OPERATION HUMPYBONG
This is PO BOOGIE reporting from Sydney.
Some important information has just come to hand. It appears that Captain Barnaby has been rounding up several of our crew. The ones concerned are all members of our Commando group.
The story is that they have had all leave cancelled and are recalled for special duty. Even as I write this, they are reporting with full battle kit to the US Air Base here, ready for departure on a DC3 – to a destination unknown.
Here is a list of those who are going:
Some important information has just come to hand. It appears that Captain Barnaby has been rounding up several of our crew. The ones concerned are all members of our Commando group.
The story is that they have had all leave cancelled and are recalled for special duty. Even as I write this, they are reporting with full battle kit to the US Air Base here, ready for departure on a DC3 – to a destination unknown.
Here is a list of those who are going:
Lt. Commander Finnegan - Medical Officer
Lt. Liam - Executive Officer
Lt. Boomer - Intelligence
Lt. Bramble - Security
Lt. Dasher - Commanding Navy Seal
Lt. Scruffy - War Correspondent
PO Tyler - Secret Agent
Chief Keagan - Commando
Seaman Murphy - Commando
Seawoman Phugie - Commando
Seaman Happy. - Commando
Lt. Liam - Executive Officer
Lt. Boomer - Intelligence
Lt. Bramble - Security
Lt. Dasher - Commanding Navy Seal
Lt. Scruffy - War Correspondent
PO Tyler - Secret Agent
Chief Keagan - Commando
Seaman Murphy - Commando
Seawoman Phugie - Commando
Seaman Happy. - Commando
That is all the information I have at this time. Lt Scruffy will update us on what is happening as soon as he is able.
This is PO BOOGIE signing off from Sydney, Australia.
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This is PO BOOGIE signing off from Sydney, Australia.
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This is Lt. SCRUFFY reporting.
The special commando Group arrived at the US Airbase in Sydney and boarded a DC3 for a destination unknown. Seacat ROMEO has joined us, so there must be some serious 'creeping' to be done!
The special commando Group arrived at the US Airbase in Sydney and boarded a DC3 for a destination unknown. Seacat ROMEO has joined us, so there must be some serious 'creeping' to be done!
None of us knew where we were headed, and even when the green light came on, telling us we were over the target area and to prepare to 'jump' - we were still none the wiser.
We hit the ground and buried our 'chutes, then we assembled under the joint leadership of Lts. DASHER and BOOMER. Our orders were to meet up with Lt. RODDIE and Ensign CHARLIE, when we would be briefed on our assignment.
Heading South from our position, we moved out.
We hit the ground and buried our 'chutes, then we assembled under the joint leadership of Lts. DASHER and BOOMER. Our orders were to meet up with Lt. RODDIE and Ensign CHARLIE, when we would be briefed on our assignment.
Heading South from our position, we moved out.
(What our commandos did not know was that Lt. RODDIE and Ensign CHARLIE had landed in a remote area of Central Australia and, after carefully camouflaging their aircraft, moved towards a large house, which appeared to have once belonged to a Station owner. The house was in good condition but all traces of cattle or sheep had long since gone. However, the house WAS occupied and, after observing it for 24 hours, our brave friends felt certain that it was the 'Humpybong' they were looking for.
There were at least 6 enemy agents in residence, and RODDIE counted no less than seven guards around the property which consisted of a main house, and what appeared to be a barn or shack which RODDIE believed was being used as a radio transmitting station. Another surprise was a carefully hidden aircraft hanger, which appeared to house a fighter plane and a passenger aircraft, no doubt the enemy's only means of escape.
A plan was hatched for Ensign CHARLIE to get his plane into the air, and wipe out both aircraft before the main attack so that none of the enemy could make a hasty exit.
CHARLIE returned to his plane and took off. However, he lost the element of surprise, the enemy had detected his approach and managed to get their fighter into the air. Charlie was faced with a 'dog fight' - literally - and though the enemy pilot was good, our CHARLIE was better.
He attacked out of the sun and came up on the enemy's tail, flaming it and damaging its rudder. The pilot struggled to hold his aircraft level and CHARLIE came alongside and signalled to the pilot to land. (He wanted the pilot alive so he could provide important information to the ground force, and save lives on both sides.) Obediently, the pilot agreed and CHARLIE forced him down, landing beside his prisoner. )
There were at least 6 enemy agents in residence, and RODDIE counted no less than seven guards around the property which consisted of a main house, and what appeared to be a barn or shack which RODDIE believed was being used as a radio transmitting station. Another surprise was a carefully hidden aircraft hanger, which appeared to house a fighter plane and a passenger aircraft, no doubt the enemy's only means of escape.
A plan was hatched for Ensign CHARLIE to get his plane into the air, and wipe out both aircraft before the main attack so that none of the enemy could make a hasty exit.
CHARLIE returned to his plane and took off. However, he lost the element of surprise, the enemy had detected his approach and managed to get their fighter into the air. Charlie was faced with a 'dog fight' - literally - and though the enemy pilot was good, our CHARLIE was better.
He attacked out of the sun and came up on the enemy's tail, flaming it and damaging its rudder. The pilot struggled to hold his aircraft level and CHARLIE came alongside and signalled to the pilot to land. (He wanted the pilot alive so he could provide important information to the ground force, and save lives on both sides.) Obediently, the pilot agreed and CHARLIE forced him down, landing beside his prisoner. )
The prisoner was cooperative and provided vital information. RODDIE and CHARLIE tied him up securely where he could be located again, and went to intercept the Commando Group at the arranged position.
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This is Lt. Scruffy reporting again.
We met up with Lt. Roddie and Ensign Charlie right on target and were soon making our way towards the property.
Lt. Liam would take a group to cover the right and left flanks and the radio hut; Roddie and Charlie would cover the rear, and Lt. Boomer and Lt. Dasher with their group would make the frontal attack on the building. Seacat Romeo was briefed on his special role in the forthcoming action.
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This is Lt. Scruffy reporting again.
We met up with Lt. Roddie and Ensign Charlie right on target and were soon making our way towards the property.
Lt. Liam would take a group to cover the right and left flanks and the radio hut; Roddie and Charlie would cover the rear, and Lt. Boomer and Lt. Dasher with their group would make the frontal attack on the building. Seacat Romeo was briefed on his special role in the forthcoming action.
As the outer guards were quickly and silently taken out, Seacat Romeo removed his heavy uniform and equipment and crept up to the house and, peeking through an open window, he took note of where the inner guards were placed. Carefully, he entered through the window as only a cat can, and checked out all the rooms.
Leaving as quietly as he had entered, he got back into battle dress and reported to Boomer and Dasher who were anxiously awaiting his return.
Romeo reported: "There are six civilians in a back room, Sir, and they are presently eating lunch." Romeo paused to lick his lips hungrily, then added with a hiss, "They were eating canned TUNA, Sir!"
Boomer grinned."If there's any left after we've secured the house, Romeo, you can have whatever's left! - but tell me, where are the others positioned?"
Romeo replied with a contented purr. "There are two just inside the front door; - three on the side verandah and another three in what I'd guess was the radio room in the nearby hut."
"Good work, Romeo," Lt. Dasher said. "You can join the others now."
Boomer spoke with all the members of the main frontal attack group, then spoke on his walkie-talkie to Liam, Roddie and Charlie to coordinate their plan of attack. When all was set, they moved forward.
Well, as I, Scruffy, went with the frontal attack group I saw the battle at first hand. It all happened so quickly. There were bursts of gunfire and shouts of alarm as Boomer, Dasher, Murphy M, Happy, Keagan and Romeo burst through the front door and Roddie and Charlie peppered the rear, preventing any of the occupants from making their escape. Simultaneously, Liam, with Murphy, Tyler and Phugie, accompanied by our MO Finnegan, came up and attacked the left and right flanks, mowing down the armed guards that were on the verandahs.
Leaving as quietly as he had entered, he got back into battle dress and reported to Boomer and Dasher who were anxiously awaiting his return.
Romeo reported: "There are six civilians in a back room, Sir, and they are presently eating lunch." Romeo paused to lick his lips hungrily, then added with a hiss, "They were eating canned TUNA, Sir!"
Boomer grinned."If there's any left after we've secured the house, Romeo, you can have whatever's left! - but tell me, where are the others positioned?"
Romeo replied with a contented purr. "There are two just inside the front door; - three on the side verandah and another three in what I'd guess was the radio room in the nearby hut."
"Good work, Romeo," Lt. Dasher said. "You can join the others now."
Boomer spoke with all the members of the main frontal attack group, then spoke on his walkie-talkie to Liam, Roddie and Charlie to coordinate their plan of attack. When all was set, they moved forward.
Well, as I, Scruffy, went with the frontal attack group I saw the battle at first hand. It all happened so quickly. There were bursts of gunfire and shouts of alarm as Boomer, Dasher, Murphy M, Happy, Keagan and Romeo burst through the front door and Roddie and Charlie peppered the rear, preventing any of the occupants from making their escape. Simultaneously, Liam, with Murphy, Tyler and Phugie, accompanied by our MO Finnegan, came up and attacked the left and right flanks, mowing down the armed guards that were on the verandahs.
Romeo led Murphy, Happy and Bramble to the room where the six men were eating. No shots were fired as the men raised their hands in surrender. Boomer, Dasher and Bramble secured them and took them prisoner.
Roddie and Charlie came in with broad grins on their faces. The battle was over and only a couple of their commandos were injured. Lt Comm Finnegan was taking care of them. There was nothing serious. Only flesh wounds.
After all the injured had been treated and prisoners taken, Lt Roddie made a call to Base and requested a DC3 to pick them up. There was plenty of flat grass where the aircraft could make a safe landing.
It was a successful mission, and they were looking forward to getting back to their shipmates who were still enjoying the delights of their extended holiday!
This is Lt Scruffy, signing off from Operation Humpybong!
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Roddie and Charlie came in with broad grins on their faces. The battle was over and only a couple of their commandos were injured. Lt Comm Finnegan was taking care of them. There was nothing serious. Only flesh wounds.
After all the injured had been treated and prisoners taken, Lt Roddie made a call to Base and requested a DC3 to pick them up. There was plenty of flat grass where the aircraft could make a safe landing.
It was a successful mission, and they were looking forward to getting back to their shipmates who were still enjoying the delights of their extended holiday!
This is Lt Scruffy, signing off from Operation Humpybong!
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CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 7
Copyright - Audrey Plowes - 2010