With the Australian SIB in New Guinea during WW2

With the Australian SIB in New Guinea during WW2

This story was written and researched by Antony Buckingham, Australian Military Police History website, 2003, from the original war diary of the Australian SIB in New Guinea held at the Australian War Memorial, files marked as: AWM 52 18/2/66 Special Investigation Branch - AIF LHQ, New Guinea L of C and AWM 52 18/2/73 Special Investigation Branch - AIF LHQ, New Guinea L of C.

The Australian Army Military Police investigation capability is handled by the Australian Military Police – Special Investigation Branch (SIB). SIB personnel are Military Police personnel selected for specialist investigator training. The SIB is similar to a civilian police detective agency and conduct, numerous military, criminal, administrative, sensitive and special investigations on Army personnel.

Australian SIB were deployed to New Guinea (SIB NG) during WW2 to assist the Australian Army in battle, conducting numerous criminal and administrative investigations as well as serious and sensitive enquiries. The SIB in New Guinea acquitted themselves and the SIB well. After initial "teething problems" of raising a new organisation and lack of knowledge by user units of the capabilities of the SIB they were often highly regarded by units who had to use their services. By hard work, dedication and lively liaison with units, the SIB was able to show the Army the benefit of a SIB capability.

Evidence of the success of SIB NG is recorded in the War Diary of 1945. During that year, SIB NG recovered Service property to the value of 13,697 pounds, 455 inquiries carried out, 116 persons arrested or prosecuted and 127 Courts attended. Read on and uncover the fascinating, untold story of the Australian SIB in New Guinea during WW2.

By 1942, the Japanese Army had invaded and conquered South East Asia and were advancing and landing troops on areas in the South West Pacific (SWPA) especially New Guinea. The war was heading towards Australia at great speed. By 1943, Australia had deployed the 6th, 7th and 9th Australian Divisions (AIF) and mobilised the Australian "Militia" Brigades to force the Japanese from the SWPA areas. Once the Australian forces gained a foothold on New Guinea, the opportunity to deploy the SIB was available and the SIB (AIF) New Guinea (SIB NG) Section was born.

SIB NG was formally raised in December 1943. However, SIB Investigators had been operating in the New Guinea area since July 1943 carrying out independent investigations prior to the formation of the LHQ SIB which was similar in some ways to 5 MP COY (SIB) of today. Manning for the NG SIB Section was "ad hoc" with Investigators mainly recruited from the ranks of the AIF/AMF especially those currently serving in New Guinea who had been ex civil Policeman who volunteered or were recommended for employment with the SIB. This proved to be a successful formula for the making of an SIB Investigator at that time and provided the right mix of "temperament" and "understanding" necessary to conduct successful Investigations in the NG war zone. The "digger" responded positively to the Investigators because they were considered to have shared the dangers and hardships of service in NG.

Over time, this selection criteria increased the War Establishment of the SIB NG to 1 x Officer, 1 x WO1, 2 x WO2, 3 x SGT, 2 x CPL and 3 x Drivers with this manning remaining till the end of the war, only fluctuating mildly to accommodate illness or replacement. Often when manning was light or extra help needed, men were attached from the normal Provost Companies operating in the area and assisted with investigations.

In December 1944, the first SIB Investigator (SGT Whiteman, later to become Lt Whiteman and OC of the NG SIB Section) was deployed to New Guinea as a permanent detachment under the umbrella of APM New Guinea Force (Lt Col Cowper). Problems occurred from the outset; those being:

SIB was a new and unknown entity to both the Provost Corps and the Army, with the SIB being poorly employed and misunderstood;
Lack of equipment, correspondence, facilities for records storage and office accommodation;
SIB being recognised as part of the Provost Corps with the resultant "hatred" of Provost Corps and lack of co-operation from Army personnel; and
Problems with the APM who was "interfering" with investigations.

Whilst many of these problems would be overcome by hard work and time, one particular problem was a constant recurrence throughout the New Guinea campaign. The APM was continually interfering with investigations and constantly limiting or stymieing "innovative" ideas or suggestions for the development and method of conducting inquiries and investigations. Over the next three years, the issue did not improve and the Section was continually exacerbated by this problem.

The types of investigations carried out by the SIB NG ranged from petty thefts within unit lines, investigations into black market activities involving liquor and tobacco, and frauds and malpractice's, in connection with the rationing of supplies like tobacco and cigarettes to the troops. Also, the various "activities" of members of the three Services, including Officers, were investigated which resulted in proceedings of a criminal nature. Often, there were the "confidential" enquiries directed from Army HQ as well along with an enormous effort spent tracing missing cargo.

It is interesting to note the attitude and approach to investigations by the SIB NG. The War Diary mentions the following, which in some ways is unexpected and "refreshing" about how the SIB NG carried out investigations and relations with AMF units and personnel:

The Section has maintained a reputation for efficiency and integrity and has consistently refrained from "pin -pricking" troops and from interfering in matters which are considered to be the province of Provost or Regimental Police. This is borne out by the friendly visits constantly paid to the Section HQ by troops who have at some time been in trouble; many come seeking advice on domestic and other problems. It might be mentioned here that the work of the Section in Moresby in 1944 has been the subject of more than one eulogistic report by high ranking Officers.

The investigations and enquiries conducted by the SIB NG involved travel to all portions of the SWPA where Australian troops were operating, including forward areas. Travel was by Service aircraft, barge and land vehicles and included visits to Milne Bay, Goodenough Island, Oro Bay, Buna, Salamauna, Lae, Sio, Madang, Finschhafen, Saidor, Hollandia, Bougainville, New Britain, Aitape, Wewak, and to many native villages along the New Guinea coastline.

By July 1945, the SIB NG had been gainfully employed investigating all types of offences and enquiries and proved to be a valuable asset to the Australian Army. The following War Diary entries indicate the various types of investigations carried out by the New Guinea SIB (all names and Regimental numbers of offenders have been deleted for this story):

A British Navy stoker, just recently released from detention and in transit to his ship, arrested and charged with break and enter Red Cross store, Lae and steal 50 pounds worth of tobacco, cigarettes and Red Cross goods. Most of property recovered.

SIB/NG/45/4/221

Two RAAF personnel arrested in possession of US Army clothing valued at 1647 pounds, which they were retailing to Australian personnel. They bought the goods from US negro soldiers for 2 bottles of whisky per bale and each bale was returning them about 200 pounds. The goods were stolen from the US QM but the US authorities failed to trace the thieves. In our experience most USA investigators are inexperienced men and usually take the line of least resistance and incline to "wipe off" inquiries where their own men are involved with Australian personnel. A few are very good and cooperate 100 per cent.

SIB/NG/45/3/235

Sgts Meehan and Allen to Wewak ref inquiries at 6 Div re the pillaging of deceased soldier's effects.

SIB/NG/45/6/43, SIB/NG/45/4/265 & 269

SGT Meehan returned to Lae by plane from Wewak and Aitape. Inquiries re pillage of contents of kits of two deceased soldiers, in transit by barge from Wewak to kit store, Aitape. Kits were loaded on barge, loose, with troops and other cargo, instead of being crated and escorted. Disciplinary action taken against persons responsible.

SIB/NG/45/4/265

Routine inquiries into missing cargo unloaded this port
Investigation into death of NX (Name), 6 Mob Met Ft att First Aust Army. Found dead with service rifle beside him and .303 bullet wound in his head at 1230 hrs, this date, in 6 Mob Met Ft hut. Subsequent inquiries proved suicide. Inquiry found "Death due to suicide while temporarily of unsound mind"

SIB/NG/45/3/264

Interrogated and obtained statements from two civilian women, Marjorie (Name) (24) married: and Rosalie (Name) (22) single, both of Toorak, Vic, who, when picked up by Aust Provost at Torokina, Bougainville, on the 10 Aug, conducting a brothel there in a hut in the bush, for US Serevicemen at a fee of 20 dollars a time, stated that they had met and entertained two American merchant sailors in Melbourne on 14 July 45, had got pretty drunk, and later on in the evening had visited the sailors on board a ship (name unknown) at Port Melbourne. They "passed out" and when they woke up the following morning, the ship was at sea, and so were they (in the ships hold). They were kept on the hold for 9 days, during which time they were fed and supplied with licquor etc by the same sailors. They were put ashore at night at Torokina and after wandering about for awhile met an American Seebee who fixed them up with a hut in the bush, and went into partnership with them on a commission basis when they opened up their "business".

They were returned to the mainland by Civilian aircraft, from Lae, on 15 Aug 45. No charge was laid against them.

Other investigations and enquiries were also conducted by SIB NG covering the following incidents:

Insecurity and theft of weapons (rifles, pistols and machine guns) from unit lines and offices
Possession of stolen goods linked to above
Pay book irregularities
US Army jeeps recovered after being abandoned
Selling Army Rations
Possession of captured enemy weapons
4 members of First Army HQ admitted and treated at 2/7 AGH for VD. Carrier not known. (All arrested and charged with 11 counts of "Buggery"
Suicide - while of unsound mind
Trading in Birds of Pardise
Mail missing
Break and enter US Army QM stores
Serious Assault with weapon (captured Japanese Army pistol)
Murder of NX (Name) of 4th Infantry Battalion at Wewak on night 14 Dec 45 (45/4/368) Note: Fingerprints have been flown to Brisbane safe hand by Lt Col Grimshaw.
Suicide of Jap POW CAPT YAMADA GONJU at 102 CCS at 1300 h 27 Dec 45 (45/4/370) Note: Inquiries made. Ascertained no suspicious circumstances. Complete report and photographs to DAPM LBSA for information and action.
(RAAF Service Police MADANG) - Illegal use of Jap aircraft by Australian Army Officer, which crash landed on the BIAK air strip on 23 Dec 45. Note: Aircraft was flown by CAPT (Name) of ANGAU from Japan. This Officer holds a flying licence and was attached to the 5th US Air Force since 1942 for flying duties and the plane was given to him by same. It crash landed on the BIAK air strip and left there, as it was found that parts had been removed from it overnight rendering it useless. Report submitted - No action taken.
20 Jan 46 (RAAF SIB) - Indecent conduct between RAAF Officer and Australian Army personnel.

On 31 January 1946, the SIB NG was warned for return to Australia within four weeks and the SIB New Guinea Section was coming to an end. The work of the Australian SIB would set the standard for future investigations work and employment of the SIB in the Australian Army.