Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #Fijian
Most recents (2)
THREAD
1/30
At the outbreak of war in Europe, Tonga (then pop. 33,000) had been a British protectorate since 1900, administered by New Zealand.
In Sept 1939 tiny Tonga declared war on Germany’s 79 million.
On 8 December 1941 Tonga also declared war against Japan’s 73 million.
1/30
At the outbreak of war in Europe, Tonga (then pop. 33,000) had been a British protectorate since 1900, administered by New Zealand.
In Sept 1939 tiny Tonga declared war on Germany’s 79 million.
On 8 December 1941 Tonga also declared war against Japan’s 73 million.
2/
Queen Sālote called for volunteers to join the Tonga Defence Force (TDF).
Almost every adult male in the kingdom stepped forward. By 1942 the TDF had 2,000 men.
9th May 1942: To help withstand the Japanese southward juggernaut, 7,650 men of US Task Force 0051 arrived at Tonga.
Queen Sālote called for volunteers to join the Tonga Defence Force (TDF).
Almost every adult male in the kingdom stepped forward. By 1942 the TDF had 2,000 men.
9th May 1942: To help withstand the Japanese southward juggernaut, 7,650 men of US Task Force 0051 arrived at Tonga.
To the west, the crucial Battle of the Coral Sea was in progress. Its result thwarted a Japanese thrust to Port Moresby, Papua.
The TDF, organized & commanded by New Zealand officers, carefully chose 28 men to join the First Fiji Guerrillas at their training area at Navua, Fiji.
The TDF, organized & commanded by New Zealand officers, carefully chose 28 men to join the First Fiji Guerrillas at their training area at Navua, Fiji.
The Fijians on Bougainville
Thread
1/17
The First Commando #Fiji Guerrillas had so impressed the American South Pacific Command while fighting in 1942-43 in the Central Solomons that Fijian Commandos and a Fijian Battalion were requested to join them on Bougainville in late 1943.
Thread
1/17
The First Commando #Fiji Guerrillas had so impressed the American South Pacific Command while fighting in 1942-43 in the Central Solomons that Fijian Commandos and a Fijian Battalion were requested to join them on Bougainville in late 1943.
Dec 1943: When XIV Corps took over the Torokina base from the 3rd US Marines, Maj-Gen Oscar Griswold was concerned about the inability of his raw units to gather intelligence in the harsh tropical conditions.
He’d seen the “Pacific Scouts” in action in the early Solomons actions.
He’d seen the “Pacific Scouts” in action in the early Solomons actions.
3/
Due to the Fijians’ clearly superior jungle skills, they were given scouting and harassment roles behind enemy lines in the dense wooded hills.
Aerial surveillance was inadequate so the Fijians sought out enemy locations on long patrols, frequently skirmishing with the enemy.
Due to the Fijians’ clearly superior jungle skills, they were given scouting and harassment roles behind enemy lines in the dense wooded hills.
Aerial surveillance was inadequate so the Fijians sought out enemy locations on long patrols, frequently skirmishing with the enemy.
