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The
HMAS Australia II commemoration service was held onboard
HMAS Westralia, with the frigate HMAS Anzac in the background.
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Malcolm
and Audrey De Valliere. Malcolm was an Able Seaman on
HMAS Westralia during World War and is the President
of the Westralia Association. Photos: LSPH Brad Fullerton
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The
Royal Australian Navy recently marked one of the most significant
maritime campaigns of World War II - the 60th anniversary
of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
The Commanding Officer, Captain Richard Menhinick, and the
ship’s company of HMAS Anzac, were joined by 19 Australian
World War II veterans taking part in the anniversary commemorations
for the campaign to liberate the Philippines.
On October 17, 1944, shore bombardments preceded the advance
force operations and landings in Leyte Gulf and resulted in
three naval battles between October 24–25.
A high proportion of the Navy’s major assets featured in an
operation crucial to re-taking the Philippines from Japan,
which began with an assault on the Leyte Gulf-Surigao Strait
area.
Under the command of the US Navy’s Vice Admiral Kinkaid, the
allied task force comprised 157 combat ships, 420 amphibious
ships and 84 patrol, minesweeping and hydrographic vessels.
A further 17 aircraft carriers, six battleships, 16 cruisers
and 56 destroyers were also tasked in support.
The Royal Australian Navy also weighed in with a considerable
force that featured the heavy cruisers HMA Ships Australia
and Shropshire; the destroyers Arunta and Warramunga; the
landing ships Westralia, Kanimbla and Manoora, the frigate
Gascoyne; and a motor launch.
A further four RAN service ships were part of the support
force. Six of the ships directly involved in the Leyte Gulf
operation are still represented by name in the RAN’s fleet
of 2004.
HMA Ships Anzac and Westralia took part in the commemoration
ceremonies. On shore there was a grand march by veterans,
a wreath laying ceremony and Anzac’s ships company joined
officers and sailors from the Philippines, United States,
Canada, France, Great Britain and Japan in a military parade.
HMAS Anzac, with the veterans (and two spouses) embarked,
left Tacloban Harbour in the Philippines on October 21 and
sailed to the site of the Japanese Kamikaze attack on HMAS
Australia II.
A memorial service was held at the site to commemorate the
100 Australians killed in action in the liberation of the
Philippines.
The ship then continueed on to Manila, where the veterans
disembarked.
