A tour to remember

On the beach: WO2 Alistair Mackenzie, Maj Michael Stone, Sgt Matt Cooper and WO2 John Hefez with Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmao.

History lesson: WO2 Alistair Mackenzie gives a presentation on the 1999 Suai church massacre.

Potluck surprise: Lt-Col Falur Rate Laek and Maj Michael Stone cook a traditional meal.

MEMBERS of the Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) have received a special insight into Timor-Leste’s history. Through a country-wide Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) exercise led by Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmau.

Reflection: Sgt James Murch presents a brief on the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre with Alferes Amaral, a witness to the massacre in which more than 200 people were killed.

Exercise Criado included much of the F-FDTL senior leadership as well as the probably last living World War II Criados, Rufino Correia, and involved five days touring Timor-Leste visitng battlefields and momentous sites from WWII, the resistance for independence and the 1999 independence referendum.

OC 1 Battalion Advisory Detachment (1BAD) Maj Michael Stone said the 600km tour of the central and western regions was an important element in the induction of new team members.

The journey began in Dili and crossed the central highlands to the south, which included climbing Foho Ramelau – Timor-Leste’s highest mountain at 2983m. The route continued contouring the south coast, the border regions, and the north coast on return to Dili.

“Each team member prepared two or three briefs relating to significant events. The briefs were then presented on arrival at the respective locations,” Maj Stone said.

Falintil veterans also provided graphic first-hand accounts of what occurred at the sites, and enlightened the group with other stories of the resistance.

Maj Stone said the tour commemorated the link that has existed between Australia and Timor-Leste since the 2/2 Independent Cdo Coy and the people of Timor Leste’s shared struggle against 20,000 Japanese troops in 1942.

He said it was an important cultural exercise to provide DCP members with a thorough understanding of the country’s arduous history.

“As military advisors in a foreign country, it is imperative that you are able to communicate effectively with the local population. It is equally important to have a cultural and historical appreciation for the people in order to be develop sound rapport and trust,” he said.

DCP member WO2 Alastair Mackenzie said that during the visit to hills at Bazatete, where Sparrow Force built prepared defences for a fighting withdrawal from the Japanese, the tour had a lucky encounter.

“We were fortunate to meet Eugino dos Santos, son of Louis Gonzaga – a Criado that assisted the Australian soldiers during that time,” he said.

“He took us to the actual sites of the prepared defences where Capt Laidlaw’s platoon conducted a fighting withdrawal against the Japanese invasion; the depressions of the gun-pits are still evident.”