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Survivors "Gull" force AIF - waiting on wharf Amboina - September 1945. 139 survivors out of approximately 500
Survivors "Gull" force AIF - waiting on wharf Amboina - September 1945. 139 survivors out of approximately 500

Survivors "Gull" force AIF - waiting on wharf Amboina - September 1945. 139 survivors out of approximately 500

Subject or historical figure (1907 - 1995)
Date1945
Object numberANMS0296[011]
NamePhotograph
MediumBlack and white photographic print in paper
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from L Whitebrook
HistoryGull Force was sent to Ambon to defend the strategic island's harbour and air strip. When an overwhelmingly larger Japanese force of approximately 20.000, landed on the Island in January 1942 Gull Force numbered 1131 men, most of them Victorians. They were split into two groups: 292 were sent to defend the air strip at Laha on the western side of the magnificent bay that almost splits Ambon in half. 47 men were killed in action, 11 escaped, 5 managed to join the rest of the force on the other side of the Island, and 229 were massacred after surrendering. During the conflict on the other side of the Island, 7 members of Gull Force were killed in action, 804 became Prisoners of War. Of that number 267 were subsequently taken to the Chinese Island of Hainan, where 86 died as prisoners. Of the 528 men who stayed on Ambon only 119 survived, the rest died of starvation, overwork, disease and brutality.