| Collection type | Library |
|---|---|
| Author | Reed, Jim, author.; Angau, Eddie Stanton, author.; Edwards, Eric H, author.; Reed, Kevin, editor.; |
| Call Number | F 940.544994 R324d |
| Document type | Monograph |
| Year | 2018. |
| Pagination | 276 pages, 29 pages of plates : illustrations (some colour), maps (chiefly colour), portraits ; 30 c |
| Publisher | K & R Reed, |
| Note | National Library of Australia?s copy signed by editor. Includes bibliographical references (page 267) and index. "Destination Ginger outlines the rapid progress of the air war and of the island-hopping troops in the SW Pacific theatre during World War 2. For the patriotic volunteer RAAF groundstaff from Victoria, their journey necessitated rapid adjustment to life in the tropics. As the Japanese offensive was gradually weakened we see a distinct change of mood. The tedious routine of maintaining aircraft, loading and unloading endless equipment and spare parts, guard duty and satisfying the RAAF's thirst for documen tation, sees husbands and fathers increasingly yearn for home and family. Gambling is replaced by more substantial pastimes. Australian and US Squadrons came and went, along with large deployments of AIF troops and US Marines preparing for amphibious land ings. 26RSU however, remained anchored on Goodenough Island for 16 months before advancing to Noemfoor Island - after a most painfully slow and interrupted voyage. Thrown together for the duration, the occupants of tent 22, our intrepid six Equipment Assi stants from the Stores Depot, Ossie Renshaw, Jim Reed, Cyril McCoubrie, Graham Halliday, Tom Davis and Harry Simcox became loyal mates. They spent most of their spare time together at diverse pursuits: Letters and parcels to and from home were immensely i mportant. They took quite an effort to maintain their tent as a functional home. The co-location of other army and air force units, particularly the USAAF, brought great benefits - e.g. better amenities, generous comfort handouts and frequent movies. Cl ose fraternisation with "the yanks" led to the regular exchange/trading of goods. Cards, two-up and dice were given a good run. Frequent movie shows, occasional concerts and sports were organised. Church services were regularly attended. Swimming in the m ountain-fed streams and at the beach was popular. Rumours were rife and some "war news" as told |
| Place made | Brighton East, Vic. : |
Destination Ginger - Goodenough Island WW2 : the diary and photos of LAC Jim Reed 26RSU RAAF, complemented with information from AWM, 26RSU 1942-45 diary, the diary of Lieut. Eddie Stanton Angau and the letters of Sgt Eric Edwards 5MWS RAFF / edited by Kevin Reed. Destination Ginger - Goodenough Island World War Two : the diary and photos of Leading aircraftman Jim Reed 26 Repair and Salvage Unit Royal Australian Air Force, complemented with information from Australian War Memorial, 26 Repair and Salvage Unit 1942-45 diary, the diary of Lieutenant Eddie Stanton Angau and the letters of Sergeant Eric Edwards 5 Mobile Works Squadron Royal Australian Air Force
Shelf Items
| Barcode | Call Suffix | Volume | Part | Year | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWM091447 | F 940.544994 R324d | On Shelf |
Related information
Subjects
- Reed, Jim Diaries.
- Angau, Eddie Stanton Diaries.
- Edwards, Eric H. Diaries.
- Australia. Royal Australian Air Force. 26 Repair and Salvage Unit History.
- Australia. Royal Australian Air Force. 5 Mobile Works Squadron History.
- Aviation ground crews - Papua New Guinea - Goodenough Island - Biography.
- Air bases, Australian - Papua New Guinea - Goodenough Island - History.
- Airplanes, Military - Papua New Guinea - Goodenough Island - Maintenance and repair - History.
- World War, 1939-1945 - Participation, Australian - Biography.
- Military history.
- Biography: general.
- Goodenough Island (Papua New Guinea) - History.
- Australia - History, Military - 1939-1945 - Biography.
- Australian
- Biographies.