1940 1945 2/5 Australian Field Ambulance AIF

172 Pages·2012·7.09 MB·English

1940 1945

th
2/5 Australian Field
Ambulance
A.I.F

UNIT HISTORY

by
LLOYD TANN
The Unit History

of

th
2/5 Australian Field Ambulance

1940 – 1945

By
Lloyd Tann
(i)

F 0 R E W 0 R D

It gives me great pleasure to contribute a few remarks to this great effort by Lloyd
Tann, in recording the History of 2/5th Australian Field Ambulance, in which, for a
time, I was privileged to serve; - first as O.C. "B" Company, then "H.Q." Company
then to Command.

The unit was a fine one; and all who served in her can be justly proud, and I certainly
am.

This work by Lloyd Tann is an excellent effort to record a history, before all is lost of
our memories.

During the unit's service, many things happened; - some nice, - some nasty, - and
some amusing; alas, most not recorded, and now dimmed by time. I would be remiss
if I did not mention the famous "beer barrel mystery of Kilcoy".

The work done by Lloyd is terrific, and on behalf of us all, I offer him our thanks.

Alex. M. MacIntosh
Lt. Col. (R.L) R.A.A.M.C.

FORSTER

7th. July 1987
(ii)

P R E F A C E

The record of the 2/5th Australian Field Ambulance is one of which all who served
with the unit can feel proud.

More than 40 years have passed since the events recorded here took place. Perhaps
the story should have been written many years closer to the actual events, when
memories were clearer. However, better late than never!

This story deserves to be told, as a tribute to all who served with the unit; many of
those who took part in the actions described have now passed on, and it is fitting that
their families should have some record of their sacrifices and service.

As memories, (particularly after 45 years), are unreliable, I have done a considerable
amount of research from many books (which are listed later), the Central Army
Records Office, and the Unit War Diaries at the Australian War Memorial in
Canberra.

Unfortunately, there are many gaps. By the very nature of our operations, with many
small detachments operating with other units, it is obvious that details of these
operations do not always appear in our unit records, although they form an important
part of our history.

These gaps have had to be filled in from memory, so there must be omissions and
discrepancies, for which I express my regrets.

As a member of the 2/5th Field Ambulance from it's formation at Puckapunyal in May
1940, to it's disbandment in Balikpapan (Borneo) in October 1945, the writing of this
history has been full of interest, and a labour of love.

I hope other members of the unit will get as much pleasure from reading it, as I have
from writing it.

Lloyd Tann

1987
(iii)

HONOUR ROLL

The following members of the 2/5th. Australian Field Ambulance were killed in
action, or died whilst serving with the Unit:

VX 17587 Pte. SAGGERS A. J. Tobruk 3/5/41

VX 2226 Pte. SHANASY T.J. Aleppo 4/12/41

VX 23444 L/Sgt MASON P.W. Aleppo 13/12/41

TX 948 L/Sgt FLEMING F.A. Julis 7/ 2/42

VX 14985 Pte. WARD A. Kilcoy 2/ 7/42

VX 50968 Pte. MILES B.D. Goodenough Is. 23/10/42

VX 21542 Pte. BLACKBURN R. Goodenough Is. 23/10/42

VX 26243 Pte. RHODES J. F. Buna 2/ 1/43

VX 17148 Cutts R.A (no other details)

LEST WE FORGET
(iv)

HONOURS, DECORATIONS AND AWARDS

The following members of the 2/5th Australian Field Ambulance were recognised by
His Majesty King George VI for bravery in action whilst serving with the unit:

Pte. MARRIOTT R. H. D.C.M.

Lieut. JACOBS C.P. M.B.E.

A/Cpl FORBES A.R. M.M.

T/Maj. LAVARACK J.0. M.I.D. (2)

Sgt. HEWETT V.R. M.I.D.

Cpl. WAUGH E.A. M.I.D.
(v)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to acknowledge with thanks, the assistance and information I have obtained
from the following sources:

Central Army Records Office Melbourne

Unit War Diaries Canberra

Tobruk by Chester Wilmot

A Hospital at War (2/4th A.G.H.) by Rupert Goodman

Australia in the War of 1939-1945 (Series):

The Middle East & Far East by Alan S. Walker
The Island Campaigns by Alan S. Walker
To Benghazi by Gavin Long
Tobruk & El Alamein by Barton Maughan
The New Guinea Offensive by David Dexter
The Final Campaign by Gavin Long

--------------

I particularly wish to record my thanks to Dr Rupert Goodman for his helpful advice
and for his permission to use extracts from his book, as, particularly in the early days,
and in Tobruk, the 2/4th A.G.H and the 2/5th Field Ambulance had much in common.

Johnny Rutherford too was a great help, by providing copies of many articles he had
written for books, papers and magazines, tapes and diaries; and also for providing
accommodation in Canberra for two weeks whilst I was researching the War Diaries
at the War Memorial.
(vi )

I N D E X

Chapter Page

1. Puckapunyal 12

2. Embarkation 27.

3. Palestine 33

4. Cyrenaica & Egypt 37

5. Siege of Tobruk 45

6. Syria 65.

7. Return to Australia 73.

8. Milne Bay - Including: 80

Goodenough Island
Buna
Sanananda

9. Ravenshoe & Port Moresby 94

10. Dumpu & Shaggy Ridge 108

11. Strathpine & Kairi 146

12. Balikpapan 152

13. The Unsung Heroes 162

Epilogue 165

Appendix 172
(vii )

Illustrations

PAGE

16 - 17 2/5th. Aust. Fd. Amb. Company Photos - Puckapunyal 1940.

29 - 30 Bombay; Gateway to India; Laundry day at Deolali.

34 - 35. 2/5th. Fd. Amb. Group at Mosque of Omar; Church of all Nations;
Damascus Gate in Old City Wall, - Jerusalem.

38 - 39. Sidi Barrani; Fort Capuzzo; Captured Italian Gun - Tobruk.

41 - 43 Amriyah (Egypt); Pyramid - Cairo; Remains of Italian Bomber -Tobruk.

48 Map of Tobruk Fortress.

50 - 51. 3 Scenes in Wadi Auda - Tobruk.

55. Surrender Leaflet dropped on Tobruk.

56 - 57 Oil Tanker ablaze; Sinking of "Ladybird"; Figtree A.D.S. - Tobruk.

66 - 67 MDS - Homs; View of Homs; Waterwheel & Aqueduct - (Hama) - Syria.

70 - 72. Hospital Courtyard; Xmas Party at Con. Hospital - Aleppo; Dick
Armitage winning the 400 metres at Aleppo.

75 - 76. "Nieuw Amsterdam" at Suez; HMS "Ramilles" and Hospital Ship –
“Colombo”.

81 Map - Milne Bay Area.

88 . Map - Buna Area.

92 Map - Sanananda Area.

107 Tennis courts - Port Moresby

109. Map - Shaggy Ridge Area.

111 – 112 MDS Dumpu from Air;"B" Coy Stretcher Party leaving Gayton's Post.
115 Mess Time at Gayton's Post.

117 A D S Gayton’s Post - Jan – March

123 Map - Stretcher Route, Canning's - Gaytons.

125 - 126 Gayton's Post Scenes.

130 . Map - Stretcher route, Kankiryo - Mainstream.

133. Map - Shaggy Ridge Area, showing Posts.

135 - 137 Patient at Gayton's; Shaggy Ridge; Crater Pimple.

141 - 142. Patients leaving Guy's Post by Jeep Ambulance; Party at Medical
Staging Post - Mainstream; Operating Theatre - Gayton's Post.

153, Map - Balikpapan Area.

155 - 156 Scenes - Refinery Area, Balikpapan.

161. Signing of Surrender on HMAS "Burdekin".