CAPT C. A. G. Nichols, RN, relieved CAPT Showers in command of HMAS SHROPSHIRE, (cruiser). CAPT Showers took up the appointment of 2nd Naval Member of the Australian Naval Board. ...
Australian Units
Australian Naval History on 20 September 1944
The air/sea rescue vessels AIR FOAM, (ex-AIR WAVE, SBLT Middleton RANVR), AIR MIST, (SBLT J. R. Needle, RANVR), and AIR REST, (SBLT R. W. Stinger, RANVR), were commissioned. The ammunition ...
Australian Naval History on 15 September 1944
HMA Ships AUSTRALIA and SHROPSHIRE with ARUNTA and WARRAMUNGA bombarded targets on Halmahera and Morotai. ...
Australian Naval History on 12 September 1944
The Japanese transport RAKUYO MARU was torpedoed and sunk by the USS QUEENFISH off the Philippines. The vessel was carrying 1317 Australian and British POW’s, including survivors of HMAS PERTH. ...
Australian Naval History on 7 September 1944
HMAS KIAMA, (minesweeper), embarked an Army reconnaissance party from behind enemy lines at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain. ...
Australian Naval History on 3 September 1944
The sloop HMAS SWAN, (LCDR R. J. R. Pennock), bombarded Japanese positions at Cape Sarme, New Guinea. ...
Australian Naval History on 29 August 1944
HMAS Bathurst sailed for Australia, ending almost 3½ years Indian Ocean-Red Sea service. ...
Australian Naval History on 22 August 1944
The services reconnaissance department (SRD) craft HMAS TIGER SNAKE, (LEUT W. K. Witt, RAN), was commissioned. ...
Australian Naval History on 12 August 1944
HMAS SWAN, (sloop), bombarded Japanese positions at Wide Bay, New Britain. The shooting was directed by Coastwatcher LCDR. Mckenzie. ...
Australian Naval History on 11 August 1944
HMS ALBATROSS, (former seaplane carrier HMAS ALBATROSS), was torpedoed off Courseulles, France. Casualties exceeded 100, of whom 50 were killed. The ship reached port safely. ...
Australian Naval History on 3 August 1944
HMAS BARWON, (frigate), was launched at Cockatoo Island, Sydney. ...
Australian Naval History on 30 July 1944
The last known use of a Seagull V (Walrus) by the RAN when one attached to the sloop HMAS Warrego, for air sea rescue and reconnaissance duties in northern New ...
Australian Naval History on 27 July 1944
HMAS VENDETTA, (destroyer), fired on a launch loaded with Japanese troops off Mios Wundi Island, New Guinea. The launch was destroyed. ...
Australian Naval History on 23 July 1944
HMAS KANIMBLA, (landing ship infantry), ran aground at Cretin Harbour, New Guinea. The ship was freed by the salvage tug CALEDONIAN SALVOR. ...
Australian Naval History on 16 July 1944
HMAS STUART, (destroyer), stood by the American merchant ship F. P. BLAIR, grounded on Saumarez Reef, until a tug arrived from Brisbane to tow the ship free. ...
Australian Naval History on 14 July 1944
TF74, HMA Ships AUSTRALIA and SHROPSHIRE, (cruisers), ARUNTA and WARRAMUNGA, (destroyers), and US Ships AMMEN and BACHE, continued close gun support on the American perimeter at Aitape, New Guinea. An ...
Australian Naval History on 13 July 1944
Task Force, (TF), 74, including HMA Ships AUSTRALIA and SHROPSHIRE, (cruisers), ARUNTA and WARRAMUNGA, (destroyers), and US Ships AMMEN and BACHE, were ordered to furnish gun support to troops at ...
Australian Naval History on 5 July 1944
The River class frigate HMAS HAWKESBURY was commissioned. HAWKESBURY was laid down in Mort’s Dock, Sydney, on 7 August 1942, and launched on 24 July 1943. ...
Australian Naval History on 3 July 1944
Task Force 74, HMA Ships AUSTRALIA, (cruiser), ARUNTA, and WARRAMUNGA, (destroyers), and the US Ships MULLANY and AMMEN, withdrew to Hollandia, after bombarding Japanese positions on Noemfoor Island. AUSTRALIA fired ...
Australian Naval History on 2 July 1944
HMA Ships AUSTRALIA, (cruiser), ARUNTA and WARRAMUNGA, (destroyers), bombarded Japanese positions on Noemfoor Island in preparation for the landing. ...
Australian Naval History on 27 June 1944
The River class frigate HMAS BURDEKIN, (LCDR T. S. Marchington, RNR), was commissioned. BURDEKIN was laid down in Walker’s Yard, Maryborough, QLD, on 17 January 1942, and launched on 30 ...
Australian Naval History on 23 June 1944
HMAS Vendetta embarked three Special Unit (Allied Intelligence Bureau) personnel for passage to Waterfall Bay in New Britain, 80 miles from Japanese occupied Rabaul. The landing was carried out without ...
Australian Naval History on 21 June 1944
HMAS GAWLER, (minesweeper), landed working parties at Bombay to assist restoration of port facilities, after the British ammunition ship, FORT STIKINE, caught fire and blew up, devastating the port. Three ...
Australian Naval History on 20 June 1944
HMAS MATAFELE was sunk. 4 officers, 20 ratings, and 13 native crew lost their lives. ADML Crutchley, USN, was appointed Officer in Tactical Command of a force of Australian and ...
Australian Naval History on 18 June 1944
RANVR officers serving with the RN, held the following commands:- 1 destroyer, 1 frigate, 2 corvettes, 1 submarine, 1 fleet minesweeper, 4 flotillas of tank landing craft, and miscellaneous vessels ...