One of Australia’s finest ships

Once Australia’s pride, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia survived WWII and served until 1954.

During his command, CAPT Emile Dechaineux was mortally injured by a Japanese attack.

The great national icons of the modern times have always been the mighty fleet ships, which gave nations a sense of security and a focalpoint for national pride.

WWII would be the last stage for these mighty vessels to ply their trade in defence and attack when called upon.

It had only been 38 years since Federation and at the hub of Australian pride was the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia.

She was a majestic symbol of national dignity that all Australians could connect with.

HMAS Australia and the men who served and died on her during WW2 provided the ones at home with a shining light to be looked at during the dark days of war.

During the first year of WW2, HMAS Australia performed convoy duties, ensuring supplies to and from Cape Town SA completed the hazardous journey to Fremantle.

She gave protection to the merchant ships and sailors, and gave those ashore confidence that the vital supplies would always get through under her watchful eye.

HMAS Australia did her duty on convoys, and once relieved she was thrust into the war and found herself battling French cruisers off Dakar in early 1940 delivering punishing salvos and receiving her first scars of battle.

Australians on hearing about the battle and the victory enlisted in droves such was the effect on the people at home.

Possibly HMAS Australia’s finest moment was during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

As flagship of the support group patrolling the Jomard passage, the group was attacked by eight torpedo bombers. Australia led the escort group comprising of 15 ships, who made up the force to storm Gaudalcanal.

Australia successfully assisted the men to land on the beaches, and in direct support of those men and ships came under heavy continuous bombing.

The pacific was where Australia was to spend the rest of the war and introduced to the tactics of kamikaze planes.

While commanding HMAS Australia at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, Captain Emile Dechaineux was killed on October 21, 1944.

A Japanese dive-bomber crashed into the ship in a suicide attack. In spite of mortal wounds, he remained at his post.

A further six officers and 23 ratings were killed in that attack but the remaining crew endured and survived to fight on. HMAS Australia survived the war and served proudly until 1954.

HMAS Australia and CAPT Dechaineux live on in our modern Navy, with a Collins class submarine proudly named Dechaineux.

A plaque onboard the submarine displays the man and his ship.

Those who serve on her serve with courage and loyalty and honour and reflect on the sacrifice of the men who went before.

Lest we forget. Contributing Authors: CPO’s Tony Bailey, Mark Strawhan, Mal O’Neill and Steve Boyd Bibliography:

• Author unknown, [cited 18 May 04] Australian war memorial available on the internet http: //www.awm.gov.au/
• Author unknown, [cited 18 May 04] HMAS Australia II available on the internet http:// www.gunplot.net/

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Digging up the past

The security and protection of Sydney Harbour came to the fore in 1839 when several American warships slipped undetected into the Harbour overnight and were noticed only when the sun rose.

The event highlighted Sydney Harbour’s vulnerability to attacks.

In 1871, the Steele Point Battery was built, giving the harbour more protection and now for the first time members of the general public have had a glimpse into this significant site (see story below).

Director General of the Department of the Environment, Lisa Corbyn that the gun emplacements and tunnels at the Battery were filled in with sand during last century but were cleared out in 2003.

“Last year they were excavated by Defence, who will unlock their doors for a day of tours by the National Parks and Wildlife Service,” Ms Corbyn said.

She said many of Sydney Harbour’s fortifications including Fort Denison, Georges and Middle Heads, Bare Island Fort at Botany Bay, Steele Point at Vaucluse, Green Point between Watsons Bay and South Head, Bradley’s Head and South Head were now protected within Sydney Harbour National Park.

“The reservation of these areas for defence by the colonial Government has produced one of the most spectacular and people friendly harbours in the world,” Ms Corbyn said.

“It has also produced a rich history that is tied up in the story of Sydney itself.

“One of the first Royal Commissions in Australia was held into the construction of Bare Island and the Middle Head fortifications and ended in the disgrace and resignation of renowned colonial architect, James Barnet.

“Fort Denison was accidentally shelled by an American cruiser during the Japanese submarine attack in WWII.”

She said that in WWII, a searchlight installed at Steele Point was manned by women looking after the homefront.

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High responses to public tours

When the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) announced it would be running guided tours of the newly excavated Steele Point Battery at Nielsen Park it was prepared for an overwhelming response.

Nielsen Park ranger Robert Newton said the tours on May 1 attracted more than 160 people during the day resulting in extra tours being run to cope with the demand.

Due to the overwhelming demand, further tours of the Steele Point Battery were run on June 20.

Navy News readers interested in touring the site should contact (02) 9247 5033.

 

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