AWM Collection Record: F01866

ID Number: F01866
Title: Assault on Salamaua
Maker: Parer, Damien Peter (Cinematographer)
Place made: Papua New Guinea: New Guinea, Mubo Salamaua Area, Bobdubi; Papua New Guinea: New Guinea, Mubo Salamaua Area, Komiatum; Papua New Guinea: New Guinea, Mubo Salamaua Area, Salamaua
Date made: 27 June 1943; 9 August 1943
Physical description:
(/Colour/Sound )
35mm/b&w/silent
Measurements: 27 min 41 sec
Summary: General coverage of the fighting and supply around Salamaua. Scenes include air supply by Douglas C-47 Dakota transport aircraft. Aerial strafing and bombardment of Salamua airstrip by Douglas A-20 Bostons and Consolidated B-24 Liberators. An attack on a Japanese strong point by artillery. An infantry assault with grenade. The captured Japanese position and dead defenders. Australian wounded being treated in the combat area and evacuated by New Guinea stretcher bearers. Famous scene of wounded soldier Private William Oswald Wallace Johnson of Trafalgar, VIC, being helped across a stream and led along a muddy track by Sergeant (Sgt) Gordon Raymond Charles Ayre of Shepparton, VIC. Other identified personnel: Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Henry Guinn, Sgt Farrelly, Major (Maj) Max Howard, Private R E James of Shepparton, Private (Pte) 'Bluey' Michelson of Brunswick, native boy Oana, Sgt 'Spider' Heare of Adelaide, Corporal (Cpl) Bill Mills of Subbury, Pte G S McDonald of Kyabram, Lieutenant (Lt) John Lewin, Lt Hugh Egan, Brigadier (Brig) Hammer, Lt Col Patrick Starr, Maj George Warfe, Lt Jock Erskine, Captain (Capt) Fred Street, Lt Roy Dawson, Lt Johnny Lewin, Pte Jack Arden, Jack Barry, Lt Syd Reed of Manly, 'Lofty' Morand, Chaplain English conducts a burial service for Sgt Andrew Stewart 'Bonny' Muir, Cpl Buckingham & Cpl Hooks. Indenified US personnel: Private First Class W H Kapp of Montana Capt Cam Bennett, Pte Joe Meier of Salem, Oregon, Lt Fred Osterholtz of Seattle, Washington. See also F01621 for Movietone News version.
Copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
Related subject: 70 mm guns; Bell Airacobra; Boston aircraft; Consolidated B24 Liberator; Corpses; Lockheed Lightning; North American B25 Mitchell; Strafing
Related unit: 22 Squadron RAAF
Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945

Last-Modified: Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:40:07 GMT

Go to our Collections Search

Go to this record in our Collections Search