Private Leslie Ronald BAK MM
31st/51st Battalion
By James Martin
Leslie Ronald Bak MM (Q38949) was born in Cairns on 19 February 1921, the son of James and Alice Bak.
He was educated at Woree Primary School and Cairns High School.
Les enlisted at the age of 18 for three years in the Militia in Cairns on 2 March 1939, joining the 51st Battalion. His obligation at this time was part-time. His occupation was listed as a plymill worker and his religion as Presbyterian.
He re-enlisted for full-time service on 24 December 1941 with the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) at the age of 20 years and 10 months for the duration of the war.
In 1943 a manpower shortage had developed within the Australian economy as a result of an overmobilisation of the military.
Subsequently, the government released a large number of rural workers from their full-time military commitment and decided to disband or amalgamate a number of Militia units. As a result, the 51st Battalion amalgamated with the 31st Battalion, Kennedy Regiment on 12 April 1943.
The new 31st/51st Battalion was deployed to New Guinea with the 11th Brigade, where it formed part of Merauke Force and was subsequently designated as an AIF battalion in 1944.
Following this, and a return to Australia, the battalion was deployed to the Solomon Islands, where it saw its heaviest fighting of the war at Tsimba Ridge and Porton Plantation, on Bougainville.
The battalion was finally disbanded on 4 July 1946. During the war, the 31st/51st Battalion lost 61 men killed in action or died on active service, while a further 168 men were wounded.
Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one DSO, one DCM, three MCs, 10 MMs, one British Empire Medal (BEM) and 27 MIDs.
As the war progressed closer to the Philippines, plans were made for the American forces to withdraw from Bougainville, New Guinea and New Britain and be replaced with Australian units.
On 23 November 1944, Australian units were informed that it was their responsibility to neutralise the Japanese forces in these locations.
Les Bak was awarded the Military Medal for carrying three of his comrades to safety, acting as a runner between sections during a flanking attack and taking command of his section after his section commander was killed.
The following details are from the book At War With 51st Infantry Battalion and 31/51st Battalion from 1940 to 1946 by Major W.E. Hughes MBE, RL and details the action which took place where Les was awarded his MM.
“The final attack on Tsimba Ridge raged from 5 February to 11 February 1945.
The Japanese needed to hold Genga River in order to transport their equipment. By 10 February the Genga had been cleared of enemy soldiers.
“On 11 February 1945 the Japanese were forced from their position some 150 yards from the river but artillery was frequently attacking the battalion. That was the day Lt Cecil James Bak (Cairns), Les’ brother, and his batman Joe (Hawk) Lewis (Home Hill) were killed by artillery fire while having a cup of tea on the beach. Joe apparently died instantly and Cec suffered serious shrapnel wounds and died on the barge taking him to Torokina Hospital.
“Meanwhile another battle was taking place nearby on Down’s Ridge. On 7 February 1945 the Japanese attacked 7 section of 7 Platoon. Cairns man Pte Jim Beh was struck in the eye with shrapnel when a round from a Japanese machine gun hit the regulator of his Bren Gun which shattered. Pte Les Bak, also of Cairns (under enemy fire), ran in and carried him to the perimeter for medical treatment.
“For this and his actions on 12 February, Les was awarded the Military Medal. On 12 February, 7 and 8 Platoons attacked the enemy who aggressively defended their position. Two of our boys were killed and eight wounded, one of who was Les Bak with a gunshot wound to his back. When his section commander died, Les Bak took control of the section and continued to attract enemy fire towards himself after having just heard that his brother had copped it the day before at Tsimba.
“At 0800, 8 June, 8 Platoon was despatched to reconnoitre the jetty area through open coral swamp. A patrol from 7 Platoon departed at 0905 to reconnoitre eastwards to determine the strength of the enemy. Les Bak was one of the forward scouts.
Eric Bradford and Les Bak were in a field dressing station with Lt Noel Smith who had been seriously wounded in the arm on 8 June. Noel was unable to carry on much longer and sent Eric and Les (both of Cairns) on to Ratsua to get his platoon some help.
However by the time they reached Ratsua they became confused, didn’t have a compass and doubted they would be able to find the position where they had left Lt Smith and the others.
“Les told Bill Hughes (the author) they came across an enemy soldier but didn’t fire on him because it would have alerted the others, but why the Japanese soldier didn’t open fire is a mystery. Lt Smith and his batman were never seen again.”
Years later Les told Carol West, Cecil’s daughter, that on 12 February when he heard Cecil had been killed he was so emotionally upset that when he sat in the clearing drawing attention to himself, he was wishing they would take him as well. Les was discharged on 11 October 1945.
Les’ citation reads:
| “MILITARY MEDAL” (M.M.)
“For courageous action and devotion to duty in that: During the period 7 to 12 February 1945, QX38949, Pte BAK, L.R. was a member of A Company which was operating against the enemy in vicinity of DOWNS RIDGE, Map Ref 269569. On 7 February 1945, 7 Platoon of which Pte BAK was a member, was strongly attacked by the enemy with covering fire from two light-machine guns. Three members of BAK’s section were wounded; Pte BAK on his own initiative, and with utter disregard for his own safety, jumped from his trench and, in the face of fire from the enemy light-machine guns, made three trips, and carried his wounded comrades to safety. On 12 February 1945, during a flanking attack by A Company, Pte BAK acted as runner between 7 Platoon HQ and the sections, and again displayed outstanding courage, in getting messages to and from the sections although he was fired on by three snipers. Later in the day, the Section Leader of No. 1 Section was killed. Pte BAK immediately took command of the section and was wounded whilst leading them against an enemy light-machine gun post. Throughout the period mentioned, Pte BAK’s courageous action and devotion to duty won the respect and admiration of all, and his utter disregard for enemy fire had a marked influence on the remainder of his Platoon.” |
After the war, Les returned to Cairns and worked on the waterfront. He lived with his mother for several years. He loved his lawn and garden and they were always immaculate. One thing he loved more than that was his ducks and their ducklings. They were his pride and joy.
Les continued to work on the Cairns waterfront until the work dried up. He transferred to Fremantle where he met and married Anne Creighton, who had three children – two sons and a daughter. Anne passed away suddenly in March 1989, leaving a large gap in Les’ life. They had been together for 33 years.
In 1995 Les was diagnosed with lung cancer, no doubt caused by his years on the wharves. After treatment and hospitalisation, the end came, but not without displays of the courage and willpower shown in years gone bv. He was 75.