Web Links

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guns of Muschu Book Website

A website promoting Don Dennis' book of the same name. Like the book,  the website contains detailed information on SPR Dennis, the sole survivor of the ill-fated SRD Copper mission to locate and recce a Japanese coastal artillery position on Muschu Island off the New Guinea coast near Aitape. The details of the mission are expertly explored in the book, and the website continues this by providing more information on the inquiry into the circumstances of the loss of these seven fine men as well as further info on the unsung heroes of Copper, the crew of the HDML that not only inserted the party, but sneaked into enemy waters time and time again hoping to receive a signal from the doomed party.

The site is a great resource and most recommended if only to hear the recent ABC radio interview with SPR Dennis, a modest old bloke who is a true Australian hero and it seems, really can't see what all the fuss is about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australian War Memorial

Various sections of the AWM site provide photographs, first hand accounts and mission reports on AIB and SRD ops in the SWPA. A must visit site for any serious researcher studying Australia's military history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warguns - SOE and the Resistance Movements

This site was recently established by Richard Karlsson, a Swedish SOE researcher. In addition to being an expert on the history, methodology and equipment used by SOE Operatives in Occupied Europe, Richard is also a master craftsman, producing museum quality non-firing replicas of SOE "Special" weapons  such as the Welrod and the Sleeve Gun as well as various demolitions components.

Richard also painstakingly reproduces various SOE paperwork such as manuals. In fact I presented one of Richard's SOE sabotage manuals to the NSW Z Special Unit Association on ANZAC Day, 2009. The Men were stunned at the quality of the paper and printing. It looked like it had just been issued at the House on the Hill.

Timelapse

SOE and Danish Resistance website run by Anders T. An excellent resource for information on many of the special weapons and demolitions equipment used by SRD, SOE, and European Resistance groups. The site also includes the story of Operation CHILBLAIN, an SOE  project in Nazi-occupied Denmark.

Anders is one of the foremost experts on the WELROD series of special purpose handguns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coleshill House

During WWII, Britain developed a "stay-behind" program to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Germans should they invade. These units were known as "Auxunits". Coleshill House was their major training establishment. Everyday innkeepers, poachers, postmen and such were sent to Coleshill House to be schooled in the art of guerrilla warfare, sabotage, intelligence gathering and "ungentlemanly warfare".

The Coleshill House website details the Men, their Mission and their training. It is well worth a look for anyone with an interest in the "Secret War".

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mission Reports of M.G. Berrie - FELO

This site is Phillip Berrie's tribute to his father, QX10230 SIG M.G Berrie, MM, a FELO operative.

Phillip's website is an invaluable resource on a little-known aspect of the Secret War, combat propaganda.

Transcribed mission reports from the FELO "O" Group in New Guinea provide an insight into the nature of these hair-raising operations, where small parties of FELO Operatives would head into enemy occupied areas to win the hearts and and minds of the locals and turn them against the Japanese.

Highly recommended.

Special Forces Roll of Honour

John Robertson's excellent virtual memorial for Allied Special Operations personnel from WWII to the present. SFROH includes a large section on SRD (under Z Special Unit) as well as other units such as 200 Flt RAAF.  It also includes details of SASR and Commandos from WWII through to current operations. An outstanding resource.

2/7th Australian Cavalry Regiment

Stuart Coppock's awesome website on the WWII 2/7 Australian Cavalry Regiment, a unit which did the hard yards in PNG. The site includes many photographs, diary extracts, 2nd 7th Cav Association stories and much more. Check out the section on Cobb Force - a recce from Caboolture in SE QLD to Cape York. Great stuff.

Z Special Unit Reunion - August 2010

Information website for the Z Special Unit Reunion to be held in Maryborough, Queensland in August, 2010

Australian Military Knives

John Kroezen's excellent new web site dealing with the identification and history of Australian military knives. The Commando knife section is especially well worth a visit for SOA readers. Great information on manufacturers, variants and design as well as differences between the Australian patterns and the UK Fairbairn/Sykes killing knives. I've added this site to my personal research bookmarks and will likely refer to it often.

Lost Medals Australia

LTCOL Glyn Llanwarne and his dedicated team of researchers obtain orphaned military medals and return them to the original recipient or next of kin. A tremendous public service. The Lost Medals team at time of writing has returned over 660 lost medals dating from the Boer War to Timor to their rightful owners. Be sure to check out the Lost Medals Australia Blog for fascinating case studies and more.

welfreighter.info

Tom Colville's comprehensive book-like site covering the development of the Welfreighter submersible. The site also includes information on the Sleeping Beauty and the Welman as well as details on their service with SRD and their deployment to Australia. Be sure to set aside several hours to get the most out of this great resource.

Adelaide River War Graves

 

The B-24 Liberator