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As well as the Diary and Album, Bob McDonald also has available the following 'Wall Hangings' or Laminated Place Mats:
The Bren Gunner
By experience allied troops learned to take no chances with enemy tree top snipers. Every treetop that could house snipers was sprayed with hundreds of rounds from automatic weapons. One Bren Gunner varied the treatment when he sighted a sniper. Using this extremely accurate Australian made weapon, he fire several bursts at the top of a coconut tree concentrating his fire at a spot six feet from the top. The weight of the sniper caused the treetop to break and he was killed when he hit the ground 60 feet below.
Wall Hanging No. 1 – State when ordering:
Pic1.jpgFrom the 21st September the Japanese came under artillery fire for the first time since landing at Buna on 21st July. It was sweet music for the Australians, who had been subjected to constant harassment from the enemy's mountain guns, (with no reply) to hear their own shells whistle overhead followed by a resounding crump on loribaiwa.
Three 25 pounder's had been dragged through mud to Ower's Corner. Two were dug in there and sighted to fall 10 kilometres. it took 25 seconds to reach the target passing over Imita Ridge on the way. Seven hundred rounds were fired.
The third gun was dismantled and rather optimistically taken by flying fox down to the Goldie River, then dragged by ropes to just beyond Uberi Village.
the Japanese retreated from Ioribaiwa on the 28th before this third gun could be brought into action.
Wall Hanging No. 2 – State when ordering:
Pic2.jpgThe Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels:
With improvised stretchers one or two blankets lashed with native string to two long poles spread by stout traveerse bars as many as eight or ten native bearers would carry day after day. To watch them descend steep slippery spurs into a mountain stream, along the bed and up the steep ascent, was an object lesson in stretcher bearing. They carry stretchers over seemingly impassable barriers, with the patient reasonably comfortable.
The care that they show to the patient is magnificient. Every need, that they can fulfil, is tended. If night finds the stretcher still on the track, they will find a level spot and build a shelter over the patient. They will make him as comfortable as possible, fetch him water and feed him if food is available regardless of their own needs. They sleep four each side of the stretcher and if the patient moves or requires any attention during the night, this is given instantly.
Maj-Gen Sir Frank K. Norris.
Wall Hanging No. 3 – State when ordering:
Pic3.jpgBattle of the Coral Sea US Lexington:
American Losses:
- 1 Carrier Sunk – Lexington
- 1 Carrier Damaged – yorktown
- 1 Destroyer Sunk – Simms
- 1 Oiler Sunk – Neosho
- 66 Planes Lost
- 543 Men Lost or were Killed
Japanese Losses:
- 1 Carrier Sunk – Shoho
- 1 Carrier damaged – Shokaku
- 1 Destroyer Sunk – Kikuzuki
- 3 Small Naval Vessels Sunk
- 77 Planes Lost
- 1074 Men Lost or were Killed
Wall Hanging No. 4 – State when ordering:
Pic4.jpgThe Kokoda Trail, Papua
The 'Golden Stairs' up Imita Ridge, just the first of the climbs, but no way the steepest, longest or highest.
Some 3,200 steps were cut into the mountain. A brush cross section was lashed to two stakes driven into the ground. The stairs became permanently sodden and slippery because of the daily rain that saturated the jungle.
Men fell, banged their knees, shins and ankles on the exposed log steps, gave vent to their anger and struggled agonisingly on with their 60lb packs.
About 110 can be seen in this 1942 photograph.
Wall Hanging No. 5 – State when ordering:
Pic5.jpgPadre Begbie of the 2/27th Battalion holding a deep and moving service for those who had fallen at Gona. One soldier said later that he felt 'embarrassed to be alive'.
When you go home, tell them of us, and say,
'For your tomorrow we gave our today'.
Sir William Slim – Bomana 1953
Wall Hanging No. 6 – State when ordering:
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE – Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby.
Pic6.jpgThe Kokoda Trail Papua New Guinea – including map and villages.
Wall Hanging No. 7 – State when ordering:
Pic7.jpgThe Kokoda Trail Papua New Guinea:
Walking Times only approximate and vary depending which way the Trail is walked.
W-Water – 1350 – Elevations above sea level
This walk has been described as 'the ultimate military obstacle course', and is a demanding A Grade trek, so to enjoy it ensure you are fit. One recent walker registered 28,000 paces on his pedometer a day – each day.
It takes about three days to get jungle fit so that you can do 8-10 hours a day.
The rewarding aspect of the walk is the reverence and respect you develop for the soldiers who fought along the track. That is what makes it special, so yo need to be up on your battle history of the Kokoda campaign.
It is very cold between Isurava and Menari, even in the summer months.
Remember to lace your boots tight going down hill – blisters are a problem.
Wall Hanging No. 8 – State when ordering:
Pic8.jpgPoster size A1 (840 x 594 mm) of themats/hangings laminated each – A$140.00
all other countries, price on application by emailing: gail@pngbd.com
If you are interested in these beautiful mats/wall hangings, you can Order Online by Credit Card
Photograph:
- Joe – Menari Village
- Nathan – Sydney Village
- David – Girimumu Village
- Richard – Naduri Village
- Frank – Mageri Village
- Alex – Naduri Village – Leader – walked over 100 times
- Nelson – Naduri Village
- Duane – Canberra Village
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