|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| RAN County-class Heavy Cruiser 9,850 Tons 13,450 Tons (full load) 630' x 68.25' x 16.25' 8 x 8" guns 4 x 4" guns 4 x 3 pounders 1 x Seagull or Walrus   USN/RAN March 1935  RAN January 3, 1942 |
Ship History Built by John Brown & Co. Ltd. at Clyderbank, Scotland. Laid down August 26, 1925 as County-class heavy cruiser, as one of two Kent-subclass ships for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Launched March 17, 1927 as HMAS Australia (D84), the second ship with that name. Commissioned April 24, 1928 at Clydebank in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) under the command of Captain Francis HW Goolden. On July 17, 1927 inspected by King George V who inspected the upper and main decks. After trials, departs Portsmouth on August 3, 1928 via Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, Boston, New York, Annapolis, Kingston, via Panama Canal then across the Pacific to Tahiti, Wellington and Brisbane before arriving at Sydney on October 23, 1928. Afterwards, operates off Australia. In 1932 cruise to Pacific Islands. During 1933 visits New Zealand. On December 10, 1934 departs for England, with The Duke of Gloucester embarked on exchange duty with the Royal Navy steaming via New Zealand, Fiji, via Panama Canal during March 1935 to Kingston then to England. During May 1935 departs for the Mediterranean Sea for service with British forces until July 1936. On July 14, 1936 departs Alexandria via Aden and Fremantle to Sydney August 11, 1936. During November 1936 visits Melbourne then returns to Sydney. Wartime History During World War II, Australia was involved in the North African campaign, Battle of the Coral Sea, landings on Guadalcanal, landings on Leyte and landings at Lingayen Gulf. Battle of the Coral Sea During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Australia was the flagship for RAN Rear Admiral John Crace who was commander the joint Australian and U.S. Navy Task Force 44 (TF 44). On May 7, 1942 twelve G4M1 Betty bombers launched a torpedo attack against the warships and Australia successfully maneuvered to avoid two torpedoes. Leyte Gulf Kamikaze Attack On October 21, 1944 Australia was operating in Leyte Gulf to support the U.S. landings on eastern Leyte. Hit by a D3A2 Val that impacted the ship's foremast, causing numerous fires and explosions and resulted in 25 Killed In Action (KIA) and at least 55 Wounded In Action (WIA). List of HMAS Australia (D84) kamikaze casualties October 21, 1944. After the attack, the Australia was escorted by HMAS Warramunga to Seeadler Harbor off Manus Island and then to Espiritu Santo for repairs. Kamikaze Attack After repairs, the Australia was back in action covering Allied landings at Lingayen Gulf. Australia was subjected to Kamikaze attacks on four occasions over five days including January 5, 1945, January 6, 1945, January 8, 1945 and January 9, 1945 which resulted in the loss of another 44 killed plus almost 70 others wounded. List of HMAS Australia (D84) kamikaze casualties on January 5-6, 1945. Postwar On February 16, 1946 returned to Sydney and placed into reserve status and a refit was completed. On June 16, 1947 recommissioned as flagship of the "Australia Squadron". On August 18, 1947 departs Sydney bound for Tokyo to serve as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force then returned on December 10, 1947. In 1948 Australia steamed to New Zealand and in 1949 visited New Guinea then stayed in Australian waters for the next three and a half years. In 1949, the flagship was transfered to aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney (R17). In 1950 used for training and made another visit to New Zealand. On July 27, 1950 departed on a spontaneous trip to remote Heard Island to transport the doctor to Fremantle arriving on August 14, 1950 but due to the rough sea conditions suffered structural damage. In May 1951 transported the governor of New South Wales to Lorde Howe Island for jubilee celebrations and in May visited New Caledonia. In 1952 visited New Guinea, New Britain, Solomon Islands and during September to October a training cruise to New Zealand. In October 1953 again visited New Zealand. In February to March 1954 escorted the Royal Yacht Gothic, during the Australian leg of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation world tour. In May Australia transported Governor-General Sir William Slim on a cruise of the Coral Sea and towed a disabled Dutch vessel to Cairns. Fate On August 31, 1954 paid off and marked for disposal after 26 years in service, the longest of any RAN warship as of that date. On January 25, 1955 sold to British Iron & Steel Corporation for scrap and afterwards towed from Sydney Harbor by tugboat Rode Zee and later joined by two more tugs on the ship's final voyage via the Suez Canal before arriving at Barrow-in-Furness on July 5, 1955. Afterwards, broken up for scrap at Thos W. Ward Shipbreaking Yard between 1955-1956. Display Several artifacts from the ship are displayed in Australia. One of the 8" guns is displayed outside the Australian War Memorial (AWM). A piece of the D3A Val that hit the ship on October 21, 1944 is displayed in the Second World War Hall at Australian War Memorial (AWM). Memorials On May 1, 2011 a memorial to the ship's company including those killed in World War II was dedicated at Henley Beach in South Australia. References Royal Australian Navy HMAS Australia J-Aircraft "First Kamikaze? Attack on HMAS Australia -- October 21st, 1944 or Crash at Biak -- May 27th, 1944 by Richard Dunn Thanks to Daniel Leahy for casualty information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Photo Archive  Map August 8, 1942 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
