Background
Born in Berrigan, NSW.
Wartime History
Joined the Australian Army and promoted to Lt. Thomas Joseph Barnes, VX6078. Assigned to the "Z" Special Unit (Z Force).
Mission History
On April 11, 1945 "Operation Copper" (originally code named "Operation Ash") eight
Australian Army Z Special Unit (Z Force) commandos boarded HMAS HDML 1321 in Aitaple Harbor. The force included: Lt. Alan R. Gubbay, Lt. Thomas J. Barnes, Sgt Malcolm F. M. Weber, L/Cpl Spencer H. Walklate, Sig Michael S. Hagger, Sig John R. Chandler, Pte Ronald E. Eagleton and Spr Edgar T. Dennis.
Their objective was to motor near Muschu Island, then paddle ashore in four folboats. Strong currents pushed them southward and swamped and capsized some of their boats causing them to loose equipment. The force made landfall near Som Point and waited until morning. Ashore, their mission was to capture a Japanese soldier for interrogation and to make a beach
reconnaissance for a perspective landing area. Also, reconnoiter the island's defenses and locate two concealed naval guns, then use their folboats to rendezvous with HMAS HDML 1321.
During the night, they board four folboats and paddled towards Muschu Island. Strong currents pushed them southward and swamped and capsized some of their boats causing them to loose some equipment. The force made landfall near Som Point and waited until morning.
Although they had lost some of their equipment, they continued on their mission which was all but complete when they took a wrong turn on their march back to their secret camp and encountered an Japanese patrol. The commandos' prisoner slipped off his gag and shouted. The men escaped this enemy patrol, and later attempted unsuccessfully to put to sea on a raft, losing many more of their weapons in the process. In an attempt to make contact with friendly aircraft or patrol boats, Lt Gubbay, Lt Barnes, L/Cpl Walklate and Pte Eagleton put to sea on logs. They were never seen again.
The remaining commandos: Sgt Malcolm F. M. Weber, Sig Michael S. Hagger, Sig John R. Chandler, Pte Ronald E. Eagleton and Spr E. T. Dennis remained on Muschu Island. On April 14, they approached bomb craters seeking fresh water and ran into a Japanese patrol and all were killed except Spr Edgar T. Dennis.
Memorials
Officially, he was declared dead on April 13, 1945. Postwar, his remains were recovered from the island and were temporarily buried at Cape Moem at the AIF War Cemetery. Later, he was permanently buried at Lae War Cemetery at joint grave M. C. 3-4.
War Crimes Investigation
In September 1945, after the official Japanese surrender, the garrisons on Muschu Island and Kairiru Island surrendered and became Prisoners of War of the Australian Army. In October 1945, Captain Kiyoshisa Noto was interrogated and submitted a sworn statement to Australian Army Headquarters about his role with Allied prisoners. Captain Kiyoshisa Noto was found guilty for his role in Thorpe's execution and found guilty of the execution of two Australian commandos from this raid. At the Rabaul Wart Crimes Trial, he was sentenced to twenty years but only served one year of his sentence then was released.
References
CWGC - Thomas Joseph Barnes
The Naval Land Unit That Vanished in the Jungle pages 78-81
The Guns of Muschu
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