- Author
- Evans, P.
- Subjects
- Letter to the Editor
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Moresby I
- Publication
- June 1998 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
As usual Max Thomson has entertained us with an interesting story ‘The Pathos of Palawan’ (Vol. 19, No. 1, (January) 1998).
Although not part of the main story, he touches on the Surrender Ceremony at Koepang, Timor on 11th September, 1945. The number of ships taking part in this operation were more than the article states.
G. Hermon Gill in Royal Australian Navy 1942-1946, page 693 states that the following HMA ships were present: Moresby as senior ship, Horsham, Benalla, Echuca, Parkes, Katoomba, Warmambool, Kangaroo, Bombo and the Dutch ships Abraham Crijnssen and Van den Bosch. In addition HMA HDMLs 1322, 1324 and 1329 were present.
My main concern in drawing attention to the variation is to point out that Fairmile class ships were involved. So often they are ignored by historians.
It is for this reason that their history is being written.
The instrument of surrender at Koepang was signed aboard Moresby by Colonel Kaida, the local Japanese army commander. It was accepted by Brigadier Dyke AIF.