Sparrow Force - The Elites Soldiers Forgotten on a Pacific Island
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
- In early 1942, the Japanese forces were rapidly advancing across the Pacific, conquering island after island and defeating the Allied troops at every step. It became so bad that primary resistance fell to the locals, and Australian forces were sent to the small island of Timor to provide support and defend the territory.
The battalion tasked with protecting the island was given the code-name Sparrow Force, and was made up of 70 officers and 1,330 men.
When Sparrow Force saw a massive shipment arriving at the island, they thought they would be reinforcements, but to their dismay, they turned out to be the invading Japanese. The Australians were outnumbered, surrounded, and heavily engaged, so they retreated to the mountains while suffering many casualties.
The military command in mainland Australia and the Japanese forces thought that Sparrow Force had been eradicated, but to their astonishment, the remaining soldiers in Timor had actually built a headquarters deep in the jungle.
A 10-month guerrilla operation against the occupying Japanese ensued as the battalion sniped patrols, destroyed bridges, liberated towns, and disrupted communications, becoming much more than a headache for the invaders.
However, there was no way to reach the Australian command, and with little ammunition and resources left, time was running out for the renegades. It would take remarkable wits and unparalleled endurance to make it out of the island alive…
- As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -
A HUGE thank you to the locals for helping these poor chaps.
Sparrow Force is a force that did NOT give up.
Way to go Aussies!!
I don't think giving up was a viable option for them. The Japanese did not take the best care of their POWs.
@@1pcfred
Thank you for your input, and yes that was NOT an option.
However, in giving up also includes, but not limited to surrendering. I mean, not trying to contact any allied forces without giving their position away, ECT.
So, there are different meanings of not giving up.
@@whiterabbit-wo7hw according to this they did not contact allies because their radio was damaged. I'm not sure if the Japanese could have figured out their location with just a radio transmission either. That needs specialized equipment that the Japanese may not have had with them. The Japanese were known for not using much in the way of gear.
We owed a huge amount to the locals and it was appalling that we didn't back the Timorese in 1975. It was double appalling when we shafted them from their oil and gas after they gained independence.
@@1pcfred That's the Understatement of the Century.... See: Rape Of Nanjing....!!!
Did U know that Most Historians still think the Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbour First.
And try and find a single Book about Joseph Warren STILWELL ("Vinegar Joe"); in your local Public Library...!!!
Oh; before U ask; I'd done my 3 Years for Queen n' Country in the U.K.!
I would love to read a book about "Sparrow Force"'; if one every get published!
My Great Grandfather was Lieutenant George Parker of Sparrow Force, "Joan" was his wife and my great grandmother, Joan Parker.
God bless you and your family.
That’s awesome. Do you have any insights to share?
🧢
Geiger Tec, thank you for that. God bless you, George & Joan Parker, Sparrow Force and all the native Timorese who helped them.
Geiger Tec....do you know Henry Parker? He was my great great uncle who married Unas Crabtree, they had twin girls that we're nickname the Parker twins, they married Edwin and Jonathan Park who were also twins, l think we're related
My grandfather was part of Sparrow force a member of the 2/40th he was captured by the Japanese ended up working on the Thai Burma railway and after surviving that hell was considered fit enough for transportation to Japan where he spent the rest of the war working in a coal mine until finally liberated.
My FIL suffered the same fate ( not Sparrow Force ). He survived 30 months on the Death Railway and was in the mines near Nagasaki on THAT day. He passed away two years ago.
You should talk to that Geiger tec person above you. Their grandfather or great grandfather was also In Sparrow Force
So was mine,they probably new each other..my grandad was William garlick
Mine was there too, member of 2/2nd Commandos.
God Bless these MEN! They knew what hardship was and stared death straight in the eye. No amount of thanks can ever be shown to adequately fit their sacrifice. This story should be taught in schools so as to give children a height to attain in their own lives. My Father was Dutch. He was rounded up and imprisoned in a forced labor camp in Germany simply because he lived in a Jewish neighborhood.
Bring tears to my eyes hearing the story about the bravery, sacrifice and determination of the Australian soldiers.
They did what they had to do. It does to mine too and Im Australian. Left to die in a jungle hellhole. No supplies little ammo little food landfill wepons no help and no hope .Riddled with dysentery malaria ...............fear . BEST of the best. 39th battalion
To bad there spirit doesnt live on today we surely need it
Also, huge props to Islanders of Timor, New Guinea and many other places who did so much to help us out in such circumstances during WW2.
@@marsmars9130 😂 for what? Come the hour, come the man. Is Australia that scared of China making trade deals?!
@@imSUPPRESED No just scared in general< oh my the sniffles!!!
My uncle Sam served in South Pacific as, Marine Raider. He was the only Marine survivor found alive on an Island Marines cleared of Japanese in 1946. He was mentally damaged till he died, he was gifted with 98% total recall. He could do recall the Bible from any page, or any book he read. So he was cursed with war horror till he died.
Wow.
your dad is a warrior
Your uncle was amazing, yes gifted. So sorry for all the pain.
My father was a World War II veteran, and went as a medical missionary to Portuguese Timor after the war. The Portuguese did not let us stay very long, but we lived in a bamboo house with no running water or electricity and at seven years old I had many wonderful adventures which I wrote up into a book, a whisper in the night. After we left, there were so many miracles that thousands and thousands of people choose to follow God. People were healed, people were raised from the dead along with other kinds of miracles too. More than 50 years later the people heard that my sister and I were returning for a visit, they gave us a royal welcome. So much love from those beautiful people!! it brings tears to my eyes to hear of these heroes that went before us. Thank you.
" uncle Sam " , " 1946" 🤣🤣🤣
Well MY uncool was a V2 rocket that faught in WW2, he could run pretty quick but wasn't so good at changing direction. When he hits the party's tho, he goes OFF!
What an incredible story! Props to this channel for not letting these outstanding, inspiring feats of heroism and defiance not get forgotten to the sands of time!
My sentiments exactly Yon. You just phrased it much more elegantly !
@@revmo37
G'day,
What ?
You must be borderline illiterate.
"Thanks for not letting these...... not be forgotten."
So he's thanked the Channel for preventing the story from being remembered...; and you've praised him for trying to appear gratefully clever but fcuking it up - because you didn't (not) notice the double-negative.
What that shows, is that this Channel's Target Audience truly has not got a Clue and is almost illiterate.
Most of this footage was shot by Damian Parer, in Papua New Guinea.
Australia's Commando Campaign on Timor was an ongoing disgrace, because almost all the Airdropped Supplies went directly to the occupying Japanese, who had compromised the Radio Link and almost always beat Sparrow Force to the drop.
And then after the War Oz let Portugal reoccupy and subjugate Timor L'Este until 1975 when Indonesia invaded and captured and occupied the place, murdering 5 Australian Journalists at Balibo.
Finally, in 1996 Oz sent the Military back into East Timor to see-off the Indonesians - swapping a few volleys of actual Gunfire, and involving a Company of Indonesians running away when a Platoon of Australians carried out an order to,
"Fix...BAYONETS !"
And then ASIS bugged the Timorese Diplomats' private quarters during subsquent negotiations over Seabed Oil and Gas Concessions and Royalties ; resulting in Australia literally stealing East Timor's Revenue-Stream flowing from all the Gas Australia sells to Asia, all pulled out of the Seabed off East Timor.
Look into it.
East Timor and Oz is a VERY murky story.
Such is life,
Have a good one...
Stay safe.
;-p
Ciao !
@@WarblesOnALot Usually when I correct someone's inability to write logically, I get accused of being a grammar nazi, so be prepared for attacks from other illiterates.
@@nedludd7622
G'day,
Thanks mate !
She'll be right mate...; I'm pretty used to copping a few Sling(shot)s and Arrows from the addle-pated Drongo Brigade.
It goes with the territory.
I'm considered the local Fool On The Hill, where I live...
Somebody has to do it, and my Doorstep is "vertically-superior" to every Ridgepole within 15 to 75 Km in all directions (!).
Such is life,
Have a good one...
Stay safe.
;-p
Ciao !
@@WarblesOnALot You're a complete tosser! For a start, ASIS was only formed in the 1950's Oil and gas was never a concern until the 1980;s. And magically! Not a concern now! Who'ld'a'thunk? Your (in)ability to link 1940's reporting to current events, to events occurring 40 years ago, to events occurring 60 years ago is unbelievable!
My great uncle was in Sparrow force. His face used to light up when he told me of his experience going into the Japanese camp at night and gathering the equipment needed for the radio.
The Australian Army 2nd/40th Battalion was raised mostly from volunteers in Tasmania; the rest from Victoria. Down here in Tasmania, the tales of the 2nd/40th and Sparrow Force are well known, or were.
When I went to school, in the early 60s the hardships and exploits of Sparrow Force were taught in history class by a teacher who had been in that very battalion.
My uncle, D'arcy Banks, was also a member of the 2nd/40th who, somehow, survived.
He was a farmer and an expert woodcutter.
After his capture, along with the majority of the battalion, the Japanese noticed his prowess with an axe. He joined many others who were sent to work on the Burma railway the Japanese were cutting through the dense, rocky jungle.
There he cut huge Teak trees and other jungle hardwoods that, he told me many years later, were even harder than the notoriously tough Ironbark tree.
Even though D'arcy was part of a valued group of POW axemen, this didn't stop random acts of brutality, harassment, even full on torture for the slightest infringement of the rules, and sometimes just for the amusement of the guards.
The men who swung the axes got a tiny bit more fowl, stinking rice to eat and a little more putrid water.
In return they were worked 12 to 14 hours a day and, at night, made to sleep on bamboo racks with saplings laid over their legs to stop them from escaping; not that there was anywhere to run.
D'arcy was born with a slight stutter, as it was called back then. When he returned home, the stress of his ordeal made his stutter so bad he had trouble speaking at all for a few years.
My aunt Dolly, his wife, told us he had terrible nightmares for most of the rest of his life.
If he turned a newspaper page, or turned on the TV and saw a Japanese person he would become visibly distressed. They did a real job on a man who was, at heart, a quiet, kind and peaceful soul.
To many others, however, they did much, much worse. D'arcy thought himself lucky and was much happier in his later years, till he passed, while I was away in the RAAF.
At my ex-Services Club, I had the privilege of meeting other members of the 2nd/40th who held their annual reunions there a couple of times. They all remembered D’arcy’s good humour despite what they went through.
They only confirmed all that D'arcy had told me but, generally, they were reluctant to talk of those dark years. All of them were immensely proud of their Sparrow Force mates who had taken the fight back to the Japanese on their behalf.
I did my time in our, peacetime, Air Force and I knew Army blokes, and some Air Force ADGs, who had experienced combat. All of these men were in awe of what their father's and grandfather's generation had achieved and endured during the Pacific campaigns.
It was this knowledge, passed on from D'arcy and many others, that drove me to become a military historian with the hope of keeping alive the memories and exploits of that special generation of ordinary men and women who did such extraordinary deeds in defence of their homes and for the freedom of the world.
Thank you so much, Dark, for bringing this little known story of endurance and bravery to the greater public. D'arcy would be personally embarrassed but also, I'm sure, proud of his mates too. Cheers, Bill
@UCs3vWi47u2-udRAFvxZejlw G'day True, Yes, mate I was aware of all that. I didn't infer that some were not volunteers. And I was aware that the 1st A.I.F. refers to those who fought in the Great War. All Australians should be all immensely proud of the men like my Uncle D'arcy's and your father's service. Cheers and all the best. BH
The Second Australian Imperial Force - represented by the "2/" - were ALL volunteers.
Under the Defence Act (1903) ONLY volunteers could serve outside Australia.
They were paid 8 shillings per day, married, and 5 shillings per day, single.
At that time the unemployment benefit was 8 shillings and 6 pence per day and the average basic wage £2 and 16 s.
My father left his job as a printer and served in Borneo as Lieutenant with the 2/14th.
Thanks for your retelling of Darcy's life. As a woodcutter he would have been very well conditioned to hard work before the war and it might very well have given him the resourcefulness to survive POW captivity. May he RIP now.
Mark from Melbourne Australia
@@markfryer9880 G'day Mark, Thank you so much for your kind comment. Yes, D'arcy was as tough as nails; had to be, really. He was quiet about 'his war' until his last few years. He told me about it when he took me 'wood hooking'. Yes, he was wielding his axe almost to the very end. That was the last outing I had with him before I left for the RAAF.
He mentioned the blokes who 'gave up the ghost' they were totally broken and, sadly, doomed.
Most of all I remember what a happy man D'arcy was, generally. Every day after the war was a bonus to him and even though we could see signs of his suffering he lived every day to the full. Cheers, BH
Thank you for your moving facts, it brought tears to my eyes. They were a tough breed and very brave. God bless 'em
About time sparrow force was covered. Can't wait for the day when the 3rd New Zealand division in the Solomon islands gets covered. Forgotten battles the world should hear. Especially the average kiwi today. Gallipoli and crete were not our only battles lol. Keep up the great work with the channel. Definitely my favourite above all others
Amazing resilience by Sparrow Force, it's hard to fathom considering the peace between Australia & Japan today, but it's down to such efforts. My grandfather was a navigator in the RAAF who fought in Papua New Guinea during WW2. Later in life he was almost blind, deaf & had multiple steel hip replacements, but he never complained about a thing & focused his life on charitable endeavours. He was always humble about the war, claiming they didn't do much compared to the U.S. & British troops.
He was 96 y.o. when he died in 2016, he's with my Dad now. I appreciate these Dark Docs a lot & especially love hearing about the Australian campaigns as they are close to home. I feel so many of our freedoms today are down to these brave soldiers.
I had always thought of the Australians as a tough and innovative bunch and this video just affirms that. Besides the video, the tales listed in the comments of relatives who served and fought in this region are also very interesting. The Greatest Generation lives on in the memories and tales of their actions. Well done lads, the world is forever grateful.
Truly incredible, stories like these make my deployment seem like basic training, and I have a Purple Heart. Truly heroic stuff by these Aussies.
Thank you very much for covering one of the stories that my nation (Australia) was involved in, during World War 2. Most folks don’t realize it but those campaigns were just as important as any other pivotal moment in World War 2, such as the battle for Iwo Jima and others. Had Japan managed to take Australia, they would have virtually unlimited natural (and human) resources at their disposal. Gas, iron, timber, gold, beef, fishable waters, farmland, even mountains of uranium. The world would have REALLY known about it in that case. Thankfully that never happened, and Australia and Japan are good friends these days and I have always wanted to travel there. 🇦🇺 🇯🇵
pardon my ignorance but Japan during the war was very low on oil, tell me does Australia have oil reserves as well?
@@Gitaxianjack Yes Australia has oil reserves but very little. An oil shale mine in Lithgow NSW in the 1940s which closed in the late 1950s.
@@Gitaxianjack that’s not an ignorant question, and yes we do in fact have enormous oil and gas resources. Right now (meaning the last few decades) they are being underutilized but that’s a whole other story. But back then, anyone with their hands on it would have had a staggering advantage.
Good on ya Aussies! The first to inflict a defeat on Germans in Africa!
@@CousinJesse1 I love you Aussies Jesse. The United States, where I live has more oil and natural gas than Saudi Arabia. But our brain dead joke of a president cancelled all drilling. All I can say is WTF ?
Great show, thankyou for this story about Sparrow force. Always enjoy a program about Australian military history. My granddad was at Tobruk and I'm as proud as. Sparrow force, though is something that you seldom hear about. Also absolutely magic that you included the Tlmorise roll and the price that they paid. The Australians wouldn't have lasted without these brave people.
What an amazing story that would have faded away without your dedication. My father was stationed in India during WWII. He repaired badly damaged bombers and his airfield was where pilots landed if you couldn’t make it back to your base. Dad rarely talked about it. One of the Mechanics used players to pull my dads infected molars in his mouth.
I aerial surveyed the entire country of East Timor from East to West 5 years ago. Saw the remains of Japanese POW camps there and spent months in small villages and Dili and Baucau. We were based at the abandoned UN military airstrip in Baucau for a couple of months. When they aren't fighting off the Japanese, they're fighting off the Indonesians. The runway in Baucau is overgrown with weeds and cowshit now, but I ran the 2.5 km length of it twice every morning. Beautiful people. Very poor population.
2.5 km x2 is 5km that is like a 3 mile runway.... pretty good
@@Thenotfunnyperson USCG?
@@Thenotfunnyperson
The runway is 2.5kms long.
Running it twice doesn't magically stretch the runway to 5kms.
Thank you, Dark Docs and kudos for covering a part of WWII history I had never heard of until today.
I'll never be able to respect these guys as much as they deserve. Truly a different breed than most people alive today. Ww2 veterans are few and far between. I'm proud to have known some.
im really amazed on the people who recorded this on the past.. imagine carrying those cameras that are not that compact and recording all of this beautiful footage of the war and still survive till this day brave men indeed its like a portal of the past for us to see and appreciate our freedom today.
The support and assistance provided by the Timorese people at that time was one of the reasons many Australians felt that Australia should intervene in Timor following the Indonesian takeover in 1975. It was a debt finally paid off in 1999.
That's not true. It was done at the behest of Woodside energy so they could steal the greater portion of the Greater Sunrise gas and oil fields even though they fell within East Timor's maritime boundaries. The new government was pressured and spied on during negotiations to ratify the unfair treaty. Governments are never altruistic, there's always an economic angle.
@@elphmeister I said Australians - not government.
@@peterlovett5841 fair point
Another outstanding display of heroism. So many of these stories are all but forgotten thank you for this.
And We recognise the Timorese for their invaluable help over many campaigns.
We couldn't have helped them without their helping Us.
And they really suffered from Japanese retaliation after Sparrow force departed. Australia has long owed the Timorese more than we've actually given them (eg stealing the gas fields from them after independence).
This is the kind of uncommon subject matters within the fairly common topic of WW2 tales that make this channel’s videos highly entertaining.
I'm a proud grandson of a 2/2nd Timor veteran ❤️❤️
There is a 2/2nd association, we carry a Debt of Honour to the Timorese people. The Association does charity and empowering work with the Timorese people.
My mothers Uncle was a Red Double Diamond. Massively missed to this day. So glad that the men are not forgotten here in WA.
@@rayoliver1681 my kids (now 18 & 21) know about their great grandfather too. When my daughter visited the Canberra War Memorial with her school year, she stood Infront of everyone and talked about the built radio they have there on display.
@@OzzyJackal72 winnie the war winner.
These guys should be shown more respect by our government then they have been. Neglected by our powers for way to long
@@rayoliver1681 I have my grandfather's Double Diamond jacket, along with some amazing map from the War Office. The military museum in Fremantle are currently looking at the maps.
@@OzzyJackal72 some massively important history there. It still pains me I didnt get to try and talk about it with uncle. which would of been a mission in its own right as he was closed shop on many things from then. But we do have a bit that he did on the singapore tiger.
The following units formed Sparrow Force:
HQ Sparrow Force - 20 troops.
2/40th Infantry Battalion - 944 troops.
2/2nd Independent Company - 282 commandos (joined by 152 from West Timor.)
2/1st Heavy Battery RAA - 132 gunners.
A & C Troops, 79th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, (British Royal Artillery) - 189 gunners.
75th Light Aid Detachment - 14 troops.
2/1st Fortress Engineers - 56 sappers.
2/1st Fortress Signals - 39 signallers.
B Troop, 18th Anti-Tank Battery RAA - 27 gunners.
No.2 Section, 2/11th Field Company RAE - 66 sappers.
23rd Brigade Signals RASC - 8 signallers.
2/12th Field Ambulance RAAMC - 50 medics.
22nd Dental Unit RAAMC - 5 medics.
Australian Army Service Corps - 20 servicemen.
As of writing this I have not yet seen the video, but here's some things I can share. My great grandfather was in the 2/2nd, and though he died when I was just 6 years old, he (very rarely, and reluctantly) told my father stories of what they did. He described some of the traps they left behind for the Japanese while behind enemy lines - an inverted jerry can full of fuel set to explode upwards from the ground and burn the enemy, a set of grenades with an elaborate trigger mechanism strung high up above a road to explode above the canvas Japanese troop transports, and other Vietnam-like tricks. They successfully defended against a large company size (~200 bodies counted afterwards) Banzai charge attack with only a platoon of 30, all manning the nearest Bren machine-guns and resorting to bayonets. Here's one story my father remembers when. When the squad was patrolling through the jungle, they heard around a minute of heavy machine gun fire just a kilometer away. Then, as they were located on only road outside of the valley where the fire was heard, they sat ready for the enemy and killed them (a platoon of around 40 Japanese infantry) as they came past. Following the track down, they came upon the most horrific site. An entire battalion of Australian infantry, well known for their valour, great amount of combat experience and hardships overcome, entirely massacred in an ambush as they were coming home. I am not sure of the name of the battalion, but it was definitely not the 2/40th Infantry Battalion of the Sparrow Force, just regular infantry cut off from friendly lines. There are other stories, all of a similar horrific nature. Some missions were controversial, and though it is still completely classified, I will say that some may have not been in the direct interests of allied nations and their officers. The sacrifice, bravery and determination of these men must not go forgotten.
Thank You. Amazing. GOD Bless All who Serve, Served, and their families and friends ~ Be Safe and Well. Peace & Health
This is an amazing account! I've never heard of this event before and I'm glad you've shared it!
WW2 always produces the most incredible war stories.
Not surprised that I hadn’t heard about, nor surprised by their ingenuity, perseverance and bravery.
God bless these men 🙏
i don't really have any evidence, but this being uploaded two weeks after my suggestion to make a video about the forgotten elite sparrow force in world war two, if it is, i thank you so much for taking notice and keeping the memory of these men alive!
God bless Australian soldiers ! Real heroes and marvelous people. Greetings from Brazil.
Great video.
Thank you for posting it.
Excellent doco. I read the breathtaking book on my Kindle: "The Men Who Came Out of the Ground". You video was a terrific summary.
Thank you for this rememberance... bravery of the Australian Troops was exceptional, the abrogation of strategic planning by Australia's military was criminal... My Grandfather was part of the 2/2 & 2/6 Independent company, 4 years of combat in Timor, PNG, Borneo... they suffered the failure of the Australian planning... and its going the same way with the CCP.
When I was in East Timor, now Timor Leste... We often worked out of "Patrol Base Sparrow" named after Sparrow Force! It was on the border, near Balibo.
Good reading on this: The Men Who Came Out Of The Ground by Paul Cleary.
Great vid, well done!
Transport plane shown at 2:45 is a c130 variant, development wasn’t started on that plane until the 1950s...
Yeah, went to see if someone else reacted to that too! I guess any aircraft is ok as long it’s filmed in b/w for this channel!😑
My brain when I hear Japanese island hop, then see a c130
- As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas
What a great story and told so well too. I never knew about it. Thank you.
Wonderful story about wonderful brave men. I hope the very helpful natives were in some way recognized for their services.
Truly amazing video. Thank you !
Hard to beat determination and ingenuity. So many absolute heroic acts in WWII from so many countries, amazing.
There are a couple of good books that describe the activities of sparrow force. I met one of these men about thirty odd years ago and he told me a little of what they did. Ordinary blokes drew on their courage to do extraordinary deeds.
I have one, its called "The men who came out of the ground" as I recall.
i found an old copy of their story many years ago when i'd visit old book stores. i dont recall the name but could simply be The 2/2 independants. i hadnt heard anything about them until then.
It's what Aussies are renowned for - and not just in military situations.
Those brave souls had big cojones, the local indigenous people got my respect and admiration.
That was incredible. Surely there must've been a movie made about this...!
This unit’s devotion to their country and their duty is truly amazing! Why hasn’t a movie been made?!?!?
You channel is outstanding and continues to highlight the bravery of forgotten individuals. Keep it up!
Wow, this is a fascinating story! Sparrow Force were able to out-guerrilla the guerrillas! And a massive thanks is due the natives of Timor that provided food and other assistance to the Australians who were there to defend the land.
Thank you for covering this story. My great uncle was a member of Z force but sadly he passed when I was very young and only have vague memories of him.
There are a couple of books out that cover Australia’s Pacific clandestine war.🇦🇺
back in 1982 i did a short spell in prison, 6 months, and one of the older guys there was z force. he had a number of photo's from vietnam, was definately him, most of the screws were ex military and treated him way different. he had the biggest chest for the 60+ years old that he was, not muscle just big. i asked him why an he claimed it was from his time working as a diver. he had some interesting stories from his time in the military.
same story here!
I met a WWII veteran and he said that they were still fighting for eight months after the war "ended".
The last Japanese soldier surrendered in 1972.
Really enjoyed this.
Thank you!
I can't believe they haven't made a movie about this !!
Though footage in part clearly not part of Timor conflict (as commented on, C-130's not built until 1950's & leveled atoll clearly from elsewhere in the Pacific) still a part of history that worth remembering (cough, cough), especially those native of Timor that contributed & noted here. I'd suggest 'Dark Docs' use maps of conflict areas or still photo's (to fill in the blanks) as opposed to footage that is clearly so far off the mark.
He does that for comments to raise engagement, it's why so many people find their way here. It's sly, I like it
@@alfredpeasant5980 no he doesn't. Wtf kind of thinking is that?
I noticed the C130 and thought I saw Fidal Castro near the start too but I nonetheless enjoy this channel.
These kind of errors are standard for all the DarkDocs, DarkSkies, DarkSeas, DarkEtc.. video channels. There are many factual errors as well, like getting the wrong year of a WW2 battle, as one example I recall.
These are a guilty pleasure, but I don't consider them all that trustworthy. They are more like "historical publicity."
@@lelostimulus9995 it's the kind of thinking that makes money. That's what kind.
Saxson greatness and tenacity in the light again, thank you.
This is the most inspiring story I have ever heard. It almost moved me to tears about the one word answer. Incredible!
Good thing the locals helped them. They probably wont last about 4 months if the locals didn't help. Special those food like the water buffalos and Crocs. And the Japanese didn't hunt them down in the jungles. But it's very admirable to see them survived for 10 months and outnumbered
What bravery and suffering past generations have gone through to leave us our beautiful prosperous and free countries. The question is will today’s generation keep it alive.
I'm proud that you have covered this forgotten part of my country's history. 2/2 Ind. Cdo. COY has by far become nearly lost to history, I appreciate this channel's attempts at looking into the overlooked avenues of modern history.
2/2 will be forever remembered as "The men who came out of the ground".
The 2/2nd is far from being forgotten. There is a travelling Australian War Memorial Museum display known as the "Debt of Honour" and there is still a very active Association.
Great story and video. It was only yesterday that I was complaining about the shoddy footage on another 'dark' series video. This one's really on point!
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Absolutely amazing story and outstanding courage of these men.
02:45 Wow - never knew that the Australians had Lockheed C-130s already in 1941! (That's about 12 years before the USAF!)
LOL. Yeah, Dark Docs does some decent work tho attention to detail is often lacking. But, at least it was a Herky Bird and not a 141.
My response is nothing but tears. God bless Joan
Every thing I learn about the soldiers from down under makes me conclude, I want them on my side.
Love the voice and the amazing stories, one of the best channels on CZcams for sure
Great job! A truly inspiring story of survival, grit, and good ol' toughness. Australians are some resilient bastards
Sparrow by name ... Emu by NATURE!!!
This makes me proud. Also because us Aussies were known for not being enthusiastic with the task of clearing the Japanese out of Indonesia at the end of the war when they were effectively beaten. At least I now know we out up the good fight when it was needed.
The Aussies would never have survived 10 months without help of the local Timorese. The Timorese deserved a bigger recognition than mentioned IMO.
I knew about Sparrow Force when I was a teenager in the 70s. Then just before my 18th birthday Indonesia invaded and I was sure Australia would send troops to support and assist East Timor to preserve it's freedom. I was bitterly disappointed. That was the day I gave up on Australia as a nation of which I could be proud. We betrayed Sparrow Force in 1975, not to mention Timor Leste.
We went back for them in 1999. Pity it took us so long though.
People are flawed, mate. No one person or country does everything correct. I urge you to judge by the predominant and over reaching arc of a person or country's behavior.
If it had been in the interests of the USA, our pollies would have had troops there in a flash.
(How long after the 2022 Federal election do we need to wait for the official announcement that we have been accepted as the '51st state'?!)
Wow some tough Men!👊🏻
Nah, mate they would never have called themselves anything more than just ordinary soldiers.
Australians don't accept praise to well for some reason, even the "well earned" type. And particularly for the Men of that generation. It was just the way they were, I suppose
These boys were legendary. Even here in pomland. Cheers for the upload.
Adam Thrussell @ The story of Z force operating in Timor, grab my attention.
Well done.
Another Dark Doc's gem, we love you guys down here in OZ.Awesome stuff mate.
Learning about Sparrow Force would have made history way more interesting.
True Heroes, that is what comes to mind when I listened to this.
Australian leaders: feel like I forgot something.
MacArthur: if you forgot then it wasn’t important.
Australian leaders: Yeah you’re right.
Thank you for mentioning that the 2/40th was not in fact an Australian unit, but a Tasmanian unit! My great uncle was a member of the 2/40th and was sent to work on the Burma railway. Anyone wishing to learn more about the unit should read Peter Henning's excellent book, Doomed Battalion.
tasmania is still part of Aus so yes a Aus unit
wtf? Tasmania is part of Australia. I'm from Tasmania and i and everyone i know call themselves Australian. What a stupid post
I love this one, amazing story about some cool soldiers. :D
I love the guy and his content.real and fascinating
My grandfather was 2nd/2nd commando company that fought the Japanese for months in the jungles of Timor. His survival and the survival was helped by the support of the native tribes.
His efforts helped turn the tide of the war and I am proud to be his grandson.
He survived but was never the same.
Leftenant Robin strachan Harker, 2nd/2nd
My Grandfather was also in the 2/2nd and I am also amazed at what they managed to do against such an overwhelming force.
I owe my and my family's existence to the people of Timor that helped the Australian soldiers at the cost of so many of their lives.
Absolutely love your videos... but this is DEFS one of your better ones :D
In spit of all the hardship one name change it all - Joan. I hope that the survivors of Sparrow Force received to a man even posthumously whatever award next highest to the VC. would be given.
George Parker's wife was Kathleen. In the newsreel, the name was changed to Joan for security purposes.
So glad for this channel. Truly thank you for telling true history.
Real men real soldiers 👍
Unbelievable that assumptions such as 1000 dead were made like that…disgusting in fact. Lions led by donkeys.
Fantastic hearing about the Timorese help and protection of the lads
Sadly we then tried to rip the Timorese off when we helped them gain independence from Indonesia. I hope those responsible were held to account and we can move forward in a positive way. Thankyou to all the Timorese that helped my grandpa's generation!
That my friends is honor, valor, dedication to your brothers & down right fkn heroic! They don’t call this generation “The Greatest Generation” for nothing! These were 17-23 yr old young men fighting for their lives!
What a fantastic story, I have never heard of this before. Thank you for bringing it to my attention and everyone else’s. I know Americans in the Philippines on the island of Mindanao and perhaps others formed resistance groups after the surrender. I wonder if you guys can shed some light on that?
Great story. Thanks for the video. Reminds me of the Japanese soldiers who maintained their post, even after wars end. Perhaps a companion video is in order?
He dose a very good video on a Japanese soldier that held his post for years. But so many videos I can't say witch one.
Forever legends 💜
First time hearing this, bloody amazing thank you
Thank you so much for posting this. I am a massive history and military buff and I have NEVER heard about this!! Breathtaking in their courage. Hollywood needs to tell this story.
NO!!
Hollywood needs to leave it alone.
Australians don't need or want US propaganda and braggadocio - or Brad Pitt in the lead role.
The 'great USA' - via Hollywood - has already encouraged the world to believe that it singlehandedly won WWI and WWII - despite its VERY belated and reluctant involvement in both conflicts.
Never ever heard of these before, thankyou
Great story! Thanks 😊
Love your tales thanks
If it hasn't already, this would be an amazing movie. If it has been made into a movie already please tell me the title. I love your videos. Please keep them coming.
Only detail missing was that that "elite" sparrow force had a great number of inexperienced soldiers and they only learned to survive and fight in the jungle because the Timor natives told them how to do it😏
Just because you're not elite going in, doesn't mean you couldn't have became elite by the time you left! 😉
_(Not saying your wrong, only that he technically isn't, either, by what he said heh)_
The majority of Aussie troops in the Asia-Pacific theatre had minimal training.
The 'experienced' troops were in the European theatre.
My father had 6 weeks basic in Victoria the 6 weeks 'jungle training' in Qld - then off to Borneo to join the party.
Whereas my uncle had 8 weeks basic in Vic, then off to Africa to join the party there.
After his tour of Africa he was off to PNG to reinforce their party.
Awesome documentary. All of your content is top notch.
Great Men who never should be forgotten always and forever
this needs to be a movie on the big screen!
Your videos really are top-notch. Excellent narration and compelling stories.