Eilanden River, Dutch New Guinea. c. 28 December 1944. The supply boat AS69, formerly the mission ...

Eilanden River, Dutch New Guinea. c. 28 December 1944. The supply boat AS69, formerly the mission boat "Melvidir" powered by a single cylinder diesel engine at anchor at Post 6. This boat visited Post 6 at six week intervals with new supplies of tinned food, reinforcements, and changes of personnel. The wharf usually used by the boat is in the foreground and has been demolished by a "king" tide. The Field Security Section (FSS) of the Australian Intelligence Corps stationed at Merauke, Dutch New Guinea (DNG), seconded members, usually one or two, to Army units in forward areas on intelligence duties. Post 6 was an Army outpost on the Eilanden River, DNG, equipped with Bofors guns for river defence and the defence of a radar station manned by RAAF personnel. FSS members attached to the Army unit interrogated itinerant natives as well as conducting patrols by small boat, using the river systems and/or open sea, to visit native villages close to the Japanese military establishments at Japiro, gathering intelligence about the enemy's movements. The patrols, usually by three men, could last from seven to ten days. (Donor G. Phillips)