(NX208095 / NX66265) Otton, Edward Douglas 'Slim' (Corporal)

Places	Europe: United Kingdom, England, Greater London, London Oceania: New Guinea1, Papua New Guinea, Papua Oceania: Pacific Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, New Ireland Oceania: Pacific Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, New Ireland, Kavieng Oceania: Pacific Islands, Coral Sea Oceania: Pacific Islands, Solomon Islands, Bougainville, South Bougainville, Buin
Accession Number	S00596
Collection type	Sound
Measurement	2 hr 5 min
Object type	Oral history
Physical description	audio cassette; TDK AD60; mono
Maker	Otton, Edward Douglas 'Slim'
Date made	31 May 1989
Access	Open
Conflict	Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright	Item copyright: Status to be assessed
Copying Provisions	Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Source credit to	The Keith Murdoch Sound Archive of Australia in the war of 1939-45

Description

Edward Douglas "Slim" Otton, Corporal 1st Independent Company and Coastwatcher, interviewed by Daniel Connell for The Keith Murdoch Sound Archive of Australia in the War of 1939-45

Discussing enlistment in the army; selection for the Engineers; army training and appointment to 1st Independent Company to be trained as commando; psychological preparation for commando role; embarkation for Kavieng, New Ireland; distribution of commando forces in Melanesia; contact with forward columns of Japanese Army; loyalty of the Papuan New Guinean population to the Australian forces; establishment of Coastwatching Stations; escape from Japanese at Buin; health; establishment of station at Buin at commencement of Battle of the Coral Sea; coastwatching duties; language skills required for local dialects; other team members; supplies; morale; evacuation back to Australia; joining Victory Contingent in London; awarding of American Silver Star; inadequacy of recognition for coastwatching duties; training at Tabragalba Camp for "M" Special Unit of the Allied Intelligence Bureau.

History / Summary

Discussing enlistment in the army; selection for the Engineers; army training and appointment to 1st Independent Company to be trained as commando; psychological preparation for commando role; embarkation for Kavieng, New Ireland; distribution of commando forces in Melanesia; contact with forward columns of Japanese Army; loyalty of the Papuan New Guinean population to the Australian forces; establishment of Coastwatching Stations; escape from Japanese at Buin; health; establishment of station at Buin at commencement of Battle of the Coral Sea; coastwatching duties; language skills required for local dialects; other team members; supplies; morale; evacuation back to Australia; joining Victory Contingent in London; awarding of American Silver Star; inadequacy of recognition for coastwatching duties; training at Tabragalba Camp for "M" Special Unit of the Allied Intelligence Bureau.