THE heroic efforts of the soldiers of the 2/14 Australian Infantry Battalion in helping to halt the Japanese advance along the Kokoda Trail during World War II is also a story of the bravery and sacrifice of 100 young men from Mildura.
It is 70 years since the battle, but the men of the 2/14th and their super-human deeds in the New Guinea jungle against a far superior force live on in the pages of a book dedicated to their regiment and written by one of their own – a Mildura man.
Professor Bill Russell yesterday was in Mildura presenting copies of the fourth edition of 2/14 Australian Infantry Battalion, written by his late father, Major Bill Russell.
Major Russell served as 2IC (second in command) of the 2/14th Australian Infantry Battalion during WWII.
“The fact that the book has been re-printed four times since first published in 1948 illustrates the fact that it is the primary resource about the Middle East and New Guinea campaigns,” Prof Russell said.
“Our family thought it was extremely important that the descendants of the many men from this district who served have access to the story of their monumental achievements,” he said.
“The original copies of the first edition of the book are classified as ‘rare books’ and are selling for $500 but as always, all proceeds from the book are directed to the benefit of next of kin through the 2/14th Battalion Association, which continues to provide support for all those associated with the battalion.”
In 1948, the editor of Sunraysia Daily, Lyndsay Clark, published his review of 2/14th Australian Infantry Battalion written by WB Russell, MA, BEd.
Mr Clark said the book was “one of the finest publications to come out of WWII and one of the most ‘thrilling’ books we have ever read”.
At the time of writing the review Major Russell was science master at Merbein Higher Elementary School and later went on to be assistant director general of education in the Education Department of Victoria.
He also served as director of education for the Commonwealth Secretariat, London.
He was a long-term active member of Legacy, a trustee of the Shrine of Remembrance and a member of the council of the University of Melbourne.
He was an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and was beloved of his family and all those with whom he worked and led in peace and in war
Major Russell died in Kew in 2002.
Prof Russell is no stranger to the district, having spent his first six years in Mildura before moving to Melbourne with his family.
He is known in Mildura for chairing the long running Toxic waste Dump Inquiry – the longest running panel inquiry in Victoria’s history. Professor Russell said the original dedication of 2/14 Australian Infantry Battalion made by his father was “To fallen comrades and their next of kin”.
“It was for them that the book was written in 1946-47 when his memories and those of his comrades, were recent and vivid.
“The book was based not only on those clear recollections, but also on the Platoon Diaries that were prepared at the time,” Prof Russell said.
“In his later life my father declined interviews and further comment on the events related in the book, believing as he did that the fresh record contained in this book be relied upon,” Prof Russell said.
“Now that the monumental deeds recorded in 2/14th Battalion are being given fuller attention in school curricular and Australian history more generally, it is fitting that this book will again be more widely available to students, military historians and especially the descendents of the men of the 2/14th Battalion.
The 1948 Sunraysia Daily book review states: “The book is of particular interest to this district as 100 Mildura men were in the battalion.
“This is the story of an infantry battalion that served in Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Papua New Guinea, Borneo and the Celebes.
“It embarked four times from Australia for overseas service, made 12 sea voyages, and travelled 12 times by plane.
“In this book the first full-scale battalion history of WWII, the highlight is perhaps the section dealing with the Kokoda Trail.
“This chapter is the story of the heroic fight of the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions in the Owen Stanley Ranges.
“For the first time the story of the advance of the Japanese to the nearest point in eastern Australia is told in full.”
The book closes by referring to the great heartedness, fellowship and self-denial of those men of the 2/14th Battalion.
“No one who has read this account or met the men concerned would think otherwise, or doubt that the re-publication of the story of their deeds is an appropriate tribute to them.”
Professor Russell presented copies of the fourth edition to the Mildura RSL, Merbein RSL and Red Cliffs RSL Clubs and the Mildura Library and said it was very important for young people and school students to learn about the monumental achievements of the 2/14th Australian Infantry Battalion.
Secretary of the Mildura RSL John Searle said the donation of the book by the Russell family was greatly appreciated by the club and its members as it represents a “much valued part of our history.”
“The contribution the soldiers of the 2/14th Australian Infantry Battalion made in the defence of Australia, particularly on the Kokoda Trail is highly significant and accurately recorded in this magnificent book,” Mr Searle said.
More than 3000 Australian soldiers served in the 2/14th Battalion including 226 who made the supreme sacrifice during the course of the war and while most have now sadly passed on, the many family members who remain will enjoy this record of their forebears’ contribution to Australia’s proud military history.
On its publication, the 2/14th Australian Infantry Battalion was recognised by the Australian War Memorial as the model upon which all World War II unit histories should be produced.
This article appeared in Wednesday's Sunraysia Daily 8/2/2012.
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