new guinea air warning wireless known new guinea air warning wireless company unique signals unit australian_army formed january port territory world war provide early warning japanese air attack subsequently providing surveillance shipping ground based troops month operations stations established positions set coast mountains near port operated japanese lines risk captured japanese nature operations number run men manning killed end company maintaining operational stations strength men eventually peak late stations deployed islands mainland territories new_guinea company headquarters moved june time stations established far september australian military decided agree american requests unit serve outside australian area operations subsequently withdrawn left future operational role returning australia disbanded april members received awards actions company having distinction australia highly decorated signals unit world war history makeshift arrangements unit new guinea air warning wireless company initially formed port late january volunteers primarily militia battalion sent hastily garrison port following japan entry war unit raised result experiences ill fated australian garrison lack early warning system detect japanese air raids movement invasion force complicated defence ultimately overwhelmed operating similar manner considered secret signals unit role initially provide warning japanese air raids port later expanded allow reporting japanese movements air land sea tasks included long range transmission general intelligence enemy friendly force information meteorological data provision administrative communications australian new guinea administrative unit attached company conceived major chief signals officer 8th military district having experienced japanese air raids observed lack effective early warning system resulted defenders caught surprise attacked employing volunteers army units stationed area planned network observation posts equipped wireless screen port kilometre radius providing early warning air raids addition data size height strength decision territory administration withdraw civilian wireless operators following entry japan war left holes network reducing effectiveness days following fall hasty arrangements small assemble hoc group volunteer little signals training civilian wireless equipment deployment north coast assistance flying boats royal_australian_air_force raaf initial activities group left port february area strategically important tip issued air warning february observed japanese aircraft heading port attack time month operations stations established positions set coast mountains near port control station group located rear link company headquarters approximately kilometres port whilst outer perimeter able provide anti aircraft defences port approximately hour warning air raid system unable track approaching aircraft changed course crossing reporting line consequence second inner perimeter established march range kilometres port provide minutes warning attack air warning system set inner perimeter stations raaf control outer stations supervised ran addition number stations set manned new_guinea civilian stations reporting march crew shot japanese bomber engaged observation post team resulting killing japanese australian ground forces working network set weeks june manned observation post tree yards japanese photographed post agreement release pictures photos soon published newspaper sydney observation post attacked japanese day forced narrow escape july station reported landing japanese forces event marked commencement formation following rapid expansion required provide effective coverage response crises caused initial japanese movements review makeshift organisation undertaken october officially formed consolidate army raaf stations efforts equipment network implement common procedures company subsequently came command headquarters established mile near port captain command company time establishment company time included headquarters area section sub area section spotting station sub area sections raised required times located bay end company maintaining operational stations strength men warren transferred handed command temporarily captain october unit given separate independent establishment status control non commando independent company prior known company 18th subsequently authorised wear commando double diamond colour patch unit colour patch double diamonds independent companies later commando companies purple denoting divisional signals grey background white blue flash initially pattern forming later centre field grey background represented unit second distinguished units raised world war officer commanding major recently taken command applied increased establishment time expand size unit allow increased role anticipation employment outside ultimately approved subsequent operations cases travelling areas men took weeks reach destinations carry supplies arms radio help carriers teams typically maintained stations led acting non commissioned officer working isolation friendly forces remote locations extended periods time teams survived limited rations usually supplemented native food sources initial supplies expended usually fend stations supplied sea usually event failure mission essential equipment petrol radios ran low spotting stations usually lightly armed usually equipped rounds charge rifle rounds man personnel company risk captured japanese nature operations number run men manning killed landing japanese forces required shift providing air raid warnings military intelligence result stations found isolated japanese lines relying support native population whilst capture order continue operating later tide war turned allies favour necessary ahead advancing allied forces compelled work close proximity japanese forces team operated station kilometres advance nearest allied forces rescued buried crashed american australian airmen caring injured arranging safe transport early unit reorganised war moved north planning began deploy major took command march march april number stations closed transferred following reduction threat large scale air raids australian controlled territory debate future employment australian forces pacific continued future unit doubt consideration given disbanded following request americans detachment operators medical subsequently attached forces operations advance australian unit involved action april personnel officers enlisted men trained purpose establishing american air warning wireless unit function philippines company headquarters moved june time stations established far japanese lines eventually peak late stations deployed islands mainland territories new_guinea september australian military decided agree american requests unit serve outside australian area operations subsequently withdrawn left future operational role captain took command posted washington liaison officer marsh oversaw closure remaining network preparation unit shipping australia subsequently concentrated meeting face face time unit left new_guinea december disbandment christmas leave company concentrated victoria officially disbanded april men continued serve signals units end war complete records unable maintained nominal roll unit lists names approximately men served service unit lost men killed action died causes active service company distinction australia highly decorated signals unit world war members receiving military medals mentions dispatches numerous cards awarded commander chief flight lieutenant raaf pilot officer working awarded service lines joint mission personnel equipment initially equipped sets amateur equipment later replaced improved sets provide higher power communications occurred following decision following formation addition teams operating difficult jungle mountain terrain closer equipped raaf supplied radios lighter sets provided distant australian designed manufactured type receiver developed prior war provide long range wireless communications australia surrounding islands new_guinea fiji plantations mines settlements widely separated isolated nature civilian stations areas meant means communication available outbreak hostilities ran organised civilian wireless users islands pacific networks known order provide reports suspicious activities issued new sets following suggestions improvements developed communications techniques developed similarities receiver partially modified redesigned include crystal channels protect effects moist environment reducing fungus type set consisted main cases containing receiver speaker parts included key microphone small petrol charging generator pedal generator based bicycle frame operated native labour equipment include parts items locally available commonly referred regardless total weight approximately kilograms including generator weighing kilograms receiver kilograms steel cases centimetres wide centimetres high centimetres deep depending aerial provided range kilometres legacy war australian signal officer chief major general paid tribute writing typical battlefield field pieces tank crews tanks apart hard core talented personnel common ignorance signals won respect allies branch australian forces continued stating dedicated duty failed signal unit little heard duties secret times stated successful course war seriously delayed greatly prolonged signal unit operated efficiently australian_army role long range clandestine communications currently performed signals squadrons form 1st 2nd commando regiment respectively operates trace lineage units new guinea air warning wireless special units role pioneered units world war known special reconnaissance special forces teams enemy lines provide theater commander intelligence enemy gather information terrain local populace etc area verify observation collection methods information concerning enemy capabilities intentions activities support strategic operational objectives conventional forces reconnaissance surveillance actions conducted strategic operational levels complement national theater level collection efforts collect meteorological geographic demographic data provide target acquisition area assessment post strike reconnaissance data commanding officers following officers commanded major captain captain major major captain
New Guinea Air Warning Wireless