On This Day

On This Day - 9 December

1918

The Australian Government approved the purchase of aircraft carried in ships of the RAN based in the UK. The decision was later rescinded on the grounds that maintenance facilities were not available in Australia. The aircraft were returned to the RN before the ships left for Australia.

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 by heavier units other than submarines against strategic areas such as Newcastle'. The first Japanese aircraft were sighted over Rabaul. The aircraft were reported by radio when they passed over Tabar Island by Coastwatcher SBLT C. L. Page, RANVR.

1942

HMAS LANIKAI, (auxiliary boom defence vessel), was commissioned. LANIKAI was lost in a storm in the Philippines in 1946.

1944

CDRE H. B. Farncomb hoisted his pennant as Commodore Commanding the Australian Squadron, and Commander Task Group 74.1, in HMAS AUSTRALIA, (cruiser), at Manus.

1976

HMAS DOOMBA, (minesweeper), was scuttled off Dee Why, NSW. DOOMBA had been built in 1919, and commissioned as HMS WEXFORD, but was sold in 1921 to the Doomba Shipping Company based in Brisbane. In 1939, on 3 September she was requisitioned by the RAN, to become an auxiliary minesweeper, and commissioned as HMAS DOOMBA. She later became an anti-submarine escort, before being paid off from the RAN in February 1947, and converted into a lighter.

1983

Claims that Harrier VSTOL aircraft from HMS HERMES theoretically 'shot down waves' of RAAF aircraft during Operation Kangaroo 83, revived misgivings about the withdrawal of carrier borne aircraft from the RAN.

2017

HMAS Darwin decommissioned