MacErwin's Diggers

[KG Erwin]

June 1942. I am Lt Col Keith Wallace MacErwin, a Scottish transplant to the distant continent of Australia. I got into a bit of a scrap with my British commander, so after hostilities against the Japanese started, I found myself shipped off to the far reaches of what was left of the Empire. As it happens, one of my distant forebears is a patriot named William Wallace, who is still regarded with some disdain by certain unenlightened Englishmen.

I was placed in command of a Militia battalion, and it became my job to whip them into shape. They are a very young lot, and I was informed that we would soon be sent into some ungodly territory to fight the heathen Japanese Asiatics. As a Catholic, I will do God's will, and perform my duty.

My battalion has four rifle companies and a machine-gun company. I also have a few engineers. Heavy weapons are limited, so I only have six 3 mortars to supplement the light 2 inchers. Our platoons do have a good supply of Boys AT rifles, which will help us in defeating the enemy's tanks. All things considered, we are adequately equipped.

I soon discover that my boys are not of a worshipful nature, but being of a liberal sentiment, I find subtle ways to encourage holiness. I regale them with handed-down stories of old battles, and how William Wallace defeated the better-armed English at Stirling.

Soon, though, I hear ghastly reports of Japanese behavior towards prisoners and civilians. I keep these from my men, yet they are deeply disturbing. What manner of evil can allow these things to happen? I do not want to inspire hatred -- I simply want these boys to do their jobs and return safely to their wives and families.

As it so happened, my battalion was kept in rear-area duties until late 1943. Finally, in October, we got orders to ship out. We are headed to New Guinea.

[KG Erwin]

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