Item 02: General William Holmes operation orders, 1914-June 1916 - Page 156
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[Page 156]
13th November 4
The Collector of Customs,
Sydney:
Sir;
When the S.S."Messina" was leaving Ocean Island for Nauru on 5th instant, the Customs Officer at the former place omitted to bring on board and hand over to the Master, the Ship's articles. It was necessary for me to leave at once to carry out my Military Mission at Nauru at daylight the following day; I therefore directed Captain Anderson to sail without the documents in question, as owing to the difficulties of landing it would have occupied too much time to send on shore.
I therefore now write this explanation to clear Captain Anderson of any suspicion of neglect in being without his Ship's articles on arrival at Sydney.
I intended sending the "Messina" back from Rabaul direct to Nauru, but circumstance have arisen which render it imperative that she proceed forthwith to Sydney with German Prisoners captured at Nauru.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant.
Colonel.
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