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Truncheon owned by Moss Berryman
Truncheon owned by Moss Berryman

Truncheon owned by Moss Berryman

Date1942-1943
Object number00055534
NameTruncheon
MediumMetal, leather
DimensionsOverall (closed): 350 × 35 × 23 mm, 300 g
Overall (extended): 430 mm
ClassificationsArmament
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection gift from Moss Berryman
DescriptionTruncheon issued to Able Seaman Moss Berryman during Operation Jaywick, the 1943 Z Force raid on Singapore Harbour from MV KRAIT. The truncheon, like Berryman's machete, suited the clandestine nature of Operation Jaywick, and the need to be equipped for jungle environments.HistoryLeading Seaman Moss Berryman’s truncheon is an example of a weapon used by commandoes in WWII. It was taken by Berryman on raid on the shipping in Japanese held Singapore Harbour in September/October 1943 code named Operation Jaywick. From late 1942 Berryman trained with the other Special Forces operatives for Operation Jaywick at Refuge Bay in NSW before they took their vessel KRAIT (formerly a Japanese fishing vessel) around to Exmouth WA , the raid’s departure point. During this time they were issued with a weapons kit for hand to hand combat which included a knuckleduster, a stiletto stabbing knife, a parang ( a Malay machete) and a truncheon. They were given expert instruction and training in their use. KRAIT’s voyage took the commandoes and crew to within 100 km of Singapore Harbour, deep into Japanese held territory. Three 2-man folding canoes manned by six commandoes paddled to Singapore harbour and attached limpet mines to seven ships. Six were sunk or damaged and the canoes rendezvoused with KRAIT soon after. The entire group returned to Exmouth and the Japanese never knew how the operation had been carried out. SignificanceLeading Seaman Moss Berryman’s truncheon is a rare example of a weapon issued to commandoes in WWII and taken on a military operation.