On This Day
1942 > WW2
On This Day - 1942
- July 29, 1942
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS BROOME, (LCDR R. A. Denovan, RANVR), was commissioned. BROOME was laid down in Evans Deakin Yard, Brisbane, on 31 May 1941, and launched on 6 October 1941. Mrs J. M. McKew, (Wife of the Evans Deakin Works Manager), performed the launching ceremony.
- July 25, 1942
HMAS WAGGA, (minesweeper), was launched at Mort’s Dock, Sydney.
HMAS VIGILANT, (auxiliary patrol vessel), commanded by SBLT H. A. Bennett, RANR, sailed from Darwin on her first voyage to occupied Timor, with supplies for the Australian commando force, (Sparrow Force). The former customs launch made three passages to Timor.
- July 24, 1942
Approval to form a Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service of 580 personnel (280 telegraphists plus 300 other duties) was granted
- July 23, 1942
HMAS LAURABADA, (auxiliary patrol vessel), was commissioned.
- July 22, 1942
HMAS QUIBERON, (destroyer), was completed at J. Samuel White’s, UK.
- July 21, 1942
Coastwatcher SBLT C. L. Page, RANVR, was escorted by the Japanese to Nemboe Island for execution.
- July 15, 1942
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS WALLAROO, (LEUT E. S. Ross, RANR), was commissioned. WALLAROO was laid down in Poole & Steel Ltd., Sydney, on 24 April 1941, and launched on 18 February 1942.
- July 14, 1942
HMAS PENGUIN, (shore establishment in Sydney), was commissioned.
- July 13, 1942
HMAS PENGUIN, was commissioned as a naval depot at Balmoral, Sydney.
- July 11, 1942
HMAS WARREGO, (sloop), escorted the transport TASMAN, with the advance guard of Milne Force embarked, into Milne Bay. The Japanese were to suffer their first defeat in this area.
HMAS BOWEN, (minesweeper), was launched at Walker’s, QLD.