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[Page 63]
Herbertshohe,1
4th September, 1914.
From Commander J.A.H. Beresford, R.A.N.
Commanding Naval Brigade;
To Brigadier,
Naval & Military Expeditionary Force,
H.M.A.S. "Berrima",
Rabaul.
Sir,
In compliance with your instructions, I have the honour to submit the following report upon the operations of the 11th and 12th inst., in connection with the capture of the Wireless Station to the South of Kaba Kaul:-
"On arrival at the Pier with two Companies of Naval Brigade from the "Berrima", I was informed that Lieutenant Bowen with half a Company of Naval Brigade, and a small detachment from the Destroyers under Lieutenant Hill had proceeded along the road running in a Southerly direction, and had gone a distance of about two miles, when they were ambushed by men hidden in trenches, and from Natives up trees, with the result that there were several casualties, including the Officer in command, Lieutenant Bowen. Word was then sent back that owing to the thick nature of the country, it was advisable to to await reinforcements, and this was the position as I found it, when taking over the command. I immediately despatched Lieutenant Gillam with No. 3 Company under the direction of Lieutenant-Commander Elwell, instructing the latter to push forward to Lieutenant Bowen's relief using the precaution of moving extended, and to keep a good look out on both Flanks so far as possible in such thick shrub. I then moved forward the Machine Gun Section supported by the remainder of the Force with Lieutenant Bond, taking command myself. Immediately on the rise of the hill after leaving the Pier, fire was opened from both sides, which I now believe to have been from trees, though it did not occur to me at that moment that the Fire did come from the trees, so I searched the ground on both sides, sending the Machine Gun Section to the relief of Lieutenant Bond's men to the Right. After clearing the ground, I moved forward, and to within four hundred (400) yards of my advance, I met casualties and Prisoners of War, which I passed on to the Base.
Some half mile further on, I met Lieutenant Bowen being taken down and one of his men, with a Scalp Wound. At this point, heavy firing was heard at the front. At the Cross Roads, shown on the map, Kaba Kaul, I found our Force retiring under Lieutenant Hill of the "Yarra", and with him two German Officers under a flag of truce, their desire being to interview the Commanding Officer of the British Forces, with a view to obtaining information as to the terms he would give on surrender. I informed him that the only terms I could offer was unconditional surrender. To this, he seemed for a very considerably time disinclined, but afterwards he surrendered to me unconditionally. On a note book supplied by Captain Travers, and now in that Officer's possession, for transmission to yourself, giving the actual time. Upon receipt of this surrender, I despatched Lieutenant Bond with half a company, attended by Captain Travers and the two German Officers to the trenches, for the German Officer to order the "Cease Fire", from the Trenches, and to press forward to the Wireless Station if possible. I held the remainder of the Force as a Reserve, ready to move forward if required. At this point I brought up my supplies.
After passing the second trench, fire was again opened under the command of the German Officer who would not cease firing when ordered by his Senior Officer who had surrendered to me. Mr Bond opened fire again, and the German Officer escaped, and the Black Soldiers attempted the same thing, but Ten (10) of these were dropped. On arrival at the second trench, three German Officers and Fifteen Natives surrendered on the order of Lieutenant Kemf to cease fire. Whilst doing this, a German Officer appeared at the front. Captain Travers and Lieutenant Kemf went forward towards this Officer, while Lieutenant Bond remained at the Trench with the Prisoners. Lieutenant Kemf told him to surrender, instead of which, he turned and ran. Lieutenant Bond ordered two men to fire on him, but he escaped. At this point, whistles were blown on both sides of the Ridges, and fire opened. On this, the Interpreter, Richter, a non-commissioned officer,