Three gallantry awards to RAN officers for service in the Mediterranean were announced: DSC CMDR M. J. Clark DSC CMDR G. McD. Wilson; Both received for gallantry in the Battle ...
On This Day
Australian Naval History on 12 December 1941
HMAS NESTOR, (destroyer), opened fire on an aircraft showing a navigation light in the North Atlantic. The ‘aircraft’ was later identified as the planet Venus. HMAS MARRAWAH, (a former coaster), ...
Australian Naval History on 11 December 1941
The Australian Government requested the British Admiralty to return HMAS HOBART, (cruiser), and HMAS YARRA, (sloop), to Australian waters. The minesweeper HMS LADY SHIRLEY, (LCDR Callaway, RANVR), was sunk by ...
Australian Naval History on 10 December 1941
Japanese bombers sank HMS PRINCE OF WALES, (battleship), and HMS REPULSE, (battle-cruiser), in the South China Sea. HMAS VAMPIRE, (destroyer), picked up survivors. One of those lost in the sinking ...
Australian Naval History on 9 December 1941
The Director of Naval Intelligence, CMDR R. B. M. Long, RAN, warned the Government:- ‘It is likely in view of Japan’s present attack against Hawaii that raids will be made ...
Australian Naval History on 8 December 1941
HMA Ships VAMPIRE and VENDETTA, (destroyers), and BURNIE, GOULBURN, BENDIGO, and MARYBOROUGH, (corvettes), were at Singapore when Japan mounted her first air raid at 0300. MANOORA was also at Singapore, ...
Australian Naval History on 7 December 1941
The Siege of Tobruk ends after 242 days. RAN ships supported the Allied forces in Tobruk by running a ‘ferry service’ bringing in ammunition, food, water, medical supplies, and fresh ...
Australian Naval History on 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 ...
Australian Naval History on 4 December 1941
HMAS NEPAL, (destroyer), was launched at Thornycraft’s Yard, England. The Australian Government deferred a decision to sail Australian shipping in convoys. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 December 1941
An RAN interrogation team, consisting of CAPT Farquar-Smith, CMDR Dechaineaux, CMDR Ramage, and LCDR. Salm, (Royal Netherlands Navy), questioned prisoners from the German raider KORMORAN. CAPT H. B. Farncomb conducted ...