“COAST TO COAST CHALLENGE”

Wayne Wetherall Managing Director is proud to annouce  the dates for the 2012;

KOKODA SPIRIT

“COAST TO COAST CHALLENGE”
15-23 October

BIKE RIDE – TREK - BIKE RIDE

290 KM - 9 Days - Across PNG

ONE OF THE WORLDS GREAT ADVENTURES

Come and join us as we cross PNG from Coast to Coast by bike and foot as we complete the entire length of the Kokoda Track from Sanananda on the North Coast to Port Moresby on the South Coast.

The scenery is breathtaking….

The people and the culture unforgettable….

Real Life Heroes….

Our Coast to Coast Challenge will be one the greatest adventures and challenges of your life, come and join us! This is an exclusive event. There are limited places and a high fitness and Endurance level is required.

http://www.kokodaspirit.com/

"stooped so low as to attack a dead man".

Jack Sue did not fabricate his wartime heroics, says his son

Theo Fakos Source: Perth Now

CLAIMS that one of Australia's greatest war heroes, Jack Wong Sue, fabricated key parts of his personal memoir Blood on Borneo have been refuted by a new inquiry.

But Lynette Silver, the historian who made the claims, has refused to back down and yesterday insisted: "There is not a single thing in this report that refutes anything."

The inquiry, commissioned by the WA World War II hero's oldest son Barry Sue, found "there appears to be absolutely no justification for calling Jack Wong Sue a liar".

It was launched after the historian claimed Mr Sue could not have witnessed one of the notorious Sandakan death marches in northeastern Borneo.

She also claimed he could not have been involved in killing a group of Japanese defenders in Trusan and saving the life of a fellow officer or being present during an attack on the town of Pitas.

Ms Silver, who first made the claims in July 2010, about six months after Mr Sue died, said there were factual errors in Blood on Borneo based on Special Operations Australia records.

But yesterday, Barry Sue said he hoped the inquiry's findings would ensure his father was remembered as the true hero he always was this Anzac Day.

And he said he was seeking legal advice about Ms Silver, who he said had "stooped so low as to attack a dead man".

The inquiry, conducted by the Australian Investigation Corporation, examined Mr Sue's personal diaries and documents, but also uncovered:

•Notes, written and signed by fellow veteran Don Harlem in 1984, stating: "Jack and I are writing the story of the infamous Borneo Death Marches. We are the only two original operatives who covered this whole 160-mile Death March route westwards from Sandakan to Ranau during hostilities".

•A naval message, written by "Jack" on behalf of Don Harlem and verified by his son as his handwriting, that reads: "From Don am in Trusan send priority Morotai not to bomb for ten days ..."

•A statutory declaration, signed by retired RAAF Sqn Ldr Ian Fogarty in 2010, stating he heard Don Harlem tell guests at his house in 1983 that Mr Sue had saved his life during the attack on Trusan.

•A statutory declaration, signed by Mr Sue's former neighbour Ray Krakouer in 2010, stating he distinctly remembered Don Harlem telling a group of people in the early 1980s that Mr Sue "had saved his life in Borneo behind Japanese lines in 1945".

•An affidavit, signed by veteran Graham Greenwood in 2010, stating that he saw Mr Sue, Mr Harlem and others set off to "carry out an attack on Pitas". "I am in no doubt whatsoever that Jack Sue was in the party that carried out the raid on Pitas. There are some things you never forget, and this is one of them".

•A letter from writer Craig Brown, creator of a Special Operations Australia website, stating he did not "consider the Official History of SOA volumes to be accurate sources. They were written by personnel who were not on the operations described and were not fact checked to ensure accuracy".

The inquiry noted that Mr Sue made "several apologies in advance as to any historical inaccuracies and colourful inclusions" within his book.

"Yet Silver has treated the work as such and castigated on those grounds, unfairly, we suggest," it found.

Barry Sue said he felt the inquiry meant his father's reputation was "well intact".

"I hope that it puts a lot of people's minds at rest now because Dad had a tremendous following," he said. But Ms Silver has stood by her claims that Mr Sue could not have been where he said he was and questioned the independence of the inquiry, saying Mr Sue's son knew the company that conducted it.

She said she first discovered the discrepancies a few months before Mr Sue died but she did not believe that was the right time to confront him because he was too sick.

Ms Silver took no pleasure in making her concerns public and much of the information contained in the inquiry was as a result of things Mr Sue had told other people, including Mr Harlem and Mr Greenwood.

"There is not a single thing in this report that refutes anything," she said.
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http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/

Sandakan Death March

Sandakan Death March

Our treks across the Sandakan Death March route, faithfully as close as possible follow the original route.

Our treks are based on research from the premier and respected authorities on the Sandakan Death March, Don Wall and Dr Kevin Smith and by Wayne Wetherall an expert trekker and passionate adventurer who along with his Borneo Partner Jerome Robles have uncovered what they believe to be the missing links and lost sections of the “Death March Track” of Sandakan.

Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of trekking company Kokoda Spirit and Sandakan Spirit has walked the Sandakan Death March Track many times and has been very fortunate to meet a number of the old local people from Borneo and hear first hand and record their experiences of the Sandakan Death Marches.

Our trek and route is based on information from the official Office of War Graves, grave recovery map, information obtained from the National Archives and Australian War Memorial, Department of Army report on Major Jacksons Borneo Mission, Report by Major R.E Steele, WO. W. Wallace and Sgt R.J Kennedy and translations of Japanese war records.

Some of the most compelling intelligence that we have gathered has come from the local people along the track including the Village Chiefs of Taviu, Mankadai and Miruru.

During these investigations we were able to interview a number of first hand witnesses to the Death March route including two local men who were forced to be carriers along the route.

One of our most amazing discoveries was a Javanese man who was conscripted into the Japanese Army as a prisoner guard; his story of the Sandakan Death March is both barbaric and breathtaking.

We avoid using “short cut”,“eco” or alternative tracks that are logistically easier to ensure you see the real Borneo, the real Sandakan Death March Route.

We use a variety of accommodation on our treks including camping next to Rainforest Rivers and staying in traditional Dusun Villages along the way, this gives you a great chance to embrace the traditional culture and mix with the locals and hear firsthand the stories of their forefathers.

One of the most acclaimed authorities on the Sandakan Death March route is Dr Kevin Smith. Kevin is the Author of Borneo- Australia’s Proud but Tragic Heritage and Escapes and Incursions and Stories From Sandakan: 2/18th Battalion.

The other authority on the Sandakan Death March and Sandakan POW camp is WW2 Veteran and POW Don Wall.

Don wrote his first book Kill the Prisoners way back in 1988 and his revised fourth edition in 1995.

Don had the full co-operation during his research of Sandakan Death March survivors Keith Botterill, Owen Campbell and Nelson Short. These in-depth discussions covered all aspects of the events of prisoner of war life in Sandakan.

Don also had full access and permission to use the private records of Lt. Col. H.W.S Jackson, MBE (Ret.) in particular records of the recovery of remains, his first hand knowledge of the people of Borneo, those that witnessed the prisoners on the marches and those who saved the lives of the six survivors.

Do not be mislead in believing that there has only been one book written or authority on Sandakan and the Sandakan Death March.

Dear Wayne

You might find the following comments useful.

It is pleasing to see Wayne Wetherall's trek route taking in the very toughest section of the track that was walked by prisoners of war all those years ago between Sandakan and Ranau.

That is the section that travelled north of the Tovio River near Taviu to Mankadai through the Maitland Ranges and then onto Miru. From Miru the track climbed precipitously to the very high razor-backed ridge of the Maitland Range, and on through Maringan before it descended to Lolosing and onto Tampias.

Prewar, of course, the route from Ranau to Sandakan came down to Tampias as a pony trail, from where the travel was down the Liwagu River by boat into Labuk Bay and around to Sandakan or by boat to Beluran where a foot trail to Sandakan was picked up.

On that Taviu to Tampias section alone, approximately fifty of our Australian prisoners of war perished, their names documented in an Appendix to Lynette Silver's own book.

Most of those fifty were on the first march to Ranau, and died in February 1945.

Most of those who perished on the second march to Ranau are shown in that Appendix as having met their fates on the ECR - the East Coast Residency, which takes in the whole area covered by the march from Sandakan to Ranau. On the Taviu to Tampias section these soldiers died in June 1945. There were British deaths as well on both marches.

Your clients who walk that authentic Miruru (Milulu and Miru also used)-Menkadait, Lolosing track must be proudly yet sadly conscious that they walk in the faltering steps of heroes, men already tragically weakened by their ordeals.. A Japanese officer described the ordeals of that track to Miru: " . . . before Milulu we met a heavy rain and the path along the cliff was washed away everywhere. We fell down and crawled up the cliffs several times."

Nelson Short, one of the four survivors from Ranau, described in interview his own experience of the steep valley sides that they had to traverse. “I went over the top of a cliff. I fell and rolled down and down. I thought I was never going to stop. I had a - - was carrying a little mat with me and I come to rest on this rock and it saved my life. I crawled back up again and got back onto the march with them, but there were some terrible - - the precipices you know, little paths you had to go around, and everything were shocking - - shocking country through there."

Just a day or so later, climbing up the mountain beyond Miru called for unbelievable reserves of strength. In my book I have described that climb in the following terms:

“Clinging to the stems of shrubby bushes and liana vines, getting a good foot grip before hauling themselves up one more step, avoiding the spiny rattans and the evil barbs of one or two other bushes, resting whenever they could against the uphill side of an occasional huge tree trunk, panting and gulping for air, each man fought his own way slowly upwards to the top of the razor-back ridge."

Be proud of your venture, Wayne. In enabling young Australians and others to experience that track you greatly honour the memory of all who passed that way in 1945.

My kind regards to you.

Kevin Smith – Sandakan Death March Author


Borneo- Australia’s Proud but Tragic Heritage


Escapes and Incursions


Stories From Sandakan: 2/18th Battalion

Note from Wayne Wetherall

(Please note the actual Villages of Mankadai, Milulu and Miruru are actual post war Villagers and were not on the actual track or route during the March. The Sandakan Death March Track avoided Villages. The names of the Villages are mentioned to show and describe the general area that the track passed through.)

Sandakan and the Sandakan Death Marches is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two.

The Sandakan Death March is also one of our most heroic.

The POW’s at Sandakan and along the Sandakan Death Marches under the Japanese experienced continual privation, hard labour, brutality, appalling living Conditions and Death.

POW’s were bashed by the guards, suffered from starvation and resultant killer diseases and sometimes murder.

Despite appalling conditions at Sandakan and along the Sandakan Death March route, the prisoners never gave up. Their heroism, their determination and their indomitable spirit are testimony to the strength of the human spirit and an inspiration to all.

Of the 2434 prisoners incarcerated at Sandakan, 1787 were Australian. The remaining 641 were British. The six Australians who escaped from the Sandakan Death March were the sole survivors.

The story of the Sandakan Death Marches and the Sandakan POW camp is a tragedy of massive proportions.

This is not a pleasant story, but a story of unwavering Australian Spirit and stoic courage and mateship beyond all conceivable human limits.

During this time the family and friends of these incarcerated men waited three and a half long years to find out some news about their loved ones taken prisoner by the Japanese.

In 1945 the Australian Army restricted information about the suffering and atrocious conditions of these POWs to protect the feelings of the next-of-kin. For over 30 years this information was suppressed and still 66 years on the information regarding this tragedy was vague or little understood.

What is also not so well known that while there were only six survivors of the three Sandakan Death Marches the inconvenient facts are that of the 2,030 Australian Prisoners sent to Borneo, 218 survived to go home after the war and here was around 90 escapes or attempted escapes from Borneo of which 21 survived to go home.

Over the past two journeys Wayne and Jerome and his team of local Dusun’s, who are direct descendents of the carriers and villagers along the track have meticulously, using the latest in GPS mapping technology and old fashion hard work we were able to faithfully piece together as close as what they believe to be the original route.

Trekking the Sandakan Death March route with us is an experience not just a holiday. We see things as an explorer, historian and adventurer.

When you trek the Sandakan Death March with Sandakan Spirit, you're participating in a personal discovery experience; you are truly living and participating in an historic and monumental Borneo adventure.

After sixty six years, you too can now walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of the Sandakan Death March heroes.

http://www.kokodaspirit.com/
http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/

Trekkers steal Kokoda Track war relics

Trekkers steal Kokoda Track war relics
Below is an article that was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday.
Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of Kokoda Spirit comments below on the article.

While it is possible that some of these Kokoda Track war relics have disapeared or have been stolen from the track, no one can be really sure how much or what relics are missing.

It is imperitive that the Australian and PNG government fast track and audit/survey all historical sites along the track. This audit must also include local village museums and displays.

Until a full audit is done, no one can accurately say, if, what and how many relics are on the Kokoda Track. When this audit is complete we can assess what has disapeared from the track.

The majority of trekkers that walk the Kokoda Track are honest fair dinkum Australians that understand the significance of these relics and the history of the Kokoda Track.

It is also interesting to note that it is not only Australians that walk this track, but trekkers from other nations and lots of PNG locals.

It is unfair  to accuse or generalise that Australian trekkers are stealing these priceless war artefacts.

Wayne Wetherall went on to say if people have evidence of some Australian trek operators or trekkers encouraging the trade in war memorabilia or stealing then they should come forward and present the evidence to the relevant authorities.


Below is the SMH article

Rachel Olding
Sydney Morning Herald

January 21, 2012

Living, breathing museum … the Kokoda Track.

PRECIOUS war relics from the Kokoda Track are being stolen by Australian trekkers who are risking their lives and defacing a ''living, breathing museum''.

Trek leaders have seen vast amounts of artefacts disappear from the jungle track where Australian forces defeated the Japanese in World War II.

About a third of relics from a museum in Kokoda is missing and up to half from another in Efogi village, said Jim Drapes, the director of Back Track Adventures.

The managing director of Kokoda Spirit, Wayne Wetherall, noticed three rifles missing from a battle site at Eora Creek.

Guns, shell casings, mini mortars and Japanese helmets have been taken from another site. An entire warplane has disappeared from Popondetta, a nearby town.

Mr Drapes said locals would have no use for the relics and that most would end up on the black market or ''on some trekker's wall or up above his bar''.

Tens of thousands of munitions, grenades, helmets and other memorabilia remain in situ along the track, which is considered unregulated compared with other tourist destinations.

It is not only illegal to take artefacts back to Australia but also dangerous, as many grenades and bullets are still live.

''This is priceless stuff. It's a living, breathing museum, and to think people are taking stuff off the track is dishonouring those diggers and not allowing future generations to have the same experience,'' Mr Wetherall said.

There is no protection for the relics and no legislation to support the Kokoda Track Authority, which oversees it and is jointly funded by the Papua New Guinean and Australian governments.

While the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, which shares responsibility for the track, said the onus to protect relics was on Papua New Guinea, it said Australia would support efforts to build barriers around large relics this year.

Charlie Lynn, a former soldier, NSW MP and founder of Adventure Australia, said: ''It's really laissez-faire over there; anybody can do what they want and get away with it.''

He believed some Australian trek operators were encouraging the trade in war memorabilia.

''The ground is very sacred and we should be preserving it much better than we are.'' Rachel Olding travelled courtesy of Back Track Adventures and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority.

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Sandakan Death March

Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of Kokoda Spirit and Sandakan Spirit believes the increasing public awareness of the infamous Sandakan Death March will allow more Australians to understand the horrific ordeal suffered by these Gallant POW's, this ongoing awareness and understanding of this tradgety will ensure that the spirit of these men will never be forgotten.
Wetherall went on to comment that it was great to read the article in the Sydney Morning Herald of the continued involvement of Miltary Historian and Veteran Trekker Lynette Ramsay Silvers association of walking and leading treks across the Sandakan Death March this year with Tham Yau Kong.

It is also interesting that it is possible to pay extra for Lynette Silver to accompany you on a TYK trek.
On the TYK web site the following is written;

NOTE:


Private groups wishing to have Lynette Silver accompany them to provide expert and exclusive historical commentary need to contact TYK to ensure that she is available, and to obtain a quote, before making a firm booking.
Above rates led by Australian historian (Ms Lynette Silver)

Below is the SMH article.

Frequent flyer: Lynette Ramsay Silver


Sydney Morning Herald

January 21, 2012
Veteran trekker ... Lynette Ramsay Silver.


This military historian is a veteran trekker, too.

Q Where do you escort relatives of World War II Australian prisoners of war?

A We follow the progress of soldiers from the moment they left Australia, see where battles took place in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, go to former camp sites and, by coach, follow the progress of the Sandakan Death March in Borneo. We also visit Borneo's Labuan War Cemetery, where thousands of Australian prisoners are buried. But it's not all remembrance - Sabah has fabulous wildlife and we see orang-utans.

Q Do you trek the Sandakan Track every year?


A My colleague Tham Yau Kong and I trek it regularly, escorting travellers on about 100 kilometres of the 240-kilometre death-march track. We pick up the route as it reaches the mountains. There are three mountains to climb, including Mount Kinabalu, streams to cross and sweat to expend in the effort.

Q Where to next?

A To Singapore next month. February 17 is the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore.

Q If you could fly anywhere, where would you go for lunch?

A The Greek islands, the remoter ones. If there's still any left. To eat seafood, drink local wine and hang out with the locals.

Q What's in your hand luggage?

A All the paperwork and notes I need and a change of clothes.

Q Greatest indulgence when travelling?

A Having a fabulous massage at the end of the Sandakan trek and a night of luxury in a suite overlooking the South China Sea at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Malaysia's Kota Kinabalu. I have a glass of chilled chardonnay and watch the sun set.

Q Best hotel you've stayed in?

A The Fairmont San Francisco. It has the proportions of a French chateau and is wonderfully grand.

Q Wisest travel advice given to you?

A Don't fly for more than about eight hours at any stretch.

Q Where do you go for holidays?

A Last year we went to Bunga Raya Resort on Pulau Gaya, a reef island off the coast of Kota Kinabalu and part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. Recently, we went to Sabah's Danum Valley, stayed at an eco-lodge and saw a large number of pygmy elephants.

Lynette Ramsay Silver and Tham Yau Kong lead several public Sandakan treks in Borneo this year.

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http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/

Official Invitation
Recognition seventy years over due


War Memorial Honour for 39th Battalion Kokoda Heroes.

The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Trust has confirmed that the names of all seven missing members of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion will be added to the National Prisoners of War Memorial located at Ballarat in Victoria in February 2012.

Mayor, Cr Mark Harris and the Trustees of the The Australian Ex- Prisoners of War Memorial, Ballarat, Victoria have extended an official invitation to Kokoda Spirit Managing Director Wayne Wetherall to attend the 8th Anniversary Service for the memorial.

The names of Samuel Victor Templeton, Reginald Tierney, John Molony,Sydney Moffatt, John McGrath, Victor Holness and Harry Bould all from the 39th Battalion will be added to the Honour board.
Horace Savage 2/27 REINFS and Frederick Sforcina from the 27Bde Ord Field names will also
be added.  All of these men became POW's.

Guest Speaker at the Ceremony will be Author and Historian Carl Johnson.
Carl will give an informative presentation into the detail investigation and research undertaken that led to these gallant men being honoured.

The mystery surrounding their disappearance and subsequent deaths on the Kokoda Track has been

shrouded in conjecture for nearly 70 years.

The unveiling of their names including Captain Sam Templeton on the memorial and

acknowledgement of their silent deeds has allowed history to be re written and at long last correct a

page of Australia’s heritage.

Their daring story, courage, sacrifice, resilience, integrity and their ultimate death was responsible for

changing the course of Australian History.

Official Japanese Intelligence reports and unpublished Australian war veteran accounts have now

been uncovered, compiled and collaborated by Kokoda Spirit CEO and Adventurer Wayne Wetherall

and Historian and Author Carl Johnson.

Wetherall and Johnsons in-depth research makes it clear as to the final fate of these men, and

illustrates the devastating impact and everlasting consequences that these heroic and proud

Australian P.O.W’s had on the Japanese advance on Port Moresby and Australia.

These men received neither a Victoria Cross, nor a wooden cross – now their names and spirit will be

immortalise forever with this fitting tribute. May they rest in peace.
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Australian Government to investigate Sandakan Death March Route

Australian Government to investigate Sandakan Death March Route


Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of Kokoda Spirit and Sandakan Spirit was elated when he was informed that ,the Australian Defence Force (Army) is progressing a determination in regards to the Sandakan Death March. It is understood that the Office of Australian War Graves is the lead agency in the investigation.

Wetherall, went onto say that it is fantastic that an independent audit and investigation is finally being done on the route of the Sandakan Death March Route by the Australian Army.

The correct or most proberable route of the Sandakan Death March has been in question for some time.

Wayne Wetherall and Historian Kevin Smith have being carrying out their own indepth research into the Death March Route and look forward to viewing the Australian Armies investigation.

http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/ Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com