Darwin wasn't the only place in Australia to be attacked by the Japanese

[Konovalov]

An event that can be easily forgotten.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/...956465147.html

The night war came to Sydney
Dylan Welch
June 1, 2006 - 2:20PM

A survivor of a submarine attack in Sydney harbour told today of how a favour for a mate saved his life.
Early in the morning of June 1, 1942, three Japanese midget submarines snuck into Sydney Harbour to launch an attack on the US navy cruiser Chicago, stationed at the Garden Island navy base.
But instead of striking the Chicago, one of the Japanese torpedoes exploded against a sea wall next to a Royal Australian Navy accommodation boat, the HMAS Kuttabul.
Twenty-one died aboard the Kuttabul that night, trapped together in small bunk rooms on the lower floors.
Neil Roberts, now 82, was one of the few that survived and today, at a ceremony marking the 64th anniversary of the tragic night, recalled the twist of fate that kept him alive.
He told gathered navy officials, school children and media how he had been on sentry duty at the base and as another sailor came to relieve him, offered him a small favour that would mean the difference between life and death.
"He suggested something that was to save my life - he said, 'would you sleep in my hammock?', which I did.
"So I went past where the 21 died - where I normally slept - and got into his hammock on the upper deck."
The Japanese torpedo struck shortly afterwards and Mr Roberts found himself still alive but trapped on the rapidly sinking boat.
"I got caught in the stairwell ... I took a punt, and I knew where the exit was, I thought well I'll try for that.
"So I took a deep breath and I swam underwater and eventually found the exit and climbed up the seawall ... a chap ran up to me and said 'where are all the officers?' and I said, 'everybody's dead'."
A small strip of grass next to the seawall where the ship sank is now home to the Kuttabul memorial, where today relatives and navy officers laid wreaths to commemorate the sailors who died that night.
Two of the mini subs that attacked the harbour that night were destroyed and one remains missing, presumed sunk.
The bodies of the four Japanese submariners recovered were given a funeral will full military honours and their bodies cremated.
The nearby Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre now houses the conning tower of one of the Japanese subs who made the perilous run into Sydney harbour.
Today was also significant for Mr Roberts as it marked the last time he will speak at the annual event.
"This is the last occasion that I will be speaking," he told the crowd.
"I find the spirit is willing but the flesh is weakening."
He suffers from fibrosis contracted during his navy service and is forced to use an oxygen tank 16 hours a day.

[I-25]

ive known that for years!

by the way.. High Wycombe? ever heard of howard jones?

[diver]

There were more attacks than just on Darwin and Sydney.In fact there were hundreds of bombings on dozens of cities and towns in Northern Australia, Darwin was attacked dozens of times, yet only the one occasion is remembered.
And a sub surfaced off Newcastle to fire shells into the suburbs, it damaged a few houses but nobody was hurt.

[JScones]

Originally Posted by diver

And a sub surfaced off Newcastle to fire shells into the suburbs, it damaged a few houses but nobody was hurt.

Yep. Allegedly damaged the Zaara Street Power Station where my Pop worked. Some still say it was the Americans "rousing Australian support".

[Konovalov]

Originally Posted by JScones

Yep. Allegedly damaged the Zaara Street Power Station where my Pop worked. Some still say it was the Americans "rousing Australian support".

I was not aware of this incident. Thanks. Subsim, you're centre of learning.

[JScones]

I'm sure I also read/saw something that stated that BHP was fired upon as well which caused minor damage to one of the furnaces. Can't remember though. :hmm:

FWIW have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_na...tralian_waters

At one stage the Japanese actually landed on Australian territory!

Of course, the worst battle was the "Battle of Brisbane", where the "enemy" was NOT the Japanese but the Americans...:rotfl:

[Konovalov]

Interesting. I haven't thought about these parts of our Australian history since I was about 20 in Sydney. Back then a mate and I would head down to the Sydney Harbour where many of the pillboxes, fortifications, and underground installations were built, near Taronga Zoo and opposite the head to the harbour itself. They were fun times exploring and then afterwards walking up to the local pub in Mosman to chat over a few beers about our explorations.

[JScones]

Yeah. I spent many a time going through the tunnels connected to Fort Scratchley. If you ever get to Newcastle, it's well worth visiting.

[diver]

Originally Posted by JScones

At one stage the Japanese actually landed on Australian territory!

Well since New Guinea was totally an Australian territory back then, it was a friggin huge landing with a big campaign to throw back the invasion. That's why the National Service Militia were used, technically they could not be sent overseas, but as NG was part of Australia we were able to send the non-volunteers in.

[JScones]

Of course. Poor choice of words. Perhaps I should have said "...actually landed on mainland Australia".

[Torplexed]

Wasn't Guadalcanal and the Solomons Islands chain under Australian jurisdiction at the time too?

[JScones]

No. The Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal (which was of province of the Solomon Islands) fell under British administration.

At the time it was actually called "British Solomon Islands Protectorate".