Book remembers Porton battle
In three days attrition was 58 per cent

A BOOK on the World War II battle of Porton Plantation has been launched at Jezzine Barracks.

Author Audrey Davidson and her husband Peter joined guests in the combined Officers/Sergeants’ Mess for the launch of her book, Porton: A Deadly Trap.

Brig Neil Weekes (ret’d) officially launched the book, an account of the battle of Porton Plantation, fought against the Japanese on the island of Bougainville by men of the 31/51 Bn.

Mrs Davidson is the daughter of Capt Clyde Downs, one of the 26 Australian servicemen who lost their lives in the clash.

Fought over 72 hours, the battle began on June 8, 1945, and resulted in a casualty rate of 58 per cent.

This anniversary marked 60 years since the battle was fought.

Units that were represented in the battle included the 31/51 Bn, 42 Aust Landing Craft Coy RAE, 19 Aust Fd Amb, 16 Aust Fd Coy RAE, 4 Aust Fd Regt RAA, and 223 Aust Depot Supply Pl.

Mrs Davidson was inspired to write the novel after a visit to Bougainville in 2002 that took her to the site of her father’s death.

During the visit she met many of the veterans of the battle and subsequently added the accounts of these men into her book.

Porton, A Deadly Trap retails at $25. Copies of the books can be obtained from Audrey Davidson at 33 Darwalla Rd, Mt Nathan, Qld.