Australia & The Islands
Final Parade
Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Morshead had command of the 9th Australian Division at both Tobruk and in the Battles of El Alamein.
When the Division returned to Palestine after setting up the conditions for an Allied victory in North Africa, the troops continued training and holding exercises around Gaza.
Their final parade was at Gaza Airport on 22 December 1942.
Addressing the assembled troops, General Morshead praised the 9th Division in these words:
"The battle of Alamein has made history, and you are in the proud position of having taken a major part in that great victory. Your reputation as fighters has always been famous but I do not believe you have ever fought with greater bravery or distinction than you did during that battle when you broke the German and Italian armies in the Western Desert."
When the Division returned to Palestine after setting up the conditions for an Allied victory in North Africa, the troops continued training and holding exercises around Gaza.
Their final parade was at Gaza Airport on 22 December 1942.
Addressing the assembled troops, General Morshead praised the 9th Division in these words:
"The battle of Alamein has made history, and you are in the proud position of having taken a major part in that great victory. Your reputation as fighters has always been famous but I do not believe you have ever fought with greater bravery or distinction than you did during that battle when you broke the German and Italian armies in the Western Desert."
Arthur Shannon attended the parade itself and the previous day had voluntarily taken part in a practice for the parade and review. It was the first parade by the 9th Division for 10 months.
He recorded his 22nd December 1942 diary entry as follows:
"Big event today---parade on Gaza Airport, of 9 Australian Division and all types of attached units.
H.Q. AIF had a squad, as organised spectators.
We went by truck at 0930, marched to our position near dais and stood ( at ease and at attention) there during the whole proceedings --- about three hours.
It was very tiring, but the spectacle was well worth it.
Gen. Alexander (C in C ME) and Gen Morshead reviewed all troops from a car, then Gen Alexander made a short, fine speech. ( There were other generals on dais, too).
Sloping and presenting arms by many thousand men in unison was a fine spectacle.
The march past was good and interesting to me, because I could pick out several old friends.
The parade was well organised, and so was the traffic control--- which must have been a big job, as thousands of trucks transported the troops to the area.
A good show. "
He recorded his 22nd December 1942 diary entry as follows:
"Big event today---parade on Gaza Airport, of 9 Australian Division and all types of attached units.
H.Q. AIF had a squad, as organised spectators.
We went by truck at 0930, marched to our position near dais and stood ( at ease and at attention) there during the whole proceedings --- about three hours.
It was very tiring, but the spectacle was well worth it.
Gen. Alexander (C in C ME) and Gen Morshead reviewed all troops from a car, then Gen Alexander made a short, fine speech. ( There were other generals on dais, too).
Sloping and presenting arms by many thousand men in unison was a fine spectacle.
The march past was good and interesting to me, because I could pick out several old friends.
The parade was well organised, and so was the traffic control--- which must have been a big job, as thousands of trucks transported the troops to the area.
A good show. "
Bring Them Home!
The 14th Prime Minister of Australia,John Curtin
The 9th Division was brought home from the Middle East on the orders of the new Labor Prime Minister, John Curtin.
Mr.Curtin was invited by the Governor-General of Australia, Lord Gowrie, to form a government after a minority United Australia Party coalition headed by Robert Menzies, and then Arthur Fadden ,lost the support of two Independent MPs.
John Curtin was sworn in as Prime Minister on 7 October 1941, just eight weeks before the Japanese entered the war by attacking Pearl Harbor, the USA's naval base in Hawaii.
A battle of wills began between the new Australian Prime Minister and the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill and the U.S. President, Franklin Roosevelt.
After being relieved at Tobruk, the 6th and 7th Divisions departed North Africa, having been recalled to Australia on Mr. Curtin's orders, to prepare for the war against Japan.
The 9th Division stayed on, and played an important role in the Allied victory at El Alamein in October 1942.
An argument over where the 9th Division should next be deployed , led to what became known as "The Cable Wars".
A stream of secret cables between Canberra and London drew a heated reaction from Mr. Churchill.
He could not believe that the Australian Prime Minister would reject his plans for the 9th Division.
John Curtin was determined the Division would return to Australia, in readiness to face the advancing Japanese forces.
Britain and America wanted the Division sent to Java or Burma, and at one stage briefly diverted the returning convoy without Australia's knowledge or consent.
Curtin stood his ground despite Churchill's obvious anger, and the convoy resumed it's journey to Australia.
Curtin claimed his stand against Churchill and Roosevelt eventually proved to have been the best decision for Australia.
He told a press conference on 15 January 1943:
"We would be in a pretty pickle if the AIF had not come back.
If they had gone to Burma or to some other places that were mentioned, the country could well have been lost."
Mr.Curtin was invited by the Governor-General of Australia, Lord Gowrie, to form a government after a minority United Australia Party coalition headed by Robert Menzies, and then Arthur Fadden ,lost the support of two Independent MPs.
John Curtin was sworn in as Prime Minister on 7 October 1941, just eight weeks before the Japanese entered the war by attacking Pearl Harbor, the USA's naval base in Hawaii.
A battle of wills began between the new Australian Prime Minister and the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill and the U.S. President, Franklin Roosevelt.
After being relieved at Tobruk, the 6th and 7th Divisions departed North Africa, having been recalled to Australia on Mr. Curtin's orders, to prepare for the war against Japan.
The 9th Division stayed on, and played an important role in the Allied victory at El Alamein in October 1942.
An argument over where the 9th Division should next be deployed , led to what became known as "The Cable Wars".
A stream of secret cables between Canberra and London drew a heated reaction from Mr. Churchill.
He could not believe that the Australian Prime Minister would reject his plans for the 9th Division.
John Curtin was determined the Division would return to Australia, in readiness to face the advancing Japanese forces.
Britain and America wanted the Division sent to Java or Burma, and at one stage briefly diverted the returning convoy without Australia's knowledge or consent.
Curtin stood his ground despite Churchill's obvious anger, and the convoy resumed it's journey to Australia.
Curtin claimed his stand against Churchill and Roosevelt eventually proved to have been the best decision for Australia.
He told a press conference on 15 January 1943:
"We would be in a pretty pickle if the AIF had not come back.
If they had gone to Burma or to some other places that were mentioned, the country could well have been lost."
The Journey Home
Arthur Shannon returned to Australia from the Middle East in February 1943 with the 9th Division.
On arrival he was promoted to Lieutenant and after a short period of leave began duty at Army Headquarters in Melbourne.
On arrival he was promoted to Lieutenant and after a short period of leave began duty at Army Headquarters in Melbourne.
HMT Nieuw Amsterdam on which troops of the 2nd/26th Infantry Brigade , including VX47000, returned to Australia in 1943.
Other transport ships in the convoy are shown below.
Other transport ships in the convoy are shown below.
Below: The Cruiser HMS Devonshire was one of the convoy escorts. Some of the Mediterranean destoyers escorted the troopships until they were clear of narrow waters where they were vulnerable to submarine attacks. In the event, the five large ships journeyed to Australia without any untoward incident.
|
Other troopships in the homeward-bound convoy were
( clockwise from above): Queen of Bermuda Aquitania Ile de France Queen Mary |
The 26th Brigade's official war diary covering the period from late January 1943 until the end of February that year, is on typed pages.
However the author of this website believes the entries were written in the style and turn of phrase used by Arthur Shannon.
The paragraphs below are based on the official diary entries.
However the author of this website believes the entries were written in the style and turn of phrase used by Arthur Shannon.
The paragraphs below are based on the official diary entries.
Brigade personnel set out in mid-January from Palestine unaware of where they were headed.
Travelling to the Egyptian city of Suez by trucks, buses , and trains they were then transferred by barges to the waiting troopship HMT Nieuw Amsterdam.
More than 6000 troops, nurses and VADs ( Voluntary Aid Detachments) were on board when the ship raised anchor and moved through the Suez Canal on 1 February 1943.
Three days later the Nieuw Amsterdam entered the Indian Ocean and joined a convoy of five troopships, six destroyers and one light cruiser.
As the ships formed up into the convoy, the whole of the 9th Division was all together again for the first time in many months.
Although those aboard the troop ships did not know it, they were heading home after more than two years in the Middle East.
Early in the voyage, the considered view among the troops was that they were bound for Australia.
Although still not told officially, the troops were more certain of their likely destination by the 14th of February.
Rottnest Island , off Fremantle, came into view on the morning of 18th February.
All of the troops who had enlisted in Western Australia disembarked at Fremantle.
The convoy sailed two days later, and arrived at Port Melbourne on the afternoon of 25th February.
All Victorian troops disembarked and boarded trains which took them to the Army camp at Seymour, north of Melbourne.
As their trains travelled through the suburbs of Melbourne they were given a wonderful reception by people along the railway line.
On reaching Seymour, the Brigade members were given leave.
The Brigade's official diary takes up the story from the start of March, 1943. This part of the diary is believed NOT to have been the work of Arthur Shannon.
Melbourne people turned out in their thousands on 31 March 1943 to cheer members of the 9th Division as they marched through the centre of Melbourne.
The photo below from the Argus newspaper shows the troops were given a fitting welcome home by the big crowds lining Swanston Street, Melbourne.
The photo below from the Argus newspaper shows the troops were given a fitting welcome home by the big crowds lining Swanston Street, Melbourne.
Sydney Scare.
At about the same time the 9th Division was leaving Fremantle a lone Japanese warplane flew over Sydney at night,and the authorities sounded an air raid warning.
Prime Minister, John Curtin was disgusted when rumours spread around Sydney that it was an attempt to scare the population.
Calling a press conference he told journalists of the arrival of the 9th Division in the west, and stated his belief that the Japanese plane had been checking along the coast to see if the Division had yet arrived in Sydney.
The soldiers of the 9th Division were soon heading north to counter Japanese forces which had swept through South East Asia and were now knocking at Australia's front door.
VX47000 Postings in Australia and The Islands
In mid-1943 Arthur Shannon was given a Commission by the Governor-General of Australia, Baron Gowrie.
A copy of the document promoting him to Lieutenant is shown below.
A copy of the document promoting him to Lieutenant is shown below.
Melbourne
The 9th Division personnel enjoyed three weeks leave after their arrival in Melbourne.
On 25th March,1943, Arthur was transferred to Land Head Quarters Signals ,opposite the Albert Park Lake. The Signals unit was accommodated in a Victorian-era mansion "Grosvenor" on Queens Road. The old building is still standing, surrounded by modern luxury apartment buildings.
While serving in Melbourne, Arthur was promoted from Corporal to Lieutenant. The promotion took effect from 3 June, by which time he was serving in Brisbane.
On 25th March,1943, Arthur was transferred to Land Head Quarters Signals ,opposite the Albert Park Lake. The Signals unit was accommodated in a Victorian-era mansion "Grosvenor" on Queens Road. The old building is still standing, surrounded by modern luxury apartment buildings.
While serving in Melbourne, Arthur was promoted from Corporal to Lieutenant. The promotion took effect from 3 June, by which time he was serving in Brisbane.
Brisbane
An Advanced Land Headquarters (LHQ) was set up in Brisbane by General Sir Thomas Blamey in August 1942.
Arthur Shannon served at the Headquarters for about seven months during the following year after returning from the Middle East.
He was involved with sending and receiving important signals from units in war zones to Australia's north.
The HQ was located in the suburb of St Lucia in the grounds of the Queensland University.
A newly finished building for the University was taken over by the Army, and its academic role was delayed until after the war.
Arthur Shannon served at the Headquarters for about seven months during the following year after returning from the Middle East.
He was involved with sending and receiving important signals from units in war zones to Australia's north.
The HQ was located in the suburb of St Lucia in the grounds of the Queensland University.
A newly finished building for the University was taken over by the Army, and its academic role was delayed until after the war.
The Islands
The map (below) from Wikipedia illustrates the Japanese advance through the Malay Barrier in 1941-42. Also shown are offensive operations which Australia feared the Japanese would take against the country. |
The poster ( left ) is one of many produced by the
Australian Government to make the population aware of the threat of invasion. It's aim was to encourage people to join the armed services and increase their productivity in the workforce This was not scaremongering. The Japanese brought the war to Australia on almost 100 occasions in the 19 months following their attack on Pearl Harbor . They bombed Darwin and other northern parts of the country between February 1942 and November 1943. The known bombing raids tally was: Darwin 64 Horn Island 7 Townsville 3 Wyndam 2 Mossman 1 Katherine 1 Derby 1 |
After his Brisbane posting, Arthur Shannon served in Forward Headquarters which were established at several locations to Australia's north.
The red asterisks show the main places Arthur served in PNG and the islands...Port Moresby, Lae, Rabaul and at Torokina in the south of Bougainville.
His cipher skills were put to use assisting the various battles by Australian and American forces against the Japanese.
The following summary of Arthur's service in the Pacific Campaign of WWII is based on his own notes.
The red asterisks show the main places Arthur served in PNG and the islands...Port Moresby, Lae, Rabaul and at Torokina in the south of Bougainville.
His cipher skills were put to use assisting the various battles by Australian and American forces against the Japanese.
The following summary of Arthur's service in the Pacific Campaign of WWII is based on his own notes.
On 13th January 1944, Arthur Shannon flew from Brisbane to Port Moresby, where he transferred to 4th Australian Cipher Section, 2 Coy 18 L of C Sigs -New Guinea Force.
On the 6th of May 1944 he joined 2 Coy 18 L of C Sigs - Port Moresby Base Sub Area.
From 8th to 11th June, 1944, Arthur sailed on the "Taroona" from Port Morseby, to Milne Bay and on to Lae.
There he served with 4 Cipher Sec, 2 Coy. 8 Aust Corps Sigs - New Guinea Force.
From 1st July he served at Lae with 4 Aust Cipher Sec, 2 Coy 19 L o C. Sigs - New Guinea Force.
Still at Lae, he transferred on 17th September to 38 Aust Cipher Sec, Sigs 3 Aust Div.
He sailed aboard the United States Army Transport ship "Aconcagua" (11th to 15th October 1944) from Lae to Torokina on the island of Bougainville.
He left Torokina on 23rd December on board the ship "Ormiston" and arrived at Townsville on 27th December.
After a 24-day leave in Melbourne, Arthur returned by train from Melbourne to Townsville, the journey taking from 30th January 1945 to 5th February.
He then boarded the USAT "Shawnee" on 22 February which took him back to Torokina on Bougainville, arriving there on 26th February.
On June 9th Arthur left Sigs 3 Div (Toko) Transit Camp, Torokina.
He flew from Torokina (Bougainville) on 16 June 1945 to Jaquinot Bay on the island of New Britain. There he transferred to 48 Aust Cipher Sec, Sigs 2 Aust Div.
He was still serving at that location when the war ended on 15th August 1945.
Arthur sailed from Jaquinot Bay, New Britain, on board the "Taroona" on 10th September, 1945. After calling into Milne Bay, the "Taroona" reached Brisbane on 15th September. Arthur marched out in Brisbane for long service discharge.
He arrived back home in Melbourne on 19th September 1945, where he was stationed at Royal Park Army Camp.
Nine days later Arthur Shannon was admitted to the 115 Aust Miltary Hospital , Heidelberg,Melbourne. He was transferred on 14 October 1945 to 106 Aust General Hospital, Bonegilla, where he remained until the 4th of February 1946. He spent time on leave in Melbourne until 26th February, when he returned to hospital at Bonegilla.
VX47000 was discharged from the Army on 17th May 1945, and the next day was discharged from the 106 AGH at Bonegilla. He then returned to his home town of Melbourne as a civilian.
On the 6th of May 1944 he joined 2 Coy 18 L of C Sigs - Port Moresby Base Sub Area.
From 8th to 11th June, 1944, Arthur sailed on the "Taroona" from Port Morseby, to Milne Bay and on to Lae.
There he served with 4 Cipher Sec, 2 Coy. 8 Aust Corps Sigs - New Guinea Force.
From 1st July he served at Lae with 4 Aust Cipher Sec, 2 Coy 19 L o C. Sigs - New Guinea Force.
Still at Lae, he transferred on 17th September to 38 Aust Cipher Sec, Sigs 3 Aust Div.
He sailed aboard the United States Army Transport ship "Aconcagua" (11th to 15th October 1944) from Lae to Torokina on the island of Bougainville.
He left Torokina on 23rd December on board the ship "Ormiston" and arrived at Townsville on 27th December.
After a 24-day leave in Melbourne, Arthur returned by train from Melbourne to Townsville, the journey taking from 30th January 1945 to 5th February.
He then boarded the USAT "Shawnee" on 22 February which took him back to Torokina on Bougainville, arriving there on 26th February.
On June 9th Arthur left Sigs 3 Div (Toko) Transit Camp, Torokina.
He flew from Torokina (Bougainville) on 16 June 1945 to Jaquinot Bay on the island of New Britain. There he transferred to 48 Aust Cipher Sec, Sigs 2 Aust Div.
He was still serving at that location when the war ended on 15th August 1945.
Arthur sailed from Jaquinot Bay, New Britain, on board the "Taroona" on 10th September, 1945. After calling into Milne Bay, the "Taroona" reached Brisbane on 15th September. Arthur marched out in Brisbane for long service discharge.
He arrived back home in Melbourne on 19th September 1945, where he was stationed at Royal Park Army Camp.
Nine days later Arthur Shannon was admitted to the 115 Aust Miltary Hospital , Heidelberg,Melbourne. He was transferred on 14 October 1945 to 106 Aust General Hospital, Bonegilla, where he remained until the 4th of February 1946. He spent time on leave in Melbourne until 26th February, when he returned to hospital at Bonegilla.
VX47000 was discharged from the Army on 17th May 1945, and the next day was discharged from the 106 AGH at Bonegilla. He then returned to his home town of Melbourne as a civilian.
Below are photos of aircraft and ships on which Arthur Shannon traveled during his service in the areas north of Australia.
NO PHOTO FOUND.
USAT "Aconcagua" , Lae to Torokina, Bougainville. ( 11th-15th October 1944) Vessel of 7000 tons.
USAT "Aconcagua" , Lae to Torokina, Bougainville. ( 11th-15th October 1944) Vessel of 7000 tons.