Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 73]
(COPY)
BRITISH ADMINISTRATION - GERMAN NEW GUINEA:
Rabaul.
New Britain,
16th October 1914.
The Honorable,
The Minister for Defence,
Melbourne:
Sir;
I feel it my duty to draw your attention to the fact that, according to the files of Australian Newspapers received here, the reports published in reference to the capture and occupation of Rabaul and Herbertshohe ascribe all the honor and glory to His Majesty's Australian Fleet, under the command of Vice-Admiral Patey, and no credit is given to the Naval and Military Expedition under my command.
Seeing that all the fighting which took place at Kabakaul and Herbertshohe an 11th and 12th September was carried out by members of the Naval and Military Force under my command, and not by the Fleet, the reports which appeared, and the thanks and congratulations accorded to the Vice-Admiral and the Australian Fleet, have engendered a strong feeling of disappointment, and almost resentment, on the part of all ranks of the Expeditionary Force
Up to today I have endeavoured to allay this feeling by explaining that the reports were based upon wireless messages, necessarily brief, sent by the Admiral, and that the arrival in Australia of my despatches would set matters right.
But by the "Moresby" which arrived today, further files of papers were received, and I notice that on page 12 of the "Sydney Morning Herald" of the 26th September is published a wireless message addressed to you, announcing the seizure of Kaiser Wilhelmsland, which message is ascribed to Vice-Admiral Patey, whereas it was sent by me through the Flagship, but I notice my name has been excised from the end of the message.
To me this seems grossly unfair, or at least misleading, as the Troops which performed this duty were under my command and personal direction, and not the Vice-Admiral, whose ships merely escorted my command to Friedrich Wilhelmshafen.
I feel certain as soon as this report is read by my troops, great discontent and disappointment will be again manifested