Leonard Siffleet
Len Siffleet | |
---|---|
Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia | |
Died | 24 October 1943 Aitape, Japanese-occupied New Guinea[a] | (aged 27)
Allegiance | Australia |
Service/ | Australian Army |
Years of service | 1940–1943 |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit |
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Battles/wars |
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Leonard George Siffleet (14 January 1916 – 24 October 1943) was an
Early life
Leonard George Siffleet was born on 14 January 1916 in
Discharged from the militia after three months, Siffleet returned to his family to help look after his young brothers following their mother's death. He was working as a shop assistant when he enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in September 1941.[1][3] Allotted to a signals company based at Ingleburn, New South Wales, he was reported absent without leave on two occasions; he was by this time engaged to Clarice Lane.[1]
New Guinea campaign
After training in radio communications at
Staverman's reconnaissance group commenced its mission in north-east New Guinea in July, trekking across mountainous terrain through August and September. At some point Staverman and Pattiwal separated from the others to undertake further exploration of the countryside, and were ambushed by a group of natives. Both were captured and reported as killed, but Pattiwal later escaped and rejoined Siffleet and Reharing. Siffleet signalled Fryer to warn him of the hostile natives and of Japanese patrols, indicating that he was preparing to burn his party's codes and bury its radio. No more was heard from them after early October.[2][3] Clarice Lane (incorrectly addressed as "Clemice" Lane) had in the meantime received two letters from the Allied Intelligence Bureau in July and September, stating that Siffleet was "safe and well".[6]
Death and legacy
After Pattiwal rejoined Siffleet and Reharing, they attempted to make their way to the Dutch border. They were ambushed by a hundred native villagers near Aitape and, after a brief melée during which Siffleet shot and wounded one of their attackers, the group was captured and handed over to the Japanese. Interrogated and tortured, the team was confined for approximately two weeks before being taken down to Aitape Beach on the afternoon of 24 October 1943. Bound and blindfolded, surrounded by Japanese and native onlookers, they were forced to the ground and executed by beheading, on the orders of Vice-Admiral Michiaki Kamada of the Imperial Japanese Navy.[1][2] The officer who executed Siffleet, Yasuno Chikao, ordered a private to photograph him in the act.[7] Chikao has been variously reported as having died before the end of the war, and as having been captured and sentenced to be hanged, with his sentence subsequently commuted to 10 years' imprisonment.[8][9]
The photograph of Siffleet's execution was discovered on the body of a dead Japanese major near
Notes
Notes:
- ^ Today Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea.
References:
- ^ a b c d e f g Sergeant Leonard George (Len) Siffleet at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 25 April 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f Richmond, "'Locust', 'Whiting' and New Britain"
- ^ a b c d Dexter. "The New Guinea Offensives" (PDF). pp. 259–60.
- ^ AWM Collection Record: P02547.004 Archived 12 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 25 April 2009.
- ^ Feldt, The Coastwatchers, p. 236
- ^ AWM Collection Record: PR00899 Archived 12 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 25 April 2009.
- ^ Adam-Smith, Prisoners of War, p. 348
- ^ AWM Collection Record: 101099 Archived 12 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 25 April 2009.
- ^ Sergeant Leonard George (Len) Siffleet: Timeline at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 25 April 2009.
- ^ Lakin, Contact, p. 155
- ^ McKernan, The Strength of a Nation, pp. 267–270
- ^ Flight Lieutenant William Ellis Newton, VC at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 27 February 2009.
- ^ Casualty details: Siffleet, Leonard George and Cemetery details: Lae Memorial at Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved on 1 May 2009.
- ^ "Shrine for war heroes". The National. 14 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
References
- ISBN 0-670-90308-6.
- Dexter, David (1961). Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series 1 (Army) Volume VI – The New Guinea Offensives. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 12 May 2009.
- Feldt, Eric (1946). The Coastwatchers. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
- Ind, Colonel Allison (1958). Allied Intelligence Bureau. New York: David McKay Company.
- Lakin, Shuane (2006). Contact: Photographs from the Australian War Memorial Collection. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. ISBN 0-9751904-6-6.
- McKernan, Michael (2006). The Strength of a Nation. Crows Nest: ISBN 1-74114-714-X.
- Richmond, Keith (1 December 2004). "'Locust', 'Whiting' and New Britain: Guy Black's covert war with M and Z Units". Sabretache. Military Historical Society of Australia.