Lives of the First World War

Extract from the above publication:- "Rabaul, on the northern coast of New Guinea, was the centre of government for Germany's Pacific colonies. They consisted of island groups; Pelews, Marianas, Carolines and Marshalls in the central Pacific, and New Guinea, New Britain, Bismark Islands, Ellice Islands, Samoa and the Solomons in the south-west Pacific. As it turned out, the Central Pacific Islands were captured by the Japanese, who retained them after the war and used them as part of the island-hopping campaign in the Pacific War of 1941-45. A small detachment of the Australin Naval Brigade was landed near Rabaul and advanced towards the German head-quarters. On the road to Bitapaka the brigade fought and defeated the German forces which had been deployed to protect the wireless station, the destruction of which was the Australian objective. The brief, sharp engagement resulted in the deaths of the Commanding Officer, Lieutennant Commander Clive Elwell RN, Able Seaman J.E. Walker and Able Seaman W.G. Williams. Several other men were wounded by sniper fire. But the detachment achieved its objective. The wireless station was captured and German communications in the Pacific disrupted. There was, however, a more significant result. The Germans surrendered prematurely and German New Guinea was occupied without further loss of life on 11 September 1914. Australia had unexpectedly gained itself a small empire in the south-west Pacific.

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