On This Day
1942 > WW2
On This Day - 1942
- August 18, 1942
HMAS FREMANTLE, (minesweeper), was launched at Evans Deakin, QLD.
- August 15, 1942
HMAS SHEPPARTON, (minesweeper), was launched at Williamstown Dockyard, VIC.
- August 14, 1942
The examination vessel HMAS FAURO CHIEF, (LEUT Perry), was commissioned.
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS GAWLER, (LCDR W. J. Seymour, RAN), was commissioned. GAWLER was laid down in Broken Hill Pty Co’s Yard, Whyalla, SA, on 24 January 1941, and launched on 4 October 1941. Lady Duncan, (Wife of the Hon. Sir Walter Duncan, Leader of the Liberal and Country Party in South Australia), performed the launching ceremony.
The Brisbane-based USS S39, (submarine), was wrecked on Rossel Island, in the Louisiades Group. The submarine’s crew were rescued by HMAS KATOOMBA, and landed at Townsville.
- August 13, 1942
The ashes of LEUT Matsuo, LEUT Chuma, PO Ohmiri and PO Tsuzuku, crews of two midget submarines sunk in Sydney Harbour, were formally handed over to the Japanese Minister in Australia, Mr. Tatsuo Kawai. The ashes were carried back to Japan in the exchange ship KAMAKURA.
- August 9, 1942
Engaged in the Battle of Savo Island, the cruiser HMAS CANBERRA, (CAPT F. E. Getting, RAN), was mortally damaged in a surprise night sortie by ADML Mikawa’s Cruiser Squadron. CANBERRA was hit by torpedoes and point-blank gunfire. 10 officers and 74 ratings, including her commanding officer, were killed. CANBERRA was sunk by American destroyers when the extent of her damage was realised. The US Ships ASTORIA, QUINCY, and VINCENNES, (cruisers), were also lost in the battle.
- August 8, 1942
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS TAMWORTH, (LEUT W.H. Deans, RANR), was commissioned. TAMWORTH was laid down in Walker’s Yard, Maryborough, QLD, on 25 August 1941, and launched on 14 March 1942.
- August 7, 1942
The cruisers, HMA Ships AUSTRALIA, (CAPT H.B. Farncomb, RAN), CANBERRA, (CAPT F.E. Getting, RAN), and HOBART, (CAPT H.A. Showers, RAN), were engaged in Operation Watchtower, the Allied assault on Guadalcanal.
Coastwatcher LEUT P.E. Mason, RANVR, warned the Allied Fleet off Guadalcanal of an impending Japanese air attack. Mason signalled: ‘From STO 24 bombers headed yours’. The advance warning enabled the cruiser, HMAS CANBERRA, (CAPT F.E. Getting, RAN), to announce over the ship’s PA system: ‘The ship will be attacked by 24 torpedo bombers at noon. All hands will pipe to dinner at eleven o’clock’.
- August 5, 1942
Australian Fleet Auxiliary Bishopdale while sailing for Brisbane from Noumea struck a mine in an Allied mine field which had been laid by HMAS BUNGAREE, there was no fire or casualties.
- August 1, 1942
HMA Ships NAPIER, NIZAM and NORMAN, (destroyers), were with the British Eastern Fleet which was sent to the Andaman Islands, hoping to divert the attention of the Japanese from the Solomon Islands.
- July 31, 1942
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS DUBBO, was commissioned. DUBBO was laid down in Mort’s Dock, Sydney, on 13 October 1941, and launched on 7 March 1942.
ADML V.C. Crutchley assumed command of Southern Force, which included HMA Ships AUSTRALIA and CANBERRA, (cruisers), and US Ships CHICAGO, PATTERSON, and BAGLEY, for Operation Watchtower.
HMA Ships CHINAMPA, (ketch), and SOUTHERN CROSS, (examination vessel), engaged Japanese shore positions at Saumlaki, Tinobar Islands, while attempting to land reinforcements. The Skipper of CHINAMPA, CWO F.J. Henderson, RANR, was killed.