, time-wasting haul, a bizarre old Chinaman emerged from the jungle. He claimed to be the driver of the engine and told a strange story. When the Japanese occupied the area, he said, he had driven the engine out into the jungle, removed several parts, encased them in grease and buried them. He had then fled into the jungle and lived with the Dyaks.

That was enough for the Gunners. They soon located and dug up the missing parts, and 9th Division sappers reassembled the engine and drove it in triumph back to Seria. Loaded with two guns, their ammunition and crews, the truck was coupled on and to the accompaniment of loud cheers the train plunged into the jungle for Badas. Within two hours the guns were in action at Badas, announcing to the Japanese that the village was no longer only lightly held. The large enemy force left Badas strictly alone, and during the night withdrew to the west.

Once more ingenuity had triumphed and the Gunners had delivered the goods as ordered.

by Lieut-Colonel R. L. Johnston, E.D., who commanded the 2nd/8th Australian Field Regiment