Barges

Battle Of The

How Charlie Blake Won a Decoration

TWO lightly-armed American barges,

closely hugging the jungle

fringed coast of New Britain, were

returning from a vital reconnaisance patrol. They ran head on into a con voy of twelve heavily-armed Japanese barges carrying hundreds of enemy reinforcements. The Aus t r alian

Warrant-Officer in charge fought

what well may be described as an epic naval action, until his two craft were shot to run ashore.

IN the early landings of New Britain a number of Australians were attached to the American forces. Among these selected men was Warrant-Officer Charles Blake, who had spent many years in New Guinea, where he was last a gold miner on the Bulolo. Asa plantation owner and district inspector he had gained an intimate knowledge of New Britain. His wide experience of the native tribes and their customs proved a valuable asset in these operations * Special forces were sent forward by the GOC of the US troops to collect vital in formation as to enemy dispositions.

These small patrols of Americans and natives were led by the Australians.

WO Blake proceeded from Arawe, where the American forces had .landed and established a small base. The two barges carried Americans and a number of picked natives. Their task was to land and work behind the Japanese lines to secure information for further operations against Cape Gloucester.

Hugging the jungle-fringed coast, they made good headway through the numer ous reefs. Despite a sharp look-out, they ran head-on into a convoy of twelve heavily-armed Jap barges. These craft were packed with hundreds of enemy re

inforcements moving forward t 9 launch

a counter-attack on the American-held base at Arawe.

THE enemy barges blocked every avenue of escape and opened up with every gun they could use. The two smaller American barges were subjected to a terrific cross-fire from the enemy 25 mm guns. They fought a hopeless battle with the odds of twelve to two, and returned a. light fire with their smaller guns.

Breaking through the surrounding enemy barges, they succeeded in beaching their two badly shot-up craft. Still under heavy fire, they abandoned the barges and plunged for cover into the swampy jungle. They had sustained heavy casual ties, with eight wounded men. One American received eight bullet wounds in his leg.

Carrying the seriously wounded man, Blake waded for half a mile through knee-deep mud and slime. Cutting their way through thick jungle, the party finally rested and treated their wounded.

Several hazardous trips were made to the beached barges for stores. Blake and two men successfully evaded two Jap patrols that were searching for them.

Owing to the dense jungle and swamp it was impossible to carry the badly wounded man further. His wounds were cleaned and treated with sulphamilanide and were then heavily bandaged. A few gallons of water and a quantity of food was left within his reach. The remainder of the party then set out on its long detour to reach the American lines.

The small force spent many days and

nights in the jungle and swamps, and had several hair-breadth escapes \yhen penetrating the Jap lines. Sick and ex hausted, they finally reached their own lines, with their main task successfully completed.

W/O Blake volunteered to return and bring back the wounded American left in the swamp. With a large canoe and several natives he was successful in rescuing the injured soldier, who had survived the ordeal.

WHILE serving with the US forces dur ing subsequent operations, W/O Blake led a company of Americans in a successful attack against the Japs at Umtingalu village. He also assisted in the evacuation of 300 natives from the villages of Meselia and Umtingalu, both Jap-occupied at the time. This wa§ done a short distance from the enemy, and under over-hanging cliffs, from which the party on the barges could have been annihilated had not the enemy been sur prised by the manoeuvre.

The Commanding Officer of the Ameri can forces at Arawe forwarded a separate commendation of W/O Blake’s action in leading a dangerous patrol to capture prisoners for intelligence information. A strong party of Japs w6re surprised in a large hut, and several were killed during the sharp fighting. The raiders returned with three prisoners, without casualties to themselves.

For- individual bravery and devotion to duty, W/O Blake was awarded the Mili tary Medal and granted his commission.

The citation added that he had been a source of inspiration to the natives under his command, and his activities in no small degree contributed to the success of operations in the Arawe area.

A. R. Bonney.

RSM 36 Aust. Inf. Bn., Unit Correspondent.