- Author
- Letter Writer
- Subjects
- History - WW2, Letter to the Editor
- Tags
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- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- June 2019 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Mike Turner says he found the article on Frank Simon (March 2019) most interesting, particularly the Merchant/RANR(S) overlap. However, one small error is noted on page 22: It is ironic that these mines (outside the Chinese port of Amoy, now Xiamen) were dropped by RAF Lancaster bombers prior to the Japanese surrender.
RAF bombers conducted an extensive mining campaign in the Pacific, laying a total of 3,235 mines. They were all laid by RAF 24 Liberators (see Australian Minesweepers at War, p. 289) but none at Amoy. The only mines laid at Amoy were 114 mines laid by RAAF PBY-5 Catalinas operating from the Philippines, the last mines being laid on 22 May 1945 (see Australian Minesweepers at War,p. 152). It is therefore even more ironic than stated.
As ever we thank Mike for his expertise in this field.