Surveillance tour of east coast of Celebes and Soela Islands

At 1500 hours on 29 October 1945, Soeforce, consisting of some eleven officers and twelve other ranks left Morotai on board HMAS Hawkesbury for a survelliance tour covering the Soela Islands and the east coast of Celebes. Objects of the tour were to inspect Japanese stores etc, evacuate any POW and internees that may be found, ascertain if any Allied POW, including crashed airmen, have been in the area, and investigate any reports of war crimes. At all areas visited, the Force Commander, Major Wilson, read a proclamation by the Commander in Chief, AMF, to the local natives. Netherlands Indies Civil Administration representative Lieutenant Barrau reading the proclamation in Malayan. Lieutenant (Lt) Edward Gould Sier (Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve), Rajah Tagoenoeng Han Oesoe and Captain Matthews talking outside Administrative HQ, Parigi. Also identified: Commander Purvis; Lt Hong Choy, Australian translator; Lt K Davis, RAN navigator.