25 February 1943
On this day General Patch, Commanding General at Guadalcanal, signaled the Australian Coastwatchers: “Your magnificent and courageous work has contributed in great measure to success of operations on Guadalcanal”.
ADML Turner, Commanding US Amphibious Forces signaled: “Large share of credit our successes against enemy due splendid men in Coastwatcher service”.
The men who became Coast Watchers were attached to the very multicultural ‘Z Special Unit’ and came from many different backgrounds and occupations. They were commanded by Lieutenant Commander Eric Feldt, RAN. Naval officers, Missionaries, Australian Colonial Officials, plantation owners and even an American who managed to get transferred from his regular unit made up this unit.
On each of the key islands, the Coast Watchers established lookout points high up in the mountain jungles and from their vantage points they could observe and report via radio to Allied HQ the details of enemy shipping and aircraft movements. These reports were vital to the outcomes of the battles in the Pacific, since they gave early warnings to the Allies of attacks by Sea and Air and enemy movements, enabling the allies time to prepare and deploy Defences or Interception forces.
They gave invaluable assistance to US Forces during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Admiral “Bull’ Halsey, USN 1945 said of them in 1945 “The Coast Watchers saved Guadalcanal, and Guadalcanal saved the Pacific” –
