The Navy Vol 48 Part 1 1986 (Jan and Apr 1986)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Navy Vol 48 Part 1 1986 (Jan and Apr 1986) The Magazine of IIIK NAVY LKMil'K OF AI STRAUA Roynl Australian Navy L 75th Anniversary A Registered by Australia Post Publication No NBP IJ82 EDITOR ROSS GILI.ETT PO BOX 653 Reliability. To Isuzu owners THE # VB«® DEL: WHY. NSW 2099 Regit t tied by AutUtU• Pott Publication No NBP 1412 Reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the permission of the Editor in writing ifs an everyday thing. NAVY The magazine of the Navy League of Australia There is a phik >s< >phy (>n which have achieved amazing levels of all Isuzu trucks are built. economy and performance. Features JANUARY, 1986 Reliability is everything. such as swirl inlet ports, chromed You can't run a reliable busmess cylinder bores and direct fuel injection without a reliable truck. That's why have kept Isuzu in the forefront of Isuzu trucks are designed and built the diesel development. way they are. T<> keep your business Everyday Isuzu reliability on tlie road more of the time. covers all weight categories through F< >r (>ver 4<) years Isuzu has lfi models, from 2 tonne nominal developed diesel engined trucks that payload to 38 tonne (JCM. Souief Kiev class aircraft carrier NOVOROSSIYSK (Photo USN) ADVERTISING AND BRISBANE 3rd floor. 460 Ann Sreet PUBLICATION: Brisbane. 4000 Perclval Publishing Co Pty Ltd Phone 31 2531 IINCORPORATED IN NSW) CONTENTS SYDNEY Our faovi "PftattufxaJiA 862 Elizabeth Street Waterloo. NSW. 2017 Phone 699 2600 HMAS DARWIN arriving in Darwin for Viewpoint 3 the first time. 25th October. 1985. The Defence of Australia 4 ADELAIDE (Photo - POPH Ron Berkhout) Naval Roundup 6 26 Currie St Adelaide. 5000 The Partizan Navy 14 Phone 51 6225 Navy and Industry 15 The opMona or aaaarttona axpraaaad in PERTH arttdaa to The Navy" are thoaa of the The Cherbourg Boats 17 5th door Eagle House Northern Navy News 23 10 William St. Perth. 6000 the Federal Counc* of The Navy League ol Homeport — Cam Ranh Bay 27 Phone 322 4072 Australia, the Editor ol "The Navy" orTha Sea Mail 29 MELBOURNE Book Reviews 30 388 Bourke Street Phone 67 1461 Navy League and Cadet News 31 HOBART 123 Murray St Hoban. 7000 Phone 34 4098 SO Reliability is everything. THE NAVY GMAT SSM For years lip service has been paid to Australia's maritime vulner- ability but precious little has been done to correct the glaring deficiencies We are pleased to publish Admiral Peek's paper RELIABLE PARTNERS . ff^f^lfOfffl ON GROUND, SEA, AND IN THE AIR RAN's 75th Anniversary OGETHER with its supporters the RAN Dunlop Aviation Australia are aircraft, the Navy's Mulloka electroplating, and make The Defence of Australia plans to celebrate its 75th birthday during recognised as quality leaders T Sonar Array and the Army's Dunlop Aviation Australia 1986. The history of naval forces in Australia of in the manufacture of precision Leopard tank. Currently the reliable partners on ground, 1IS issue of THE NAVY includes a paper course goes back much further than 10th July, engineered components and company is manufactunng sea, and in the air. prepared by Vice Admiral Sir Richard Peek T 1911, when the prefix "Royal" was approved assemblies for the defence wheels, brakes and hydraulic Dunlop Aviation Australia who retired from the Royal Australian Navy as forces of Australia and 'ts actuators for Australia's new and a diverse collection of vessels and facilities, A Division of Dunlop Olympic Chief of Naval Staff in 1973 after a career in overseas allies. F/A- 18A fighter Limited (Inc. in Vic.) some inherited from the Colonial navies, given which he held a variety of senior appointments They have been closely The extensively equipped 838 Mountain Highway its present proud designation. involved with many large scale machine workshop, assembly Bayswater, Victoria including Command of the Australian Fleet — programmes including the and test areas are Australia 3153 when it really was a fleet. The fortunes of the RAN and of the naval forces which under various titles preceded it have been greatly influenced by public percep- Admiral Peek, now a successful pastoralist. has continued to take a Mirage, Macchi and Nomad complemented by specialised Tel. (03)729 6411, Telex AA31643 tions of danger at the time, inevitably resulting in periods of neglect keen interest in defence matters and has expressed his views on the followed by frantic and expensive efforts to make good deficiencies current defence scene in a refreshing y uncomplicated way which allowed to develop The same could be said of the Armed Forces anyone can understand generally and the custom has not changed much over the years Some of his views will be controversial, particularly those relating to the acquisition of the FA-18 aircraft, others including the training of This is not a sensible way to ensure national security — it was not in guerilla-type land forces are likely to find wide acceptance in the general the past as we learned at great cost in lives and material in war nor is it community The questions the Admiral poses at the end of his paper are now One wonders about the kind of fright Australians will require to pertinent but one suspects they will be difficult to answer shake the prevailing complacency and attract attention to their Armed The point that Admiral Peek makes is that in the long run Australia's Forces maritime capabilities - and this includes commercial activities and the ability to protect our trade — are all important and will largely determine Iii the meantime the Navy League wishes the RAN the country's future "Many Happy Returns" and hopes smoother seas lie ahead. DEADUNE The deadline for the April, 1986 issue of The Navy is GEOFFREY EVANS 1st FEBRUARY, 1986 Federal President APV HALL The Navy League of Australia 75th Anniversary (Australia) Pty Ltd JSNAVY 1911-1986 Marine Air Conditioning and Refrigeration PROTECTING AUSTRALIA SYSTEMS — PRODUCTS — SERVICE TO MEET MODERN NAVY STANDARDS NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS The Trade Practices Act 1974 came into force on Oclobe' ' '974 There are important new provinor advertisers an<j advertising agents are advised to stud* inose provisions very carefully Head Office: 352 Macaulay Road, Kensington, Victoria, 3031. it can be an offence tor anyone to engage m trade or commerce >n conduct misleading or deceptive particular Section S3 contains prohibitions Irom doing any ol the following m connection with the Supply of goods or services or ir connection with the promoti ans oi the supply or use ol goods or service i a1 Fa'seiy represent that goods or services areola particular standard quality grade or that goods are ol a particular style or model Tel (03) 376 2633 iDi Falsely represent that goods are new tci Represent that goods or services have sponsorship approval performance characteristics accessories Queensland: 935 Kingsford Smith Drive, Eagle Farm, 4007. id Represent that he or it has a sponsorship approval or affiliation he or it does not nave ici Make ijise or muieading statements concerning the existence oi or amount of puce reductions Tel (07) 268 2461 iti Make'aise or misleading statements concerning tne need for any goods services replacements r repair" igi Makeia'seoi ly or guarantee New South Wales: 52 Skarrat Street, Auburn, 2144. Tel (02) 648 4688 °ENAlTV For an individual - JtO 000 or 6 months i South Australia: White Engineering, 52 Howards Rd, Beverly, SA For a corporalion - $40 000 It IS not possible for this company to er >tisements which a< Tel (08) 268 1044 person company or advertising agen'y IN CASE OF DOUBT CONSULT YOUR LAWYER P*g« Two THE NAVV January, 1986 THE NAVY held weapons could perhaps be landed cov- ertly. such a force without logistic support could be dealt with by properly trained, led and equipped Reserve Army units in the area of the The Defence of Australia landing A larger force of say battalion strength with support arms would require so much shipping, both for the initial landing and re-supply, that its transit to our coast would be detected hundreds of miles out to sea Once detached it would be vulnerable to our maritime forces Given adequate intelligence and adequate maritime forces armed incursions other than small covert landings do not seem to pose a threat It may be argued that there is a potential threat from armed incursions or even invasion troops carried by enemy aircraft To land even a battalion with support arms and initial supplies would require a large number of aircraft and these in turn would require a major aerodrome on which to land. Such aerodromes are not numerous and surely could be defended by passive means, e g trucks across the runways, or by the Reserve units postulated above Invasion ties against Australia Assuming we are not pre- ments that our defence strategy should be based overwhelmingly on maritime forces The The potential to mount an invasion of Austra- pared to join the nuclear missile club, present concept of a core force with the greater lia. if it exists at all. lies only with the super- acknowledging the demonstrated ineffective- port.on of defence spending on other than powers and even they would first have to estab- ness of conventional bombs against land targets maritime forces, with a little bit of everything for lish a bridgehead close to Australia Suggestions and that we have insufficient manpower and all arms of the Defence Force, does not seem that a superpower could launch an invasion by resources to threaten to invade an adversary logical, wastes money and is certainly not effec- based and controlled air-superiority fighters be using another nation as a surrogate do not war- nation, our only credible deterrent is a strong IR the purpose of this paper it Bv Via- Admiral tive deployed rant analysis maritime force is assumed the people and If the highly unlikely threat of attack by con- P Si, HICHAM) PI I K.
Recommended publications
  • Issue 46, October 2020
    From the President Welcome to this 46th edition of Call the Hands. As always, we are pleased to present a wide cross section of stories and draw attention to some most interesting audio and video recordings. Don’t miss the links to a short description by Lieutenant Commander Henry Stoker of AE2’s 1915 passage through the Dardanelles strait and the snippets of life in HMAS Australia (II) in 1948. In a similar vein, those with an interest in HMAS Cerberus should not miss the link to aerial footage of the extensive building works undertaken in Cerberus in recent years. In its 100th anniversary year HMAS Cerberus is well equipped for current and future high trainee throughputs. Highlighted are two remarkable people; Able Seaman Moss Berryman the last member of the Operation Jaywick operatives and Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Samuel Stening, a HMAS Perth survivor and POW. Links to their remarkable stories are worthy of attention. Occasional Paper 91 provides detailed insight into strategic and operational level decisions concerning the employment of the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Navy’s China Fleet and South Atlantic Squadron in pursuit of the German East Asia Squadron during the early months of World War One. It is a story of bungled and poor strategic decision making on the part of the First Sea Lord and Admiralty. The consequences of this disjointed strategy, wasted time and not allowing Admiral Sir George Patey freedom of action in his flagship HMAS Australia, to pursue the German Squadron were significant. Occasional Paper 92 addresses the matter of the award of the first Royal Australian Navy Victoria Cross and other forms of recognition for Ordinary Seaman Edward “Teddy” Sheean.
    [Show full text]
  • Issue 48, December 2020
    From the President Welcome to this edition of Call the Hands, our last in the Society’s 50th anniversary year. It includes a variety of short articles which are connected through various themes including the RAN’s first ship, HMAS Parramatta (I) and her namesakes. Another connection is the shared anniversary of the Naval Association of Australia (NAA) celebrating its 100th anniversary. Accordingly, we acknowledge our many readers who are members of the NAA. Their service in the RAN (past and present) has contributed to the history of Australia’s great Navy. The Society’s close connection with Parramatta (I) stems from the not insignificant project to recover her bow and stern sections from a Hawksbury River mudflat. These sections are now prominently displayed in Sydney. Additional information about this fascinating project recently came to light and has been published in the December Naval Historical Review now being distributed to members. We also feature a recent NAA commemorative service for HMAS Parramatta (II) and recognition of the commissioning commanding officer of HMAS Parramatta (III), Rear Admiral Guy Griffiths RAN, Rtd. Many interesting and sometimes obscure naval stories remain untold. Occasional paper 97 is a good example. It is the story of a small party of sailors landed in Arnhem Land from HMAS Fremantle (I) in 1958 to observe Japanese pearl fishing operations. This story was shared by Eric Deshon with Australian National Maritime Museum’s oral history volunteers and published in the ANMM’s volunteer newsletter ‘All Hands’ in June 2018. Recording historic events on canvas has been a traditional art form which continues today.
    [Show full text]
  • 4 Convoy Presentation Final V1.1
    ALLIED CONVOY OPERATIONS IN THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC 1939-43 INTRODUCTION • History of Allied convoy operations IS the history of the Battle of the Atlantic • Scope of this effort: convoy operations along major transatlantic convoy routes • Detailed overview • Focus on role of Allied intelligence in the Battle of the Atlantic OUTLINE • Convoy Operations in the First Battle of the Atlantic, 1914-18 • Anglo-Canadian Convoy Operations, September 1939 – September 1941 • Enter The Americans: Allied Convoy Operations, September 1941 – Fall 1942 • The Allied Convoy System Fully Realized: Allied Convoy Operations, Fall 1942 – Summer 1943 THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC, 1914-18 • 1914-17: No convoy operations § All vessels sailed independently • Kaiserliche Marine use of U-boats primarily focused on starving Britain into submission § Prize rules • February 1915: “Unrestricted submarine warfare” § May 7, 1915 – RMS Lusitania u U-20 u 1,198 dead – 128 Americans • February 1917: unrestricted submarine warfare resumed § Directly led to US entry into WWI THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC, 1914-18 • Unrestricted submarine warfare initially very effective § 25% of all shipping bound for Britain in March 1917 lost to U-boat attack • Transatlantic convoys instituted in May 1917 § Dramatically cut Allied losses • Post-war, Dönitz conceptualizes Rudeltaktik as countermeasure to convoys ANGLO-CANADIAN CONVOY OPERATIONS, SEPTEMBER 1939 – SEPTEMBER 1941 GERMAN U-BOAT FORCE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR • On the outbreak of WWII, Hitler directed U-boat force
    [Show full text]
  • Issue 39, March 2020
    From the President Welcome to the March 2020 edition of Call the Hands. We hope you find the mix of contemporary and historic Australian naval stories of interest and provide feedback which is always appreciated. Accompanying this edition are two quite different occasional papers. The first (OP 73) on ships badges and mottos, like many of our stories, arose out of a research query on the correct spelling of a ships name. HMA Ships Shepparton and Ballarat being the focus of attention. The former has been spelt with both either one or two P’s and the latter with three or four A’s at different times. In the case of HMAS Ballarat, the ships motto and its link to the Eureka Flag (1854) are also examined. Occasional Paper 74 focuses on shipping (naval and support) in and around the Port of Darwin on 19 February 1942. It provides details of the damage and losses incurred by these vessels and provides an overview of other World War 2 heritage sites in the vicinity of Darwin. Now in the 75th year since the end of War in the Pacific we are reminded that the ranks of our World War 2 veterans are diminishing. Sadly, Vice Admiral David Leach, AC, CBE, LVO who joined the Navy in January 1942 is one of them. The Society acknowledges his service of 43 years and leadership of the RAN for three of those years. The publication of this issue coincides with the 78th anniversary of the loss of HMAS Yarra (2) on 4 March 1942.
    [Show full text]
  • Mediterranean to End of 1941
    CHAPTER 1 1 MEDITERRANEAN TO END OF 194 1 RITING after the war of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean W consequent on the loss of Crete, Admiral Cunningham said : The immediate repercussions were threefold. The supply and hence the safety of Malta were jeopardized ; attacks on the Libyan convoys were made very hazardous; and the route through the Mediterranean was virtually closed . The answer seemed clear. We had lost the northern flank and were unlikely to regain it . Therefore we must try and get the southern flank. If the army could reach, say, Derna, a good deal would have been done to ease the situation.) The British key points on this southern flank were Malta and Tobruk , each of which contributed to the enemy's difficulties in maintaining his communications in North Africa, while the nourishment of each impose d heavy burdens on the Mediterranean Fleet . Events were to show that British success or otherwise in dealing with the Axis sea supply line to North Africa varied in almost direct propor- tion to the naval and air strength that could be based on Malta . As was told in Chapter 7 it was possible to base surface forces there for a few weeks during April and May 1941 ; but these were withdrawn in Ma y to reinforce the fleet in the struggle for Crete, and thereafter surfac e forces were not again based on Malta until October 1941 . Attacks o n enemy convoys had to be left to submarines and aircraft, and for a time Malta had to rely for supplies, including petrol, on two minelaying sub - marines.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Defence Force Exercises
    Headline Results for 2002-03 Operational • Defence met the Government’s highest priority tasks through: − effectively contributing to the international coalition against terrorism and enforcing United Nations’ Security Council resolutions, contributing some 2,000 ADF personnel to the war in Iraq − providing support to the rehabilitation of Iraq after the cessation of formal hostilities in May 2003 − responding to the terrorist attacks in Bali on 12 October 2002 − planning for the major deployment under Operation Helpem Fren to assist the Solomon Islands Government in restoring law and order − handing over military operations in Bougainville from the Peace Monitoring Group to the civilian Bougainville Transitional Team − continuing to play a major role in assisting East Timor, including support to help train and develop the fledgling East Timor Defence Force − continuing to detect, intercept and deter vessels carrying unauthorised arrivals from entering Australia − supporting civil agencies in curbing illegal fishing in Australian waters • The ADF continued to perform an expanding range of tasks at a very high level of activity Further information can be found in Chapter Two Social • Community attitudes towards Defence: − 86 per cent of Australians said they were proud of the ADF − 79 per cent believed the Navy is effective, 83 per cent believed the Army is effective, and 81 per cent believed the Air Force is effective – a slight decrease from 2001-02 − 92 per cent considered the ADF is well trained – an increase of five per cent over 2001-02 • ADF recruiting: − Enlistments fell in comparison to 2001-02 figures, but remained above 2000-01 figures − Separation rates across all three Services fell in 2002-03 to a ten-year low − Army Reserve personnel numbers were down on 2001-02 figures, but up on 2000-01 figures • Intake of 206 graduate recruits was highest ever • In more than 400 communities throughout Australia, more than 26,000 young people are participating as Navy, Army or Air Force cadets.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Auction
    PPuubblliicc AAuuccttiioonn 228899 FFrriiddaayy,, 2200th JJuullyy 22001122 will be held on Level 3, Status International House, 262 Castlereagh Street, Sydney MEDALS & MILITARIA Lots 10001 – 12497, commencing at 12:00 noon Viewing at Status International premises: 262 Castlereagh Street, Sydney Monday - Wednesday 16th – 18th July 2011 9.00am – 4.45 pm Thursday 19th July 2011 9.00 am - 12:00 noon Friday 20th July 2011 9.00 am - 12.00 noon Limited viewing on Thursday & Friday (auction days), preference will be given to clients from outside Sydney. Proprietor: Militaria Describers: IT Administrator: Stewart Wright Paddy O’Brien Frank Zheng Ben Smith Business Manager: Stewart Wright Catalogue Production: Robert Morello Tseng Chiung-yao Office Administrator: Auctioneer: Despatch/Shipping: Sabine Wincote Mervyn Baily John Webber Carl Veen Status International : PO Box A2176, Sydney South, NSW 1235. AUSTRALIA : +61 (0)2 9267 4525 FAX: +61 (0)2 9267 6124 Email : [email protected] web: www.statusint.com The I S Wright Group I S Wright I S Wright I S Wright I S Wright Shop 23 Adelaide Arcade 208 Sturt St 241 Lonsdale St 262 Castlereagh St Rundle Mall BALLARAT MELBOURNE SYDNEY ADELAIDE, SA 5000 VIC 3350 VIC 3000 NSW 2000 Ph: 08 8223 7603 Ph: 03 5332 3856 Ph: 03 9650 2345 Ph: 02 9264 7555 Fax: 08 8223-2129 Fax: 03 5331-6426 Fax: 03 9654 8825 Fax: 02 9264 2656 Grant Morton Ben Smith David Carr Paddy O’Brien [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] IMPORTANT NOTICES ROOM BIDDERS: Please note the venue for this auction is Level 3, Status International House, 262 Castlereagh St, Sydney Most lots in this auction are sold on behalf of private vendors & as such are exempt from GST.
    [Show full text]
  • 17-3 NHS Review Sep 2017
    NAVAL HISTORICAL REVIEW Patron: Vice Admiral T.W. Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN Chief of Navy Volume 38 No. 3 – September 2017 Contents Page The Bosun’s Call ............................................................................................................. ii HMAS Platypus – a Submarine Naval Base ................................................................ 1 AK 121 - Aroetta ............................................................................................................. 4 ‘Mission to Kerguelen’ – An Australian Military Operation ................................... 9 The Australia—India Relationship – Part 1 .............................................................11 A Communications Mystery .......................................................................................16 The Spectacle Island Railway ......................................................................................20 The Sailors of Fromelles .............................................................................................23 Dubbo born Olympian in command of His Majesty’s Australian Squadron .....30 Outsourcing in the Australian Defence Forces .......................................................37 Book Club ......................................................................................................................42 Letters to the Editor ....................................................................................................45 Editor (and Bosun): Walter Burroughs Assistant (and Bosun’s Mate): Doris
    [Show full text]
  • Transcription of Ralph Goodwin's Diary, World War II, 1941-1942
    This work is licensed under Creative Commons http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/deed.en You may use this work for any Non-Commercial Use with attribution to Museum Victoria and the creator. 1941 Battle of Matapan Thursday: 27th of March Left Greece. Patrolling coast. Tomorrow may be the big day. Expect to run into Italian Fleet and Air Force. Our own Battle Fleet will be standing by with “Formidable.” Friday: 28th of March About 7.30 attacked by torpedo bombers. Approx half hour later we sighted 8 enemy cruisers. We were 4 six inch cruisers. The enemy 8-8” and 2-6”. We closed and they opened up with 8” at 32,000. We led them to what might have been our own Battle Fleet but the tables were turned and they led us to theirs. Dago battleship “Vittorio” opened up and we were trapped between two squadrons. We went full ahead and 8” as well as 15” were landing all around us. We were being straddled, as well as spray from the 15” covering our bridge. We made smoke screen. The Fleet Air Arm then attacked the enemy bombers allowing us to get out of their range. We then shadowed them until our Battle Fleet arrived. But they were still 60 miles away. We closed to 30,000 yards again and once more 15” guns sent their projies at us and we had to withdraw. A couple came between our after funnel and mainmast. “Orion” had her ensign shot away. We shadowed them again. The “Vittorio” had been damaged by our aircraft.
    [Show full text]
  • Hansard Style Guide
    COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA HANSARD STYLE GUIDE JUNE 2005 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................1 1.1 STYLE............................................................................................................................................................1 1.2 SPELLING.......................................................................................................................................................1 2. ABBREVIATIONS AND CONTRACTIONS ...............................................................................................3 2.1 ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................................3 2.2 AMPERSAND ..................................................................................................................................................3 2.3 AWARDS, GRADES, ORDERS AND TITLES ........................................................................................................3 2.4 CENTS............................................................................................................................................................3 2.5 COMPANY NAMES ..........................................................................................................................................4 2.6 CONTRACTIONS .............................................................................................................................................4
    [Show full text]
  • ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW 100 Celebrating Yearsof PRIDE in the FLEET
    ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW 100 Celebrating yearsOF PRIDE IN THE FLEET ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW 100 Celebrating yearsOF PRIDE IN THE FLEET www.bigskypublishing.com.au In conjunction with This book is dedicated to all the men and women of the Royal Australian Navy, and their families, for their selfless dedication to duty in the service of our nation. Contents Foreword Part Three: Today’s Fleet Part One: Royal Australian Navy 106 Adelaide class guided missile frigates 116 Anzac class frigates a Brief History 132 Armidale class patrol boats 9 The eginningsB 154 Minehunter, Coastal (MHC) 14 World War I 162 Landing Ship, Heavy (LSH) 20 The 1920s and 1930s 164 Landing Ship, Dock (LSD) 26 World War II 166 Landing Craft, Heavy (LCH) 36 The Korean War 170 Surveying Ship (AGS) 42 The arF East Strategic Reserve and Malayan Emergency 176 Surveying Ship, Coastal (AGSC) 44 Indonesian Confrontation 182 Afloat upportS Ships 49 Vietnam 186 Guided Missile Submarine, Diesel-Electric (SSG) 58 Middle East Operations 194 Fleet Air Arm 68 Operation Resolute 2006 – Ongoing 200 Clearance Diving Teams 71 Peacekeeping Part Four: International Fleet Review Part Two: Today’s Establishments 206 Tall ship entry: A reminder of the golden age of sail 80 Fleet Base East 213 Enter the warships 83 Fleet Base West 219 International Ceremonial Fleet Entry and Review 84 HMAS Albatross 225 Aviators thrill the crowd 86 HMAS Cairns 228 Chief of Navy’s official reception 88 HMAS Cerberus 230 Pyrotechnics Spectacular 90 HMAS Coonawarra
    [Show full text]
  • CALL the HANDS OCCASIONAL PAPER 3 Issue No.4 December 2016
    CALL THE HANDS OCCASIONAL PAPER 3 Issue No.4 December 2016 TOBRUK – THE LIFTING OF THE SEIGE December 9, 2016 is the 75th anniversary of the lifting of the siege of Tobruk, the port on the north coast of Libya, that proved such a thorn in Rommel’s side during the eight months that the siege lasted. The Australian War Memorial describes it as one of the longest sieges in British military history. Whenever the siege of Tobruk is remembered the Australian soldiers, who formed the greater part of the garrison for most of the time, are quite rightly afforded pride of place. However, the maintenance of the siege would not have been possible if it had not been for the Inshore Squadron, that curious fleet of ships and craft that kept the besieged garrison supplied with everything they needed to hold out for all that time. A fleet of ships ranging from former British India small liners, ex China Station gunboats, South African Navy armed whalers, Canadian minesweepers, tank landing craft, water and petrol carriers, bulk traders and even some sailing vessels like the ketch Zingarella and the captured schooner Maria Giovanni, supplemented quite often with fast minelayers, destroyers and frigates when these could be spared from other operations. Supplies were usually loaded in the Egyptian ports of Alexandria and Mersah Matruh and, because of lack of air cover, many passages in and out of Tobruk had to be done at night which meant that unloading and back- loading had to be done very quickly and this in a port which daily became more cluttered with vessels that had been sunk by enemy air attacks.
    [Show full text]