Document page 3 of 3

Page 3 of “History of the Operational Groups – Group A,” from a Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) history of Australian special operations during the Second World War. The document describes the establishment of Group A’s operational base at Labuan, Borneo, beginning with the arrival of an advance party from Morotai by Catalina aircraft on 19 June 1945. Additional personnel, vehicles and supplies followed, and the page identifies staff members including Major Courtney, Flight Lieutenant Bartram, Captains Ross, Harris, Crowther and Ulrick, and other officers. Of particular significance to Chinese Canadian military history, the document records the arrival at Labuan of the CROCODILE party under Major Jinkins and the HIPPO party with Captain Cheng. The HIPPO party was subsequently absorbed into Operation SEMUT, while CROCODILE personnel undertook submarine sorties before being inserted as SEMUT IV after Japan’s surrender, with the exception of Major Jinkins. The report also describes arrangements with the Australian 9th Division and the recall of SRD personnel from the field, with a planned withdrawal to Labuan by 15 October 1945. Aircraft accidents and mechanical difficulties prevented some parties from returning by that date. These records provide valuable evidence of operational assignments, personnel movements and the relationships among SRD operations in Borneo.