These should not be confused with the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels posted on yesterday who were porters and stretcher bearers, as the 1NGIB were tough fighters who formed part of the Australian defence of New Guinea and the defeat of the Japanese elsewhere.

The 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion (1 NGIB) was a battalion of the Australian Army during World War II. One of four infantry battalions raised in New Guinea, 1 NGIB was formed in March 1944. In late 1944, the battalion began deploying company-sized elements in support of combat operations on Bougainville, New Britain and on mainland New Guinea. It later became part of the Pacific Islands Regiment before being disbanded in June 1946.

Sergeant Bengari of A Company, PIB on 5 August 1944

These were local men recruited in New Guinea and led by Australian officers and senior NCOs. They were superb jungle fighters who, being local men, were particularly good at reconnaissance. They were also almost impossible to ambush. They fought from the Kokoda campaign right through to end of the war against Imperial Japan.

Battle Honours include – South West Pacific 1942–45, Kokoda Trail, Kokoda-Deniki, Nassau Bay, Tambu Bay, Finschhafen, Scarlet Beach, Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Sio-Sepik River, Kaboibus-Kiarivu and Bonis-Porton

Originally they were poorly equipped, armed only with rifles and the occasional NCO with an Owen gun. Later in the war and especially when fighting outside of Papua and New Guinea sections were armed the same as as standard AIF infantry section – Bren Gunner, 8 rifles and NCO with SMG.

Bolt Action rules do not allow them to carry a Bren gun despite the historical evidence.

Members of 1 NGIB received 3 Military Medals (MM), and 6 Mentioned in Despatches (MID)

The battalion’s total casualties amounted to 15 killed, 1 missing, 17 died, 25 wounded.

I have another two of these section one armed with Bren gun and the other without which will no doubt feature in due course.