Commando Edition 17 2023

This the final operational area of the Squadron- was
the most nerve wracking to date. Sections were
reduced by casualties and sickness to less than half
their strength and the incessant pro¬gramme of patrols
by day and Jap attack with small arms, spears and
artillery shell bombs by night drove everyone almost
into the ground.
The Japs were driven headlong from their fortress
area at Cape Djoeata by C troop (Captain N. Nicolay),
their defences there being exceptionally strong and
consisting principally of four naval guns (fortunately
pointing out to sea) and a system of concrete pillboxes
connected by deep communication trenches.
Still based on Djoeata Oilfield the Squadron
continued its role of patrol force right up to the
cessation of hostilities and even after for the Jap didn't
even have enough intelligence to know the show was
over.
Members of 2/4 Commando Squadron hoisting the Australian flag
shortly after landing on Sadau Island, off Borneo. A Japanese pole
and pulley were used.
Source: AWM
Australian blue wool bunting ensign with a colour patch for 2/4
Commando Squadron is sewn to the proper right star of the
Southern Cross constellation. The cream linen hoist is marked in
black ink 'ROLL of HONOUR' and bears the surnames and initials
of the 15 men who were killed in action or died of wounds during
the Tarakan campaign, together with the names of the 41 men who
were wounded. The upper arm of the cross of St George on the
Union Jack is marked in indelible pencil 'SADAU IS TARAKAN A.I.F.
2/4 COMMANDO SQN - MAY 1945'. The horizontal arms of the
cross and the Federation Star, bear the signatures, or printed
names, of some of the men in the Squadron, together with their
states of origin.
Source: AWM
COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 17 I 2023 45