7. Collie Boys in Java – ‘Blackforce’

WW2 – Collie Boys in Java - Blackforce

Saluting their Service - Grahame Old

Introduction

On the 3 September 1939 Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies announced the beginning of Australia's involvement in the Second World War. Almost a million Australians, both men and women, served during WW2. They fought in campaigns against Germany and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, as well as against Japan in south-east Asia and other parts of the Pacific. The Australian mainland came under direct attack for the first time, Japanese aircraft bombed towns in north-west Australia and Japanese midget submarines attacked Sydney harbour. Collie Miners were exempt from military service in order to maintain the essential mining industry. The workers were encouraged to continue in the industry. However ‘Collie Boys’ did not heed the call and many quit their jobs and enlisted for active service.

The 7th Infantry Division

The 7th Division was formed in February 1940 as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF). The main body of the Division sailed for the Middle East in October 1940 and after further training in Palestine and Egypt participated in the successful Allied invasion of Syria defeating the Vichy French in June and July 1941. Elements of the Division remained in Syria as an occupation force until December 1941.

2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion (MGB)

The 2/3rd MGB was formed in June 1940 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Blackburn, VC (Arthur Blackburn had been awarded a Victoria Cross during WW1 for actions at Pozieres, 1916 France). Although raised in South Australia, B Company came from Victoria, C Company came from Tasmania and D Company came from Western Australia. A ‘Collie Boy’ William James Stephens served with the 2/3rd MGB.

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2/2nd Pioneer Battalion

The 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion was one of four pioneer battalions raised as part of the 2nd AIF during WW2. After completing its initial training at Puckapunyal Vic, the battalion joined the 2/3rd MGB and in April 1941 sailed aboard the Queen Mary for the Middle East to join the 7th Div. Both battalions were involved in heavy fighting against the Vichy French in Syria. A ‘Collie Boy’ Arthur Bernard Buckland served with the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion.

Japan enters the War

Japan entered the war in December 1941 and by the end of March 1942 had swiftly achieved a series of victories, resulting in the occupation of most of south-east Asia and large areas of the Pacific. Singapore fell in February, with the loss of the entire 8th Australian division and Darwin came under attack just two weeks later. With Japanese invasion of Australia imminent, the 7th Division was recalled from the Middle East to defend Australia. Over the period of January and February, units from the Division began the return Journey, the troopship ‘Orcades’ carried three companies of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion, and elements of minor units.

‘Blackforce’ – Java

British forces in Singapore surrendered on 15 February 1942. Two days later the troopship ‘Orcades’, carrying the 2/3rd MGB and 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion, reached Sumatra, before going on to Batavia in Java. The Japanese were already moving through the Netherlands East Indies and it was decided, in what was more a political decision than strategic one, to assist the Dutch Forces. The Australians would make a stand on Java it was a futile gesture and turned into disaster for the Australians.

The small Allied force that was supposed to defend Java was built around the 2/3rd MGB the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion and elements of minor units aboard ‘Orcade’s, in addition a battery of American artillery already on Java and a British squadron (B Sqn) from the 3rd King's Own Hussars Armoured Regiment. Blackburn was promoted to brigadier and was placed in command of the force which became known as Blackforce.

The Japanese landed on Java on 28 February. Blackforce went into action at Leuwiliang, on 4 March. For two days they fought a defensive campaign against overwhelming Japanese odds and were only forced to surrender after an early capitulation by the Dutch forces. On 8 March the Dutch forces surrendered leaving Brigadier Blackburn no option but to follow suit. The next day Blackforce was ordered to lay down its arms. Those who had survived the fighting spent the rest of the war as prisoners of the Japanese.

Java – POWs

Over 30,000 Australian servicemen were taken prisoner in the Second World War. Two-thirds of these were captured by the Japanese during their advance through south-east Asia in the first weeks of 1942. The ill-fated Australian 8th Division became POWs when Singapore was surrendered. The second largest concentration of Australians captured by the Japanese in 1942 was in Java. There were around 3000 Australians taken prisoner, the majority were from the 2/2nd Pioneer Bn (865 men), the 2/3MGB and from elements of the minor units from the 7th Div. Others were survivors of the sinking of HMAS Perth and there were others who had escaped during the fall of Singapore only to be captured on Java. The POWs were initially held in two major camps; number 12 PW Camp Bandung and at the Bicycle Camp in Batavia (Jakarta). Many of the prisoners were eventually transferred to Singapore to work as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. No matter where the prisoners were the treatment was harsh. 36 per cent of prisoners of the Japanese died in captivity among them were 258 men from the 2/2nd Pioneer Bn and 139 men from the 2/3rd MGB.

Collie Boys in Blackforce

Two Collie Boys were taken prisoner of war after Java fell to the Japanese.

WX2618 Sergeant William James Stephens 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion (2nd AIF)

William James Stephens was born in Bayswater in 1917 to parents William and Catherine Stephens. He enlisted for WW2 service in June 1940, listing his next of kin as his father William Harold Stephens Wittenoom St Collie. After training William found himself with the newly formed 2/3rd MGB and in April 1941 sailed on the Queen Mary for the Middle East. He did not have to wait long before being in action against the Vichy French in Syria. In February 1942 when the 7th Div was returning to aid in the defence of Australia William became caught up in the decision to aid the Dutch forces in Java. His unit as part of Blackforce again saw heavy fighting, this time against the Japanese and when Blackforce was forced to surrender he became a POW of the Japanese.

In Java the Japanese formed parties of POWs to work as slave labour on the infamous Thai – Burma railway and in October 1942 William sailed for Singapore with Java POW party 4. From Singapore the party sailed to Burma to commence work on the railway. In early 1944 the fittest of POWs working on the railway were selected to be transported to Japan to work as slave labour in the coal mines and labour camps. The POWs were returned to Singapore and in Sep 1944 William boarded the cargo ship Rakuyo Maru and left with a convoy of ships for Japan. On the 12th Sep 1944 the convoy was attacked by 4 US Submarines (the submarine commanders were not aware the cargo ships were carrying allied POWs). The Rakuyo Maru was badly damaged and sank. POWs and crew abandoned ship into the South China Sea many drowned immediately and many more died of thirst as they floated in the ocean. Sadly William Stephens was among those that died at sea.

WX2618 Sergeant William James Stephens is remembered on the Labuan Memorial, Labuan, Malaysia, on panel 75 in the commemorative area at the Australian War Memorial, and on the Collie War Monument in Soldiers Park.

Footnote: The brother of William, WX20501 Mathew Bernard Stephens also served during WW2, their father William (Willie) Stephens had enlisted for WW1.

WX12655 Private Arthur Bernard Buckland 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion (2nd AIF)

William Arthur Buckland was born in Victoria Park in 1910, he was working in Collie when he enlisted for WW2 service in May 1941. His listed next of kin was his Mother Mrs May Swallow, Wittenoom St Collie. After training, Arthur was posted as a reinforcement to the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion. He joined the Battalion in Syria and in February 1942 when the 7th Div was returning to aid in the defence of Australia he became caught up in the decision to aid the Dutch forces in Java. His unit as part of Blackforce again saw heavy fighting, this time against the Japanese and when Blackforce was forced to surrender he, like William Stephens, became a POW of the Japanese.

Arthur Buckland’s mother made continual enquiries to the military authorities as to the fate of her son, records show initially he was reported as missing, later this was amended to missing believed POW. In March 1944 records show he was working on the Thai-Burma railway and in August 1945 was reported as alive in Siam (Thailand). He was repatriated to Australia and discharged from service in December 1945.

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Collie Boys – Remembered forever at the Collie Cardiff RSL Sub Branch

30 ‘Collie Boys’ were POW of the Japanese during WW2; The majority of these POW were members of the ill - fated 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion captured in the disastrous fall of Singapore in February 1942. Sadly 13 of the ‘Collie Boys’ died whilst in captivity. One in three Australian prisoners of war of the Japanese died in captivity. A stark reminder of this is shown on a sign at the POW Memorial in Ballarat Vic. The sign boldly displays;