About

Alan Hooper served in New Guinea during the Second World War with 1 Papuan Infantry Battalion (1 PIB) and Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU).
These narratives lead us through his wartime experiences in New Guinea, and the life of his new bride Nancy at home in Brisbane. Hooper wrote of patrols in remote provinces, supporting infantry battalions during operations at Buna and Rouna Valley, the notorious Kokoda Track and providing material and resources for the American forces he served alongside.
Read the blog before you begin ! Alan and Nancy Hooper Second World War correspondence
This fifth collection of 126 letters from 1944, begin with bad luck for Nancy who lost her wedding rings in the surf. Alan Hooper's role now included controlling the operations of native labour and he had set up a native hospital. They are very close to the fighting and he suffers from chronic dysenty. His unit has become expert 'Jap hunters' and they are hosting war correspondents and photographers; close to the action and under mortar fire.
On the last day of the year Alan wrote to his mother in Brisbane in which he described his adventures to find Christmas trees for the Red Cross at Cape Killerton, and his encounter with the natives who helped carry him through the swamp two years ago.
Note: several items are incomplete, or have pages missing.
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