Australian/New Zealand Z-Force
Z Force, also known as Special Operations Executive (SOE), Special Operations Australia (SOA) or the Services Recon Dept. (SRD)—was a joint Allied special forces unit formed during the World War II to operate behind Japanese lines in SE Asia. Predominantly Australian, Z Special Unit was a specialist reconnaissance and sabotage unit that included British, Dutch, New Zealand, Timorese and Indonesian members, predominantly operating on Borneo and the islands of the former Netherlands East Indies.
The unit carried out a total of 81 covert operations in the SW Pacific Theater, with parties inserted by parachute or submarine to provide intelligence and conduct guerrilla warfare.
The best known of these missions were Operation Jaywick and Operation Rimau, both of which involved raids on Japanese shipping in Singapore harbour; the latter of which resulted in the deaths of 23 commandos either in action or by execution after capture.
Although the unit was disbanded after the war, many of the training techniques and operational procedures employed were later used during the formation of other Australian Army special forces units and they remain a model for guerrilla operations to this day.
On 25 March 1945, Tom Harrisson was parachuted with seven Z Force operatives from a Consolidated Liberator onto a high plateau occupied by the Kelabit people. His efforts to rescue stranded American airmen shot down over Borneo are a central part of “The Airmen and the Headhunters.” The unit he commanded was called SEMUT – 1, six Australians and one New Zealander, all younger than the major, but had years’ more experience from fighting in New Guinea, mainland SE Asia and North Africa. (I highly recommend the book).
Throughout June and July 1945, several operations under the aegis of Operation Platypus were launched in the Balikpapan area of Borneo.
In his memoirs, former leading aircraftsman Jack Wong Sue claimed that Z Special Unit commandos in Borneo killed 1,700 Japanese for the loss of 112 commandos, as well as training more than 6,000 guerrillas. According to Sue, the activities of the commandos laid the groundwork for the Allied invasion of Borneo in 1945.
During the southern winter of 1944, twenty-two New Zealand soldiers, based at Trentham Military Camp, 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Wellington, New Zealand were sent to train with Z Special Unit in Melbourne, Australia. They were then sent to Fraser Commando School, on Fraser Island, Queensland, to be trained in using parachutes, unarmed combat, explosives and the Malay language. Four New Zealanders were killed during operations in Borneo.
Major Donald Stott and Captain McMillan were both presumed drowned in heavy seas while going ashore in a rubber boat from the submarine USS Perch (SS-313) in Balikpapan Bay on 20 March 1945. Their bodies were never found. Warrant Officer Houghton made it to shore in a second boat but was captured ten days later and languished in Balikpapan Prison where he died of beriberi about 20 April 1945.
Signalman Ernie Myers, a trained Z Special Unit operative in Platypus VII, parachuted into enemy-held territory near Semoi on 30 June 1945, but landed with two other operatives inside a Japanese camp area. They resisted strongly, but the Australian in the party was killed and Myers was captured along with the Malay interpreter of the group. Both men were tortured for three days, before being beheaded. Their bodies were recovered soon after the Japanese surrender when Lieutenant Bob Tapper, another New Zealander who was working with the War Graves Commission, discovered their remains. Evidence given to the commission by native witnesses ensured that the Japanese involved paid the penalty for this atrocity.
Click on images to enlarge.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Howard Allison – Wichita, KS; US Army, WWII, PTO, MSgt.
Phillip Barksdale – Bowie, AZ; US Navy, WWII / US Army, Korea, Engineer Technician
David Ferland – Hornell, ME; US Coast Guard, Navy & Air Force, 1st Class Gunner’s Mate, (Ret.)
Edgar Gifford – Chicago, IL; US Army, WWII, surgical tech.
Harold Henderson, Knoxville, TN; USMC, WWII, PTO, 9/3rd Division & CBI, 7th Service Regiment
Clifford Moore – Des Moines, IA; US Army, WWII, ETO
Robert Shaffer – Pawtucket, RI; US Coast Guard, WWII
Woodrow Smith – Vidor, TX; US Army, WWII
Jack Young – Murphy, NC; US Navy, WWII, PTO & Korea
Josef Zawitkowski – Nisko, POL/Buffalo, NY; Polish Home Army, “Ojciec Jan” unit, Deputy Cmdr.
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Posted on September 27, 2018, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, Army, Australia, Borneo, History, Military, Military History, Pacific War, WW2, WWII, Z-Force. Bookmark the permalink. 111 Comments.
Thanks for your like of my post, “Israel, For And Against;” you are very kind.
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You are very welcome.
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Thanks
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Thanks for your like of my post,” Left Behind? Why?” You are very kind.
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🙂
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👍🏼
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Thanks.
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I have never heard of Z Force before, thanks for another illuminating post; what’s the title of the book btw that you mentioned?
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The Airmen and the Headhunters
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Gotcha somehow the title escaped me when I read your post. Thanks!
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Well, I have to admit, it doesn’t sound like a war journal! haha
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True if they title it something else…like Z Force that would be cool
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Thank you for giving coverage to other nations involved in this war, GP!
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They deserve it – contrary to many, we did not do it alone.
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My library actually has that one! It’s going on the list- thanks 🙂
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MY pleasure!
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Reblogged this on Truth Troubles.
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Much appreciated.
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Quite a group of people, what a tough unit to have been apart of. I am going to reblog this for you Sir.
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I thank you. These men deserve more recognition.
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Good to know for improvements on the next war.
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We’re in too many now!! What is it with this world?
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Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
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Thank you very much.
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I missed this earlier GP. Brave men indeed.
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Thank you for coming back to it! Quite a bunch of men!!!
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🙂
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I like very much your reportages .
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Thank you, I appreciate you saying so.
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I am currently reading a book from 1960 detailing the formation and training of Z Force. Very interesting!
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Title? If it’s about them – it HAS to be interesting!!
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The Heroes by Ronald McKie
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Thank you, Deano!!
BTW, loved your last post!
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thanks, much appreciated!
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I was given that book I mentioned by Alan at the Friends of the Anson Museum
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I hadn’t heard of that one, and it really should be required reading. I feel bad that now we are too late to thank them.
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Your posts are remarkable in that they cover and give credit to not just Americans, but also to the allies who fought alongside of them – not something that one always sees regardless of the nationality of the writer – you must do a lot of research. I have dug up the poems I wrote about the Balikpapan landing – should I just post them here? I will be away for the next week but will get onto it when I get back. Once again congratulations on a great site.
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I would really like to have those poems. Yes, post them here. I will post them as soon as possible.
I thank you for the compliments. I try to give credit where it is due. Often many do not because so much data is wrapped up under the title of “Commonwealth Nations.”
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I’ve been talking a lot to my uncle lately (Army in Vietnam era) about my Grandfather (Air Force in WWII era). I think the funniest story he’s told me was when he (uncle) was newly stationed in Vietnam and was wakened every morning by the sound of another soldier whistling — and recording himself on a tape recorder – Every. Single. Day! (I guess there are worse ways to pass your time.) Hope you’re doing well! ❤
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When they are in a hell-hole (pardon my language), they do whatever it takes to get through it. I’ve sure heard of worse ways than whistling!!
Yes, all is well here. Finally finished with up-dating our place – I think… haha
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A very brave group of people who deserve so much recognition for their efforts. What they did goes far beyond the call of duty.
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Yes they did, yet so many never knew about them. Sad.
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It is, and sadly a lot of what they did do is only really coming to light now.
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And it is now too late to shake their hands or even say Thank You.
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Sadly that is all too true!
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Fascinating to learn more about Z Force. I knew about a little about via a completely different angle; the story of Tom Harrisson and the Mass Observation project. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Harrisson
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Yes, I have heard of him, but it was interesting knowing his whole history. Thank you for contributing to the post with this information, Ann. I appreciate that.
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Heroism much enhanced by the dire consequences if caught
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You know they had to be wary of the situations, but they went in anyway – now that’s guts! eh?
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Sure is
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Maybe you’ve covered this before, GP, but there was another Australian commando unit which fortunately or unfortunately didn’t see action.
The North Australian Observer Unit was established 1942, in the wake of the defeat at Singapore and the first Japanese bombings on Darwin. At the time it was commonly believed that the Japanese intended full scale invasion of Australia. The NAOU patrolled across the Northern Territory, and were quite likely the first white men to set foot in some parts there.
As it happened, the tide in the Pacific War turned soon after the NAOU’s inception. After the battle of the Coral Sea and then the defeat of the Japanese at Milne Bay, they were more or less superfluous to needs. But the experience gained living remotely in the Outback was useful to later special units.
Curtin’s Cowboys by Richard and Helen Walker is a concise history of the unit, with recollections from many former members.
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I think they might have been mentioned my first time around the war – I’ll have to check my own stuff. (Jeez, this getting old is sure annoying!! 🙂 ) I’m not on my own computer right now, I’ll have to get back to you, but I’m certainly very happy you’ve mentioned the NAOU here!!
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After 6 1/2 years, my trusty computer decided it was close to crashing ( at least it had the decency to warn me), so it has been rough looking things up on this little notebook. My apologies for the delayed reply.
I thought I had done something on those men, but at the moment I can only locate this post……
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I have a memory that the New Zealanders were the most decorated of all the nationalities among the British and Commonwealth troops. An excellent and very interesting account. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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And thank you for that item of interest, John. You expertise is needed around here, friend!!
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Interesting numbers … if you had just one Antarctican, and he won a VC … would that make Antarcticans the ‘most decorated of all nationalities’?
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per capita, I imagine.
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Another story worth sharing, thank you. And just another little weep…..
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Understood, a tear is no stranger to my face either.
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Have you mentioned The Airmen and the Headhunters before? I’ve heard the title, and it must have been here. If not, then someone has joined the effort to give these brave men their due. I was particularly interested in the article about the M/V Krait. Restoration’s a difficult task, although a worthy one. I have a friend whose son-in-law was a caulking specialist at Mystic Seaport — and not with silicone sealant, either. He used a variety of fills, but could fill a seam with oakum at quick as you please. I’m sure there are others just as skilled working on the Krait. I hope they can gather the needed funds.
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Yes, I have mentioned the Airmen and the Headhunters before, but I also hope someone is out there helping to fill in the gaps – because I know I have many!! 🙂 Glad to hear that craft for boats is still being passed down, sometimes the old ways are the best!!
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I really enjoy learning about the Pacific theater. Very interesting article!
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I’m very happy you do, Cindy. Between school, movies and TV, we tend to think the Marines did everything in the Pacific by themselves.
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Yes, that is correct!
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Thank you, John!!
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You are very welcome.
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Side thought on how many of the WW II pictures of soldiers show them shirtless. Noted that they were fully clothed by 2012. 🙂 –Curt
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Going through all those jungles and having mud literally eat your clothes away, I fully understand it. Nowadays, shirtless men would offend somebody, somewhere, somehow at some point!!! Jeez!
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But others would be pleased. 🙂
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🙂
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The members of the Z-Force must have been all volunteers, as their mission was extremely dangerous.
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I am not certain, but I agree, so dangerous, many found their exploits hard to believe – but they were all verified!!
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Added The Airmen and the Headhunters to my to-read list. Thanks!
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It is definitely a different type of story for WWII, I think you’ll find it captivating.
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This is just a test. My comments have been going to spam, and Akismet and I are trying to solve the problem. No need to post this — if it goes through, I’ll be back in a bit to read the post and leave a real comment.
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No problem, Linda, I completely understand, I’ve had my own bouts with computer glitches!! This did NOT go to spam.
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Reblogged this on Dave Loves History.
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Thank you, Dave, these men more than deserve to be remembered!!!
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Z-Force is well remembered in Western Australia because of Jack Wong Sue, who post war was a local identity in Perth, and a celebrated war hero. I did my driving lessons with Ken Sue driving instructors and was told he was a relative of Jack – but of that I am uncertain, but most locals in the 70s were convinced. Jack set up the first professional dive shop in Perth which is still going. Jack also wrote a book about his and Z-forces exploits called “Blood On Borneo.”
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Yes he did and I was quite remiss in not mentioning that book. I’m very happy you brought it up.
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My pleasure, I really enjoyed the post
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Terrific!!
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Great to see posts on these unsung heroes…..well done….chuq
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This was quite a group, I didn’t really do them justice, but thank you.
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Keep up the good work….chuq
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Thank you, chug. Nice of you to say so!
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Resourceful, Tough, and Courageous.
We owe much.
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I completely agree!!
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The thought of soldiers being captured/tortured/executed/starved and dying in prison always rattles me more than the thought of soldiers dying in combat.
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Yes, a bullet is much quicker.
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It’s amazing to hear about these different forces, GP. It doesn’t seem like this group could have been very big… and they had such heavy losses.
Wishing you a thriving Thursday. Hugs.
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They went into places and situations that were quite unique and VERY dangerous.
Have a terrific weekend, Teagan, and thank you for visiting.
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Thank you GP! I never thought before, that Japan was so important in the WW2 I only heared about the trial to deliver a nuclear bomb to Nazi Germany.Michael
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There is so much we are never taught in school, eh?!
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Oh yes GP! Thank you for your efforts. Have a nice day. Michael
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And you as well!
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:-))
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That’s quite a tale, GP, and well told – thank you. Such brave men – the very idea of doing that kind of thing is terrifying. We owe these people big time. SOE was an amazing organisation – as you may know, it grew from nothing in 1940 – there’s a bit about it here http://bitaboutbritain.com/britains-soe/ I believe the US equivalent, the OSS, morphed into the CIA. By way of a PS, one of the masters at my school was an ex-Chindit and gained huge respect by being able to do a handstand simply by bending down, putting his hands on the floor, and lifting himself up. Nobody messed with him!
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Thank you for also helping in the story here with your contribution!! I can well understand why no one messed with the Chindit – I’ve written about them as well. So many to thank for giving us future, but I’m trying!!
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Brave men, doing a difficult job. They made a film about them, starring Mel Gibson. It’s not great, but worth a watch.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083591/
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you for also contributing to the post, Pete. It makes me feel as those the readers make this blog their own – and that’s exactly how I want it!! We can maybe, gradually, put most of the pieces together and get a good picture of that time.
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You do a fine job of ‘cooking up’ the posts on your won, GP. Our extras are just condiments! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Condiments add so much!1
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Thank you for filling in the blanks of history. I really like the photo, “if going much further take one”
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I imagine a lot pf crosses were needed back then, eh!! Thanks for coming by!
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Good one GP. If anyone wants to what the Krait looks like now they can go to http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-24/mv-krait-restoration-project-underway-at-maritime-museum/8452742
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That is a fantastic article!! Thank you very much for adding it to this post, it is n excellent addition, Paol, and I will recommend it to the other readers!!
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When I was an active volunteer guide at the ANMM in Sydney, I agitated to have the Krait (pronounced, cry t, )to a place of honour. it’s always tucked away,
The only time it is ever given pride of place, is on the 11th November, Armistice day. I remember one Armistice day, the last survivor of the first mission, was a little old man sitting there quietly, a true hero.
I have an idea I did a post on the raid at the instigation of Mr G P Cox some years ago.
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[Smiling over here in Florida!!]
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And I think I remember that.
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