HMA Ships GAWLER, IPSWICH, LISMORE, and MARYBOROUGH, were on anti submarine patrol off Syracuse, Sicily, when the Luftwaffe attacked the city, shipping in the harbour, and the anti-submarine patrol. IPSWICH was nearly hit three times, and her guns crew succeeded in shooting down a Junkers JU 88 bomber. MARYBOROUGH was also near-missed by several bombs, and her Commanding Officer later reported that the only damage done was to his underpants!