Sketch by Jack Chalker

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2. ORDER of BATTLE

See above B-class tps, PW guards, MPs, Native Police, and JAP civilian home guards.

3. ACTIVITIES

(a)  Air Activity A large airfield under construction and in use (Feb 44). Further infm under 4 below.

(b) PW Camp - There were 2,800 AIF PW in Feb 44 and it is stated by an escaped PW that it is easy to enter or leave the camp. Dysentry was very bad and there was a shortage of medicines.

(c)  Patrol Activity - There are 6 Japanese outposts, as follows : -

1 at the Custums Wharf (8 men)

1 at Victoria Barracks which patrols to BOLI SIM SIM (4 men)

1 on road near saw mill, SOUTH of town (4 men).

1 in front of Jap Officers Barracks (4 men).

1 in front of Government House (4 men).

1 at the W/T Station at ml 2 (4 men).

These outposts are manned by B-class tps.

The police have other outposts :-

1 at the Treasury (4 men),

1 at Secretariat Buildings ( 2 men).

together with the Military Posts at:-

Victoria Barracks (2 men).

Customs wharf ( 2 men).

Saw mill ( 2 men ).

4. MATERIALS and INSTALLATIONS

(a) Arms and Equipments -Arms and ammunition are stored in the concrete building between the SANDAKAN Hotel, now a Jap Military Barracks, and the SANDAKAN Club. Ordinary Jap rifles, 6 machine guns and an unknown number of sub-machine guns are used in SANDAKAN. There is no artillery.

(b) Signals - It is reported that the W/T station at ml 2, is only used for receiving messages, whilst the one just below the Post office, in the town, is for transmitting.

(c) Sea Installations - In addition to the old slipway, 3 new slipways are being built, NORTH of the main jetty at Victoria Barracks (1943). Four new slipways are being constructed in BACARRA Villagé (Feb 1944). These slipways are used for the building and repair of ships. It is reported that up to Sep 43, 7 ships had been built there (between 200-300 tons - all wooden ships).

 (d) Air Installations - Large airfield now completed (Feb 44) at ml 8 on right-hand side of road (runs EAST-WEST). Is in use, but no infm as to number of planes using the field. Size 2 mls by 800 yds and is being extended. Whole surface gravelled and planes can land in any posn. This strip was built by AUST PWs.

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