Peter Figgis MC: an extraordinary man departs

Coastwatcher Peter Figgis died on Friday night. PNG Attitude will publish an obituary soon. Meanwhile, here’s part of his story as told by Ken Wright…

On December 1943, the US Navy had requested that Australian Naval Intelligence establish a Coastwatching outpost in New Britain to cover the southwest seaway from Rabaul.

Lt Cdr Eric Feldt asked former patrol officer Sub Lt Malcolm Wright to look at the possibilities of the operation. Wright spent time in Port Moresby evaluating plans and locations and was joined by Peter Figgis, an Intelligence Officer in the 2/22 Battalion AIF, and Les Williams who was a corporal in the Armoured Division of the AIF.

The three men decided that Cape Orford was the most advantageous place to set up a Coastwatching post but native help carrying supplies and information on enemy movement was vital. Wright went to see Sergeant Simogan of the New Guinea Native Constabulary who was a great friend of Wright’s during his days as a patrol officer. He eagerly agreed to join the group.

Figgis, Williams, Wright and the four natives boarded the USN submarine Greenling just after dawn on 21 February 1943 and departed from Brisbane for their journey northward to Cape Orford. On 1 March, the men went ashore at Baien Bay just before dawn and established contact with the villagers. No enemy forces were in the area and the villagers were prepared to help. Two tons of supplies from the submarine, enough to last six months, were landed. They established a camp in the mountains about three miles from the shoreline where they could see miles out to sea as well as inland with the added advantage of running water near to the campsite.

When not on duty watching sea and sky for enemy movement, the Coastwatchers read, played cards, treated various native ailments and learned a great deal about the natives and their customs. Most importantly, they were able to spread their influence even to the point where they had valuable contacts within the Japanese fortress of Rabaul.

Peter Figgis was responsible for communications and intelligence. Les Williams was camp commandant and medical officer and Malcolm Wright was overall leader and responsible for liaison with the natives. It was a very successful team.

From the time of their arrival in New Britain, 70 Japanese submarines, numerous barges and aircraft had been observed and reported to GHQ via Moresby. It was frustrating to the Coastwatchers that GHQ never told them of any action that was taken on their reports. One event that did brighten the situation took place in mid July. About 7am one day, a small 300 ton Japanese freighter entered Baien Bay and a signal was immediately sent. Two hours later three USAF Mitchell B-25 bombers appeared and sank the freighter. The Coastwatchers’ prestige went up amongst the natives as it was everyone’s first visual victory.

On 25 March 1944, PT boats brought in new teams and extracted Peter Figgis and seven Allied airmen. Figgis had been in New Britain just over a year. He was later awarded the Military Cross.

You can download the full Ken Wright feature on the exploits of Malcolm Wright, ‘Coastwatchers: No More Smelling Flowers’, here