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IJA Australian Army February 2, 1945  Phil Bradley July 23, 2017 |
Wartime History Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) as 47mm Anti-Tank Gun / Type 1 (1941) manufacture number unknown. This gun was shipped to Bougainville. During late 1944, emplaced on Tsimba Ridge to support the 81st Infantry Regiment. On January 17, 1945 during the Battle of Tsimba Ridge this gun engaged Australian Army 31st/51st Infantry Battalion attacking Tsimba Ridge until captured with the barrel still hot from firing. On February 2, 1945 the Australians who captured the guns were photographed with this 47mm Anti-Tank gun Type 1 (1941) and 70mm Battalion Gun Type 92. Later, the guns were shipped as war prizes to Australia and later donated to Blackall in central Queensland, the hometown of several soldiers involved in the gun's capture including Private William Kevin Heaps, QX52246. Private Eric Lindsay Russell, QX56868 and Signalman Stanley Eric Holmes, QX36242. Display This gun is displayed outdoors in Blackall Memorial Park near the Blackall War Memorial in Blackall. As of December 2024, the gun had wheels attached. A memorial plaque is attached to the front of the gun shield. The lower edge of the left side of the shield is damaged or broken off. The memorial plaque reads: "WWII Japanese Gun - Battle for Tsimba Ridge, Bougainville Island, New Guinea, World War II, 1945 From December 1944 to February 1945 the the 31st/51st Australian Infantry Battalion (Cairns based battalion) advanced along Bougainville's north-east coast. Despite occupying Amun, Sipaai and a number of other villages, the Australians did not meet any major Japanese resistance until the battalion reached the Genga River. Here at Tsimba Ridge, the Japanese had dug in and heavily fortified their position. After 21 days, from 17th January to 9th February, of continuous fighting the Japanese finally abandoned the ridge. The position, held by a company of the Japanese 81 st Infantry Regiment, was taken by the Australians after the last three days of tough fighting. The 31st/51st Battalion suffered 40 casualties during this engagement, while the Japanese lost an estimated 70 men. The 31st / 51st then crossed the Genga River and patrols moved inland, establishing a position at New Newborose, later named Downs' Ridge. The 31st/51 st was then relieved by the 26th Australian Infantry Battalion (based on western Queensland - see more details on park panels) which continued the advance north through Bougainville. (Source – Australian War Memorial) This Japanese mountain gun and the anti-tank gun were captured by members of the 31 st/51st during the battle for Tsimba Ridge. Blackall soldiers Kevin Heaps and Eric Russell were involved in the operation to silence the guns which were inflicting heavy casualties on the Australians. Kevin recalled the gun barrels were still hot from firing when they were captured. The mountain gun [sic, 47mm anti-tank gun Type 1] (rear left of picture) was promised to the Blackall boys and was promised to the Blackall boys and subsequently arrived in Blackall. It has been here in Memorial Park since then." References WW2 Nominal Roll - William Kevin Heaps WW2 Nominal Roll - Eric Lindsay Russell WW2 Nominal Roll - Stanley Eric Holmes Places of Pride - Blackall War Memorial Places of Pride - Blackall War Memorial Park Thanks to Phil Bradley for additional information Contribute Information Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated May 21, 2025 |
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