Last Journey

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Of Bell's

IN 1942, Lincoln Bell and myself, as well as Bill Butteris, Andy Smith, DSC, MM, Bill Tupling, Bert Olander, Adolf Obst, Vic Neumann, Ken McColl, DSC, Harris, Freund, Lloyd Pursehouse, Mo Johnson and McNicoll, DSM, were a unit attached to the * Allied Intelligence Bureau, and engaged on coast-watching and general Intelligence duties in' the Madang area.

In October, 1942, Lincoln Bell and my self were ordered to proceed in the launch “Saemat” to Rooke Island, and set up a coast-watching station there covering the Vitiaz and Dampier Straits.

Andy Smith, Bill Butteris and Obst were ordered to proceed to Cape Gloucester on a similar mission, and Bill Tupling and Bert Olander went to the Arawe area, each party having a small launch for the purpose.

The object of these coast-watching stations was' to report the movement of any shipping, aircraft, etc., which might attempt to push through and land re inforcements at Buna, where a battle was still being bitterly fought.

From our CW station on Rooke Island, Lincoln and I sighted numerous vessels and we claimed at least four Jap de stroyers which we reported and which were sunk by US aircraft in the Huon Gulf.

IN December, 1942, the enemy occupied Madang, and we were then ordered to withdraw from Rooke Island and set up our CW station on the Rai coast.

We moved across to Saidor, and a station was opened a few miles inland, over looking the Saidor airstrip. We con tinued our duties in this area, reporting barge, shipping and aircraft movements until about March, 1943, when a party under the command of Lieut, (now Major) Fairfax-Ross was sent out to re lieve us.

About February, however, Lincoln started to feel the strain and began suf fering from bad and persistent attacks of malaria. It was decided, therefore, that it would be advisable for him to

move further into the Finisterre Moun tains and set up another camp, where he might have a chance to recuperate, while I remained at the beach camp.

This was done, and Lincoln moved up the Vankina Valley, taking a supply of provisions and spare W/T equipment, in case a hasty withdrawal was necessary from the beach camp.

Lincoln remained at this camp until Lieut. Fairfax-Ross arrived, and ap-

SOME months ago a request was made through the “PIM” for information regarding the death in the district, New Guinea, of Lieut. L. T. Bell, RANVR. The response was immedi ate, and in recent months two ac counts have been published in which events leading up to his death have been given in detail. The fol lowing story, however, is so graphic that it merits inclusion. It is told by Lieut. B. G. Hall, at present with the Production Control Board, Madang, who was probably the last European to see Bell alive. He was associated with Bell in his operations and is in a position to fill in some of the full story of Bell and his achieve ments—the full significance of which Hall feels was not sufficiently re cognised by those in authority.

At the time the request was made in “PIM,” Lieut. Hall was not in a position to reply. AIB parties were still operating and their security de* manded silence.

peared to be improving in health, al though it was evident he badly needed a rest away from New Guinea.

WITH the arrival of Lieut. Fairfax- Ross, Lincoln commenced to make preparations to proceed via Mato koto to cross the Finisterre Range at this point, then over Ramu and Markham Divides and so on to Bena Bena. I was not leaving with Lincoln, as I had re ceived permission to remain on duty with Fairfax-Ross. Had I left with Bell, no doubt I would have suffered the same fate as he did.

Just prior to the arrival of the relief party, an attempt was made by natives from the Siboa area to steal several ar ticles from Lincoln’s camp while he was away pig-shooting. He informed me that he returned to camp just as the culprits were preparing to leave, and as the position looked grim and he had noticed a number of natives slinking around the camp on other occasions, he decided drastic measures must be taken and opened fire on the thieves. He saw no one fall and did not think he wounded anyone, but the remedy was apparently effective as he was not again troubled with visitors.

When he was ready to commence the trip to Bena Bena, it was decided that Lieut. Dave Laws, AIB radio expert, who had accompanied Fairfax-Ross in order to service our radio equipment, should return to Bena Bena with Lincoln, as his work had been completed. A .half caste from Madang, who was working with us, named Otto Schulz, also de cided to leave with Lincoln.

AFTER this party, accompanied by one Rabaul native named Josef, and as sisted by carriers from Waibol vil lage, left the vicinity of my camp on the Nankina River, no further contact was ever made with them, although it is presumed that they arrived at Sibog the first night out, as this village was only a few miles away.

From reports it would appear that Nthe

following day, whilst proceeding from Sibog to the next village, the party was attacked by its own carriers and mur dered.

Bell and party had been warned that all natives on the northern side of Nan kina River must be considered hostile and every care was taken whilst on the Rai Coast side of the divide but beyond that point we had no information. Both Lieut. Fairfax-Ross and myself had suf fered as a result of the treachery of natives from Yaimas, Suit, Maipang and Bilbil, and our loyal natives from the southern side of Nankina River had re ported that a native named Kasan from Bilbil was organising the pro-Jap areas, intensifying the hunt for our parties.

They were not successful, and Kasan was eventually introduced to an exploding 500 lb. bomb, by the US Air Force, on his home ground.

IHOPE the foregoing may assist in clearing up any doubts that may have existed regarding the true story of Lincoln Bell, who for some unknown reason has not received from officialdom the recognition and reward which he merited. His wife and family can be very proud of his record.

In concluding, I would like to add that of those mentioned in this narrative, on the operations described, Bill Butteris and Qbst paid the supreme sacrifice at Cape Gloucester; and Bill Tupling and Bert Olander gave up their lives at Arawe. The details of the manner in which they died would add another glori ous chapter of bravery to the history of New Guinea. The loss of all was directly caused by the treachery of natives.

It is to be hoped we do not forget these brave men.