Men of Timor

Men of Timor
Produced by Ken G. Hall (uncredited)
Narrated by Peter Bathurst
Cinematography Damien Parer
Production
company
Release dates
 January 1943
Running time
 9 minutes
Country Australia
Language English

Men of Timor is a 1943 short documentary propaganda film about the guerrilla warfare activities of Sparrow Force on Timor during World War II.

Plot

The film opens with a map of the area showing Timor in relation to the north Australian coast, and briefly explains the circumstances of the left behind Australian troops who did not surrender but carried on a guerrilla war against the Japanese. After some very difficult forays behind enemy lines to capture equipment for radio, they manage to contact Darwin. Wary of a possible Japanese trick they ask the men what the first name of a wife of a particular sergeant was. When the correct answer, Joan, is returned, the Australian military starts to airlift supplies to the guerrillas and their Timorese allies.

Production

Damien Parer and war correspondent Bill Marien travelled to Timor in November 1942 to report on the conflict. The Australian soldiers delayed an attack until Parer's arrival so he could film it.[1][2]

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald called the movie "memorable":

It epitomises the almost unbelievable adventure, as well as the daring, initiative, and courage, of some of the men fighting in this war... Character and fighting spirit, resourcefulness and grim determination, often lurking behind a grin, have been captured In some superbly photographed close-ups of these now famed Australian guerillas, These studies are the highlights of a documentary picture that will definitely help to immortalise a military venture linked with the destiny of Australia.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Men of Timor" at WW2 Australia
  2. ↑ "PARER FILMS COMMANDO ACTIVITIES IN TIMOR.". Daily Mercury. Mackay, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 7 January 1943. p. 5. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Advertising.". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 4 January 1943. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2015.


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