On This Day

On This Day - 5 December

1941

HMAS YARRA and HMS FLAMINGO, (sloops), were heavily attacked by German bombers between Mersa Matruh and Tobruk. FLAMINGO was hit in the engine room and was taken in tow by YARRA. The ships arrived safely in Tobruk. HMS REPULSE, (battle-cruiser), screened by HMAS VAMPIRE and HMS TENEDOS, (destroyers), sailed from Singapore for Darwin.The ships were recalled when Japanese convoys were sighted steaming for Malaya.

1944

LEUT W. F. Cook, RAN, was appointed to command HMAS NIZAM, (destroyer). Cook, aged 28, was the youngest officer appointed to command an Australian fleet destroyer.

1950

HMA Ships BATAAN and WARRAMUNGA, (destroyers), assisted the Commonwealth Fleet in evacuating Chinnampo, Korea.

1957

The Official RAN Badge was amended by changing the Tudor Crown in the design to a St Edwards Crown, (Queen's Crown).

1962

HMAS WATERHEN, (shore establishment in Sydney), was commissioned.

1972

HMA Ship ODIN, (submarine), an RN submarine on loan to the Australian Fleet for training purposes, joined the First Australian Submarine Squadron at Sydney.

1976

Twelve of the RAN's Tracker anti-submarine aircraft were destroyed in a disastrous fire at HMAS ALBATROSS, Nowra, NSW. The combined strength of Fleet Air Arm Squadrons 816 and 851 was reduced to one serviceable Tracker.

1986

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, approved the posthumous award of the Australian Bravery Medal to AB. Michael George Oliver, RAN for bravery during a gas alarm in HMAS STALWART, on 22 October, 1985.

2024

HMAS Gascoyne II was decommissioned at HMAS Waterhen, Sydney