WARFARE OFFICERS CAREER HANDBOOK II Warfare Officers Career Handbook

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

WARFARE OFFICERS CAREER HANDBOOK II Warfare Officers Career Handbook WARFARE OFFICERS CAREER HANDBOOK II WARFARE OFFICERS CAREER HANDBooK Warfare O fficers C areer H andbook IV WARFARE OFFICERS CAREER HANDBooK Foreword The Warfare Officers Career Handbook provides information for members of the Royal Australian Navy’s Warfare community. For the purposes of this handbook, the Warfare community is deemed to include all officers of the Seaman, Pilot and Observer Primary Qualifications. The Warfare Officer Community symbiotically contains personnel from the seaman, Submarine, Aviation, Hydrographic and Meteorological, Mine Clearance Diving and Naval Communications and Intelligence groups. The Warfare Officers Career Handbook is a source document for Warfare Officers to consult as they progress through their careers. It is intended to inform and stimulate consideration of career issues and to provide a coherent guide that articulates Navy’s requirements and expectations. The book provides a summary of the Warfare branch specialisations and the sub-specialisations that are embedded within them, leading in due course to entry into the Charge Program and the Command opportunities that follow. The Warfare Officers Career Handbook also describes the historical derivation of current warfare streams to provide contemporary relevance and the cultural background within which maritime warfare duties are conducted. It discusses the national context in which Warfare Officers discharge their duties. Leadership and ethical matters are explored, as is the inter-relationship between personal attributes, values, leadership, performance and sense of purpose. There is no intention that this handbook replicate or replace extant policy and procedural guidelines. Rather, the handbook focuses on the enduring features of maritime warfare. Policy by its nature is transient. Therefore, as far as possible, the Warfare Officers Career Handbook deals with broad principles and not more narrowly defined policies that rightly belong in other documents. The preparation of the first edition of this Warfare Officers Career Handbook has coincided with a period of significant change within the Warfare community. Technology continues to evolve as do the threats the nation faces and the global dynamics within which Australia conducts its affairs. Personnel policy also develops consistent with contemporary requirements and attitudes. Each of these variables impacts on the Warfare community. Readers are therefore urged to use this book as background and to refer to extant policy and seek informed advice when considering career decisions, and to consult career managers for the latest information. T.N. Jones Commodore, RAN Chairman, Naval Warfare Advisory Council September 2006 VI WARFARE OFFICERS CAREER HANDBooK CoNTENTS Contents INTRODUCTION CHAPTER ONE The Role of Sea Power in the Defence of Australia CHAPTER TWO Role of the Warfare Officer CHAPTER THREE Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) Part 1 The PWO 31 Part 2 Above Water Warfare 38 Part 3 Surface Warfare 41 Part 4 Communication and Information Systems 44 Part 5 Navigation 49 Part 6 Amphibious Warfare 53 CHAPTER FOUR Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving CHAPTER FIVE Maritime Geospace Part 1 RAN Hydrographic, Meteorological and Oceanography Force Element Group 65 Part 2 Hydrography 66 Part 3 Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) 76 CHAPTER SIX Submarines THE RolE OF thE SEA PowER IN thE DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA VII CHAPTER SEVEN Naval Aviation CHAPTER EIGHT Intelligence CHAPTER NINE Sea Command and the Charge Program CHAPTER TEN Career Planning and Management CHAPTER ELEVEN Naval Values, Leadership and Ethics Part 1 Leadership 122 Part 2 Navy Values 136 Part 3 Ethics 138 APPENDIX ONE Ethics and Values Digest APPENDIX TWO Warfare Officers Maritime Tasks APPENDIX THREE Abbreviations APPENDIX FOUR Warfare Officer Badges APPENDIX FIVE Warfare Community Associations INTRODUCTION Introduction The Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the Creation of the RAN naval force of a medium power, island nation with no continental land borders The Australian Navy was created on 1 and one of the largest areas of maritime March 1901 when, after Federation, the jurisdiction of any nation. The RAN’s states transferred all their naval and cultural and material origins stem from military forces to the Federal Government. the Royal Navy (RN). For example, the By this time the ships inherited by the RAN employed Queen’s Regulations and new Commonwealth Naval Forces (CNF) Admiralty Instructions as its primary were for the most part obsolete and run procedural manual until the mid 1960s. down. Despite the concerns of local naval Its political origins follow from Australia’s authorities over the growth of foreign obligation to contribute to and, in due naval power in the Pacific, there was course, assume responsibility for, its own initially little prospect for improvements defence following Federation. to the CNF while successive British naval commanders continued to reassure local Imperial Defence authorities that the RN would provide for Australia’s maritime protection. From European settlement in 1788 until The RN, however, faced a growing 1859, Australia depended for naval number of challenges to its global naval defence on units detached from the RN supremacy. These could not for long based in Sydney. In 1859, Australia was be ignored and at the 1909 Imperial established as a separate British Naval Conference, the Admiralty supported Station and until 1913, a squadron of the a more substantial Australian naval RN was maintained in Australian waters. contribution and advocated that the CNF Notwithstanding the RN’s presence in be expanded into a modern, balanced Sydney, several colonies took steps to naval force. This force was to be centred provide for their own local maritime on a battle cruiser, with cruisers, defence under the provisions of the destroyers, submarines and a number of Colonial Naval Defence Act of 1865. Under auxiliaries in support. On 10 July, 1911, these provisions, the colonies of Victoria, His Majesty King George V was pleased to New South Wales, Queensland, South grant the title of ‘Royal Australian Navy’ Australia and Tasmania all acquired small to the CNF. numbers of naval vessels and raised local forces to man them. WARFARE OFFICERS CAREER HANDBooK On 4 October, 1913, formal control of Following this operation the Navy began the Australia Station passed to the the vital role of convoy protection, Commonwealth Naval Board, ending escorting the first of the ANZAC convoys direct Imperial control. During the same to the Middle East. While escorting a period the Royal Australian Naval College convoy the light cruiser HMAS Sydney (RANC) for the training of officers opened was detached to investigate the sighting at Osbourne House in Geelong, relocating of a suspicious warship off the Cocos- to Jervis Bay in 1915. Keeling Island group that was later identified as the German light cruiser World War I Emden. Emden was duly engaged and destroyed. At the outbreak of hostilities in August, 1914, the Australian Fleet comprised The RAN was also actively engaged in a battle cruiser, three light cruisers, supporting the Gallipoli campaign. The three destroyers, two submarines and Australian submarine AE2 was the first numerous support and ancillary craft. Allied unit to successfully penetrate the The ships and men of the RAN operated Dardanelles where she attacked shipping as an integral part of the RN. The total in the Sea of Marmara, until she was number serving in the Permanent Naval eventually lost after an action against the Forces at the outbreak of hostilities was Turkish Navy. On the Gallipoli Peninsular 3,800 all ranks. At the close of hostilities the RAN Bridging Train also provided 5,263 personnel were serving whilst the vital engineering support to the troops Reserves provided a further 76 officers ashore and its members were among the and 2,380 sailors for home service and last Australians to leave the Peninsular. 51 officers and 1775 sailors for service Australian ships also served in other overseas. naval operational areas, including the The RAN’s initial task during WWI was African coast, the Indian, Pacific and to protect Australia’s ports, shipping Atlantic Oceans and the North and and trade routes from the German East Mediterranean Seas. Asia Squadron. In securing the maritime frontiers the RAN took part in the first Between WW I and WW II amphibious assault of the war when it Following the cessation of hostilities played a leading role in the capture of in November, 1918, a period of global the German colonies in the Pacific. The naval retrenchment and negotiated success of this operation was, however, disarmament began, culminating in the marred by the disappearance of the Washington Treaty of 1922 that brought submarine AE1 that was lost with all drastic changes to naval planning. hands in unknown circumstances. INTRODUCTION Under the terms of this treaty the battle were themselves not new but later cruiser Australia was scuttled off Sydney became famous during World War II as Heads in 1924. the ‘Scrap Iron Flotilla’. Three Modified Leander Class 6 inch cruisers were also In this same year Australia ordered acquired. The first, HMAS Sydney (II), was two 10,000 ton cruisers and two commissioned into the RAN in 1935, with modern submarines. The two cruisers Hobart and Perth being commissioned in commissioned as Australia and Canberra 1938 and 1939 respectively. in 1928. In the following year the submarines Oxley and Otway were The technical, organisational and
Recommended publications
  • This for Rememberance 4 Th Anks to a Number of Readers Some More Information Has Come to Light Regarding the Australians at Jutland
    ISSUE 137 SEPTEMBER 2010 Th is for Rememberance Fuel for Th ought: Nuclear Propulsion and the RAN Re-Introducing Spirituality to Character Training in the Royal Australian Navy Navy Aircrew Remediation Training People, Performance & Professionalism: How Navy’s Signature Behaviours will manage a ‘New Generation’ of Sailors Management of Executive Offi cers on Armidale Class Patrol Boats Th e very name of the Canadian Navy is under question... A brief look at Submarines before Oberon Amphibious Warfare – Th e Rising Tide (And Beyond…) Studies in Trait Leadership in the Royal Australian Navy – Vice Admiral Sir William Creswell JOURNAL OF THE 137 SEPT 2010.indd 1 21/07/10 11:33 AM Trusted Partner Depth of expertise Proudly the leading mission systems integrator for the Royal Australia Navy, Raytheon Australia draws on a 1300 strong Australian workforce and the proven record of delivering systems integration for the Collins Class submarine, Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer and special mission aircraft. Raytheon Australia is focused on the needs of the Australian Defence Force and has the backing of Raytheon Company — one of the most innovative, high technology companies in the world — to provide NoDoubt® confi dence to achieve our customer’s mission success. www.raytheon.com.au © 2009 Raytheon Australia. All rights reserved. “Customer Success Is Our Mission” is a registered trademark of Raytheon Company. Image: Eye in the Sky 137Collins SEPT Oct09 2010.indd A4.indd 12 21/10/200921/07/10 10:14:55 11:33 AM AM Issue 137 3 Letter to the Editor Contents Trusted Partner “The Australians At Jutland” This for Rememberance 4 Th anks to a number of readers some more information has come to light regarding the Australians at Jutland.
    [Show full text]
  • CONVOYS WHARF Prince Street London
    CONVOYS WHARF Prince Street London SE8 London Borough of Lewisham Evaluation report April 2010 CONVOYS WHARF Prince Street London SE8 London Borough of Lewisham Evaluation report Site Code: CVF10 National Grid Reference: 537000 178200 Project Manager Robin Nielsen Author Antony Francis Graphics JuanJose Fuldain Judit Peresztegi Maggi Cox Louise Davies Museum of London Archaeology © Museum of London 2010 Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED tel 020 7410 2200 fax 020 7410 2201 [email protected] www.musemoflondonarchaeology.org.uk CVF10 Evaluation report MOLA Summary (non-technical) This report presents the results of an archaeological evaluation carried out by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) on the site of Convoys Wharf, Deptford London. The report was commissioned from MOLA by Convoys Investment S.A.R.L.. Following the recommendations of the archaeological consultant CgMs in consultation with the London Borough of Lewisham and English Heritage, 52 evaluation trenches were excavated. Boreholes and trial pits excavated by a geotechnical contractor were also monitored. The results of the field evaluation have helped to refine the initial assessment of the archaeological potential of the site. Three main areas have been identified as particularly important: the area of the Great Dock near the east boundary of the site; the footprint of the Grade II listed Olympia building where the evaluation demonstrated that stone slipways survive; and the area of the early 16th century Tudor storehouse, a scheduled ancient monument. Other structures identified during the evaluation included: the large mast pond and the small mast pond in the west of the site; the dockyard basin; multiphase buildings; the remains of the 18th century dockyard wall; and other slipways.
    [Show full text]
  • Residential Update
    Residential update UK Residential Research | January 2018 South East London has benefitted from a significant facelift in recent years. A number of regeneration projects, including the redevelopment of ex-council estates, has not only transformed the local area, but has attracted in other developers. More affordable pricing compared with many other locations in London has also played its part. The prospects for South East London are bright, with plenty of residential developments raising the bar even further whilst also providing a more diverse choice for residents. Regeneration catalyst Pricing attraction Facelift boosts outlook South East London is a hive of residential Pricing has been critical in the residential The outlook for South East London is development activity. Almost 5,000 revolution in South East London. also bright. new private residential units are under Indeed pricing is so competitive relative While several of the major regeneration construction. There are also over 29,000 to many other parts of the capital, projects are completed or nearly private units in the planning pipeline or especially compared with north of the river, completed there are still others to come. unbuilt in existing developments, making it has meant that the residential product For example, Convoys Wharf has the it one of London’s most active residential developed has appealed to both residents potential to deliver around 3,500 homes development regions. within the area as well as people from and British Land plan to develop a similar Large regeneration projects are playing further afield. number at Canada Water. a key role in the delivery of much needed The competitively-priced Lewisham is But given the facelift that has already housing but are also vital in the uprating a prime example of where people have taken place and the enhanced perception and gentrification of many parts of moved within South East London to a more of South East London as a desirable and South East London.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Military and Veterans' Health
    Volume 16 Number 1 October 2007 Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health Deployment Health Surveillance Australian Defence Force Personnel Rehabilitation Blast Lung Injury and Lung Assist Devices Shell Shock The Journal of the Australian Military Medicine Association Every emergency is unique System solutions for Emergency, Transport and Disaster Medicine Different types of emergencies demand adaptable tools and support. We focus on providing innovative products developed with the user in mind. The result is a range of products that are tough, perfectly coordinated with each other and adaptable for every rescue operation. Weinmann (Australia) Pty. Ltd. – Melbourne T: +61-(0)3-95 43 91 97 E: [email protected] www.weinmann.de Weinmann (New Zealand) Ltd. – New Plymouth T: +64-(0)6-7 59 22 10 E: [email protected] www.weinmann.de Emergency_A4_4c_EN.indd 1 06.08.2007 9:29:06 Uhr Table of contents Editorial Inside this edition . 3 President’s message . 4 Editor’s message . 5 Commentary Initiating an Australian Deployment Health Surveillance Program . 6 Myers – The dawn of a new era . 8 Original Articles The Australian Defence Deployment Health Surveillance Program – InterFET Pilot Project . 9 Review Articles Rehabilitation of injured or ill ADF Members . 14 What is the effectiveness of lung assist devices in blast injury: A literature review . .17 Short Communications Unusual Poisons: Socrates’ Curse . 25 Reprinted Articles A contribution to the study of shell shock . 27 Every emergency is unique Operation Sumatra Assist Two . 32 System solutions for Emergency, Transport and Disaster Medicine Biography Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Lockwood . 35 Different types of emergencies demand adaptable tools and support.
    [Show full text]
  • The History of the North Beach Sub-Branch 1945 – 1991
    HISTORY OF NORTH BEACH SUB-BRANCH WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1945 to 1991 Original Edition was Edited by Joe W. HARRIS and Compiled by Ron E. TOMLINSON This Edition of The History of the North Beach Sub-Branch of RSLWA 1945 to 1991 has not altered, or added to, that originally published. No attempt has been made to edit the content, as it reflects original input and recollections of the members of the Sub-Branch. It has however been reformatted to provide the Sub-Branch with a digital copy in a form that can be distributed to members or added to should the Sub-Branch choose. Brian Jennings Member North Beach Sub-Branch RSLWA July 2020 © North Beach Sub-Branch of the RSLWA 2020 2 PREFACE This history makes no pretence of being founded on actual records until early 1962, as all minutes of meetings from the foundation date were burnt in a fire that destroyed the then Secretary's shed. It has been compiled up to that time from the memory of early members. In most cases over 45 years have elapsed since the members joined the Sub-Branch and many are 75 years old and over. You will therefore appreciate their difficulty in recalling names and dates accurately. Over the last five years I have been urged by the long -term members to put together this History but have lacked the facilities and the know how to complete the task. When Joe Harris joined the Sub-Branch and later published a book to enlighten his family on his service in the Army, I approached him to assist the Sub-Branch with the use of his computer, to produce this History.
    [Show full text]
  • The Vietnam War an Australian Perspective
    THE VIETNAM WAR AN AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE [Compiled from records and historical articles by R Freshfield] Introduction What is referred to as the Vietnam War began for the US in the early 1950s when it deployed military advisors to support South Vietnam forces. Australian advisors joined the war in 1962. South Korea, New Zealand, The Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand also sent troops. The war ended for Australian forces on 11 January 1973, in a proclamation by Governor General Sir Paul Hasluck. 12 days before the Paris Peace Accord was signed, although it was another 2 years later in May 1975, that North Vietnam troops overran Saigon, (Now Ho Chi Minh City), and declared victory. But this was only the most recent chapter of an era spanning many decades, indeed centuries, of conflict in the region now known as Vietnam. This story begins during the Second World War when the Japanese invaded Vietnam, then a colony of France. 1. French Indochina – Vietnam Prior to WW2, Vietnam was part of the colony of French Indochina that included Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Vietnam was divided into the 3 governances of Tonkin, Annam, and Cochinchina. (See Map1). In 1940, the Japanese military invaded Vietnam and took control from the Vichy-French government stationing some 30,000 troops securing ports and airfields. Vietnam became one of the main staging areas for Japanese military operations in South East Asia for the next five years. During WW2 a movement for a national liberation of Vietnam from both the French and the Japanese developed in amongst Vietnamese exiles in southern China.
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of the Loss of HMAS SYDNEY
    An analysis of the loss of HMAS SYDNEY By David Kennedy The 6,830-ton modified Leander class cruiser HMAS SYDNEY THE MAIN STORY The sinking of cruiser HMAS SYDNEY by disguised German raider KORMORAN, and the delayed search for all 645 crew who perished 70 years ago, can be attributed directly to the personal control by British wartime leader Winston Churchill of top-secret Enigma intelligence decodes and his individual power. As First Lord of the Admiralty, then Prime Minster, Churchill had been denying top secret intelligence information to commanders at sea, and excluding Australian prime ministers from knowledge of Ultra decodes of German Enigma signals long before SYDNEY II was sunk by KORMORAN, disguised as the Dutch STRAAT MALAKKA, off north-Western Australia on November 19, 1941. Ongoing research also reveals that a wide, hands-on, operation led secretly from London in late 1941, accounted for the ignorance, confusion, slow reactions in Australia and a delayed search for survivors . in stark contrast to Churchill's direct part in the destruction by SYDNEY I of the German cruiser EMDEN 25 years before. Churchill was at the helm of one of his special operations, to sweep from the oceans disguised German raiders, their supply ships, and also blockade runners bound for Germany from Japan, when SYDNEY II was lost only 19 days before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Southeast Asia. Covering up of a blunder, or a punitive example to the new and distrusted Labor government of John Curtin gone terribly wrong because of a covert German weapon, can explain stern and brief official statements at the time and whitewashes now, with Germany and Japan solidly within Western alliances.
    [Show full text]
  • No. 32 Department of Defence
    Defence Submission to the Standing Committee on State Development Inquiry into Defence Industry in New South Wales Summary 1. Defence welcomes the New South Wales (NSW) Government’s and Parliament’s interest in strengthening local defence industry to support Australia’s defence and national security. With the release of the 2016 Defence White Paper, Integrated Investment Program, and Defence Industry Policy Statement on 25 February 2016 and the Naval Shipbuilding Plan on 16 May 2017, there is clear direction to implement a major renewal of Defence capability and with it a strengthening of Australia’s defence industry. The scale and long-term nature of Defence’s requirements, including in areas such as the continuous naval shipbuilding programs, require a national approach and partnership between Defence and State and Territory Governments. 2. Australia’s industrial base is a fundamental enabler of Australia’s military capabilities, and an integral element of the nation’s defence. Defence welcomes the announcement of the NSW Government’s Defence and Industry Strategy – Strong, Smart and Connected and the establishment of Defence NSW. Defence also welcomes increasing collaboration between NSW and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in the defence sector. 3. Through new and expanded policies and programs, Defence is supporting Australia’s defence industry to develop the right technology, skills and capabilities to meet Defence’s current and future needs. There are considerable opportunities for local defence industry to contribute to Defence, with accompanying economic and community benefits. Ensuring that NSW businesses are aware of the opportunities and can leverage the support available from Defence and the broader Commonwealth is an important objective for collaboration between Defence, the NSW Government, and NSW industry.
    [Show full text]
  • The British Commonwealth and Allied Naval Forces' Operation with the Anti
    THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND ALLIED NAVAL FORCES’ OPERATION WITH THE ANTI-COMMUNIST GUERRILLAS IN THE KOREAN WAR: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE OPERATION ON THE WEST COAST By INSEUNG KIM A dissertation submitted to The University of Birmingham For the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of History and Cultures College of Arts and Law The University of Birmingham May 2018 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT This thesis examines the British Commonwealth and Allied Naval forces operation on the west coast during the final two and a half years of the Korean War, particularly focused on their co- operation with the anti-Communist guerrillas. The purpose of this study is to present a more realistic picture of the United Nations (UN) naval forces operation in the west, which has been largely neglected, by analysing their activities in relation to the large number of irregular forces. This thesis shows that, even though it was often difficult and frustrating, working with the irregular groups was both strategically and operationally essential to the conduct of the war, and this naval-guerrilla relationship was of major importance during the latter part of the naval campaign.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Update: August 2018
    Australian Update: August 2018 Dr. Robbin Laird, Research Fellow, Williams Foundation, Canberra THE AUSTRALIAN NEW SUBMARINE PROGRAM: CLEARLY A WORK IN PROGRESS 3 AUSTRALIA BROADENS ITS MILITARY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SHIPBUILDING DEALS 7 THE COMMANDER OF THE RAAF AIR WARFARE CENTRE, AIR COMMODORE “JOE” IERVASI 10 THE AUSTRALIANS SHAPE THEIR WAY AHEAD ON ASW: THE KEY ROLE OF THE P-8 13 FLEET BASE EAST: A KEY ELEMENT IN THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY’S OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES 16 THE AEGIS GLOBAL ENTERPRISE: THE AUSTRALIAN CASE 21 APPENDIX: THE AIR WARFARE DESTROYER ALLIANCE 23 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOBART CLASS DESTROYERS 24 THE HOBART CLASS – DIFFERENCES FROM THE F100 CLASS 25 DR. BEN GREENE, ELECTRICAL OPTICAL SYSTEMS 26 APPENDIX 30 PITCH BLACK 2018: RAAF PERSPECTIVES 31 THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY AND INTEGRATED AIR DEFENSE 34 APPENDIX: 35 LOOKING BACK AT RIMPAC 2018: THE PERSPECTIVE OF AIR COMMODORE CRAIG HEAP 36 SHAPING ENHANCED SOVEREIGN OPTIONS: LEVERAGING THE INTEGRATED FORCE BUILDING PROCESS 40 THE DEFENSE OF AUSTRALIA: LOOKING BACK AND LEANING FORWARD 43 2 The Australian New Submarine Program: Clearly A Work in Progress 8/19/18 Canberra, Australia During my current visit to Australia, I have been able to follow up the discussions with the Chief of Navy over the past three years with regard to shipbuilding and shaping a way ahead for the Royal Australian Navy. During this visit I had a chance to visit the Osborne shipyards and get an update on Collins class and enhanced availability as well as to get a briefing and discussion with senior Australian officials involved in shaping the new build submarine program.
    [Show full text]
  • 37845R CS3 Book Hatfield's Diaries.Indd
    “H.M.A.S. PERTH” 1939 -1941 From the diaries of P.O. George Hatfield Published in Sydney Australia in 2009 Publishing layout and Cover Design by George Hatfield Jnr. Printed by Springwood Printing Co. Faulconbridge NSW 2776 1 2 Foreword Of all the ships that have flown the ensign of the Royal Australian Navy, there has never been one quite like the first HMAS Perth, a cruiser of the Second World War. In her short life of just less than three years as an Australian warship she sailed all the world’s great oceans, from the icy wastes of the North Atlantic to the steamy heat of the Indian Ocean and the far blue horizons of the Pacific. She survived a hurricane in the Caribbean and months of Italian and German bombing in the Mediterranean. One bomb hit her and nearly sank her. She fought the Italians at the Battle of Matapan in March, 1941, which was the last great fleet action of the British Royal Navy, and she was present in June that year off Syria when the three Australian services - Army, RAN and RAAF - fought together for the first time. Eventually, she was sunk in a heroic battle against an overwhelming Japanese force in the Java Sea off Indonesia in 1942. Fast and powerful and modern for her times, Perth was a light cruiser of some 7,000 tonnes, with a main armament of eight 6- inch guns, and a top speed of about 34 knots. She had a crew of about 650 men, give or take, most of them young men in their twenties.
    [Show full text]
  • RAN Ships Lost
    CALL THE HANDS OCCASIONAL PAPER 6 Issue No. 6 March 2017 Royal Australian Navy Ships Honour Roll Given the 75th anniversary commemoration events taking place around Australia and overseas in 2017 to honour ships lost in the RAN’s darkest year, 1942 it is timely to reproduce the full list of Royal Australian Navy vessels lost since 1914. The table below was prepared by the Directorate of Strategic and Historical Studies in the RAN’s Sea Power Centre, Canberra lists 31 vessels lost along with a total of 1,736 lives. Vessel (* Denotes Date sunk Casualties Location Comments NAP/CPB ship taken up (Ships lost from trade. Only with ships appearing casualties on the Navy Lists highlighted) as commissioned vessels are included.) HMA Submarine 14-Sep-14 35 Vicinity of Disappeared following a patrol near AE1 Blanche Bay, Cape Gazelle, New Guinea. Thought New Guinea to have struck a coral reef near the mouth of Blanche Bay while submerged. HMA Submarine 30-Apr-15 0 Sea of Scuttled after action against Turkish AE2 Marmara, torpedo boat. All crew became POWs, Turkey four died in captivity. Wreck located in June 1998. HMAS Goorangai* 20-Nov-40 24 Port Phillip Collided with MV Duntroon. No Bay survivors. HMAS Waterhen 30-Jun-41 0 Off Sollum, Damaged by German aircraft 29 June Egypt 1941. Sank early the next morning. HMAS Sydney (II) 19-Nov-41 645 207 km from Sunk with all hands following action Steep Point against HSK Kormoran. Located 16- WA, Indian Mar-08. Ocean HMAS Parramatta 27-Nov-41 138 Approximately Sunk by German submarine.
    [Show full text]