On This Day
1946-1959 > Post WW2
On This Day - 1946-1959
- February 25, 1952
Union action meant that no tugs arrived to pull HMAS Sydney out of Fremantle harbour on her departure. In response, the ship initiated an action known as Operation PINWHEEL. The Sea furies of 805 and 808 Squadrons simply started the engines of the aircraft sitting on Sydney’s flightdeck to pull herself clear. Sydney had arrived in Fremantle on 22/2/1952 on her return from Korea in the middle of industrial unrest on the waterfront.
- February 22, 1952
Sydney arrived in Fremantle on her return from Korea in the middle of industrial unrest on the waterfront.
- February 15, 1952
Commissioned ships of the RAN fired a salute of 56 guns on the occasion of the funeral of King George VI.
- February 13, 1952
HMAS Bataan carried out her first air spot bombardment using spotters from HMS Glory, to shell enemy troops encamped outside the village of Pungchon. Later the same day as dusk was falling a brief duel began between the ship and 75mm shore batteries, ending with silence from the enemy and a single hit on the Captain’s day cabin after 78 rounds of 4.7-inch ammunition had started two fires on the battery positions
- February 8, 1952
Ships of the RAN fired a 21-gun salute on the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II.
- February 7, 1952
Ships of the RAN fired a salute of 56 minute guns on the death of King George VI.
- February 1, 1952
RADM A. K. Moncrieff, (Flag Officer, Second in Command, Far Eastern Fleet), on board HMS BELFAST, (cruiser), signalled HMAS MURCHISON at the conclusion of the Han River operations in Korea: “I dislike the thought of continuing the war without MURCHISON but I will have to accept it now as a fact. You have been a tower of strength and your good name will always be associated with the infamous Han. No ship could have done better. For fine seamanship and steadiness under fire you have proved yourselves beyond reproach. Good luck in all your sailings and a happy homecoming to you all.”
- January 27, 1952
805 Squadron’s tour in Korea ends.
- January 25, 1952
HMAS SYDNEY, (aircraft carrier), completed her operations in the Korean War. During the ship’s seven patrols in Korea 269,249 rounds of 20mm armament, 6,359 rocket projectiles, and 902 bombs of 227kg and 454kg were expended. SYDNEY had the honour of being the only Dominion aircraft carrier to be tested in war.
HMAS Tobruk proceeded for Sasebo bringing to a close her first tour of duty in the Korean War. At the end of her five months of service in the operational areas, Tobruk had steamed some 39,000 miles and fired 2316 rounds from her 4.5-inch guns.
- January 17, 1952
In the period 17.to 25 January, HMAS SYDNEY, (aircraft carrier), flew 293 sorties against Communist targets in North Korea.