The Japanese submarine I-174 torpedoed the merchant vessel PORTMAR, and the landing ship LST 469, off Smoky Cape, NSW. PORTMAR sank, but LST 469 was towed to Byron Bay, NSW, ...
On This Day
Australian Naval History on 12 June 1943
The minesweeper HMAS DUBBO, (LEUT N. G. Weber, RANR(S)), picked up survivors from HMAS WALLAROO, sunk in a collision west of Fremantle WA. Three of WALLAROO’s complement were lost in ...
Australian Naval History on 11 June 1943
HMAS WALLAROO, (minesweeper), sank in a collision with the American merchant ship HENRY GILBERT COSTIN, 60 miles west of Fremantle, WA. 3 ratings lost their lives. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 June 1943
HMAS Kanimbla commissioned into RAN as a Landing Ship (Infantry) after conversion in Sydney from April to June 1943. She had served in the RN since 1939. ...
Australian Naval History on 31 May 1943
The landing ship infantry HMAS WESTRALIA, (CMDR A. V. Knight, RANR), was re-commissioned. WESTRALIA was first commissioned into the RAN on 17 January 1940. ...
Australian Naval History on 26 May 1943
HMA Ships GAWLER, IPSWICH, LISMORE, and MARYBOROUGH, (minesweepers), were formed into the 21st Minesweeping Flotilla at Alexandria, Egypt. The Fremantle based USS TROUT, (submarine), landed a party of American agents ...
Australian Naval History on 15 May 1943
A RAAF Avro Anson, which was providing air escort to USS MUGFORD, (destroyer), and the British steamer SUSSEX, sighted survivors from the HMAS CENTAUR, (hospital ship), off the coast of ...
Australian Naval History on 14 May 1943
HMAS CENTAUR, (hospital ship), was sunk by a Japanese submarine, (believed to be I178), off the Queensland coast near Brisbane. CENTAUR was on her second journey north to Port Moresby ...
Australian Naval History on 12 May 1943
The Japanese submarine I-180 sank the Australian merchant ship ORMISTON, off Coffs Harbour, NSW. The ship reached port under its own steam. The Fremantle-based USS GUDGEON, (submarine), sank the Japanese ...
Australian Naval History on 10 May 1943
On the 10th of May 1943, whilst on a return voyage from Thursday Island to Darwin, Maroubra was strafed by a fleet of nine Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi Zero fighters ...
Australian Naval History on 9 May 1943
HMAS LATROBE, (minesweeper), suffered heavy air attacks off the south coast of New Guinea. ...
Australian Naval History on 7 May 1943
HMAS ADELE, (auxiliary patrol vessel, formerly HMAS FRANKLIN), was wrecked on the breakwater at Port Kembla. ...
Australian Naval History on 5 May 1943
HMAS ABRAHAM CRIJNSSEN, (minesweeper), was returned to the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Dutch minesweeper had escaped from the Netherlands East Indies in 1942, and had been commissioned into the RAN. ...
Australian Naval History on 2 May 1943
Coastwatchers LEUT L. J. Bell, RANVR, LEUT D. A. Lewis, AIF, and a half-caste bearer, were murdered by natives at Bena Bena, New Guinea. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 May 1943
The mobile port war W/T and signal station vessel HMAS LOOKOUT, was commissioned. LOOKOUT was laid down in 1939, owned by Point Lookout and Amity Resorts and Cruises Pty Ltd, ...
Australian Naval History on 30 April 1943
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS COOTAMUNDRA, (LEUT G.A. Johns, RANR(S)), was commissioned. COOTAMUNDRA was laid down at Poole & Steel Yard, Sydney, on 20 February 1942, and launched on ...
Australian Naval History on 29 April 1943
The Japanese submarine I-180 torpedoed the merchant ship WOLLONGBAR off Port Macquarie, NSW. The Brisbane based USS GATO, (submarine) landed a party of 16 Australian Coastwatchers on Teop Island, in ...
Australian Naval History on 27 April 1943
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS BENALLA, (LCDR L. N. Morrison, RANR(S)), was commissioned. BENALLA was laid down at Williamstown Naval Dockyard, VIC, on 24 March 1942, and launched on ...
Australian Naval History on 26 April 1943
The Japanese submarine I-26, torpedoed and sank the merchant ship LIMERICK off Cape Byron, NSW. The survivors were rescued by HMAS COLAC, (minesweeper). A RAAF Catalina flying boat of 11 ...
Australian Naval History on 24 April 1943
The Japanese submarine I-26 torpedoed the merchant vessel KOWARRA off Sandy Cape, NSW. ...
Australian Naval History on 20 April 1943
USS CANBERRA, (cruiser), was launched at Quincey, USA, by Lady Dixon, wife of the Australian Minister to the USA. The ship was named in honour of HMAS CANBERRA, (cruiser), lost ...
Australian Naval History on 15 April 1943
Japanese bombers attacked naval installations at Darwin, NT. The bombers were met by strong fighter defence. HMS MAJESTIC which later was commissioned as HMAS MELBOURNE, was laid down at Barrow-in-Furness, ...
Australian Naval History on 14 April 1943
HMA Ships KAPUNDA, WAGGA, and WHYALLA, (minesweepers), fought off repeated attacks by 100 Japanese aircraft at Milne Bay, New Guinea. ...
Australian Naval History on 12 April 1943
In New Guinea waters, an enemy formation of thirty-seven aircraft attacked MV Gorgon, one of the ships of a convoy being escorted by HMAS Kapunda. One of the planes was ...
Australian Naval History on 11 April 1943
The Japanese submarine I-177 torpedoed the Yugoslav merchant ship RECINA, 19 miles off Cape Howe. Nine survivors were picked up by HMAS MORESBY, (survey ship). The minesweeper HMAS PIRIE, (LCDR ...