1. Fanning out from the Balikpapan bridgehead, men of the 2/14th Bn AIF approach the (supposedly) abandoned Japanese airstrip at Manggar, across debris filling the Kechil River. Borneo, July 4th 1945. #WeHaveWays
1. Fanning out from the Balikpapan bridgehead, men of the 2/14th Bn AIF approach the (supposedly) abandoned Japanese airstrip at Manggar, across debris filling the Kechil River. Borneo, July 4th 1945. #WeHaveWays
1. Fanning out from the Balikpapan bridgehead, men of the 2/14th Bn AIF approach the (supposedly) abandoned Japanese airstrip at Manggar, across debris filling the Kechil River. Borneo, July 4th 1945. #WeHaveWays
2. Most of the logs are spares left over from the extensive anti-landing obstacles constructed in the area by the IJN 22nd Naval Base Force, supplemented by elements of the IJA 454th Bn who been unable (due to air interdiction) to join their main unit on Tarakan Is. #WeHaveWays
2. Most of the logs are spares left over from the extensive anti-landing obstacles constructed in the area by the IJN 22nd Naval Base Force, supplemented by elements of the IJA 454th Bn who been unable (due to air interdiction) to join their main unit on Tarakan Is. #WeHaveWays
2. Most of the logs are spares left over from the extensive anti-landing obstacles constructed in the area by the IJN 22nd Naval Base Force, supplemented by elements of the IJA 454th Bn who been unable (due to air interdiction) to join their main unit on Tarakan Is. #WeHaveWays
2. Most of the logs are spares left over from the extensive anti-landing obstacles constructed in the area by the IJN 22nd Naval Base Force, supplemented by elements of the IJA 454th Bn who been unable (due to air interdiction) to join their main unit on Tarakan Is. #WeHaveWays
3. With no resistance encountered troops enter Manggar Village and reach the edge of the airstrip...and a party of officers climbs the air-control tower to get a view of the foothills beyond. At which point 3 hidden improvised 20mm guns open up simultaneously on them. #WeHaveWays
3. With no resistance encountered troops enter Manggar Village and reach the edge of the airstrip...and a party of officers climbs the air-control tower to get a view of the foothills beyond. At which point 3 hidden improvised 20mm guns open up simultaneously on them. #WeHaveWays
3. With no resistance encountered troops enter Manggar Village and reach the edge of the airstrip...and a party of officers climbs the air-control tower to get a view of the foothills beyond. At which point 3 hidden improvised 20mm guns open up simultaneously on them. #WeHaveWays
4. Maj Arthur Taylor 2/1st AT Regt, Capt Melbourne Mott & Lt Robert Knight 2/14th Bn, Capt Robert Chapman 2/5th Field Regt are all killed whilst Lt Col Frank Richardson DSO (from BDE HQ) is amongst the badly wounded. #WeHaveWays
5. As is the usual course of operational action at this point in the war, tanks support is called up...in the form of 3 Troop, A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regt. Landed by barge on a portion of beach (suspiciously) lacking beach obstacles. mid morning, July 5th 1945. #WeHaveWays
5. As is the usual course of operational action at this point in the war, tanks support is called up...in the form of 3 Troop, A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regt. Landed by barge on a portion of beach (suspiciously) lacking beach obstacles. mid morning, July 5th 1945. #WeHaveWays
5. As is the usual course of operational action at this point in the war, tanks support is called up...in the form of 3 Troop, A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regt. Landed by barge on a portion of beach (suspiciously) lacking beach obstacles. mid morning, July 5th 1945. #WeHaveWays
6. All 2 Matilda IIs are taken out the moment they leave the beach by repurposed Japanese submarine deck guns concealed in reinforced bunkers on the far side of the airstrip. #WeHaveWays
6. All 2 Matilda IIs are taken out the moment they leave the beach by repurposed Japanese submarine deck guns concealed in reinforced bunkers on the far side of the airstrip. #WeHaveWays
6. All 2 Matilda IIs are taken out the moment they leave the beach by repurposed Japanese submarine deck guns concealed in reinforced bunkers on the far side of the airstrip. #WeHaveWays
7. One is an 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type gun and the another, a larger 12 cm 11th Year Type gun. #WeHaveWays
7. One is an 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type gun and the another, a larger 12 cm 11th Year Type gun. #WeHaveWays
7. One is an 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type gun and the another, a larger 12 cm 11th Year Type gun. #WeHaveWays
8. A single 25 Pounder was brought forward under Sgt Kelvin 'Fatty' Palmer MM (with a crack crew of the 2/5th Fd Regt that had been commended as early as Buna in 1942) They engaged in a sniping duel, taking out the crews of both enemy guns. It took them 178 rounds. #WeHaveWays
8. A single 25 Pounder was brought forward under Sgt Kelvin 'Fatty' Palmer MM (with a crack crew of the 2/5th Fd Regt that had been commended as early as Buna in 1942) They engaged in a sniping duel, taking out the crews of both enemy guns. It took them 178 rounds. #WeHaveWays
8. A single 25 Pounder was brought forward under Sgt Kelvin 'Fatty' Palmer MM (with a crack crew of the 2/5th Fd Regt that had been commended as early as Buna in 1942) They engaged in a sniping duel, taking out the crews of both enemy guns. It took them 178 rounds. #WeHaveWays
9. Special mention should be made of Gnr Ivor Edge....who positioned himself on the Southern end of Manggar village bridge and maintained communications with 2/14th Bn & 2/5 Regt HQs. #WeHaveWays
10. By the morning of the 6th of July more 25 pounders were brought up. Along with mortar fire from the infantry (now reestablished on the Northern bank) a systematic barrage was made of the area beyond the strip, putting an end to the 20mm fire. #WeHaveWays
10. By the morning of the 6th of July more 25 pounders were brought up. Along with mortar fire from the infantry (now reestablished on the Northern bank) a systematic barrage was made of the area beyond the strip, putting an end to the 20mm fire. #WeHaveWays
10. By the morning of the 6th of July more 25 pounders were brought up. Along with mortar fire from the infantry (now reestablished on the Northern bank) a systematic barrage was made of the area beyond the strip, putting an end to the 20mm fire. #WeHaveWays
11. There was also a napalm & strafing attack by a Squadron of USAAF P-38 Lightnings near the foothills beyond the airstrip. #WeHaveWays
12. The infantry were then sent in to take the strong points. Here are the men of 18 Plt, C Coy, 2/14th Bn who took the 12cm gun on what became known as 'Whaite's Knoll' (after their commander who was killed early in the assault) and held it against 4 counter attacks. #WeHaveWays
12. The infantry were then sent in to take the strong points. Here are the men of 18 Plt, C Coy, 2/14th Bn who took the 12cm gun on what became known as 'Whaite's Knoll' (after their commander who was killed early in the assault) and held it against 4 counter attacks. #WeHaveWays
12. The infantry were then sent in to take the strong points. Here are the men of 18 Plt, C Coy, 2/14th Bn who took the 12cm gun on what became known as 'Whaite's Knoll' (after their commander who was killed early in the assault) and held it against 4 counter attacks. #WeHaveWays
12. The infantry were then sent in to take the strong points. Here are the men of 18 Plt, C Coy, 2/14th Bn who took the 12cm gun on what became known as 'Whaite's Knoll' (after their commander who was killed early in the assault) and held it against 4 counter attacks. #WeHaveWays
13. With the fighting moving on the bunkers are taken over as HQs for the 2/5th Field Regiment (as seen here) and the 2/14th Bn. July 7th 1945. #WeHaveWays
14. The aftermath of the fighting, one 2/14th Bn eyewitness recalled the battlefield became something of, "a f&%king carnival" with support troops from back at Balikpapan (not a great distance) showing up to sightsee and loot. It caused considerable bitterness. #WeHaveWays
14. The aftermath of the fighting, one 2/14th Bn eyewitness recalled the battlefield became something of, "a f&%king carnival" with support troops from back at Balikpapan (not a great distance) showing up to sightsee and loot. It caused considerable bitterness. #WeHaveWays
14. The aftermath of the fighting, one 2/14th Bn eyewitness recalled the battlefield became something of, "a f&%king carnival" with support troops from back at Balikpapan (not a great distance) showing up to sightsee and loot. It caused considerable bitterness. #WeHaveWays
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