Z Special Unit "Operation Copper"
Only five kilometres off the coast of New Guinea, in sight of the port of Wewak, Muschu is a flat, jungle-covered island. Captured by the Japanese in 1942, it then became a food growing and collection area supplying the Wewak garrison. Early in its occupation the Japanese heavily fortified the island, including the installation of two 140mm naval guns capable of commanding the sea approaches to Wewak and also firing inland to support Wewak's defences. By March 1945, the Japanese were being isolated by the advancing Australians who were preparing for the final major campaign of the war in New Guinea - the capture of the port of Wewak.
One problem facing the planners of the operation was the status of the defences on Muschu. Although the island could be easily isolated, intelligence information indicated increasing activity there, including the possibility that the naval guns, until recently believed to be inactive, had now been brought back into service. If this was true, it meant the guns could inflict heavy casualties on the Australians during the landings.
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| Lone survivor Mick Dennis(centre) with fellow Z Force soldiers in Qld |
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| Burial of Z Force soldiers remains found on Muschu Island MOEM, WEWAK AREA, NEW GUINEA, 1945-09-17. THE REBURIAL SERVICE CONDUCTED BY CHAPLAIN S. COWEN, HQ 6 DIVISION (3), AT THE AIF WAR CEMETERY, FOR THREE AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS OF THE Z SPECIAL FORCE WHOSE BODIES WERE REMOVED FORM MUSCHU ISLAND. IDENTIFIED PERSONNEL ARE:- MAJOR R.H.C. CARDEW, Z SPECIAL UNIT (4); CAPTAIN J.M. TRETHOWAN, 2/8 INFANTRY BATTALION (5). |
The eight Australians were dropped from their patrol boat - HDML 1321 - just on midnight, five miles north east of Muschu Island. They began the long paddle to the island in four kayaks but within an hour they found that unexpected ocean currents were pushing them south of their objective. Exhausted, hours later they reached Muschu, however the mission then went horribly wrong. Unknown to them, their presence had been discovered soon after they landed.
His Majesties Australian Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) "1321", pictured here in early 1945 at either Watu Point or Sai River, New Britain, waiting for the return of a shore party. The launch was built at Purdon's Yard in Hobart, Tas, and was commissioned on 11 November 1943 specifically for duties with the Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB). A four berth deckhouse known as the 'Dairy' was added abaft of the wheel house to provide extra accommodation. Identified from left: Sub Lieutenant Smith; Peter Passage; Corporal Nama Wilwil; Lieutenant Commander Hugh MacKenzie, Deputy Supervising Intelligence Officer (DSIO); Lieutenant Ambrose Ernest (Ernie) Palmer, Commanding Officer; Unidentified; 25965 Motor Mechanic III, John Sylvester (Jack) Grace. The swimmers are unidentified. Statistics: Length 80 feet; Beam 16 feet; Engines 2 x Buda 390hp, Diesels; Max speed 12 knots; Range 3000 miles at 9 knots; Complement 12 (plus AIB parties). Armament included a 37 mm gun forward, a Bren light machine gun on top of the 'Dairy', a 20 mm Oerlikon gun over the wardroom and two .50 calibre Browning heavy machine guns mounted aft.
With no means of escape, the island became a killing ground, with the Australians being hunted relentlessly by the Japanese garrison. Four of the patrol went missing during an attempt to escape by sea, and three others were captured, tortured and executed by the Japanese. Nine days later, after fighting his way off the island, swimming the 8kms via shark infested waters of the Muschu Straight to the mainland, and then fighting through more Japanese patrols, the only survivor reached the Australian lines north of Wewak. The information he carried allowed the guns to be put out of action and casualties in the subsequent landings at Wewak were minimised.
Australian War Memorial records: Operation Copper Maps & Mission Reports
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| Operation Copper lone survivor Sapper Mick Dennis |
Read the novel
The Guns of Muschu
by author Don DennisEight men went in - only one returned... During the night of 11 April 1945, eight Australian Z Special commandos landed on Japanese-held Muschu Island, off the coast of New Guinea. Their mission was to reconnoiter the island's defenses and confirm the location of two concealed naval guns that commanded the approaches to Wewak Harbour. But the secret mission suddenly went horribly wrong. Unknown to them, their presence had been discovered within hours of their landing. With no means of escape, the island became a killing ground. But one man refused to give in - and the hunted became the hunter, swearing if he was going to die, then he'd take as many of the enemy with him as he could. Nine days later, on the New Guinea mainland, the only survivor staggered back through the Japanese lines to safety after accounting for more than fifteen enemy... This is the remarkable, but true story of that lone survivor. A story of raw courage and determination against impossible odds.This is the remarkable, but true story of that lone survivor. A story of raw courage and determination against impossible odds.
Eight men went in - only one returned...
During the night of 11 April 1945, eight Australian Z Special commandos landed on Japanese-held Muschu Island, off the coast of New Guinea. Their mission was to reconnoiter the island's defenses and confirm the location of two concealed naval guns that commanded the approaches to Wewak Harbour.
But the secret mission suddenly went horribly wrong. Unknown to them, their presence had been discovered within hours of their landing. With no means of escape, the island became a killing ground. But one man refused to give in - and the hunted became the hunter, swearing if he was going to die, then he'd take as many of the enemy with him as he could. Nine days later, on the New Guinea mainland, the only survivor staggered back through the Japanese lines to safety after accounting for more than fifteen enemy...
