HMAS SHOALHAVEN, (frigate), was anchored at Shanghai and preparing to proceed up the Yangtse River to Nanking, to relieve HMS CONSORT. The ships were part of an Allied force standing by to evacuate British and Australian nationals in the event of increased hostilities between the Nationalist Chinese Government and the Peoples Liberation Army, (Communist Army), who were then engaged in a bitter Civil War. However, with the arrival of HMS AMETHYST, the decision was made that she would relieve CONSORT instead, and stores onboard SHOALHAVEN were transferred to the British warship which then departed for Nanking. Within 24 hours AMETHYST was in action against Communist shore batteries, and suffered heavy damage and casualties.