A Japanese kamikaze aircraft crashed into the foremast of HMAS AUSTRALIA, (cruiser), killing 30 officers and ratings, including CAPT E. F. V. Dechaineux, RAN, AUSTRALIA’s commanding officer. Sixty-four officers and ratings were wounded, including CDRE J. A. Collins, RAN, the task force commander.
CAPT C. A. G. Nichols in HMAS SHROPSHIRE, (cruiser), reported:
‘During the dawn stand-to a low flying aircraft approached from the land between AUSTRALIA and SHROPSHIRE. It was taken under fire and retired to the westward. Observers in SHROPSHIRE reported that the aircraft, (a Val Aichi 99 dive bomber), was hit and touched the water, but recovered. It then turned east again, and although under heavy fire, passed up the port side of AUSTRALIA, and crashed into the foremast at 0605. There was a large explosion and an intense fire was started’.
