Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
The passage of years often make the locations and circumstances of many images, places and faces unidentifiable. The author is grateful for any assistance in identifying persons who have been pictured, but not named, and to correct any errors of location, description, ownership or otherwise. As far as is known, most of the images in my father's footlocker were his own. Those that weren't, where their origins are known, they have been duly credited, and except where otherwise credited, they are works prepared by serving officers, personnel or employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties, or are U.S. National Archives images in the public domain. Every reasonable effort has been made to trace copyright holders of material reproduced in this book, but if any have been inadvertently overlooked the publisher would be glad to hear from them. Images from the Australian War memorial are copyright expired, in the public domain. Ver 2 PDF First Published 16 May 2025 by PX PUBLICATIONS REAR COVER: Detail of the old kit bag, found in his footlocker. OPPOSITE: 'Tip' at Martin Place, Sydney Paul Charles 'Tip' Whitman only had a desk job within MacArthur's G.H.Q. during the latter part f the war, so his was a relatively easy time. Fortunately, there were always typewriters close handy, so his letters home were regular, newsy and plentiful. There are many ways to get hooked on history, and for me it was finding a bunch of his war souvenirs, letters and faded, dog-eared photos in my father's footlocker. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
The passage of years often make the locations and circumstances of many images, places and faces unidentifiable. The author is grateful for any assistance in identifying persons who have been pictured, but not named, and to correct any errors of location, description, ownership or otherwise. As far as is known, most of the images in my father's footlocker were his own. Those that weren't, where their origins are known, they have been duly credited, and except where otherwise credited, they are works prepared by serving officers, personnel or employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties, or are U.S. National Archives images in the public domain. Every reasonable effort has been made to trace copyright holders of material reproduced in this book, but if any have been inadvertently overlooked the publisher would be glad to hear from them. Images from the Australian War memorial are copyright expired, in the public domain. Ver 2 PDF First Published 16 May 2025 by PX PUBLICATIONS REAR COVER: Detail of the old kit bag, found in his footlocker. OPPOSITE: 'Tip' at Martin Place, Sydney Paul Charles 'Tip' Whitman only had a desk job within MacArthur's G.H.Q. during the latter part f the war, so his was a relatively easy time. Fortunately, there were always typewriters close handy, so his letters home were regular, newsy and plentiful. There are many ways to get hooked on history, and for me it was finding a bunch of his war souvenirs, letters and faded, dog-eared photos in my father's footlocker. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
4 Paul Charles " Tip " Whitman was not the sort of fellow who rushed out to join the war effort so that he could add some excitement to his life. He was of modest habits, and after finishing school in Rockhampton, he had joined a Gladstone law firm as an Articled Clerk, which in legal parlance, was about the lowest rung of the legal ladder. He had been a good student, and was admitted to practice as a solicitor prior to volunteering. He was not an accomplished typist, but a more than adequate " two-fingered " one, with sufficient wisdom and intelligence to be adequate at short-hand and be valuable to any office or officer. He was a man of great patience, but he would not suffer fools gladly, and it would appear that there was a fool at Victoria Barracks that he would not suffer. He was only a corporal, and the fool was a Captain. It was for that reason that Tip applied for a position which he heard was opening at the Headquarters being set up under General MacArthur. It was to be an allied unit, a mixture of Australians and Americans. That's what saw him posing, at right, against the background of Lake Sentani, approximately 20 kilometers from the town then known as Hollandia, in Dutch New Guinea. Exactly when he was posted to Hollandia as part of the Advance Echelon of the Combined Operational Intelligence Centre of General Headquarters is difficult to ascertain, for there is correspondence which places him at "Q Branch", Victoria Barracks, Brisbane as at 22 January, 1944. Some pages of a "ROUTINE" he compiled for working at C.O.I.C. have survived, and they indicate he was 5 GG431208P1 Guinea Gold was the idea of journalist and political reporte Reginald Leonar , form r deputy chie -of-staff of The Herald newspaper. Leonard had donned unifo m in July 1940 and y July of 1941 was serving with th RAAF as its director of public relations. Returning from Britain where he had established himself as a war correspondent, he found himself in Papua where he suggested that the army should establish a service newspaper for troops cut off from reliable news. General Sir Thomas Blamey approved the plans and in November 1941 Leonard was appointed a Major , Citizen Military F rces (later Australian Imperial Forces), an editor. On 19 December, he p od ced the first issue of Guinea Gold, a four-page condensed tabloidtype newspaper, reporting daily the progress of the war in succi ct fact- f-the-matter paragraphs. This retrospective is included as Tip thought it important enough to keep 10 copies in his footlocker once he ma e it home from his war. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
4 Paul Charles " Tip " Whitman was not the sort of fellow who rushed out to join the war effort so that he could add some excitement to his life. He was of modest habits, and after finishing school in Rockhampton, he had joined a Gladstone law firm as an Articled Clerk, which in legal parlance, was about the lowest rung of the legal ladder. He had been a good student, and was admitted to practice as a solicitor prior to volunteering. He was not an accomplished typist, but a more than adequate " two-fingered " one, with sufficient wisdom and intelligence to be adequate at short-hand and be valuable to any office or officer. He was a man of great patience, but he would not suffer fools gladly, and it would appear that there was a fool at Victoria Barracks that he would not suffer. He was only a corporal, and the fool was a Captain. It was for that reason that Tip applied for a position which he heard was opening at the Headquarters being set up under General MacArthur. It was to be an allied unit, a mixture of Australians and Americans. That's what saw him posing, at right, against the background of Lake Sentani, approximately 20 kilometers from the town then known as Hollandia, in Dutch New Guinea. Exactly when he was posted to Hollandia as part of the Advance Echelon of the Combined Operational Intelligence Centre of General Headquarters is difficult to ascertain, for there is correspondence which places him at "Q Branch", Victoria Barracks, Brisbane as at 22 January, 1944. Some pages of a "ROUTINE" he compiled for working at C.O.I.C. have survived, and they indicate he was 5 GG431208P1 Guinea Gold was the idea of journalist and political reporte Reginald Leonar , form r deputy chie -of-staff of The Herald newspaper. Leonard had donned unifo m in July 1940 and y July of 1941 was serving with th RAAF as its director of public relations. Returning from Britain where he had established himself as a war correspondent, he found himself in Papua where he suggested that the army should establish a service newspaper for troops cut off from reliable news. General Sir Thomas Blamey approved the plans and in November 1941 Leonard was appointed a Major , Citizen Military F rces (later Australian Imperial Forces), an editor. On 19 December, he p od ced the first issue of Guinea Gold, a four-page condensed tabloidtype newspaper, reporting daily the progress of the war in succi ct fact- f-the-matter paragraphs. This retrospective is included as Tip thought it important enough to keep 10 copies in his footlocker once he ma e it home from his war. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
5 Guinea Gold Vol. 2 No. 20 Wednesday, December 8, 1943 - Page 2 GG431208P2 7 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
5 Guinea Gold Vol. 2 No. 20 Wednesday, December 8, 1943 - Page 2 GG431208P2 7 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
8 GG431208P4 Guinea Gold Vol. 2 No. 20 Wednesday, December 8, 1943 - Page 4 9 4 2 P1 An edition for American service personnel was added and the combined circulation was to peak at over fifty thousand. As the Allies advanced, the newspaper's head office moved to Lae, New Guinea. Housed in a former government printing office and operati g a Linotype and antiquated fl t be presses, the Guinea Gold staff worked from midnight t dawn to run off the required umber of copies. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
8 GG431208P4 Guinea Gold Vol. 2 No. 20 Wednesday, December 8, 1943 - Page 4 9 4 2 P1 An edition for American service personnel was added and the combined circulation was to peak at over fifty thousand. As the Allies advanced, the newspaper's head office moved to Lae, New Guinea. Housed in a former government printing office and operati g a Linotype and antiquated fl t be presses, the Guinea Gold staff worked from midnight t dawn to run off the required umber of copies. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
10 GG431228P2 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 40 Tuesday, December 28, 1943 - Page 2 Guinea Gold was the idea of the journalist and political reporter, Reginald Leonard, former deputy chief-of-staff of the Herald newspaper. Leonard had donned uniform in July 1940 and by July 1941 was serving with the RAAF as its director of public relations. 11 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
10 GG431228P2 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 40 Tuesday, December 28, 1943 - Page 2 Guinea Gold was the idea of the journalist and political reporter, Reginald Leonard, former deputy chief-of-staff of the Herald newspaper. Leonard had donned uniform in July 1940 and by July 1941 was serving with the RAAF as its director of public relations. 11 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
12 GG431228P1 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 40 Tuesday, December 28, 1943 - Page 4 13 30 Guinea Gold's staff was not exclusively Australian and Papuan. From time to time it did include American personnel. Its brief was to present news and avoid comment. It published for 1320 continuous days without missing a single edition. The front and back pages concentrated on current World News, including major sporting events. Page 2 was generally devoted to extracts from Australian and US newspapers. Some news was obtained by taking shorthand notes of shortwave radio broadcasts from Australia, the U.S. and the BBC. At its peak., distribution was 37,000 copies to U.S. forces and 27,000 to Australian forces daily . That's 34 million copies in two years. Maximum readership was estimated at 800,000. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
12 GG431228P1 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 40 Tuesday, December 28, 1943 - Page 4 13 30 Guinea Gold's staff was not exclusively Australian and Papuan. From time to time it did include American personnel. Its brief was to present news and avoid comment. It published for 1320 continuous days without missing a single edition. The front and back pages concentrated on current World News, including major sporting events. Page 2 was generally devoted to extracts from Australian and US newspapers. Some news was obtained by taking shorthand notes of shortwave radio broadcasts from Australia, the U.S. and the BBC. At its peak., distribution was 37,000 copies to U.S. forces and 27,000 to Australian forces daily . That's 34 million copies in two years. Maximum readership was estimated at 800,000. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
14 GG431230P2 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 42 Thursday, December 30, 1943 - Page 2 15 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
14 GG431230P2 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 42 Thursday, December 30, 1943 - Page 2 15 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
16 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 42 Thursday, December 30, 1943 - Page4 GG431230P4 17 40102 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
16 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 42 Thursday, December 30, 1943 - Page4 GG431230P4 17 40102 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
18 Guinea Gold Southern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 45 Sunday, January 2, 1944 - Page 2 GG440102P2 19 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
18 Guinea Gold Southern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 45 Sunday, January 2, 1944 - Page 2 GG440102P2 19 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
20 Guinea Gold Southern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 45 Sunday, January 2, 1944 - Pages 4 & 5 GG440102P4&5 Guinea Gold Southern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 45 Sunday, January 2, 1944 - Page 6 21 G 40102P6 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
20 Guinea Gold Southern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 45 Sunday, January 2, 1944 - Pages 4 & 5 GG440102P4&5 Guinea Gold Southern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 45 Sunday, January 2, 1944 - Page 6 21 G 40102P6 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
22 Guinea Gold Southern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 45 Sunday, January 2, 1944 - Page 7 GG440102P7 23 8 8 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
22 Guinea Gold Southern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 45 Sunday, January 2, 1944 - Page 7 GG440102P7 23 8 8 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
24 1944 Hollandia - Orderly Room 25 19 4 Hollandia - Camp Area "Our camp area taken from nearby hill. My tent is 2nd row, 6th from right hand end. In the far distance a navy camp with swimming hole marke X. Our picture show area in the middle left." It was a long way from the 8th Floor of the AMP Building in Brisbane. View of the Orderly Room at right, and the PX at left, with the beautiful mountain range be ind. "Notice the St rs and Stripes fly ng. We ar regular G.I. Joe's now" wrote Tip. The Combined Operational Intelligence Centr (COIC) had been formed in November 1941 to avoid delays in the collation and assessment of operational intelligence affecting more than one Military Service, and to ensure the reliable distribution of this intelligence in Defence Headquarters. Its role was to pool and assess operational intelligence received through the Army, Navy and Air Force intelligence organisations. It would receive a copy of every operational signal which passed through Naval Intelligence, Army Intelligence and Air Intelligence, and Area Combined Headquarters (ACH) and then analyse the intelligence information and distribute an assessment to the relevant authorities. It was absorbed as Combined Operations Intelligence Centre into General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area in 1942. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
24 1944 Hollandia - Orderly Room 25 19 4 Hollandia - Camp Area "Our camp area taken from nearby hill. My tent is 2nd row, 6th from right hand end. In the far distance a navy camp with swimming hole marke X. Our picture show area in the middle left." It was a long way from the 8th Floor of the AMP Building in Brisbane. View of the Orderly Room at right, and the PX at left, with the beautiful mountain range be ind. "Notice the St rs and Stripes fly ng. We ar regular G.I. Joe's now" wrote Tip. The Combined Operational Intelligence Centr (COIC) had been formed in November 1941 to avoid delays in the collation and assessment of operational intelligence affecting more than one Military Service, and to ensure the reliable distribution of this intelligence in Defence Headquarters. Its role was to pool and assess operational intelligence received through the Army, Navy and Air Force intelligence organisations. It would receive a copy of every operational signal which passed through Naval Intelligence, Army Intelligence and Air Intelligence, and Area Combined Headquarters (ACH) and then analyse the intelligence information and distribute an assessment to the relevant authorities. It was absorbed as Combined Operations Intelligence Centre into General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area in 1942. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
261944 Hollandia - lake Sentani Tip considered the views of Lake Sentani as the most beautiful he had ever seen - though he had not yet visited Lake Taal in the Philippines. 27 GG440108P1 Reg Leonard went on to a career in the media, heading up a number of major newspapers, and from 1971 as chairman of Brisbane TV Limited. He was noted for his tireless support of children's hospitals, evidencing an ' almost fanatical zeal'. Tip, who chaired the Queensland Red Cross fundraising efforts for many years, would encounter Leonard from time to time. As for his media career, Leonard's pessimistic outlook and parsimonious nature won him the sobriquet " Mr. Sunshine. " Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
261944 Hollandia - lake Sentani Tip considered the views of Lake Sentani as the most beautiful he had ever seen - though he had not yet visited Lake Taal in the Philippines. 27 GG440108P1 Reg Leonard went on to a career in the media, heading up a number of major newspapers, and from 1971 as chairman of Brisbane TV Limited. He was noted for his tireless support of children's hospitals, evidencing an ' almost fanatical zeal'. Tip, who chaired the Queensland Red Cross fundraising efforts for many years, would encounter Leonard from time to time. As for his media career, Leonard's pessimistic outlook and parsimonious nature won him the sobriquet " Mr. Sunshine. " Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
28 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 51 Saturday, January 8, 1944 - Page 2 GG440108P2 29 3 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 51 Saturday, January 8, 1944 - Page 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
28 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 51 Saturday, January 8, 1944 - Page 2 GG440108P2 29 3 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 51 Saturday, January 8, 1944 - Page 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
30 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 51 Saturday, January 8, 1944 - Page 4 GG440108P4 31 111 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
30 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 51 Saturday, January 8, 1944 - Page 4 GG440108P4 31 111 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
32 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 54 Tuesday. January 11, 1944 - Page 2 GG440111P2 33 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
32 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 54 Tuesday. January 11, 1944 - Page 2 GG440111P2 33 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
34 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 54 Tuesday. January 11, 1944 - Page 4 GG440111P4 35 2 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
34 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 54 Tuesday. January 11, 1944 - Page 4 GG440111P4 35 2 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
36 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 55 Wednesday. January 12, 1944 - Page 2 GG440112P2 37 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
36 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 55 Wednesday. January 12, 1944 - Page 2 GG440112P2 37 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
38 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 54 Tuesday. January 11, 1944 - Page 4 GG440112P4 39 3 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
38 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 54 Tuesday. January 11, 1944 - Page 4 GG440112P4 39 3 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
40 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 56 Thursday, January 13, 1944 - Page 2 GG440113P2 41 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
40 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 56 Thursday, January 13, 1944 - Page 2 GG440113P2 41 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
42 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 56 Thursday, January 13, 1944 - Page 4 GG440113P4 43 4 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
42 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 56 Thursday, January 13, 1944 - Page 4 GG440113P4 43 4 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
44 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 57 Friday, January 14, 1944 - Page 2 GG440114P2 45 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
44 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 57 Friday, January 14, 1944 - Page 2 GG440114P2 45 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
46 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 57 Friday, January 14, 1944 - Page 4 GG440114P4 47 9 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
46 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 57 Friday, January 14, 1944 - Page 4 GG440114P4 47 9 1 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
48 GG440119P2 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 62 Wednesday, January 19, 1944 - Page 2 49 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
48 GG440119P2 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 62 Wednesday, January 19, 1944 - Page 2 49 3 3 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
50 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 62 Wednesday, January 19, 1944 - Page 4 GG440119P4 . 1 51 1944 Hollandia - Home Sweet Home Three Musketeers, Frank Hickey, Bert Horne and myself. The two lads I came up from Brisbane with. Taken in front of our tent with the empty beer carton to give the feeling of "Home Sweet Home" Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
50 Guinea Gold Northern Edition (American) Vol. 2 No. 62 Wednesday, January 19, 1944 - Page 4 GG440119P4 . 1 51 1944 Hollandia - Home Sweet Home Three Musketeers, Frank Hickey, Bert Horne and myself. The two lads I came up from Brisbane with. Taken in front of our tent with the empty beer carton to give the feeling of "Home Sweet Home" Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
52 1944 Hollandia - Swimming Hole "This shows about a quarter of the swimming pool. A perfect sylvan setting if ever there was one. The water cascaded in through the rocks. - Boy, what we would all give for it now." 53 1944 Hollandia - Camp Area The are round Lake Sen ani could beco e a sea of clouds, exquisitely beautiful, but a pil t's nightm r . Holl ndia camp was about 15 miles from he lake. Tip remembered Hollandia-Lake Sentani as a place of such beauty he would recall it each night before he went to sleep. "It becalms me." As the father of six children, he probably needed becalming. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
52 1944 Hollandia - Swimming Hole "This shows about a quarter of the swimming pool. A perfect sylvan setting if ever there was one. The water cascaded in through the rocks. - Boy, what we would all give for it now." 53 1944 Hollandia - Camp Area The are round Lake Sen ani could beco e a sea of clouds, exquisitely beautiful, but a pil t's nightm r . Holl ndia camp was about 15 miles from he lake. Tip remembered Hollandia-Lake Sentani as a place of such beauty he would recall it each night before he went to sleep. "It becalms me." As the father of six children, he probably needed becalming. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
54 It seems rather fanciful, looking back upon it now, that my father, a country boy raised in Rockhampton, Australia, would spend his war in the Combined Operational Intelligence Centre of the U.S. General Headquarters of the South West Pacific Area. But as he had said to me, "He also fights who sits and types." A routine sheet, in this instance, is the benchmark for standard G.H.Q. document preparation, and distribution. 55 was too young t the time to understand how it was that young Australian solicitor might be part of a group of t enty-two Australians who wer w rking within the MacArthur's GHQ, initially in Brisbane, th n to Hollandia in Dutc N w Guinea, and thereafter to the Philippines, via Tacloban and ultima ely to Manila. Fortunat ly, several pages of ROUTINE survived acr ss he years, they indicati g not just what he was doing, but with a sprinkling of dates on them, when he started doing it. genre. There are handwritten dates written sprinkled throughout the nine sheets reproduced here, the earliest being 20 July 1944. This suggests to me that he started working with GHQ in Brisbane sometime during July 1944. I have another piece of notepaper where my father's address is given as "C.O.I.C., ADV ECH GHQSWPA, APO 500." - So, advanced echelon is setting up in Hollandia around July '44. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
54 It seems rather fanciful, looking back upon it now, that my father, a country boy raised in Rockhampton, Australia, would spend his war in the Combined Operational Intelligence Centre of the U.S. General Headquarters of the South West Pacific Area. But as he had said to me, "He also fights who sits and types." A routine sheet, in this instance, is the benchmark for standard G.H.Q. document preparation, and distribution. 55 was too young t the time to understand how it was that young Australian solicitor might be part of a group of t enty-two Australians who wer w rking within the MacArthur's GHQ, initially in Brisbane, th n to Hollandia in Dutc N w Guinea, and thereafter to the Philippines, via Tacloban and ultima ely to Manila. Fortunat ly, several pages of ROUTINE survived acr ss he years, they indicati g not just what he was doing, but with a sprinkling of dates on them, when he started doing it. genre. There are handwritten dates written sprinkled throughout the nine sheets reproduced here, the earliest being 20 July 1944. This suggests to me that he started working with GHQ in Brisbane sometime during July 1944. I have another piece of notepaper where my father's address is given as "C.O.I.C., ADV ECH GHQSWPA, APO 500." - So, advanced echelon is setting up in Hollandia around July '44. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
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64 440908A Unlike the American Red Cross, which took an active role in looking after a wide range of welfare, assistances and facilities for its fighting men, the Australian Red Cross limited its own role to dealing with the sick and wounded. This was not simple parsimony, it believed that its role was limited by its charter to be apolitical. Thus, in lieu of the Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, The Australian Comforts Fund, and the YMCA together provided immediate benefits to Australian troops. But only where they were able. The Australian Comforts Fund provided free ' comfort ' items that were not supplied by the services to all Australian servicemen. These items included singlets, socks, pyjamas, cigarettes and tobacco, razor blades, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and reading material (newspapers and magazines). Additionally, it also provided recreational facilities, rest rooms, sporting equipment, gramophones and records to the troops, as well as regularly providing writing materials such as pencils, paper and postcards so the soldiers' could write home. The Salvation Army, the ACF and the YMCA couldn't be everywhere, of course, but it soon appears as a recurring attitude in Tip's letters that the American Red Cross was more than a match for all of them. That ALL these comforts and services were readily available in generous quantities and proportions to U.S. servicemen through their American Red Cross, and that the Australian service personnel could be caught short for the lot, contributed significantly to Tip's attitude that the Australian Army was a miserly and pinchpenny operation. He was always one to speak the truth and shame the devil. (Above) Had they been dated, these notes would have established C.O.I.C.'s arrival at its ' new residence ' n Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea. But any me tion of uch things in private correspondence is verbotte . The history books indicate that the GHQ Advance arty arrived in Hollandia in a ree-day movement between 22 and 24 September, 1944. ' Tip ', in the advance echelon, would have been in this group. MacA thur and the main GHQ staff arrived in H llandia on 3 October, 1944. 4409 8-C (Above) A no epaper of similar content, this ne clearly ntend d for his parents. 65 -B Below) He has had a comfortable journey i a C-54, (in n n-military la ce, a DC-4), a som what luxuriou 4-engine troop transpor . He would later made a point of aying that whenever h was transported by a r, their aircr ft would be accompanied by fighter esc rts off each wing. T er were far ore important passengers on th aircraft, of that we can b sure. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
64 440908A Unlike the American Red Cross, which took an active role in looking after a wide range of welfare, assistances and facilities for its fighting men, the Australian Red Cross limited its own role to dealing with the sick and wounded. This was not simple parsimony, it believed that its role was limited by its charter to be apolitical. Thus, in lieu of the Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, The Australian Comforts Fund, and the YMCA together provided immediate benefits to Australian troops. But only where they were able. The Australian Comforts Fund provided free ' comfort ' items that were not supplied by the services to all Australian servicemen. These items included singlets, socks, pyjamas, cigarettes and tobacco, razor blades, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and reading material (newspapers and magazines). Additionally, it also provided recreational facilities, rest rooms, sporting equipment, gramophones and records to the troops, as well as regularly providing writing materials such as pencils, paper and postcards so the soldiers' could write home. The Salvation Army, the ACF and the YMCA couldn't be everywhere, of course, but it soon appears as a recurring attitude in Tip's letters that the American Red Cross was more than a match for all of them. That ALL these comforts and services were readily available in generous quantities and proportions to U.S. servicemen through their American Red Cross, and that the Australian service personnel could be caught short for the lot, contributed significantly to Tip's attitude that the Australian Army was a miserly and pinchpenny operation. He was always one to speak the truth and shame the devil. (Above) Had they been dated, these notes would have established C.O.I.C.'s arrival at its ' new residence ' n Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea. But any me tion of uch things in private correspondence is verbotte . The history books indicate that the GHQ Advance arty arrived in Hollandia in a ree-day movement between 22 and 24 September, 1944. ' Tip ', in the advance echelon, would have been in this group. MacA thur and the main GHQ staff arrived in H llandia on 3 October, 1944. 4409 8-C (Above) A no epaper of similar content, this ne clearly ntend d for his parents. 65 -B Below) He has had a comfortable journey i a C-54, (in n n-military la ce, a DC-4), a som what luxuriou 4-engine troop transpor . He would later made a point of aying that whenever h was transported by a r, their aircr ft would be accompanied by fighter esc rts off each wing. T er were far ore important passengers on th aircraft, of that we can b sure. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
10 440920 LETTER CARD While the books indicate that MacArthur's GHQ advance party moved to Hollandia during 22-24 September, 1944 'Tip' is writing this on the 20th. 440924 LETTER CARD 67 Austra ian AIR MAIL LE T R CARDS were not issu d for public use prior to 11 Septemb r 1944, which suggest tha these letter cards from Tip are very early examples of their genre. Initially, letter cards had been developed in 1933 for use by the British Military in Iraq and British-mandated Palestine, where Australian service personnel had seen their utility and advantages to expedited delivery by military aircraft. "One never walks anywhere here, its about 3/8ths of a mile from work to the tent, but as there is a continuous stream of jeep traffic going to and fro a l you o is wait by the road and someone picks you up." 66 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
10 440920 LETTER CARD While the books indicate that MacArthur's GHQ advance party moved to Hollandia during 22-24 September, 1944 'Tip' is writing this on the 20th. 440924 LETTER CARD 67 Austra ian AIR MAIL LE T R CARDS were not issu d for public use prior to 11 Septemb r 1944, which suggest tha these letter cards from Tip are very early examples of their genre. Initially, letter cards had been developed in 1933 for use by the British Military in Iraq and British-mandated Palestine, where Australian service personnel had seen their utility and advantages to expedited delivery by military aircraft. "One never walks anywhere here, its about 3/8ths of a mile from work to the tent, but as there is a continuous stream of jeep traffic going to and fro a l you o is wait by the road and someone picks you up." 66 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
12 440927 LETTER CARD 30 T 69 "Getting to know quite a few of the Merks here and find them very easy to get along with. I'm afraid I could go into raptures about the scenery up here without very much trouble. At the back of us is a range of mountains about 8000 feet high, and the different cloud formations that gather on or around the peaks make a beautiful sight." Haven't yet had a gam of poker here, our Aussie lads seem o be the onl ones h t indulge, and they mostly play stud poker." 68 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
12 440927 LETTER CARD 30 T 69 "Getting to know quite a few of the Merks here and find them very easy to get along with. I'm afraid I could go into raptures about the scenery up here without very much trouble. At the back of us is a range of mountains about 8000 feet high, and the different cloud formations that gather on or around the peaks make a beautiful sight." Haven't yet had a gam of poker here, our Aussie lads seem o be the onl ones h t indulge, and they mostly play stud poker." 68 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
70 441005 LETTER CARD 71 PCW 894 "We reckon the only time a yank looked respectable - in an Aussie hat. Taken in Dutch New Guinea, outside my tent." Charlie Brunk at left, Ed Callahan in the hat." (PCW894) Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
70 441005 LETTER CARD 71 PCW 894 "We reckon the only time a yank looked respectable - in an Aussie hat. Taken in Dutch New Guinea, outside my tent." Charlie Brunk at left, Ed Callahan in the hat." (PCW894) Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
72 441008-A 73 B Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
72 441008-A 73 B Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
74 441008-C 75 D View from the General Headquarters area showing the forward echelon advanced land headquarters. overlooking Lake Sentani. Image taken 18 December, 1944. (AMW077874) A formati n of C-47 'Jungle Skippers' ove fly Cyclops M unt in (AMW0216) Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
74 441008-C 75 D View from the General Headquarters area showing the forward echelon advanced land headquarters. overlooking Lake Sentani. Image taken 18 December, 1944. (AMW077874) A formati n of C-47 'Jungle Skippers' ove fly Cyclops M unt in (AMW0216) Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
76 441014-A 77 B "The WACS have just about taken possession of the place, and the Yanks are still swarming round them like bees round honey." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
76 441014-A 77 B "The WACS have just about taken possession of the place, and the Yanks are still swarming round them like bees round honey." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
78 441014-C 79 D The main assault on the east coast of Leyte began at ten o'clock in the morning of 20 October 1944. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
78 441014-C 79 D The main assault on the east coast of Leyte began at ten o'clock in the morning of 20 October 1944. Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
80 441027ADS This letter, undated, refers to the landing on Leyte (20 October 1944) from the point of view of those listening in from GHQ in Hollandia. Based upon Tip's censored comments concerning the cause for the delay in mail deliveries, I have " guesstimated " the letter as being written in the week subsequent to the invasion. B 81 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
80 441027ADS This letter, undated, refers to the landing on Leyte (20 October 1944) from the point of view of those listening in from GHQ in Hollandia. Based upon Tip's censored comments concerning the cause for the delay in mail deliveries, I have " guesstimated " the letter as being written in the week subsequent to the invasion. B 81 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
82 441028AC&DB Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
82 441028AC&DB Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
84 441028E&F 85 30-A Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
84 441028E&F 85 30-A Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
441030-B 86 87 1 -C Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
441030-B 86 87 1 -C Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
441106AC/DB 88 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
441106AC/DB 88 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
90 441106E 91 106E Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
90 441106E 91 106E Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
92 441110-A 441110-B Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
92 441110-A 441110-B Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
94 441110-C 4 1 3ADS Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
94 441110-C 4 1 3ADS Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
96 441113BDS 336 C Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
96 441113BDS 336 C Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
98 441119-A 99 1 -B 19 nov 1944 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
98 441119-A 99 1 -B 19 nov 1944 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
100 441119-C 101 4 1119-D The Roman Catholic Church, Tacloban, is 190 years old and had been closed for only three days during the Japanese occupation of Leyte. Image is by Clifford Bottomley, an Australian photographer taken on 19 November 1944. The image was taken on 19 November 1944 by Australian photographer Clifford Bottomley. (AWM017825) "We got an issue through our Aust. Canteen the other day. We had to pay for them of course... " Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
100 441119-C 101 4 1119-D The Roman Catholic Church, Tacloban, is 190 years old and had been closed for only three days during the Japanese occupation of Leyte. Image is by Clifford Bottomley, an Australian photographer taken on 19 November 1944. The image was taken on 19 November 1944 by Australian photographer Clifford Bottomley. (AWM017825) "We got an issue through our Aust. Canteen the other day. We had to pay for them of course... " Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
102 441127-A-DS 103 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
102 441127-A-DS 103 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
ABOVE: Severe storms lashed the east coast of Leyte during the October-January northeast monsoon season, and stories about the mud at Tacloban are still legendary. Sometimes it was better to 'abandon ship' until a tow vehicle could be found, even for the mighty jeep. 104 441127-A-DS Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
ABOVE: Severe storms lashed the east coast of Leyte during the October-January northeast monsoon season, and stories about the mud at Tacloban are still legendary. Sometimes it was better to 'abandon ship' until a tow vehicle could be found, even for the mighty jeep. 104 441127-A-DS Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
106 441203 AWM-01784571 The streets of Tacloban, principal town in Leyte Island, collapsed under the heavy weight of military traffic after heavy rain, causing ankle deep slush and big holes to form in the roads. The heavy traffic that has passed through the town since the invasion was undreamed of when the streets were surveyed prior to the invasion. Ultimately, the weather made on-going development of Tacloban into a major aviation hub next to impossible, for even with the installation of steel matting on the landing strips and taxiways, the weight and volume of the heavier aircraft caused them to sink into the mud and slush. Tacloban was both a success and a failure. Images by Australian photographer Clifford Bottomley courtesy Australian War Memorial.. W 502 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
106 441203 AWM-01784571 The streets of Tacloban, principal town in Leyte Island, collapsed under the heavy weight of military traffic after heavy rain, causing ankle deep slush and big holes to form in the roads. The heavy traffic that has passed through the town since the invasion was undreamed of when the streets were surveyed prior to the invasion. Ultimately, the weather made on-going development of Tacloban into a major aviation hub next to impossible, for even with the installation of steel matting on the landing strips and taxiways, the weight and volume of the heavier aircraft caused them to sink into the mud and slush. Tacloban was both a success and a failure. Images by Australian photographer Clifford Bottomley courtesy Australian War Memorial.. W 502 Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
108 109 441207 Censorship was such that Tip could not identify where he was. That made it all the more interesting that he wrote that he preferref the "mucking around" in the rain to the heat. Image AMW 017848 taken by Cliff Bottomley, 7 December 1944. AWM 017848 "Saw Tom Blamey up here the otherday, the first time I had ever seen him. Of course he asked my opinion of the campaign, and I gave him a few hints that should speed up the winning of the war by a few months." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
108 109 441207 Censorship was such that Tip could not identify where he was. That made it all the more interesting that he wrote that he preferref the "mucking around" in the rain to the heat. Image AMW 017848 taken by Cliff Bottomley, 7 December 1944. AWM 017848 "Saw Tom Blamey up here the otherday, the first time I had ever seen him. Of course he asked my opinion of the campaign, and I gave him a few hints that should speed up the winning of the war by a few months." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
110 441209-B 441209-A 111 "The air raids seem over the last few days to have lost some of their intensity, and to the best of my knowledge abd belief they were only over once last night, and that about 6 a.m." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
110 441209-B 441209-A 111 "The air raids seem over the last few days to have lost some of their intensity, and to the best of my knowledge abd belief they were only over once last night, and that about 6 a.m." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
112 441213ADS 113 B "Type writer ribbons are very hard to get up here - don't let me hear you civilians say that the army gets everything - so I've got to use the red part of it." BELOW: Tip at Tacloban (PCW 2168) Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
112 441213ADS 113 B "Type writer ribbons are very hard to get up here - don't let me hear you civilians say that the army gets everything - so I've got to use the red part of it." BELOW: Tip at Tacloban (PCW 2168) Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
114 441216-A "Yesterday a.m. had the morning off, and two of us went for a stroll and finished up down at the waterfront bargaining with a couple of Filipinos to take us out in their native canoe." 115 B "There isn't too much moveme t in these par s of a night, as they have on occ sions foun Japs sniping o loot g, so e guards ar likely to sho t first and ask questions after." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
114 441216-A "Yesterday a.m. had the morning off, and two of us went for a stroll and finished up down at the waterfront bargaining with a couple of Filipinos to take us out in their native canoe." 115 B "There isn't too much moveme t in these par s of a night, as they have on occ sions foun Japs sniping o loot g, so e guards ar likely to sho t first and ask questions after." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
116 1944 Hollandia - lake Sentani (L to R) The A.I.F. members of C.O.I.C., GHQ, S.W.P.A. in Tacloban, 1944 are Norm Hegveld (Rockhampton Qld.), Dick Hamilton (Haberfield, Sydney N.S.W.) and Kevin B. Doring (Charleville Qld.) 117 1944 Hollandia - Home Sw e Home R) Arch Bianci (USA), Kev Doring X 62073 (Brisbane), Norm Hegv ld (Rockhampton, Qld), Irviin "Robby" Robins (USA), Dick Hamilton * ). Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
116 1944 Hollandia - lake Sentani (L to R) The A.I.F. members of C.O.I.C., GHQ, S.W.P.A. in Tacloban, 1944 are Norm Hegveld (Rockhampton Qld.), Dick Hamilton (Haberfield, Sydney N.S.W.) and Kevin B. Doring (Charleville Qld.) 117 1944 Hollandia - Home Sw e Home R) Arch Bianci (USA), Kev Doring X 62073 (Brisbane), Norm Hegv ld (Rockhampton, Qld), Irviin "Robby" Robins (USA), Dick Hamilton * ). Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
118 19441200 COIC Office Two of the lads outside our office at Tacloban. Ed Callahan of Boston, Mass. at left. 119 441219A "...very few of us up here have any cash, I have two Pesos left, the Yanks haven't been paid for two months, and we haven't had anything since we left N.G. so the result is that we all owe each other money. I have 9 Pesos owing me and in turn owe 3." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
118 19441200 COIC Office Two of the lads outside our office at Tacloban. Ed Callahan of Boston, Mass. at left. 119 441219A "...very few of us up here have any cash, I have two Pesos left, the Yanks haven't been paid for two months, and we haven't had anything since we left N.G. so the result is that we all owe each other money. I have 9 Pesos owing me and in turn owe 3." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
120 441219B The Leyte Provincial Capitol Building, Tacloban. 121 A letter from Rockhampton normally might be assumed to take a week before it could be delivered in the Philippines, so I have again guesstimated this reply as being written 21 December, 1944. 441221 The provincial jail. The US Flag decrees " u der new management ." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
120 441219B The Leyte Provincial Capitol Building, Tacloban. 121 A letter from Rockhampton normally might be assumed to take a week before it could be delivered in the Philippines, so I have again guesstimated this reply as being written 21 December, 1944. 441221 The provincial jail. The US Flag decrees " u der new management ." Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
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