bush musketeer

couple of fav's

1) ISURAVA-39th Australian millitia battalion (150 men), with peicemeal reenforcements from 2/14 AIF(350) men, and 53 millitia(250 men). also the 2/16 joined later.

They held off attacks from 10,000 japanese(5000 were employed in frontal attacks ,while the rest were employed in a movement to outflank the aussies)
for three days they fought, untill lack of ammunition and overwhelming numbers forced them into a fighting withdrawal furthur down the kakoda track.

some that were cut off took 21 days (19 without food) walking thru the jungle untill they got back to friendly forces.

one of the most interesting things that happened was that 1 day before the battle 30 troops (the worst wounded ones) were ordered to go back to port moresby this quote by their medical officer sums it up nicely: "The battalion was in trouble, so twenty seven of the thirty went back. The three who didn't were minus a foot; had a bullet in the throat, and a forearm blown off. We never did it for God, King and Country-forget that. We did it because the 39th expected it of us."

2) the 24th foot ( south wales borderers) at Chilianwalla 1849 and Isandlwana 1879 were nearly wiped out in both of these battles.
3) 24th foot at rorkes drift.
4) The 11th foot (devonshire regiment) at Salamanca in the penisular war.
they got into a fierce volloying contest and came out of it with 4 officers and 67 men.

__________________
Although our task was never easy, it was made less difficult by the patriotism and passionate valour of the Australians, Which served as an example to the whole world, you saved Amiens, you saved France.
Feild Marshal Ferdinand Foch 1918