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Career information

Transferred to the Emergency List on 24 May 1954.

Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (D 47)

1 Sep 1939
At the Garden Island Naval Base, HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) is commissioned from Care & Maintenance with a complement of 23 officers and 279 ratings.

At the moment the ship is undergoing refit. Over the coming days further crew was to join the ship. (1)

15 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted trials off Sydney. (1)

22 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises in Port Philip. (1)

25 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises in Port Philip. These included gunnery exercises. (1)

28 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises in Port Philip. These included gunnery exercises. (1)

30 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Melbourne for ' Operation OY 1 ' and subsequent passage to Sydney.

[For more information see the event ' Operation OY 1 ' for 1 October 1939.] (1)

2 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney. (2)

11 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney on completion of which she commenced patrol to the eastward of Port Jackson. (2)

12 Oct 1939
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Jervis Bay from patrol. While en-route a full power trial had been carried out.

She departed to return to Sydney later the same day. (2)

13 Oct 1939
HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney before they entered harbour. (2)

19 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney on completion of which she commenced patrol between Sydney and Newcastle. (2)

20 Oct 1939
HMAS Canberra (Commodore W.R. Patterson, CVO, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney. (2)

24 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney on completion of which both proceeded on patrol.

HMAS Australia arrived in Port Philip from patrol on 26 October and HMAS Adelaide returned to Sydney on the same day. (3)

2 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 2/3 November 1939, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney. (4)

8 Nov 1939
During 8/9 November 1939, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney.

On completion of the exercises late afternoon of the 9th, HMAS Canberra and HMAS Australia returned to Sydney while HMAS Adelaide set course for Brisbane. (5)

11 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Brisbane. (6)

13 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Brisbane for Sydney. (6)

15 Nov 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Brisbane. (6)

17 Nov 1939
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney to make rendezvous with HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) coming from Jervis Bay. Sheduled exercises however had to be cancelled due to the bad weather conditions and all ship entered Sydney harbour around 1200K/17 instead. (5)

20 Nov 1939
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney.

On completion of the exercises in the evening, HMAS Canberra and HMAS Australia set course for Melbourne while HMAS Adelaide remained on patrol off Sydney returning to harbour the following morning. (5)

23 Nov 1939
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) is taken in hand for a short refit at the Garden Island Naval base at Sydney. (6)

3 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) completed her short refit at Sydney. (7)

6 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney. On completion of the exercises course was set for Fremantle. (7)

13 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700H/13, HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from Sydney. (7)

18 Dec 1939
Around 1130H/18, HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney for exercises. On completion of these exercises she proceeded on patrol.

The liner Strathallan (British, 23722 GRT, built 1938) was given cover from 0600H/19 to 1500H/20. (7)

21 Dec 1939
Around 0505H/21, HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) anchored in Gage Roads on her return from patrol.

Around 1430H/21, she weighed anchor and proceeded on exercises near Rottnest Island. She anchored near Rottnest island around 2130H/21 on completion of these exercises. (7)

22 Dec 1939
Around 0930H/22, HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) weighed anchor and proceeded for gunnery exercises. She entered Fremantle harbour around 1200H/22. (7)

28 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. On completion of these exercises she anchored off Rottnest Island. (7)

30 Dec 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Cdr. H.A. Showers, RAN) returned to Fremantle harbour after having fuelled in Gage Roads from the Australian Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Kurumba (3798 GRT, built 1916). (7)

5 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0500H/5, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle for patrol. Before proceeding on patrol though, exercises were carried out.

Around 2100H/5, she commenced to patrol in approximate position 30°30'S, 114°00'E.

Around 2030H/6, patrol was discontinued and course was set to return to Fremantle where she arrived around 1340H/7 having first fuelled from the Australian Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Kurumba (3798 GRT, built 1916). (8)

17 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0530H/17, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle to patrol in the approaches to that port.

Around 2230H/17 she ceased patrol and proceeded to make rendezvous with convoy US 1.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 1 ' for 6 January 1940.] (8)

18 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600H/18, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) anchored in Gage Roads. (8)

19 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0825H/19, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Gage Roads, Fremantle for Melbourne after having fuelled from the Australian Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Kurumba (3798 GRT, built 1916) earlier that morning. (8)

24 Jan 1940
Around 1400K/24, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Williamstown from Fremantle. (8)

25 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) proceeded from Williamstown to Port Melbourne. (8)

27 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises in Port Phillip on completion of which course was set for Sydney. (8)

29 Jan 1940
Around 0555H/29, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Melbourne. (8)

30 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (8)

1 Feb 1940
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) reverted to 48 hours notice for steam and commenced a short refit at the Garden Island Naval base at Sydney. (9)

12 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) reverted to 4 hours notice for steam as her short refit is nearing completion. (9)

16 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) completed her refit at Sydney. (9)

19 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is docked in the Sutherland Dry Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. (9)

21 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is undocked. (9)

23 Feb 1940
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN), HMAS Manoora (Cdr. A.H. Spurgeon, RAN) and HMAS Westralia (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN) departed Sydney for exercises.

HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) also departed Sydney for trials and then to join the exercises. She carried out a full power trial during which a speed of 24.8 knots reached.

On completion of the exercises HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Westralia set course for Melbourne while HMAS Australia set course for Brisbane.

HMAS Canberra and HMAS Manoora returned to Sydney. (10)

24 Feb 1940
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Williamstown. She proceeded up river to Port Melbourne later the same day. (9)

27 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises in Port Phillip. (9)

28 Feb 1940
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Williamstown for Sydney. (9)

1 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN), HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and HMAS Manoora (Cdr. A.H. Spurgeon, RAN) conducted exercises off Jervis Bay. On completion of the exercises they all proceeded to Sydney arriving there later the same day. (11)

4 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), with Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN, on board conducted exercises off Sydney.

On completion of the exercises she returned to Sydney where the Rear-Admiral was landed. HMAS Adelaide then departed Sydney for Jervis Bay where she arrived early in the evening. (12)

5 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400K/5, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) and HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) departed Sydney for exercises.

Around 1540K/5, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Jervis Bay to join the heavy cruiser for exercises.

Exercises were commenced around 2000K/5. They were completed three hours later. HMAS Canberra then set course for Melbourne via Westernport, HMAS Australia set course to return to Sydney and HMAS Adelaide set course to return to Jervis Bay. (11)

6 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0035K/6, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) anchored in Jervis Bay.

During the 6th she got underway twice for exercises inside the bay. (12)

8 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0850K/8, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Jervis Bay for Sydney where she arrived around 1715K/8. (12)

12 Mar 1940
HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN), HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and HMAS Swan (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Prevost, RN) departed Sydney for exercises with HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) which was coming north from Melbourne.

On completion of the exercises, all ships entered Sydney harbour in the morning of 13 March 1940. (11)

13 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (12)

18 Mar 1940
During 18/19 March 1940, HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN), HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney. On completion of the exercises the heavy cruisers returned to Sydney while HMAS Adelaide set course for Westernport. (11)

21 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1650K/21, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) anchored off Hann's Inlet, Westernport. (12)

22 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0905K/22, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) weighed anchor and set course for Port Melbourne via Williamstown.

She arrived at Williamtown around 1510K/22 to fuel. Around 1935K/22 she proceeded up river to Port Melbourne. (12)

26 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900K/26, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Port Melbourne for gunnery exercises in Westernport.

On completion of the exercises she anchored off off Hann's Inlet, Westernport around 1655K/26. (12)

27 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises in Westernport. (12)

28 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises in Westernport. (12)

29 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800K/29, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Westernport for Sydney. (12)

31 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0825K/31, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Westernport. (12)

3 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Canberra (Capt. W.R. Patterson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN), HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN), HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney. On completion of the exercises HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide returned to Sydney while HMAS Australia set course for Melbourne. (13)

10 Apr 1940
Around 1330K/10, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. H.T. Baillie-Grohman, OBE, DSO, RN) and the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney for Melbourne. (14)

12 Apr 1940
Around 1730K/12, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. H.T. Baillie-Grohman, OBE, DSO, RN) and the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Port Melbourne from Sydney. (14)

26 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle on completion of which she anchored off Rottnest Island she returned to Fremantle harbour the following morning. (15)

29 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle harbour and then anchored off Rottnest Island. (15)

2 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 2/3 May 1940, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), conducted exercises off Fremantle. (16)

9 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800H/9, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle harbour. A little over an hour later she anchored off Rottnest Island.

Around 1600H/9, she departed to make rendezvous with convoy US 3.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 3 ' for 1 May 1940.] (16)

10 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Fremantle with convoy US 3. (16)

14 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0815H/14, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle harbour. She anchored off Rottnest Island around 0940H/14. (16)

16 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600H/16, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) returned to Fremantle harbour. (16)

24 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. (16)

27 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle. On completion of the exercises course was set for Albany. (16)

28 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Albany. (16)

29 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700H/29, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Albany to make rendezvous with the troopship Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937).

Rendezvous was affected around 1055H/30. (16)

31 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830H/31, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the troopship Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) arrived at Fremantle.

They departed again around 1800H/31. (16)

2 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800G/2, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) parted company Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) in position 24°41'S, 101°32'E and set course to return to Fremantle. (17)

3 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1930H/3, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) intercepted a signal from the Italian passenger ship Remo (9780 GRT, built 1926) that she would arrive at Fremantle on 5 June. It was decided to intercept and shadow this ship. The Italian ship was eventually sighted at 0220H/5 proceeding to Fremantle where it arrived around 0730H/5.

HMAS Adelaide entered Fremantle harbour an hour later. (17)

11 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
An armed guard from HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) seized the Italian passenger ship Remo (9780 GRT, built 1926) at Fremantle after war with Italy had been declared. (17)

14 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle on completion of which course was set for Geralton. (17)

15 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Geralton from Fremantle. (17)

16 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Geralton for Fremantle. (17)

17 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Fremantle from Geraldton. (17)

20 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (17)

21 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (17)

27 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Fremantle on completion of which she proceeded on patrol. (17)

28 Jun 1940
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) made rendezvous with HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) which was escorting the troopship Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935).

HMAS Adelaide then took over the escort and escorted the troopship into Fremantle harbour while HMAS Canberra commenced gunnery exercises on a towed target.

After HMAS Canberra had completed her gunnery exercises on the towed target and proceeded into Fremantle harbour around 1400H/28, HMAS Adelaide went out again for her turn of gunnery exercises with the towed target. She returned to Fremantle the following morning. (18)

29 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600H/29, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the transport Ulysses (British, 14647 GRT, built 1913).

HMAS Adelaide anchored in Gage Roads around 1130H/29, not having made rendezvous with the transport which was apparently delayed. (17)

30 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1335H/30, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) again departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the transport Ulysses (British, 14647 GRT, built 1913).

Rendezvous was affected around 1600H/30 and the ships arrived at Fremantle around 1915H/30. (17)

1 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600H/1, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the transport Tongariro (British, 8729 GRT, built 1925).

The transport was not sighted and HMAS Adelaide anchored in Gage Roads around 1335H/2. (19)

2 Jul 1940
Around 1800H/2, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the transport Tongariro (British, 8729 GRT, built 1925).

The transport was not sighted and HMAS Adelaide anchored in Gage Roads around 0955H/3. (19)

3 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1615H/3, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the transport Tongariro (British, 8729 GRT, built 1925).

Rendezvous was affected around 1905H/3 and the ships arrived at Fremantle around 2240H/3. (19)

4 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330H/4, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the transport Acadia (Norwegian, 5002 GRT, built 1938) and escort her to Fremantle for inspection.

HMAS Adelaide did not sighted the Norwegian vessel, possibly due to the bad weather conditions and returned to Fremantle around 1100H/7. The Norwegian vessel had been ordered to proceed to Fremantle on 2 July 1940 and had arrived there unescorted. (19)

11 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1615H/11, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the transport Menelaus (British, 10307 GRT, built 1923).

Around 0500H/12, the transport Empire Trader (British, 9990 GRT, built 1908) was encountered and escorted to Fremantle.

While doing so, around 0525H/12, the Menelaus was sighted which then followed into harbour as well.

Around 0655H/12, HMAS Adelaide proceeded to seaward again to make rendezvous with the transport Sussex (British, 13647 GRT, built 1937).

The transport was not sighted and HMAS Adelaide anchored in Gage Roads around 1030H/12. The Sussex arrived around 1530H/12.

Around 1600H/12, HMAS Adelaide weighed anchor and entered Fremantle harbour. (19)

19 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle on completion of which she anchored in Gage Roads. (19)

20 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0400H/20, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) and the troopship Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929) coming from Melbourne via Adelaide. (19)

24 Jul 1940
Around 0700H/24, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the troopship Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929) arrived at Fremantle.

They departed again around 1730H/24. (19)

26 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430H/26, in position 20°54'S, 111°17'E, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) was relieved as escort for the troopship Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929) by HMS Kanimbla (A/Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN).

HMAS Adelaide then set course to return to Fremantle. (19)

28 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1815H/28, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) returned to Fremantle from escort duty. (19)

29 Jul 1940
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Fremantle. (19)

6 Aug 1940
Around 0835H/6, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle for exercises. On completion of the exercises course was set for Sydney. (20)

22 Aug 1940
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is docked at the Morts Dock Shipyard at Woolwich, Sydney. (20)

24 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is undocked and then returned to the Garden Island Naval base. (20)

2 Sep 1940
Around 0900K/2, with her refit completed, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney for Brisbane. (21)

3 Sep 1940
At 0110K/2, in position 29°46'S, 153°49'E, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) collided with the transport Coptic (British, 8281 GRT, built 1928).

Only some minor damage was sustained.

HMAS Adelaide arrived at Brisbane around 1640K/2 to fuel.

Having done so she departed for Vila, New Hebrides around 2220K/2. (21)

7 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700L/7, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Vila, New Hebrides from Brisbane. (21)

9 Sep 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1030L/9, the chartered tanker Norden (Norwegian (tanker), 8440 GRT, built 1931) arrived at Vila, New Hebrides. At 1320L/9, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) went alongside the Norden to fuel. (21)

16 Sep 1940

Installation of Free French Government on Noumea.

Around 2135L/16, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the chartered tanker Norden (Norwegian (tanker), 8440 GRT, built 1931) departed Vila, New Hebrides for Noumea, New Caledonia. On board the Norden were Free French representives which were to be installed at Noumea to take over from the pro-Vichy Governer there.

Around 0605L/18, HMAS Adelaide and the Norden entered the Bulari Passage and arrived off Noumea around 0730L/18. An officer was then sent over from the Vichy French sloop Dumont d'Urville (Capitaine de Fregate (Cdr.) P.G. Toussaint de Quieverecourt) to inquire the purpose of the allied ships arrival.

At 0817L/18, the first Free French flag was observed ashore.

At 1105L/18, Mr. Sautot, the new Free French governor was embarked on board HMAS Adelaide from the Norden. 25 minutes later he was embarked in Pilot Boat no.3 which was under Free French control and proceeded towards Noumea.

At 1135L/18, HMAS Adelaide commenced to patrol off Noumea.

During the afternoon of the 18th, the British consul twice visited HMAS Adelaide.

At 0920L/19, HMAS Adelaide anchored off False Entrance so as to cover all approaches to Noumea and the Dumont d'Urville.

At 0820L/20, HMAS Adelaide was again visited by the British consul.

At 1245L/21, an official objection as to HMAS Adelaide's presence was received from the Dumont d'Urville.

At 1400L/21, a reply was sent to the Dumont d'Urville refuting his objections.

At 1700L/21, another official objection as to HMAS Adelaide's presence was received from the Dumont d'Urville.

At 0800L/22, a reply was sent to the Dumont d'Urville refuting his objections and the commanding officer of the Dumont d'Urville was invited on board HMAS Adelaide to confer.

At 0845L/22, HMAS Adelaide weighed anchor and proceeded only to anchor in Great Road 45 minutes later.

At 1115L/22, the British consul again arrived on board HMAS Adelaide.

At 1130L/23, the commanding officer of the Dumont d'Urville arrived on board HMAS Adelaide. He left at 1255L/23.

At 1400L/23, the British consul left HMAS Adelaide.

At 1630L/23, the Dumont d'Urville shifted anchorage and proceeded inside Noumea harbour.

At 1645L/25, the Dumont d'Urville left Noumea for Saigon. On board were government officials which had remained loyal to the Vichy Government. (21)

2 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1330L/2, the chartered tanker Erinna (Dutch, 6233 GRT, built 1936) arrived at Noumea. 45 minutes later HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) went alongside to commence fuelling. She slipped from the tanker at 0755L/3 and anchored again. (22)

5 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0655L/5, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Noumea for Sydney. (22)

8 Oct 1940
Around 0700K/8, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Noumea. (22)

16 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney. (22)

18 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney. (22)

21 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0750K/21, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney to patrol off Gabo Island. (22)

23 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200K/23, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) ended her patrol off Gabo Island and set course to return to Sydney. (22)

24 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600K/24, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from patrol. (22)

25 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney. (22)

30 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney. (22)

31 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1645K/31, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney escorting the troopship Awatea (British, 13482 GRT, built 1936) part of the way to Auckland.

She parted company with the troopship around 0530K/1 and set course to return to Sydney where she arrived around 2125K/1. (23)

6 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted 4" HA gunnery exercises off Sydney. (24)

7 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (24)

8 Nov 1940
Around 0515K/8, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney for patrol.

Recall had only been given at 0200K/8, so she sailed short of crew.

Around 1700K/9, she entered harbour to pick up 65 ratings that had been absent on sailing before departing again to resume patrol 25 minutes later.

She returned to Sydney from patrol around 1855K/13.

This patrol was due to the transport Cambridge (British, 10892 GRT, built 1919) being mined and sunk on 7 November six miles east of Wilson's Promontory, Bass Strait. HMAS Adelaide was to search for the enemy vessel that had laid the mines. (24)

19 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2045K/19, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Williamstown from convoy escort duty. (24)

20 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900K/20, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Williamstown for Sydney. (24)

21 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2210K/21, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Williamstown. (24)

22 Nov 1940
Around 1520K/22, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney escorting the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) to Brisbane. (24)

24 Nov 1940
Around 1730K/24, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) arrived at Brisbane. (24)

27 Nov 1940
Around 0210K/27, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) departed Brisbane / Moreton Bay and proceeded northwards.

Around 2300K/27, the parted company near Lady Elliot Island. The Zealandia then continued on towards Thursday Island unescorted inside the reefs.

HMAS Adelaide set course for Sydney. (24)

29 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0520K/29, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from escort duty. (24)

30 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0210K/30, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney escorting the (troop) transport Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924) part of the way to Auckland.

Around 1250LM/2, HMAS Adelaide was relieved as escort by HMS Achilles (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN).

HMS Achilles and the Aorangi arrived at Auckland on 3 December 1940.

HMAS Adelaide arrived back at Sydney around 0800K/5. (24)

6 Dec 1940
Around 0745K/6, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney for patrol.

Around 1730K/6, the Greek merchant vessel Evinos (Greek, 5627 GRT, built 1919) was intercepted and boarded in position 33°02'S, 152°02'E.

The Greek ship was then permitted to proceed to Newcastle.

Around 0120K/7, HMAS Adelaide returned to Sydney. She is then taken in hand for a short refit at the Garden Island Naval base. (25)

11 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is docked in the Sutherland Dry Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. (25)

14 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is undocked. (25)

18 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) completed her short refit at the Garden Island Naval base at Sydney. (25)

19 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230K/19, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney escorting the (troop) transport Wairuna (British, 5826 GRT, built 1914) to the vicinity of Suva.

Around 0615M/27, HMAS Adelaide parted company with the Wairuna and then set course for Suva where she arrived around 1115M/27. (25)

28 Dec 1940
Around 0620M/28, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Suva for Noumea. (25)

30 Dec 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800L/30, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) anchored in Great Road, Noumea coming from Suva. (25)

3 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0625L/3, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Noumea for Sydney. (26)

5 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1820K/5, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Noumea. (26)

8 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0430K/8, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney for patrol. In the evening gunnery exercises were carried out. (26)

9 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1550K/9, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) returned to Sydney from patrol and exercises. (26)

13 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy VK 2.

This convoy departed Sydney on 13 January 1942.
[Note, there was also a later Convoy VK 2 in 1942.]

It was made up of the following transports;
City of Delhi (British, 7443 GRT, built 1925) and Maunganui (New Zealand, 7527 GRT, built 1911).

The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) which had first conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney before departing with the convoy around 1515K/13.

Around 0700M/18, the City of Delhi parted company to proceed to Napier unescorted.

Around 0800M/18, the Maunganui parted company and entered Wellington harbour followed shortly afterwards by HMAS Adelaide. (26)

20 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1930M/20, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Wellington escorting the transport Tegelberg (Dutch, 14150 GRT, built 1937).

Around (26)

26 Jan 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915K/26, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), which had embarked a Military Force which was to be landed on Ocean Island, departed Sydney for Brisbane. (26)

27 Jan 1941
Around 2015K/28, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Brisbane from Sydney. (26)

29 Jan 1941
Around 1630K/29, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), still with a Military Force for Ocean Island onboard, departed Brisbane to make rendezvous with three transports and form a convoy at sea for Ocean Island / Nauru.

HMAS Adelaide arrived in the rendezvous position around 0800K/30 and commenced to patrol.

Around 0900K/30, the transport Nordnes (Norwegian, 4147 GRT, built 1932) joined at the rendezvous. She had departed Sydney on 27 January.

Around 1130K/30, the transport Skagerak (Norwegian, 4244 GRT, built 1936) joined at the rendezvous. She had departed Sydney on 27 January.

Around 0700K/1, the transport Maloja (Norwegian, 6400 GRT, built 1930) joined at the rendezvous. She had departed Melbourne on 25 January. The convoy then proceeded towards Ocean Island.

Around 1815L/6, the Maloja was detached and arrived at Nauru the following day.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Ocean Island around 0940L/7. Here HMAS Adelaide landed the Military Force. (27)

11 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2300L/11, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Ocean Island for Suva. (28)

16 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1555L/16, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Suva from Ocean Island. (28)

17 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630L/17, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Suva for Brisbane. (28)

21 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1525L/21, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Brisbane from Suva. (28)

25 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1345L/25, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Brisbane for patrol. (28)

5 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1400L/5, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) returned to Brisbane from patrol. (29)

7 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330L/7, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Moreton Bay escorting the transports Anatina (Norwegian, 4986 GRT, built 1939), Clan MacDonald (British, 9653 GRT, built 1939) and Thordis (Norwegian (tanker), 8210 GRT, built 1931) towards New Zealand.

Around 1200K/11, the convoy was dispersed in position 32°54'S, 166°24'E. (29)

12 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700L/12, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) joined the (troop) transport Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924) to escort her to Sydney where they arrived around 0300K/15. (29)

21 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1755K/21, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924) departed Sydney for New Zealand.

Around 1540K/23, HMS Achilles (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN) took over the escort duties from HMAS Adelaide which then set course to return to Sydney. (29)

25 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1735K/25, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney. She was then taken in hand for a short refit at the Garden Island Naval base. (29)

15 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) ended her short refit at Sydney. (30)

16 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted full power trials off Sydney. (30)

25 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430K/25, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) arrived at Rabaul. (30)

28 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2330K/28, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) departed Rabaul for Noumea. (30)

4 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800K/4, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) arrived at Noumea from Rabaul. (31)

5 May 1941
Around 1500K/5, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) departed Noumea for Sydney. On board the Zealandia were Free French troops. (31)

9 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0725K/9, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) arrived at Sydney from Noumea.

HMAS Adelaide was almost immediately docked in the Sutherland Dry Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. (31)

13 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is undocked at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard and proceeded to the Garden Island Naval base. (31)

21 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0430K/21, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924) departed Sydney for Auckland. (31)

24 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500K/24, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924) arrived at Auckland from Sydney. (31)

26 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1145K/26, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Auckland for Sydney. (31)

30 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney.

On completion of the exercises both entered harbour. (32)

6 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (33)

12 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney.

On completion of the exercises both entered harbour. (34)

20 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN) and HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises off Sydney.

On completion of the exercises both entered harbour. (34)

24 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy US 11A.

On 24 June 1941, the troop transport Aquitania (British, 44786 GRT, built 1914) departed Wellington escorted by the light cruiser HMS Achilles (from the New Zealand Division) (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN). They set course for Bass Strait.

On 28 June 1941, the troopship Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) proceeded from Sydney to Jervis Bay escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN).

On 29 June 1941, the troopship Queen Mary (British, 81235 GRT, built 1936) departed Sydney escorted by the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. R.R. Stewart, RN).

Around 1700K/29, the Queen Mary and HMAS Australia were joined in position 35°00'S, 151°55'E by the Queen Elizabeth and HMAS Adelaide. HMAS Adelaide then parted company to proceed to Auckland.

Around 1200K/30, the Aquitania and HMS Achilles joined the convoy. HMS Achilles then parted company to return to Wellington.

On 4 July 1941, the convoy anchored in Gage Roads off Fremantle.

On 5 July 1941, HMAS Australia entered Fremantle harbour.

On 9 July 1941, the convoy departed Fremantle for Trincomalee still escorted by HMAS Australia.

On 16 July 1941, the convoy arrived at Trincomalee.

On 17 July 1941, the convoy departed Trincomalee for Suez. The convoy was still escorted by HMAS Australia.

Around 1700C/22, near Aden, the light cruiser HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) took over the escort of the convoy from HMAS Australia

The convoy was later dispersed in the Red Sea. (35)

28 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0950K/28, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the troopship Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) departed Sydney for Jervis Bay where they arrived around 1700K/28. (33)

29 Jun 1941
Around 1255K/29, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the troopship Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) departed Jervis Bay to join convoy US 11A.

Rendezvous was affected around 1700K/29. HMAS Adelaide however did not join the convoy and set course for Auckland.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 11A ' for 24 June 1941.] (33)

3 Jul 1941
Around 1405M/3, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Auckland. (36)

5 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2355M/5, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924) departed Auckland for Sydney. (36)

9 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500K/9, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924) arrived at Sydney from Auckland. (36)

14 Jul 1941
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted trials off Sydney. (36)

15 Jul 1941
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (36)

16 Jul 1941
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted degaussing trials at Sydney. (36)

17 Jul 1941
Around 1230K/17, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930) departed Sydney for Auckland. (36)

21 Jul 1941
Around 1420M/21, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930) arrived at Auckland from Sydney. (36)

22 Jul 1941
Around 0700M/22, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930) departed Auckland for Sydney. (36)

25 Jul 1941
Around 2020L/25, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930) arrived at Sydney from Auckland. (36)

29 Jul 1941
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is partially fumigated at Sydney. (36)

3 Aug 1941
Around 1640K/3, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney escorting the auxiliary minelayer HMAS Bungaree (Cdr. N.K. Calder, RAN) to the vicinity of Lady Elliot Island.

They parted company around 0030K/7.

HMAS Adelaide then returned to Sydney arriving there around 0550K/9.

HMAS Bungaree was to proceed to Port Moresby. (37)

9 Aug 1941
Around 1000K/9, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney for Wellington. (37)

12 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2245M/12, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Wellington from Sydney. (37)

13 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1650M/13, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Narbada (British, 8988 GRT, built 1915) departed Wellington for Newcastle. (37)

18 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630K/18, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) parted company with the (troop) transport Narbada (British, 8988 GRT, built 1915) which then proceeded into Newcastle harbour.

HMAS Adelaide then proceeded to Sydney arriving there around 0005K/19. (37)

22 Aug 1941
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney on completion of which, around 1800K/22, she was joined by the troop transport Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938). Course was then set for New Zealand. (37)

25 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1515M/25, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) parted company with the troop transport Capetown Castle (British, 27002 GRT, built 1938). Both ships entered Auckland harbour shortly afterwards. (37)

26 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630M/26, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Auckland to return to Sydney. (37)

30 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0750K/30, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Auckland. (37)

2 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1445K/2, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney for gunnery exercises.

Upon completion of the exercises, around 1645K/2, she joined the troopship Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) that just had left Sydney harbour for Jervis Bay where they arrived around 2220K/2. (38)

3 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800K/3, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the troopship Queen Elizabeth (British, 83673 GRT, built 1939) departed Jervis Bay to join convoy US 12A at sea which they did around 2130K/3.

HMAS Adelaide then parted company and set course for Sydney where she arrived around 0625K/4.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 12A ' for 3 September 1941.] (38)

5 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is taken in hand for a dynamo overhaul at the Garden Island Naval base at Sydney. (38)

17 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800K/17, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney escorting the (troop) transport Sibajak (Dutch, 12226 GRT, built 1927). They were to make rendezvous with convoy US 12B coming from Wellington.

Rendezvous was affected around 0830K/18.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy US 12B ' for 15 September 1941.] (38)

19 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2015K/19, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Williamstown from convoy escort duty. (38)

20 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) proceeded up river from Williamstown to Port Melbourne. (38)

25 Sep 1941
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises in Port Phillip.

After completion of the exercises she departed escorting the transport Lanarkshire (British, 9816 GRT, built 1940) towards the south-east tip of New Zealand.

They parted company around 0930M/29 in position 47°54'S, 170°06'E.

HMAS Adelaide then proceeded to Wellington where she arrived around 1540M/30.

The Lanarkshire crossed the Pacific and arrived at Balboa, Panama Canal Zone on 16 October 1941. (38)

30 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2120M/30, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Wellington to patrol to the east of Cook Strait

Around 1320M/2, she joined the transport California Star (British, 8300 GRT, built 1938) as escort.

Around 1500M/3, when in position 41°00'S, 171°00'E they parted company. HMAS Adelaide then proceeded to patrol to the northward.

Around 1035M/4, having reached position 36°30'S, 170°45'E course was changed to commence patrolling to the west-south-west.

Around 0645M/6, HMAS Adelaide arrived at Wellington from patrol having been recalled the previous day. (39)

6 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200M/6, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Wellington to resume her patrol.

She was later ordered to provide escort for the transport City of Delhi (British, 7443 GRT, built 1925) which was en-route from Wellington to Sydney. The transport was however not sighted.

HMAS Adelaide arrived at Sydney around 0635K/13.

The City of Delhi also arrived safely at Sydney on this day. (39)

13 Oct 1941
Around 1500K/13, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney escorting the troop transport Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) towards New Zealand.

Around 1300K/15, HMNZS Achilles (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN) took over the escort.

HMAS Adelaide set course to return to Sydney. (40)

17 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1650K/17, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) secured in the Sutherland Dry Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard on her return to Sydney after escort duty. The dock was pumped dry by 2145K/17. (40)

20 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is undocked. (40)

23 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (40)

27 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. (40)

29 Oct 1941
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted AA gunnery exercises off Sydney on completion of which, around 1920K/29, she took station ahead of the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) to escort her to Melboune. (40)

1 Nov 1941
Around 0500K/1 HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) arrived at Melbourne from Sydney. (41)

2 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800K/2 HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Zealandia (Australian, 6660 GRT, built 1910) departed Melbourne for Fremantle. (41)

7 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2020K/7 HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Williamstown from escort duty. (41)

8 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0750K/8 HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Williamstown for Sydney. (41)

10 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630K/10 HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Williamstown. (41)

18 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Sydney. Around 1435K/18, after the exercises had been completed, she took station to escort the transports Clan Macauley (British, 10492 GRT, built 1936) and Orari (British, 10350 GRT, built 1931) which were to cross the Pacific to proceed to Balboa.

Around 1100M/22, off Wellington, HMNZS Achilles (Capt. H.M. Barnes, RN) took over the escort until the dispersal point.

HMAS Adelaide arrived in Wellington harbour around 1215M/22. (41)

23 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900K/23, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Wellington for Sydney. (41)

26 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2145K/26, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Wellington. Before entering harbour night gunnery exercises had been carried out. (41)

29 Nov 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2030K/29, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney escorting the (troop) transport Katoomba (Australian, 9424 GRT, built 1913) to Port Moresby via Brisbane. (41)

1 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1945K/1, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Katoomba (Australian, 9424 GRT, built 1913) entered Moreton Bay. (42)

3 Dec 1941
Around 0100K/3, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Katoomba (Australian, 9424 GRT, built 1913) departed Moreton Bay for Port Moresby. (42)

7 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630K/7, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the (troop) transport Katoomba (Australian, 9424 GRT, built 1913) arrived at Port Moresby from Brisbane. (42)

9 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0115K/9, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Port Moresby for Darwin. (42)

11 Dec 1941
Around 0420IK/11, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Darwin from Port Moresby. (42)

14 Dec 1941
Around 1300IK/14, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and HMAS Ballarat (T/Lt.Cdr. A.D. Barling, RANR(S)) departed Darwin for Ambon, Netherlands East Indies. They were escorting the transports; Both (Dutch, 2608 GRT, built 1931), Patras (Dutch, 2065 GRT, built 1927) and Valentijn (Dutch, 2071 GRT, built 1928).

The convoy arrived at Ambon around 0800HI/17. (43)

18 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1620HI/18, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Ambon for Port Moresby. (42)

22 Dec 1941
Around 0900K/22, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Port Moresby from Ambon.

After fuelling she departed for Sydney around 1440K/22. (42)

27 Dec 1941
Around 0745K/27, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Port Moresby. (42)

3 Jan 1942

Convoy VK 1.

[Note, there had been an earlier Convoy VK 1 in 1940/1941.]

This convoy departed Sydney on 3 January 1942.

It was made up of the following transports;
Admiral Cole (American, 3545 GRT, built 1920), Asphalion (British, 6274 GRT, built 1924), Gabriella (Australian, 1593 GRT, built 1930), Hopecastle (British, 5178 GRT, built 1937), Kairanga (New Zealand, 2830 GRT, built 1922), Neleus (British, 6685 GRT, built 1911), Silverbeech (British, 5311 GRT, built 1926), Tuscan Star (British, 11449 GRT, built 1930) and Waroonga (British, 11243 GRT, built 1914).

On departure from Sydney, around 1800K/3, the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), minesweeper HMAS Lithgow (Cdr. A.V. Knight, RD, RANR(S)) and the auxiliary A/S vessel HMAS Bingera (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Read, RAN).

Around 0600K/4, HMAS Lithgow was detached.

Around 1950K/4, HMAS Bingere was detached.

Around 1105M/8, the auxiliary M/S trawler HMNZS Rata (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) N.L. Mackie, RNR) joined.

Around 1400M/8, the auxiliary M/S trawler HMNZS Muritai (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Gilfillan, RNZNVR) joined.

The convoy arrived at Wellington on 9 / 10 January 1942.

12 Jan 1942

Convoy ZT 1.

This convoy departed Wellington on 12 January 1942.

The exact composition of this convoy is currently not known to us.

On departure from Wellington, around 1330M/12, the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and some local escort vessels [details unknown to us at the moment.]

Shortly after departure the transport Admiral Chase (British, 3545 GRT, built 1920) developed engine trouble and returned.

Around 1920M/12, the local escort turned back.

Around 1730K/16, the local escort joined, these were the auxiliary A/S vessels HMAS Bingera (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Read, RAN) and HMAS Wyrallah (Lt.Cdr. E.W. Livingston, RANR(S)).

Around 2000K/16, the transport Wichita (American, 6174 GRT, built 1921) parted company to proceed to Melbourne.

The convoy arrived at Sydney early in the evening of 17 January 1942. (44)

2 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is docked in the Alfred Graving Dock at Williamstown. (45)

5 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is undocked at Williamstown and then proceeded to Port Melbourne. (45)

19 Feb 1942
Around 1315I/19, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with convoy SJ 3.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SJ 3 ' for 17 February 1942.] (45)

3 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Fremantle with convoy SJ 3. (46)

6 Mar 1942
Around 0800I/6, the troopship USS Mount Vernon (24289 GRT, built 1932) departed Fremantle for Adelaide. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Barker (T/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Miller, USN) and USS Bulmer (Lt. D.A. Harris, USN).

Around 1320I/7, the destroyers parted company.

Around 0955I/9, USS Mount Vernon and HMAS Adelaide parted company with each other. The Mount Vernon arrived at Adelaide later the same day.

Around 1900L/10, USS Adelaide arrived at Williamstown. (46)

11 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) proceeded from Williamstown to Port Melbourne. (46)

18 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Melbourne around 1620L/18, escorting the transport Monterey (American, 148017 GRT, built 1932) to Fremantle.

Around 1530I/21, the destroyers USS Parrott (Lt. J.N. Hughes, USN) and USS Paul Jones (Lt. C.R. Herms, USN).

Around 1945I/21, they all arrived at Fremantle. (46)

26 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1625I/26, the troopship Westpoint (American 26454 GRT, built 1940) departed Fremantle for Adelaide. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Barker (T/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Miller, USN) and USS Bulmer (Lt. D.A. Harris, USN).

Around 0200I/27, the destroyers parted company.

Around 1830K/29, the Westpoint and HMAS Adelaide parted company with each other. The Westpoint arrived at Adelaide later the same day.

Around 1110K/30, USS Adelaide arrived at Port Melbourne. Shortly before arrival she had conducted gunnery exercises in Port Phillip. (46)

2 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830K/2, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Port Melbourne for Sydney. (47)

4 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0645K/4, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Port Melbourne. (47)

6 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy SM 1.

This convoy departed Sydney on 6 April 1942.

It was made up of the transports;
Cremer (Dutch, 4608 GRT, built 1926), Maetsuycker (Dutch, 4131 GRT, built 1936) and Van Heutsz (Dutch, 4588 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Sydney the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), minesweeper HMAS Rockhampton (Lt. R.T. Salmon, RANR(S)) and the auxiliary A/S vessel HMAS Bingera (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Read, RAN).

The convoy arrived in Port Phillip Bay on 10 April 1942. (47)

12 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy MN 1.

This convoy departed Melbourne late in the evening of 12 April 1942.

It was made up of the transports;
Cremer (Dutch, 4608 GRT, built 1926), Maetsuycker (Dutch, 4131 GRT, built 1936) and Van Heutsz (Dutch, 4588 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Melbourne the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyer USS John D. Edwards (Lt. W.J. Giles, Jr., USN).

The convoy arrived At Noumea around 0845L/19. (47)

19 Apr 1942
Around 1200L/19, the heavy cruiser Australia, light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyer USS John D. Edwards (Lt. W.J. Giles, Jr., USN) departed Noumea for Australia.

Around 1130K/21, HMAS Adelaide parted company to proceed ahead to Sydney where she arrived around 0810K/22.

HMAS Australia and USS John D. Edwards arrived at Sydney around 0845K/22. (48)

22 Apr 1942
Around 1545K/22, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney to make rendezvous with the troopship President Coolidge (American, 21936 GRT, built 1931) and her escort, the destroyer HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Robison DSC, RAN), which were coming from Melbourne.

Rendezvous was affected around 0645K/23, HMAS Adelaide then took over the escort duties from HMAS Voyager. (47)

26 Apr 1942
Around 1100M/26, in position 25°53'S, 179°45'E, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) turned over the escort duties of the troopship President Coolidge (American, 21936 GRT, built 1931) to USS Richmond (Capt. J.H. Brown, Jr., USN). (49)

27 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600M/27, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Suva from escort duty. (47)

28 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800M/28, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Suva for Sydney. (47)

3 May 1942
Around 0615K/3, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Suva. (50)

4 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) commenced to de-ammunition at Sydney as she is to be taken in hand for refit. (50)

5 May 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
De-ammunitioning is completed and HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is taken in hand for refit at the Garden Island Naval base at Sydney. (50)

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart (D 63)

13 Jun 1942
Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN, hoisted his flag in HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN).

Later this day Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, CB, RN, hauled down his flag on board HMAS Canberra (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN). (51)

14 Jun 1942
Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN, transferred his flag from HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) to HMAS Canberra (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN). (52)

23 Jun 1942
Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Henley (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Smith, USN, with Cdr. L.B. Austin, USN, commanding Destroyer Division 7 on board), USS Bagley (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN) departed Brisbane for an offensive sweep in the Coral Sea. (52)

28 Jun 1942
Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Henley (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Smith, USN, with Cdr. L.B. Austin, USN, commanding Destroyer Division 7 on board), USS Bagley (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN) arrived at Noumea from operations. No contact with the Japanese had been made though. (52)

29 Jun 1942
Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Henley (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Smith, USN, with Cdr. L.B. Austin, USN, commanding Destroyer Division 7 on board), USS Bagley (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN) departed Noumea to return to Brisbane. (52)

1 Jul 1942
Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Henley (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Smith, USN, with Cdr. L.B. Austin, USN, commanding Destroyer Division 7 on board), USS Bagley (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN) arrived at Brisbane / Moreton Bay from Noumea. (51)

7 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted exercises with RAAF aircraft in Moreton Bay. (53)

8 Jul 1942
Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Henley (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Smith, USN, with Cdr. L.B. Austin, USN, commanding Destroyer Division 7 on board), USS Bagley (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Brisbane. (54)

14 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Ralph Talbot (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN) departed Brisbane for Wellington, New Zealand. (51)

19 Jul 1942
Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Ralph Talbot (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN) arrived at Wellington from Brisbane. (55)

22 Jul 1942
A convoy for the upcoming landings at Guadacanal departed Wellington, New Zealand for Fiji.

The convoy, designated Task Force 62, was made up of two units;
Task Group 62.1 was the actual convoy made up of the Naval Transports; USS McCawley (AP 10) (8156 GRT, built 1928) (Capt. C.P. McFeathers, USN), USS Barnett (AP 11) (8153 GRT, built 1928) (Capt. H.E. Thornhill, USN), USS Heywood (AP 12) (8424 GRT, built 1919) (Capt. H.B. Knowles, USN), USS George F. Elliott (AP 13) (8424 GRT, built 1918) (Capt. W.O. Bailey, USN), USS Fuller (AP 14) (8424 GRT, built 1919) (Capt. P.S. Theiss, USN), USS Neville (AP 16) (8424 GRT, built 1918) (Capt. C.A. Bailey, USN), USS Hunter Liggett (AP 27) (13712 GRT, built 1922) (Cdr. L.W. Perkins, USCG) and USS American Legion (AP 35) (13737 GRT, built 1921) (Cdr. T.D. Warner, USN) and the Naval Cargo Ships; USS Bellatrix (AK 20) (8280 GRT, built 1942) (Cdr. W.F. Dietrich, USN), USS Fomalhaut (AK 22) (5028 GRT, built 1942) (Cdr. J.D. Alvis, USN), USS Alchiba (AK 23) (6198 GRT, built 1939) (Cdr. J.S. Freeman, USN) and USS Libra (AK 53) (6155 GRT, built 1941) (Cdr. W.B. Fletcher, Jr., USN).

The convoy was escorted by Task Group 62.2, which was made up the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Blue (Cdr. H.N. Williams, USN), USS Mugford (Lt.Cdr. E.W. Young, USN), USS Ralph Talbot (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN), USS Henley (Cdr. R.H. Smith, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN).

Around 1400M/23, the destroyers USS Bagley (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) and USS Helm (Lt.Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN) joined coming from Auckland.

Around 1330M/26, rendezvous was made with three US Task Forces. USS Salt Lake City parted company to join Task Force 11.

Task Force 62 was joined by several more Naval Transports / Naval Cargo Ships which were; USS President Jackson (AP 37) (9255 GRT, built 1940) (T/Capt. C.W. Weitzel, USN), USS President Adams (AP 38) (9255 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. F.H. Dean, USN), USS President Hayes (AP 39) (9255 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. F.W. Benson, USN), USS Crescent City (AP 40) (7987 GRT, built 1940) (Capt. I.N. Kiland, USN) and USS Alhena (AK 26) (7101 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. C.B. Hunt, USN).

Also a fire support group joined, it was made up of the heavy cruisers USS Astoria ( Capt. W.G. Greenman, USN), USS Quincy ( Capt. S.N. Moore, USN), USS Vincennes (Capt. F.L. Riefkohl, USN), AA cruiser USS San Juan (Capt. J.E. Maher, USN) and the destroyers USS Dewey (Lt.Cdr. C.F. Chillingsworth, Jr., USN), USS Hull ( Lt.Cdr. R.F. Stout, USN), USS Gridley (Lt.Cdr. F.R. Stickney, Jr., USN), USS Ellet (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gardner, USN), USS Wilson (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Price, USN) and USS Buchanan (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Wilson, USN).

Also joining were the high speed transports (former destroyers) USS Colhoun (T/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Madden, USN), USS Gregory (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bauer, USN), USS Little (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Lofberg, Jr., USN) and USS McKean (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Shinners, USN) as the high speed minesweepers (also former destroyers) USS Southard (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Cochran, USN), USS Hopkins (Lt.Cdr. B. Coe, USN), USS Zane (T/Lt.Cdr. P.L. Wirtz, USN) and USS Trever (Lt.Cdr. D.M. Agnew, USN).

The convoy arrived at Fiji (off Koro Island) on 28 July 1942. There landing exercises were carried out on 29 and 30 July.

31 Jul 1942
Late in the afternoon of 31 July 1942, the Amphibious Force under Rear-Admiral R.K. Turner, USN (in the transport USS McCawley) departed Fiji for Operation Watchtower, the landings on Guadalcanal.

The Amphibious Force was made up of the following units;

Task Group 62.1 (Transport Group X-Ray) made up of the Naval Transports / Naval Cargo Ships;

Task Group 62.1.1;
USS Fuller (AP 14) (8424 GRT, built 1919) (Capt. P.S. Theiss, USN), USS American Legion (AP 35) (13737 GRT, built 1921) (Cdr. T.D. Warner, USN) and USS Bellatrix (AK 20) (8280 GRT, built 1942) (Cdr. W.F. Dietrich, USN).

Task Group 62.1.2;
USS McCawley (AP 10) (8156 GRT, built 1928) (Capt. C.P. McFeathers, USN), USS Barnett (AP 11) (8153 GRT, built 1928) (Capt. H.E. Thornhill, USN), USS George F. Elliott (AP 13) (8424 GRT, built 1918) (Capt. W.O. Bailey, USN) and USS Libra (AK 53) (6155 GRT, built 1941) (Cdr. W.B. Fletcher, Jr., USN).

Task Group 62.1.3;
USS Hunter Liggett (AP 27) (13712 GRT, built 1922) (Cdr. L.W. Perkins, USCG), USS Fomalhaut (AK 22) (5028 GRT, built 1942) (Cdr. J.D. Alvis, USN), USS Alchiba (AK 23) (6198 GRT, built 1939) (Cdr. J.S. Freeman, USN) and USS Betelgeuse (AK 28) (6198 GRT, built 1939) (T/Capt. H.D. Power, USN) (joined at sea on 3 August 1942).

Task Group 62.1.4;
USS President Adams (AP 38) (9255 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. F.H. Dean, USN), USS President Hayes (AP 39) (9255 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. F.W. Benson, USN), USS Crescent City (AP 40) (7987 GRT, built 1940) (Capt. I.N. Kiland, USN) and USS Alhena (AK 26) (7101 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. C.B. Hunt, USN).

Task Group 62.2 (Transport Group Yoke) made up of the Naval Transports and High Speed Transports.

Task Group 62.2.1;
USS Zeilin (AP 9) (14124 GRT, built 1921) (Capt. P. Buchanan, USN) (joined at sea on 3 August 1942), USS Heywood (AP 12) (8424 GRT, built 1919) (Capt. H.B. Knowles, USN), USS Neville (AP 16) (8424 GRT, built 1918) (Capt. C.A. Bailey, USN) and USS President Jackson (AP 37) (9255 GRT, built 1940) (T/Capt. C.W. Weitzel, USN).

Task Group 62.2.2;
USS Colhoun (T/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Madden, USN), USS Gregory (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bauer, USN), USS Little (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Lofberg, Jr., USN) and USS McKean (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Shinners, USN).

Task Group 62.3 was the Fire Support Group, made up of the heavy cruisers USS Astoria ( Capt. W.G. Greenman, USN), USS Quincy ( Capt. S.N. Moore, USN), USS Vincennes (Capt. F.L. Riefkohl, USN) and the destroyers USS Dewey (T/Cdr. C.F. Chillingsworth, Jr., USN), USS Hull (T/Cdr. R.F. Stout, USN), USS Ellet T/Cdr. F.H. Gardner, USN) and USS Wilson (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Price, USN).

Task Group 62.4 was also a Fire Support Group, made up of the AA cruiser USS San Juan (Capt. J.E. Maher, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral N. Scott, USN) and the destroyers USS Monssen (T/Cdr. R.N. Smoot, USN) and USS Buchanan (T/Cdr. R.E. Wilson, USN).

Task Group 62.5 was the Minesweeping Group, it was made up of the high speed minesweepers (former destroyers) USS Southard (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Cochran, USN), USS Hovey (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Heald, USN), USS Hopkins (Lt.Cdr. B. Coe, USN), USS Zane (T/Lt.Cdr. P.L. Wirtz, USN) and USS Trever (Lt.Cdr. D.M. Agnew, USN).

Task Group 62.6 was the Screening Group, it was made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Blue (Cdr. H.N. Williams, USN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. E.W. Young, USN), USS Ralph Talbot (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN), USS Henley (Cdr. R.H. Smith, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN).

Some ships had to fuel at sea and only joined the Amphibious Force the following day around noon.

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Around 0900M/1, the destroyers USS Dewey and USS Mugford were detached to make rendezvous with the transport USS Zeilin and cargo ship USS Betelgeuse. They joined the Betelgeuse around 1540M/1. USS Zeilin joined around 2330M/1. They rejoined Task Force 62 around noon on 3 August.

Around 1115M/2, the destroyers USS Selfridge, USS Bagley, USS Blue, USS Ralph Talbot, USS Henley and USS Jarvis parted company with Task Force 62 to proceed to Port Vila, Efate to fuel. They arrived off Mele Bay around 0700L/3 but found the the tanker from which they were to fuel, the Esso Little Rock (11237 GRT, built 1941) was not there. They left around 1100L/3 to rejoin Task Force 62 to refuel at sea.

Around 1800L/2, HMAS Hobart, USS Southard USS Hovey, USS Hopkins, USS Zane and USS Trever parted company with Task Force 62 to proceed to Port Vila, Efate to fuel. They too left around 1130L/3 to rejoin Task Force 62 to refuel at sea.

USS Colhoun, USS Gregory, USS Little and USS McKean also arrived off Mele Bay to fuel, they too then set course to rejoin Task Force 62 to refuel at sea.

On 4 August 1942, refuelling at sea took place; The oiler USS Cimarron (T/Capt. R.M. Ihrig, USN) briefly joined Task Force 62 and she fuelled HMAS Hobart, USS Ralph Talbot and USS Patterson. USS Alhena fuelled USS Blue and USS Helm. USS Crescent City fuelled USS Selfridge and USS Trever. USS Fuller fuelled USS Ellet and USS Wilson. USS Hunter Liggett fuelled USS Dewey and USS Hull. USS Libra fuelled USS Monssen and USS Buchanan. USS Neville fuelled USS Southard and USS Hopkins. USS President Adamas fuelled USS Mugford and USS Jarvis. USS President Hayes fuelled USS Bagley and USS Henley. USS President Jackson fuelled USS Hovey and USS Zane.

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Around 1615L/6, the Amphibious Force took up their approach dispositions. ' Force X ' was to land on Guadacanal and ' Force Y ' was to land on Tulagi.

' Force X ' was made up of was made up of the transports and cargo vessels of Task Group 62.1.1, Task Group 62.1.2, Task Group 62.1.3, Task Group 62.1.4, the ships of Fire Support Group 62.3 and part of Screening Group Task Group 62.6. The ships of the Screening Group that were part of ' Force X ' were the following, HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart, USS Selfridge, USS Mugford, USS Ralph Talbot, USS Patterson and USS Jarvis.

' Force Y ' was made up of the transports and cargo vessels of Task Group 62.2.1, the high speed transports of Task Group 62.2.2, the ships of Fire Support Group 62.4, the high speed minesweepers of Minesweeping Group 62.5 and part of Screening Group Task Group 62.6. The ships of the Screening Group that were part of ' Force Y ' were the following, USS Chicago, HMAS Canberra, USS Bagley, USS Blue, USS Helm and USS Henley.

' Force Y ' took station six miles astern of ' Force X '.

[For continuation of the events see the event ' Operation Watchtower, the landings on Guadacanal and Tulagi ' for 7 August 1942.]

7 Aug 1942

Operation Watchtower, the landings on Guadacanal Island and the subsequent Battle of Savo Island.

Allied forces taking part;

For this operation Task Forces 61 and 62 were deployed. In overall command was Vice-Admiral R.L. Ghormley, USN who was at Noumea in the Miscellaneous Auxiliary USS Argonne (AG-31) (Cdr. F.W. Connor, USN).

Task Group 61.1 was the Air Support Force under overall command of Rear-Admiral L.Noyes, USN. It was made up of the following units;

Task Group 61.1.1;
Aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (Capt. D.C. Ramsey, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.J. Fletcher, USN), heavy cruisers USS New Orleans (Capt. W.S. Delany, USN), USS Minneapolis (Capt. F.J. Lowry, USN), and the destroyers USS Phelps (T/Cdr. E.L. Beck, USN, with Capt. S.B. Brewer, USN on board), USS Farragut (Cdr. G.P. Hunter, USN), USS Macdonough (Lt.Cdr. E. van E. Dennet, USN), USS Worden (T/Cdr. W.G. Pogue, USN) and USS Dale (Cdr. H.E. Parker, USN).

Task Group 61.1.2;
Aircraft carrier Enterprise (Capt. A.C. Davis, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral T.C. Kincaid, USN), battleship USS North Carolina (Capt. G.H. Fort, USN), heavy cruiser USS Portland (Capt. L.T. Du Bose, USN), AA cruiser USS Atlanta (Capt. S.P. Jenkins, USN) and the destroyers USS Balch (T/Cdr. H.H. Tiemroth, USN, with Capt. E.P. Sauer, USN on board), USS Benham (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Taylor, USN), USS Maury (T/Cdr. G.L. Sims, USN), USS Gwin (Cdr. J.M. Higgins, USN) and USS Grayson (T/Cdr. F.J. Bell, USN).

Task Group 61.1.3;
Aircraft carrier USS Wasp (T/Capt. F.P. Sherman, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.Noyes, USN), heavy cruisers Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS San Francisco (Capt. C.H. McMorris, USN) and the destroyers USS Farenholt (T/Cdr. Lt.Cdr. E.T. Seaward, USN, with Capt. R.G. Tobin, USN on board), USS Aaron Ward (T/Cdr. O.F. Gregor, USN), USS Lang (T/Cdr. E.A. Seay, USN), USS Stack (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Greenacre, USN) and USS Sterett (Cdr. J.G. Coward, USN).

There was also the fuelling group made up of the oilers USS Kanawha (T/Capt. K.S. Reed, USN), USS Cimarron (T/Capt. R.M. Ihrig, USN), USS Platte (Capt. R.H. Henkle, USN), USS Sabine (T/Capt. H.L. Maples, USN) and USS Kaskaskia (T/Capt. W.L. Taylor, USN). These were usually escorting by destroyers from the air support force.

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The Amphibious Force under Rear-Admiral R.K. Turner, USN (in the transport USS McCawley) was made up of the following units;

Task Group 62.1 (Transport Group X-Ray) made up of the Naval Transports / Naval Cargo Ships;

Task Group 62.1.1;
USS Fuller (AP 14) (8424 GRT, built 1919) (Capt. P.S. Theiss, USN), USS American Legion (AP 35) (13737 GRT, built 1921) (Cdr. T.D. Warner, USN) and USS Bellatrix (AK 20) (8280 GRT, built 1942) (Cdr. W.F. Dietrich, USN).

Task Group 62.1.2;
USS McCawley (AP 10) (8156 GRT, built 1928) (Capt. C.P. McFeathers, USN), USS Barnett (AP 11) (8153 GRT, built 1928) (Capt. H.E. Thornhill, USN), USS George F. Elliott (AP 13) (8424 GRT, built 1918) (Capt. W.O. Bailey, USN) and USS Libra (AK 53) (6155 GRT, built 1941) (Cdr. W.B. Fletcher, Jr., USN).

Task Group 62.1.3;
USS Hunter Liggett (AP 27) (13712 GRT, built 1922) (Cdr. L.W. Perkins, USCG), USS Fomalhaut (AK 22) (5028 GRT, built 1942) (Cdr. J.D. Alvis, USN), USS Alchiba (AK 23) (6198 GRT, built 1939) (Cdr. J.S. Freeman, USN) and USS Betelgeuse (AK 28) (6198 GRT, built 1939) (T/Capt. H.D. Power, USN).

Task Group 62.1.4;
USS President Adams (AP 38) (9255 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. F.H. Dean, USN), USS President Hayes (AP 39) (9255 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. F.W. Benson, USN), USS Crescent City (AP 40) (7987 GRT, built 1940) (Capt. I.N. Kiland, USN) and USS Alhena (AK 26) (7101 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. C.B. Hunt, USN).

Task Group 62.2 (Transport Group Yoke) made up of the Naval Transports and High Speed Transports.

Task Group 62.2.1;
USS Zeilin (AP 9) (14124 GRT, built 1921) (Capt. P. Buchanan, USN), USS Heywood (AP 12) (8424 GRT, built 1919) (Capt. H.B. Knowles, USN), USS Neville (AP 16) (8424 GRT, built 1918) (Capt. C.A. Bailey, USN) and USS President Jackson (AP 37) (9255 GRT, built 1940) (T/Capt. C.W. Weitzel, USN).

Task Group 62.2.2;
USS Colhoun (T/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Madden, USN), USS Gregory (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bauer, USN), USS Little (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Lofberg, Jr., USN) and USS McKean (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Shinners, USN).

Task Group 62.3 was the Fire Support Group, made up of the heavy cruisers USS Astoria ( Capt. W.G. Greenman, USN), USS Quincy ( Capt. S.N. Moore, USN), USS Vincennes (Capt. F.L. Riefkohl, USN) and the destroyers USS Dewey (T/Cdr. C.F. Chillingsworth, Jr., USN), USS Hull (T/Cdr. R.F. Stout, USN), USS Ellet T/Cdr. F.H. Gardner, USN) and USS Wilson (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Price, USN).

Task Group 62.4 was also a Fire Support Group, made up of the AA cruiser USS San Juan (Capt. J.E. Maher, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral N. Scott, USN) and the destroyers USS Monssen (T/Cdr. R.N. Smoot, USN) and USS Buchanan (T/Cdr. R.E. Wilson, USN).

Task Group 62.5 was the Minesweeping Group, it was made up of the high speed minesweepers (former destroyers) USS Southard (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Cochran, USN), USS Hovey (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Heald, USN), USS Hopkins (Lt.Cdr. B. Coe, USN), USS Zane (T/Lt.Cdr. P.L. Wirtz, USN) and USS Trever (Lt.Cdr. D.M. Agnew, USN).

Task Group 62.6 was the Screening Group, it was made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Canberra (Capt. F.E. Getting, RAN), USS Chicago (Capt. H.D. Bode, USN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Blue (Cdr. H.N. Williams, USN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. E.W. Young, USN), USS Ralph Talbot (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN), USS Henley (Cdr. R.H. Smith, USN), USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) and USS Jarvis (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Graham, Jr., USN).

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Around 1615L on 6 August 1942, the Amphibious Force had taken up their approach dispositions. ' Force X ' was to land on Guadacanal and ' Force Y ' was to land on Tulagi.

' Force X ' was made up of was made up of the transports and cargo vessels of Task Group 62.1.1, Task Group 62.1.2, Task Group 62.1.3, Task Group 62.1.4, the ships of Fire Support Group 62.3 and part of Screening Group Task Group 62.6. The ships of the Screening Group that were part of ' Force X ' were the following, HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart, USS Selfridge, USS Mugford, USS Ralph Talbot, USS Patterson and USS Jarvis.

' Force Y ' was made up of the transports and cargo vessels of Task Group 62.2.1, the high speed transports of Task Group 62.2.2, the ships of Fire Support Group 62.4, the high speed minesweepers of Minesweeping Group 62.5 and part of Screening Group Task Group 62.6. The ships of the Screening Group that were part of ' Force Y ' were the following, USS Chicago, HMAS Canberra, USS Bagley, USS Blue, USS Helm and USS Henley. ' Force Y ' took station six miles astern of ' Force X '.

The landings, 7 August 1942.

At 0224L/7, the moon rose and though it was on the wane and lacked only five days to new moon, it was of great assistance in making the western end of Guadalcanal and then Savo Island, both of which began to show up very clearly.

' Force Y ' set course to pass to the northward of Savo Island and at 0330L/7, HMAS Australia lad ' Force X ' towards Savo Island to pass to the south of it.

It was expected that the enemy would have some type of patrol in the passages on either side of Savo Island and from 0245L/7, the naval escorts were in the first degree of readiness for action. However no patrol were met and when between Savo Island and Cape Escperance, ' Force X ' changed course to proceed direct to the disembarkation area off the north shore of Guadalcanal Island.

As ' Force X ' would pass within six thousand yard of Lunga Point when approaching the disembarkation area, and as enemy AA batteries at least were known to be mounted in the vicinity of the Point, it had been arranged that USS Quincy would come forward from the rear of the formation and take particular responsibility for silencing enemy fire from the Point whilst the formation was drawing past it.

' Force Y ' had in the meantime passed west of Savo Island and then leaving Savo Island to starboard had altered course to the eastward for the disembarkation area off Tulagi Island.

Sunrise was at 0633L/7 and in accordance with pre-arranged shedule, the aircraft of the cruiser escort of both squadrons were launched at 0615L/7 to provide A/S and anti-MTB patrols for the transport groups. After this initial patrol, aircraft patrols were maintained for A/S duties. This was done for every day the Amphibious Force was in the area.

Also around 0615L/7, Allied carrier aircraft were sighted on their intial sortie. The missions assigned to this sortie were as follows;
16 Fighters were to destroy enemy aircraft including seaplanes on the water, motor torpedo boats and submarine in the Tulagi - Gavutu area. With any remaining ammunition, attack anti-aircraft installations on Gavutu.
20 Fighters, mission as above but to be carried out in the area along the north coast of Guadalcanal between Point Cruz and Togama Point.
24 dive bombers, were to destroy naval vessels, anti-aircraft guns and shore batteries in the Tulagi - Gavutu area.
24 dive bombers, were to do the same as the above but along the north coast of Guadalcanal between Point Cruz and Togama Point.

The carrier groups (Air Support Force) were operating close south and south-west of the combat area.

The approach of the Amphibious Force had been a complete surprise to the enemy and no fewer then 18 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the water in this initial sortie of the Allied carrier borne aircraft. No enemy naval surface vessels were encountered and despite previous reports of land based Zero fighters being maintained in the area, none were met.

As ' Forces X and Y ' were approaching their diesembarkation areas, the naval vessels of the escort opened a bombardment on shore targets such as gun positions and encampment areas and on boats and barges moored in close to the shore.

On the Guadalcanal side, a motor auxiliary vessel proceeding from Tulagi to Lungo was fired on by destroyers and shortly afterwards was set on fire by our fighter aircraft. This vessel burned so furiously that it was thought to have been carrying petrol.

Meanwhile other cruiser-borne aircraft had been launched to act as liaison planes over the Tulagi and the Guadalcanal areas. These liaison planes were maintained over their respective areas throughout daylight each day and gave invaluable information regarding the location of enemy troops, batteries and strong points, and later regading the progress of our attacking forces.

' Forces X and Y ' reached their disembarkation areas at 0650L/7 and 0720L/7 respectively and remained underway but stopped, outside the 100 fathom line. The process of lowering, manning and equipping attack boats at once whilst the screening forces acted in accordance with the special instructions they had previously been issued. Broadly, each transport group had an outer arc of screening destroyers and then cruisers between them and the destroyers. With this arrangement both the cruisers and the transports had an anti-submarine screen and against air attack, the enemy aircraft had to pass two outer circles of fire before reaching the transports which would obviously be their objective. In addition the cruisers were able to manoeuvre inside the destroyer screen and yet maintain close support of their transport group.

Throughout daylight carrier borne fighter aircraft were maintained over the combat area as defence against enemy air attack. Fighter Direction was being exercised from USS Chicago to whom a Fighter Direction Group from one of the carriers had been transferred.

In addition to the intial (0615 hours) missions and to the maintenance of fighters over the combat area, the Air Support Force also maintained dive bombers and fighters over both the Tulagi and Guadacanal areas which were available on call to attack shore targets. In the event of enemy air attack the fighters of these patrols would support the aircraft providing fighter protection.

The H-hour, which was the time the troops would actually reach the beaches was set at 0800L/7 for the Tulagi landing at 0910L/7 for the landing on Guadalcanal.

On the Tulagi side, prior to the main landing, there was a secondary landing in the vicinity of Haleta with the object of seizing the promontory and thereby ensuring that the enemy could not fire on the boats making the major landing from the higher ground.

The landings at Haleta and on beach blue (the major landing beach) were accomplished without enemy opposition and the Tulagi landing force soon occupied the northern portion of Tulagi island which was their first objective.

The landing at Haleta had been preceded by a bombardment in which USS San Juan expended 100 rounds of 5" and the destroyers USS Monssen and USS Buchanan each 80 rounds of 5". For 20 minutes these destroyers also stationed themselves as ' goal posts ' to guide the landing craft in towards the main landing zone.

Between 0740L/7 and 0745L/7, USS San Juan expended 560 rounds in bombarding a hill on Tulagi Island. Between 0750L/7 and 0755L/7 were each to expend 200 rounds in close support of the landing and also the northern part of Tulagi Island was dive bombed by 18 aircraft each carrying a 1000lb. bomb. Immediately afterwards followed the landing on the main beach (' Blue beach '). Immediately afterwards USS San Juan fired another 560 rounds against the same hill (Hill 208). The high speed minesweepers were also to spent 60 rounds each on targets on Tulagi and Gavutu Islands. USS Monssen and USS Buchanan were also ordered to each expend 100 round on targets on the southern end of Tulagi Island.

During this period USS San Juan and several destroyers reported sighting a submarine periscope. Heavy depth charge attacks were made and though there is no direct eidence that a submarine was sunk by these attacks, the submarine was not seen again. [No Japanese submarine was present though.]

Meanwhile on the Guadalcanal side, the heavy cruisers USS Astoria, USS Quincy, USS Vincennes and the destroyers USS Dewey, USS Hull, USS Ellet and USS Wilson had been moving close along the north shore of the island keeping targets under almost continuous bombardment. Large fires were raging at Kukum where the enemy was known to have AA batteries and a stores dump.

From 0840L/7, the destroyers had stationed themselves off ' Red Beach ' to mark the line of departure for the attack boats and the ends of the beach were marked by aircraft using coloured smoke bombs.

For the five minutes preceding the actual landing on ' beach Red ' a furious bombardment was put down on the beach area. USS Astoria, USS Quincy, USS Vincennes in this brief interval each fired 45 round of 8" and 200 rounds of 5" whilst the destroyers each fired about 200 rounds. The landing was effected without resistance and our marine forces were on the attack towards Lunga and to seize the line of the Tenaru River without coming into real contact with the enemy. As positions were occupied it became more and more obvious that the enemy had been completely surprised and had taken to the interior of the Island without waiting to render useless any of their plants, stores or material. The aerodrome was found to be intact and the landing strip only required rolling to make it available for our own aircraft. It was evident from the plans captured, from the amount of material and stores captured and from the extensive works which had been started that the establishment of a first class air base on Guadacanal had been the enemy's intention.

A certain number of Japanese pioneer workers were captured and from interrogation it was learned that the garrison which had retired inland was probably 300 strong and that there had escaped with them a considerable number of construction workers.

On the Tulagi side another secondary landing had been made at Halavo. The boats carrying in this landing force had been engaged by shore guns on Bungana and Gatuvu and these defences had also opened fire on the destroyer minesweepers which were supporting the landing. On requist from Rear-Admiral Scott, Rear-Admiral Crutchley sent the destroyer USS Henley to assist in silencing these guns.

On completion of their fire support duties, the destroyer minesweepers streamed their sweepers and made the first sweep in towards Gavutu. No mines were found and the sweepers then carried out a clearance sweep in the Lengo Channel and buoyed the swept lane. Again no mines were found and therefore without waiting for further clearance sweeps, the transports and supply ships moved in close to the beaches to expedite disembarkation of further troop elements and of stores. The minesweepers were released from further sweeping missions and were assigned A/S duties in the landing areas.

On Tulagi Island the landing force having occupied the northern half of the Island, now prepared for the assault against the southern end of the Island where the enemy forces were concentrated. This part of the Island was then subjected to intense aerial and ship bombardment in which task force 62.4 was reinforced by USS Ellet. There were several large explosions and several large fires were started.

At about 1120L/7, a message was received from a Coast Watcher on Bougainville Island reporting a strong force of enemy bombers passing over the Island to the south-east. At about the same time message was received from our shore intelligence advising that enemy submarines were on the move. Shortly after noon it was decided that for the remainder of the day all fighters over the landing area were to be used to protect the Amphibious Force against air attack.

At 1315L/7, our fighters made contact with the enemy bombers about fifteen miles were of Savo Island. One aircraft was soon seen shot down in flames in the vicinity of the Island. At 1323L/7 all ships of ' Force X ' opeened fire on a formation of about 18 Type 97 (Mitsubishi Ki-21) heavy bombers coming over in tight formation and supported by 9 Zero fighters. A pattern bombing attack was carried out by the enemy, the leader giving the release signal by buring a bright light in his glassed-in bomb aimers position in the nose. The bombs were probably 500 pounders. All fell to the north-west of the transports. During their withdrawal the enemy formation continued to be engaged by our fighters. It was later reported that two enemy bombers had been shot down and two had been damaged.

In the assault against the southern portion of Tulagi Island our landing forces was meeting with stiff resistance and in the assault against Gavutu, which however was successfully captured, our marines suffered very heavy casualties.

At 1500L/7, about ten enemy dive bombers came in from the westward and attacked destroyers on the screen to the west of the transports. We had had no warning by radar or from fighter patrols of the approached of this force. Ships at once opened fire and our fighters dived down to attack the enemy, two of which were seen to be shot down. However, USS Mugford received a direct hit aft with a 250 lb. bomb causing loss of life, considerable damage to the after superstructure and putting out of action the two after gun mountings. It is probable that our fighters accounted for many more of this enemy force of dive bombers as dog fights were seen in progress west of Savo Island and the enemy must have been at a disadvantage regarding speed.

During the afternoon the landing of material and stores had progressed on the Guadalcanal side but at Tulagi this operation was held up because the whole Island was not yet in Allied hands. American dive bombers over ' Force X ' periodically attacked target on the north coast of Guadalcanal as the Liaison planes pointed them out. On the other side, the enemy occupied portion of Tulagi Island and Tanambago Island had both been further hammered by ship bombardment and dive bombing and there were large fires burning furiously in each of these areas.

At 1830L/7 (sunset was at 1818 hours), the Screening Group was ordered to take up night dispositions as had been instructed earlier;
Two destroyers were stationed to seaward of Savo Island covering the entrances either side of Savo Island as radar and A/S guard patrols.
Two groups, each with three 8" cruisers screened by two destroyers on patrol covering the approaches from north of Savo Island and from south of Savo Island to the transport groups.
Close A/S and anti-MTB screens of destroyers and destroyer minesweepers around the transports.
USS San Juan and HMAS Hobart screened by two destroyers underway between the two transport groups as cover against enemy light forces, entering the combat area from the eastward.

At 2000L/7, the situation with regard to the progress of the marine landing forces was as follows;
On Guadacanal all troops ashore occupying on the west the line of the Tenaru river and to the east a line about longtitude 160°06'E. No major contact with the enemy garrison forces had been made.
In the Tulagi area , Tulagi itself was occupied except the easternmost end where the enemy were still resisting. Gavutu was captured, but with heavy losses on our side. Tanambago was still in the hands of the enemy and our forces were preparing to attack. Halavo was occupied by the Allied forces.

The very stiff resistance offered by the enemy on the Tulagi side called for reinforcement of our forces on Tulagi and Gavutu. These reinforcements were necessarily drawn from the forces held for the occupation of Ndeni in the 3rd phase of the operation and thereby threw out of gear, the planned shedule.

During the night the beach on the Guadacanal side became so congested with gear and equipment landed from the transports and store ships, that unloading had to be suspended.

On the Tulagi side the unloading operation had still not been commenced.

The night passeed without any form of interference from the enemy.

8 August 1942.

Sunrise was at 0638L/8. At 0500L/8, Rear-Admiral Crutchley had ordered the outer patrol units to return to the transport areas and to re-assume their day screen.

As enemy submarines might reach the area today, Rear-Admiral Crutchley ordered the destroyer minesweepers to form an A/S patrol to the westward of the Sealark and Lengo Channels. In addition all cruiser borne aircraft, except one or two for liaison duties, were now available for A/S patrols. At least three at the same time were kept in the air.

At 1027L/8, a message from a coast watcher on Bougainville Island reported 40 heavy bombers proceeding to the south-east. Shortly afterwards the transports were ordered to get underway. Both ' Force X ' and ' Force Y ' were formed independently and manoeuvred between Guadalcanal and Florida Islands awaiting the expected air attack.

At 1200L/8, HMAS Australia sighted 23 large twin engine torpedo bombers to the eastward approaching from behind the clouds over Florida Island. The alarm was given and soon all ships in ' Force X ' were engaging the aircraft which came in low to execute a torpedo bombing attack. A magnificent curtain of bursting high explosive was put up and enemy aircraft were everywhere crashing in flames. Torpedoes were dropped mostly at long range but many of the aircraft continued to fly in towards the formation to strafe personnel. The destroyer USS Jarvis was struck on the starboard side forward by a torpedo and the transport USS George F. Elliott was set on fire by an enemy aircraft flying deliberately into her superstructure. The destroyer USS Dewey was ordered to assist USS Jarvis and try to tow her into shallow water and the destroyer USS Hull was ordered to assist the burning transport.

After the attack on ' Force X ' the torpedo bombers turned towards Savo Island and were then raked by AA fire from ' Force Y '. It is estimated that 12 of the eenmy torpedo bombers were shot down. The attack had been presses well home by a strong force but was badly designed in that all the aircraft attacked from the same direction so enabling us to concentrate the full volume of our AA gunfire on them ans simplifying the avoiding action it was necessary to take. Synchronised with this torpedo bomber attack on ' Force X ' the transports were attacked by a number of high level bombers supported by Zero fighters. Bombs fell close to some of the transports but no damage was caused to any of the Allied ships.

USS Jarvis reached shallow water under her own power going astern and was able to anchor. Inspection showed that her engines and boilers were undamaged but the bottom of her hull was open between stations 30 and 55. She would be able to make four to seven knots under her own power and that night she was sailed to make the beat of her way to Vila but has not been seen or heard since. It was reported that the crew of one of the Japanese aircraft shot down had opened revolver fire on USS Jarvis when she approached their rubber boat to pick them up. The Japanese then shot themselves to avoid being taken prisoner.

The transport USS George F. Elliott continued to burn fiercely but with the assistance of the destroyer USS Hull which had been sent to her. It seemed at one time that the fire would be got under control. However the fire later gained, reached her fire rooms and she had to be abandoned. USS Hull fired four torpedoes into the ship but the burning wreck later grounded in shoal water.

After this attack the transports returned to the unloading areas and the transfer of stores and equipment to the beaches was resumed.

Around 1400L/8, the transport groups were again got under way as warning had been received of another force of enemy bombers proceeding towards the area. No attack developed, however, and at 1630L/8 the unloading operations were again resumed.

In the land areas our troops had extended their occupation area on Guadalcanal and now held from Tenaru to Kukum including the air field.

On the northern side we had completed the capture of Tulagi Island, had consolidated on Gavutu Island and had taken Tanambogo Island though a few isolated snipers had yet to be mopped up.

At 1830L/8, Rear-Admiral Crutchley ordered to naval forces to take up night dispositions as for the previous night.

The situation at the ends of this, the second day, was not quite as favourable as had been expected.
Air raids and the threat of air raids causing the transports to get under way to meet them had delayed the unloading operations.
Part of a night's unloading had been lost because of the congestion on the beach on the Guadalcanal side.
On the Tulagi side the unloading had barely begun because the Island of Tulagi had not been fully conquered earlier.
Owing to the very stiff resistance offered by the enemy on the northern side, it had been necessary to employ additional marine forces and these had been draen from the reserve which was intended to occupy Ndeni (Santa Cruz Islands) in the 3rd phase of the operation.
So far our losses due to enemy air attack had been one transport and heavy damage to two destroyers. However the enemy continued to receive air reinforcements at Rabaul. Enemy seaplane tenders were moving south and one could expect as heavy and possibly more frequent attacks on our sight with possibly not such lucky results for the Allies.
Commander Task Force 61 had said that the time had come for him to withdraw the carrier forces.
Enemy submarines were known to be on their way to the area and could be expected at any moment.

At 2045L/8, Rear-Admiral Crutchley was ordered to proceed to the transport USS McCawley for a conference with Rear-Admiral Turner. So at 2055L/8, Rear Admiral Crutchley ordered Captain Bode of the USS Chicago to take charge of the patrol in the southern entrance while HMAS Australia parted company to proceed to the transports of ' Force X '.

During the conference it was decided to retire from the area the following day despite the fact that by no means all material and stores had been landed. Orders were given to give priority to the most vital material and stores to be landed that night.

During the day a report had been received that an enemy force of three cruisers, three destroyers and two seaplane tenders or gunboats had been sighted east of Bougainville Island steering south-east. Rear-Admiral Crutchley asked Rear-Admiral Turner what he thought of this enemy force was up to. Rear-Admiral Turner replied that it was his opinion that the enemy force was destined for Rekata Bay possibly from there to operate torpedo carrying float planes against our forces and that we would have to expect two torpedo attacks a day instead of one. Rear-Admiral Turner also informed Rear-Admiral Crutchley that he had requisted for the next day, full scale bombing of these ships which he felt sure would be in Rekata Bay.

9 August 1942 and the Battle of Savo Island.

It was 0115L/9, when Rear-Admiral Crutchley rejoined HMAS Australia and after 0130L/9, when she got clear of the transport area it was decided not to rejoin the patrol in the southern entrance. HMAS Austalia then patrolled near the transports inside the destroyer screen.

The patrols during this night had been organised as follows; The destroyers USS Blue and USS Ralph Talbot were on the outer radar and A/S patrol, USS Blue off the southern entrance and USS Ralph Talbot off the northern entrance. Patrolling to the south east of Savo Island were patrolling USS Chicago, HMAS Canberra, USS Bagley and USS Patterson. HMAS Australia had originally been with them. Patrolling to the east-north-east of Savo Island were the USS Vincennes, USS Quincy, USS Astoria, USS Helm and USS Wilson.

Not long afterwards, at 0146L/9, green flares were dropped by aircraft. They began to show up to the southward and south-eastward of ' X ' transport area.

At 0150L/9, a flare was dropped in the direction of the channel south-west of Savo Island. Almost at once a few tracer rounds were sighted which were thought to be Oerlikon fire from a ship in the southern patrol group engaging the aircraft that had dropped the flare. However immediately afterwards a burst of heavy surface gunfire was observed to the east of the source of the tracer.

A night naval action then commenced which, as seen from HMAS Australia appreared to move to the tight and to increase tremendously in intensity. HMAS Australia had received no enemy report from either of the Allied guard units or from any ship in the cruiser forces.

What was happening was the following. A Japanese attack force had left Rabaul to attack the Allies. This was the same force that had been sighted an reported but was thought to include seaplane tenders. This was however not the case as the Japanese force was made up of the heavy cruisers Chokai (flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Mikawa), Aoba, Furutaka, Kako, Kinugasa, light cruisers and the destroyer Tenryu, Yubari and the destroyer Yunagi (all offsite links).

They managed to slip by the destroyer USS Blue which despite her radar outfit did not detect the Japanese. The Japanese however, did sighted the destroyer and managed to evade her and proceeded to pass to the southward of Savo Island but before arriving the another destroyer was sighted and evaded. This was the heavily damaged USS Jarvis which was leaving the area for Efate. It seems that the Jarvis also did not see the Japanese but this can not be varified as the destroyer was lost later the same day with all hands. The Japanese destroyer Yunagi was either detached or lost contact with the remainder of the Japanese Force. She had a brief exchange of gunfire with the Jarvis.

The flares that had been dropped came from floatplanes catapulted by the Japanese cruisers. The Japanese then encounted, the ' Southern group ' made up of the USS Chicago, HMAS Canberra, USS Bagley and USS Patterson. The Allies were taken completely by surprise, with their ships not being in first degree of readiness. Not all guns were manned. The Allied crews had been on the alert for two days and it had been decided to rest the crew during the night as much as possible as no attack was expected during the night and enemy air attacks were again expected the following day.

As a result the Japanese engaged the Allied southern patrol force from close range. HMAS Canberra was quickly disabled by gunfire and torpedo hits. Before HMAS Canberra was able to return fire she was already hit by around 24 shells and one or two torpedoes. Both boiler rooms were put out of action, power and lighting were lost and the ship was heavily on fire.

USS Chicago, second in line, was also hit by gunfire and a torpedo in her bow. She retired to the west for about 40 minutes and apparently made no attempt to raise the alarm or give info to other Allied ships on what just happended. For this Captain Bode was heavily criticized. He later committed suicide.

USS Bagley was not damaged in the engagement and managed to fire four torpedoes but they did not hit. After the battle she went to the aid of USS Astoria but also picked up survivors from USS Vincennes and USS Quincy.

USS Patterson, was the first ship to sight the Japanse and the Commanding Officer ordered torpedoes to be fired, however the order was not heard by the torpedo officers when she also opened fire with her guns and in the end no torpedoes were fired by USS Patterson. She was also the only ship that transmitted an enemy report by TBS. Her Commanding Officer had instructed his watch crew to be on their alert as he did not trust the aircraft report on the seaplane tenders. He had also decided to take the watch in which he though it most likely the Japanese might attack himself while all the Commanding Officers of the other ships were asleep. She was hit by enemy gunfire and No.3 and No.4 guns were out of action although No.4 gun soon was able to resume firing. She was also narrowly missed by an enemy torpedo. When the action was over she assisted the heavily damaged HMAS Canberra but the cruiser was beyond salvage and had to be scuttled.

The Japanese then continued around Savo Island at high speed where they encountered the other Allied patrol group, the ' Northern group ', made up of USS Vincennes, USS Quincy, USS Astoria, USS Helm and USS Wilson. Japanese torpedoes were already underway towards the ' Northern group '.

When the aircraft flares were fired the ships of the ' Northern group ' rang the alarm and went to action stations but despite this they too were overwhelmed by the Japanese which now had become divided after the first action. The American ' Northern Force ' was then being attacked from both sides. The Chokai, Aoba, Kako and Kinugasa form one group, the other group was made up of the Furataka, Tenryu and Yubari the other group. In the following action the heavy cruisers USS Vincennes and USS Quincy were sunk while the USS Astoria was heavily damaged. Salvage attempts failed and she later sank as well.

At about 0156L/9, the ' Northern group ' was illuminated and engaged. Fire was returned but the Allied cruisers were soon heavily hit by enemy gunfire and torpedoes. USS Vincennes soon lost electric power but her turrets continued firing in local control. She then received two torpedo hits which halted the ship. Also several fires broke out. The enemy ceased fire around 0215L/9. By 0230L/9 she was listing heavily and the order was given to abandon ship. She sank around 0245L/9.

USS Quincy was hit by the enemy's opening salvo. She was able to open fire but was soon heavily hit topside and fires were soon blazing. She then received a torpedo hit. She turned over at 0235L/9. A large hole was then revealed on her port side.

USS Astoria was able to open fire before being hit but she too was then heavily hit by enemy gunfire which started large fires. By the time the enemy ceased fire she she had lost all power. Her main armament had been able to get off around ten salvoes. Destroyers and destroyer minesweepers went to her aid in fighting the fires but she was beyond salvage and finally sank around 1215L/9.

USS Helm had been unable to identify the enemy in the confusing action and did not open fire.

USS Wilson had fired 212 rounds of 5" at the enemy. She had aimed at the enemy's searchlights for the most part.

Around 0215L/9, USS Ralph Talbot, the other picket destroyer, had turned south-east on observing the action. Around 0230L/9 was illuminated and engaged by the retiring enemy. She sustained fairly extensive superficial damage.

Some damage was inflicted on the enemy, Chokai was hit several times by USS Quincy and USS Astoria. Her No.1 gun turret was hit and out of action. Aoba was hit once. Kinugasa was hit twice. The floatplanes from Aoba and Kako were lost. The biggest loss for the Japanese came the following day where the Kako was torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS S-44 (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Moore).

Following the battle most of the wounded that had been picked up by the destroyers were transferred to the transports Barnett and Fuller.

The retirement from the area, which had been planned at 0730L/9, could not be proceeded with. HMAS Canberra was unable to proceed and was ordered to be scuttled. She sank around 0800L/9 with torpedoes fired by USS Ellet after gunfire and torpedoes from USS Selfridge had failed to do the job.

Around 0850L/9, the transports got underway again as coast watchers on Bougainville again reported enemy aircraft on their way. By 1100L/9, no air attacks had developed and unloading was resumed.

Around 1530L/9, the majority of the transports transports of ' Force X ', less USS McCawley got underway eastwards through the Lengo Channel. They were escorted by USS Chicago, USS Mugford, USS Ralph Talbot, USS Patterson, USS Ellet, USS Dewey, USS Southard, USS Hovey, USS Hopkins, USS Zane and USS Trever.

Around 1545L/9, the transports of ' Force Y ' and USS McCawley departed the Tulagi area. They also proceeded eastwards through the Lengo Channel. They were escorted by HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart, USS San Juan, USS Selfridge, USS Bagley, USS Blue, USS Helm, USS Henley, Hull, USS Wilson, USS Monssen, USS Buchanan, USS Colhoun, USS Gregory, USS Little and USS McKean.

Both forces set course for Nouméa, New Caledonia where they arrived on 13 August 1942. On the 11th, USS Chicago, which had been unable to keep up with the convoy due to her damage was detached to proceed to Nouméa singly escorted by USS Mugford and USS Patterson arriving there on the 14th.

19 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) and USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) departed Noumea to join the Carrier Fleet (Task Force 61) at sea. Task Force 61 was still operating in the area covering operations in the Guadalcanal area.

21 Aug 1942

Continued operations in the Guadacanal - Tulagi area.

21 August 1942.

Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) and USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) made rendezvous with the Carrier Fleet (Task Force 61).

They then joined Task Force 11 (Task Group 61.1), made up of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (Capt. D.C. Ramsey, USN, flying the flag of vice-Admiral F.J. Fletcher, USN), heavy cruisers USS Minneapolis (Capt. F.J. Lowry, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H. Wright, USN), USS New Orleans (Capt. W.S. Delany, USN) and the destroyers USS Phelps (T/Cdr. E.L. Beck, USN, with Capt. S.B. Brewer, USN on board), USS Farragut (Cdr. G.P. Hunter, USN), USS Macdonough (Lt.Cdr. E. van E. Dennet, USN), USS Worden (T/Cdr. W.G. Pogue, USN) and USS Dale (Cdr. H.E. Parker, USN).

USS Selfridge was however ordered to join Task Force 18 (Task Group 61.3), made up of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (T/Capt. F.P. Sherman, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L. Noyes, USN), heavy cruisers Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS San Francisco (Capt. C.H. McMorris, USN), AA cruiser USS San Juan (Capt. J.E. Maher, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral N. Scott, USN) and the destroyers USS Farenholt (T/Cdr. Lt.Cdr. E.T. Seaward, USN, with Capt. R.G. Tobin, USN on board), USS Aaron Ward (T/Cdr. O.F. Gregor, USN), USS Buchanan (T/Cdr. R.E. Wilson, USN), USS Lang (T/Cdr. E.A. Seay, USN), USS Stack (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Greenacre, USN) and USS Sterett (Cdr. J.G. Coward, USN).

These was also Task Force 16 (Task Group 61.2) made up of the aircraft carrier Enterprise (Capt. A.C. Davis, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral T.C. Kincaid, USN), battleship USS North Carolina (Capt. G.H. Fort, USN), heavy cruiser USS Portland (Capt. L.T. Du Bose, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.S. Tisdale, USN), AA cruiser USS Atlanta (Capt. S.P. Jenkins, USN) and the destroyers USS Balch (T/Cdr. H.H. Tiemroth, USN, with Capt. E.P. Sauer, USN on board), USS Benham (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Taylor, USN), USS Ellet (T/Cdr. F.H. Gardner, USN), USS Maury (T/Cdr. G.L. Sims, USN), USS Grayson (T/Cdr. F.J. Bell, USN) and USS Monssen (T/Cdr. R.N. Smoot, USN).

A ' Surface Attack Group ' was then formed in case it would be needed, although the ships assigned remained with the carriers for the moment. It was was made up of the following units;
USS San Juan (Independent Flagship)
1st Division; USS North Carolina, USS Minneapolis and New Orleans.
2nd Division; USS Portland, USS Salt Lake City and USS San Francisco.
3rd Division; the third division was to be formed from the screen on signal, the screen was made up of the AA cruiser USS Atlanta and the destroyers USS Selfridge, USS Maury, USS Worden, USS Benham, USS Lang, USS Aaron Ward, USS Bagley and USS Patterson. 4th Division; heavy cruiser HMAS Australia and the light cruisers HMAS Hobart and USS Phoenix (Capt. H.E. Fischer, USN) although this last cruiser was yet to join.

The ' Carrier Attack Group ' was made up of the three aircraft carriers and the remaining destroyers.

Vice-Admiral Fletcher outlines the mission of the ' Air Attack Group as being;
To destroy enemy forces prior to and while in the Tulagi - Guadalcanal area,
To defend the own carriers.

The mission of the ' Surface Attack Group ' was given as the defence of the carriers against hostile surface attack.

At sunset, the cruisers USS Minneapolis, USS New Orleans, USS San Francisco, USS Salt Lake City and the destroyers USS Selfridge, USS Worden, USS Patterson, USS Benham, USS Lang and USS Maury parted company with the rest of the fleet to form a scouting line 20 miles ahead of the main fleet to guard against night surface attack. They were to rejoin the main force after daylight.

Meanwhile on Guadalcanal, around 0200L/21, an enemy force of about 700 troops attempted to break through our defences at the mouth of the Tenaru River. There was heavy hand to hand fighting until about 0900L/21when the enemy, then retiring, was out-flanked and trapped with their backs to the beach. Fighting continued till about 1700L/21 when our infantery, supported by tanks, completed the destruction of the enemy. 670 Japanese were killed and a few were taken prisoner. Allied casualties were 28 marines killed and 72 wounded. According to an enemy prisoner, their landing force had sailed from Truk on 16 August 1942 in six destroyers and had been landed on 18 August 1942 at a point 18 miles east of Lunga [They had been landed near Cape Taivu by the destroyers Kagero, Arashi, Hagikaze, Hamakaze, Tanikaze and Urakaze (all offsite links)].

At about mid-day four of the fighters now based on Guadalcanal engaged six enemy Zero fighters over the area. One Zero was shot down and one of our own fighters crashed on landing owing to inability to extend the undercarriage.

During the afternoon the seaplane tender (former destroyer) 2314 McFarland (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Alderman, USN) and the high speed transports USS Colhoun (T/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Madden, USN), USS Gregory (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bauer, USN), USS Little (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Lofberg, Jr., USN), USS McKean (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Shinners, USN), USS Stringham (Lt.Cdr. C.E. Boyd, USN) and uSS Manley (Lt. O.C. Schatz, Jr., USN) (also former destroyers) arrived at Guadacanal with provisions, gear, materials and some personnel. The USS McFarland had aviation gasoline on board. During the approach of this force, a torpedo fired by a submarine passed astern of USS McFarland. If genuine this may have been an attack by the Japanese submarine I-123 (offsite link) who was in the area and did not return from patrol.

At 0900L/21, the seaplane tender USS MacKinac (T/Capt. N.R. Hitchcock, USN), which was operating planes from Ndeni (Santa Cruz Islands) reported being attacked sustaining some damage and casualties. It was later find out this had been allied aircraft which had attacked in error.

22 August 1942.

At 0615L/22, when about 60 miles south of Guadalcanal the aircraft carriers flew off a striking force to attack target of opportunity in the Guadalcanal area. It is considered that this force probably had no success as no enemy were reported in the area this particular morning. During the day the Carrier Groups were kept roughly between San Cristobal and Rennel Islands but no enemy surface foreces were reported within range of our striking forces. An enemy flying boat was shot down by fighters. At the end of the day course was shaped to the eastward and after clearing San Cristobal, changed to the northward and westward to reach a position about 45 miles eastward of the southern end of Malaita Island by daylight the next morning. Ll/22, after the destroyers USS Blue (Cdr. H.N. Williams, USN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN) and USS Henley (Cdr. R.H. Smith, USN) had escorted the storeships USS Fomalhaut (AK 22) (5028 GRT, built 1942) (Cdr. J.D. Alvis, USN) and USS Alhena (AK 26) (7101 GRT, built 1941) (T/Capt. C.B. Hunt, USN) through the lengo Channel to Tulagi and Guadalcanal, USS Blue was struck aft by a torpedo which was thought to have been fired by an enemy Motor Torpedo Boat. [The attacker was actually the destroyer Kawakaze, which had been on patrol in the Guadacanal area.] The stern of the destroyer was blown off. She reached Lunga in tow and though disabled, remained seaworthy. USS Alhena discharged her cargo of rations, water, distilling outfits, weapons, ammunition, aviation lubricating oil and bombs. USS Fomalhaut discharged at Guadalcanal a cargo consisting of rations, aviaton spirit, water, distilling outfits, ammunition and materials.

USS McFarland, USS Colhoun, USS Gregory, USS Little and USS McKean left the Guadalcanal area after having discharged their cargoes. USS Stringham and USS Manley remained in the area after having finished unloading. They were to assist USS Helm and USS Henley in screening the Fomalhaut and Alhena.

The morning air reconnaissance reported a Japanese ship, thought to be a light cruiser in approximate position 05°00'N, 159°00'E proceeding south-east at 24 knots. As it was thought this ship might be en-route to attack our seaplane tender at Ndeni so USS MacKinac and the destroyer minelayer USS Breese (T/Cdr. H.F. Staut, USN) were ordered to leave that place.

The light cruiser USS Phoenix which was to join the Fleet arrived at Noumea from Sydney. However she required repairs to one gun turret which were estimated to take 48 hours.

23 August 1942.

At 0630L/23, the three carrier groups had reached a position about 45 miles to the east of the south end of Malaita Island and throughout the day operated between this position and a positiom 70 miles to the south-east. CAP fighter patrols one again accounted for a Japanese flying boat. Our own reconnaissance aircraft made three submarine sightings. [These were the Japanese submarine I-17 (twice) and I-19 (offsite links).] These sightings seems to confirm an earlier intelligence report which had been received indicating a line of enemy submsrines stretching north-west from Ndeni (Santa Cruz Islands).

At 1030L/23, a reconnaissance aircraft reported an enemy force of two cruisers, three destroyers and four transports in approximate position 05°00'N, 160°00'E steering south towards Guadalcanal at 17 knots. At 1515L/23 USS Saratoga launched a striking force of 37 torpedo and dive bombers to attack this enemy force, then estimated to bear 320°, 260 miles from our own carrier forces. From the airfield on Guadalcanal a striking force of 9 dive bombers escorted by fighters was also launched but neither of these striking forces made contact with the enemy. This was not surprising as the reconnaissance aircraft had made only the initial sighting report and with passing rain stroms and a good deal of cloud it was essential that the enemy was effectively shadowed and reported if our striking forces were to reach them to deliver an attack. All the aircraft of these striking forces landed at Guadalcanal airfield. The carrier group then rejoined USS Saratoga the next morning. During the night the Japanese destroyer Kagero had bombarded the area of the airfield.

The enemy convoy sighted by the reconnaissance aircraft had been made up of the transports Boston Maru (5438 GRT, built 1919), Daifuku Maru (3194 GRT, built 1907) and Kinryu Maru (9310 GRT, built 1938). They had a close escort made up of the light cruiser Jintsu and the patrol boats Patrol Boat No.1, Patrol Boat No.2, Patrol Boat No.34 and Patrol Boat No.35.

Five Catalina flying boats were to attack this convoy with bombs and torpedoes in moonlight but these also could not find it. It was later heard that the enemy convoy had made a drastic alteration of course to the north-west. It was a pity that failure on the part of the reconnaissance plane to make further reports had led to so much wasted efforts of the Allied air striking forces.

In the evening Task Force 18 (USS Wasp group), parted company and proceeded to the south to refuel from USN tankers in approximate position 13°00'S, 164°00'E.

As no attack had developed against Ndeni, USS MacKinac and USS Breese returned to Graciosa Bay.

During the afternoon it became clear that the damaged destroyer USS Blue could not towed away from the Guadalcanal area. She was therefore scuttled in the evening by scuttling charges and gunfire (a torpedo had missed) from USS Henley.

During the night of 23/24 August, Task Forces 11 and 16 proceeded to the south-east, then to the north and finally to the westward to be back in the same area as today for continued operations. (56)

24 Aug 1942

Continued operations in the Guadacanal - Tulagi area / Battle of the Eastern Solomons.

24 August 1942.

At daylight on 24 August, Task Forces 11 and 16 had reached a position about 50 miles east of the southern end of Malaita Island.

The composition of Task Force 11 was as follows; the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (Capt. D.C. Ramsey, USN, flying the flag of vice-Admiral F.J. Fletcher, USN), heavy cruisers USS Minneapolis (Capt. F.J. Lowry, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H. Wright, USN), USS New Orleans (Capt. W.S. Delany, USN), HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Phelps (T/Cdr. E.L. Beck, USN, with Capt. S.B. Brewer, USN on board), USS Farragut (Cdr. G.P. Hunter, USN), USS Macdonough (Lt.Cdr. E. van E. Dennet, USN), USS Worden (T/Cdr. W.G. Pogue, USN), USS Dale (Cdr. H.E. Parker, USN), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) and USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN).

Task Force 16 was made up of Enterprise (Capt. A.C. Davis, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral T.C. Kincaid, USN), battleship USS North Carolina (Capt. G.H. Fort, USN), heavy cruiser USS Portland (Capt. L.T. Du Bose, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.S. Tisdale, USN), AA cruiser USS Atlanta (Capt. S.P. Jenkins, USN) and the destroyers USS Balch (T/Cdr. H.H. Tiemroth, USN, with Capt. E.P. Sauer, USN on board), USS Benham (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Taylor, USN), USS Ellet (T/Cdr. F.H. Gardner, USN), USS Maury (T/Cdr. G.L. Sims, USN), USS Grayson (T/Cdr. F.J. Bell, USN) and USS Monssen (T/Cdr. R.N. Smoot, USN).

Task Force 18, made up of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (T/Capt. F.P. Sherman, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L. Noyes, USN), heavy cruisers Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS San Francisco (Capt. C.H. McMorris, USN), AA cruiser USS San Juan (Capt. J.E. Maher, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral N. Scott, USN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, on board), USS Farenholt (T/Cdr. Lt.Cdr. E.T. Seaward, USN, with Capt. R.G. Tobin, USN on board), USS Aaron Ward (T/Cdr. O.F. Gregor, USN), USS Buchanan (T/Cdr. R.E. Wilson, USN), USS Lang (T/Cdr. E.A. Seay, USN), USS Stack (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Greenacre, USN) and USS Sterett (Cdr. J.G. Coward, USN) was some 250 miles to the southward to fuel from the tankers USS Cimarron (T/Capt. R.M. Ihrig, USN), USS Platte (Capt. R.H. Henkle, USN). These tankers were escorted by the destroyers USS Clark (T/Capt. M.T. Richardson, USN) and USS Gwin (Cdr. J.M. Higgins, USN). The tanker group had departed Efate on 23 August 1942. Fuelling commenced around 0920L/24.

Allied reconnaissance aircraft were soon in contact with the enemy surface forces and it became clear that widespread enemy movement was under way. At 0800L/24, a convoy of five ships was sighted. This convoy was escorted by a cruiser, three destroyers and a submarine. Location of the convoy was was to the south of Bougainville steering to the south-east. Later there were reports of two cruisers and two destroyers in the New Ireland - Isabel Island area.

Following these sightings our reconnaissance aircraft sighted strong enemy naval forces to the north-east of Ontong Java Atoll steering to the southward. These naval forces when sighted were about 300 miles north of Task Forces 11 and 16. When this strong enemy naval force was sighted USS Saratoga had just landed on her aircraft which had stayed overnight on the airfield at Guadalcanal.

Vice-Admiral Fletcher ordered all ships to have steam for full speed by 1200L/24. The Task Forces then proceeded to the north and east whilst preparing air strike groups to attack the enemy.

The aircraft reports of the enemy naval forces when plotted failed to give a clear picture of the situation because the reports were not amplified and were not kept up to date. It was obvious, also, that the enemy types were being mistaken, particularly that destroyers were being reported as cruisers. However the reports showed that the enemy had a very considerable naval force, including an aircraft carrier, to the northward of the Allied Task Forces 11 and 16.

The Japanese forces operating in the area were the following; The ' Main Force ' was made up of the heavy cruisers Atago, Takao, Maya, Myoko, Haguro, light cruiser Yura and the destroyers Asagumo, Yamagumo, Kuroshio, Oyashio and Hayashio.
The ' Support Force ' was made up of the battleship Mutsu, seaplane tender Chitose and the destroyers Natsugumo, Murasame, Harusame and Samidare.
The ' Carrier Force ' was made up of the aircraft carriers Shokaku, Zuikaku and the destroyers Akigumo, Yugumo, Makigumo, Kazagumo, Shikinami.
The ' Cover Force ' was to provide cover for the ' Carrier Force ' and was made up of the battlecruisers Hiei, Kirishima, heavy cruisers Kumano, Suzuya, Chikuma, light cruiser Nagara and the destroyers Akizuki, Hatsukaze, Maikaze, Nowaki, Tanikaze and Yukikaze.
The ' Distraction Force ' was made up of the light carrier Ryujo, heavy cruiser Tone and the destroyers Amatsukaze and Tokitsukaze (all links are offsite links).

Around 1330L/24, USS Saratoga launched a striking force against the ' Ryujo ' Force. The striking force was made up of 30 dive bombers and 8 torpedo bombers. Around 1530L/24, they attacked the Ryujo and managed to heavily damage the Japanse carrier with bombs and torpedo(es). The damaged carrier sinks later the same day in position 06°10'S, 160°50'E.

Shortly after 1405L/24, two large enemy carriers were sighted by a reconnaissance aircraft from USS Enterprise. At 1430L/24, it was however decided not to launch the available striking force from USS Enterprise (only 25 aircraft were available), as these aircraft would not be able to return before dark. Two of the scouts from USS Enterprise attacked the Shokaku with bombs. One very near miss was obtained and she suffered some minor damage to her hull.

The strike force from the Enterprise however was launched to clear the deck between 1625L/24 and 1640L/24 when Japanese aircraft were detected to be approaching. The strike force was ordered to search for and attack the damaged Ryujo and then land on Guadalcanal. They however did not find the Ryujo.

Around the same time USS Saratoga also launched her remaining eight attack planes to attack the enemy battleship and cruiser force reported to the north. They later attacked the Chitose (They identified the target as the Mutsu.) All aircraft, except for one dive bomber which had returned early and two torpedo aircraft which landed on San Christobal Island, returned to the carrier.

At 1602L/24, the radar on the USS Enterprise detected a large unidentified flight of aircraft coming towards, bearing 320°, range 88 miles. At that time there were 25 fighters on Combat Air Patrol and USS Saratoga had 20 ready on deck. The sun was bearing 325°, so the enemy was approaching from the direction of the sun. The radar contact was however soon lost and was not picked up again for 17 minutes. USS Saratoga meanwhile launched her aircraft and a returning search group was ordered to stay clear as enemy attack was imminent but not all picked up this message. It is believed that the Japanese were trailing these returning aircraft.

At 1619L/24, the enemy flight was picked up again on the same bearing but now at a range of 44 miles. Some fighters in the meantime had landed for refuelling while others were launched. In all there were now 38 fighters on CAP. At 1625L/24, one section of our fighters sighted the enemy consisting of about 36 bombers with many Zero fighters above and below. They were then about 33 miles from the Enterprise which at that time was about 10 miles to the north-west of the Saratoga. Shortly afterwards also enemy torpedo aircraft were seen.

USS Saratoga then launched an additional 15 fighters bringing the total in the air to 53. Fighter direction was however not as effective as it could have been due to much non-essential chatter on the radio.

At a range of about 25 miles the enemy split into multiple sections and veered to the north. It was during this interval that the radar screen became confused with the many enemy groups, our returning search aircraft, the Enterprise strike group just launched to attack the Ryujo, the second Saratoga attack group and the many fighters in the air. This, with the poor radio discipline, made it difficult to obtain correct information on the various enemy groups and to control our fighters.

When the enemy aircraft were about 14 miles from the Enterprise, a fighter reported them to be at 18000 feet. Our fighters attacked promptly but had to climb through Zero fighters to reach the bombers, hence the majority of the dive bombers were not intercepted until they were in their dives.

Meanwhile Task Force 61 was doing 27 knots, manoeuvring radically with maximum rudder. The screen came in to close support distance, 2000 yards for cruiser and destroyer within 1800 yards. The USS North Carolina was at 2500 yards from the USS Enterprise proceeding at her full speed.

At 1641L/24, USS Enterprise was near missed by the first group of enemy dive bombers. but soon more groups came in and in the end USS Enterprise was hit by three bombs and suffered many near misses. Many of the attackers were shot down or damaged (Japanese gives 18 dive bombers and 6 fighters lost out of 27 dive bombers and 10 fighters). Repairs were made on board the USS Enterprise and she was able to remain in operation.

Meanwhile speed had been increased to 30 knots by USS Enterprise and her cruiser and destroyer escort. The result was that the North Carolina dropped behind and was now also attacked by Japanese aircraft, she was not hit but suffered three near misses.

During the night of 24/25 August 1942, Task Forces 11 and 16 retired to the south. Task Force 11 was to refuel and Task Force 16 with the Enterprise was to retire for repairs. Task Force 18, having refuelled proceeded northwards.

With the enemy still at large the seaplane tender USS MacKinac (T/Capt. N.R. Hitchcock, USN) and destroyer minelayer USS Breese (T/Cdr. H.F. Staut, USN) were ordered again to retire from Ndeni (Santa Cruz Islands). (56)

25 Aug 1942

Continued operations in the Guadacanal - Tulagi area following the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.

25 August 1942.

During the night of 24 August/ 25 August, Task Forces 11 and 16 retired to the south to refuel or retire from the area for repairs respectively. Task Force 18 had completed fuelling and now proceeded northwards to take their place.

The composition of Task Force 11 was as follows; the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (Capt. D.C. Ramsey, USN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral F.J. Fletcher, USN), heavy cruisers USS Minneapolis (Capt. F.J. Lowry, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H. Wright, USN), USS New Orleans (Capt. W.S. Delany, USN), HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Phelps (T/Cdr. E.L. Beck, USN, with Capt. S.B. Brewer, USN on board), USS Farragut (Cdr. G.P. Hunter, USN), USS Dewey (T/Cdr. C.F. Chillingsworth, Jr., USN), USS Macdonough (Lt.Cdr. E. van E. Dennet, USN), USS Worden (T/Cdr. W.G. Pogue, USN), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) and USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN).

Task Force 16 was made up of Enterprise (Capt. A.C. Davis, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral T.C. Kincaid, USN), battleship USS North Carolina (Capt. G.H. Fort, USN), heavy cruiser USS Portland (Capt. L.T. Du Bose, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.S. Tisdale, USN), AA cruiser USS Atlanta (Capt. S.P. Jenkins, USN) and the destroyers USS Balch (T/Cdr. H.H. Tiemroth, USN, with Capt. E.P. Sauer, USN on board), USS Benham (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Taylor, USN), USS Ellet (T/Cdr. F.H. Gardner, USN), USS Maury (T/Cdr. G.L. Sims, USN), USS Grayson (T/Cdr. F.J. Bell, USN) and USS Monssen (T/Cdr. R.N. Smoot, USN).

Task Force 18, made up of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (T/Capt. F.P. Sherman, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L. Noyes, USN), heavy cruisers Salt Lake City (Capt. E.G. Small, USN), USS San Francisco (Capt. C.H. McMorris, USN), AA cruiser USS San Juan (Capt. J.E. Maher, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral N. Scott, USN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, on board), USS Farenholt (T/Cdr. Lt.Cdr. E.T. Seaward, USN, with Capt. R.G. Tobin, USN on board), USS Aaron Ward (T/Cdr. O.F. Gregor, USN), USS Buchanan (T/Cdr. R.E. Wilson, USN), USS Lang (T/Cdr. E.A. Seay, USN), USS Stack (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Greenacre, USN) and USS Sterett (Cdr. J.G. Coward, USN).

The battleship USS North Carolina, the AA cruiser USS Atlanta and the destroyers USS Grayson and USS Monssen were ordered to detach from Task Force 16 and join the other Task Forces.

Another Task Force, Task Force 17, made up of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (Capt. C.P. Mason, USN , flying the flag of Rear-Admiral G.D. Murray, USN), heavy cruisers USS Northampton (Capt. W.D. Chandler, Jr., USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.H. Good, USN), USS Pensacola (Capt. F.L. Lowe, USN), AA cruiser USS San Diego (Capt. B.F. Perry, USN) and the destroyers USS Morris (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Boyer, USN, with Capt. G.C. Hoover, USN on board), USS Hughes (T/Cdr. D.J. Ramsey, USN), USS Anderson (T/Cdr. R.A. Guthrie, USN), USS Mustin (T/Cdr. W.F. Petersen, USN), USS Russell (T/Cdr. G.R. Hartwig, USN) and USS O'Brien (T/Cdr. T. Burrowes, USN) were approaching the New Hebrides area from the eastward. With them was also the tanker USS Guadalupe (T/Capt. J.S. Freeman, USN). Originally intended as reinforcements but they now could take the place of Task Force 16. USS Guadalupe parted company with Task Force 17 on this day as did USS Hughes which was detailed to escort the tanker.

Shortly after midnight during the night of 24/25 August, enemy destroyers shelled our positions in the Guadalcanal / Tulagi area but they inflicted almost no damage. Casualties among our troops were two killed and three wounded. Some dive bombers took off from Henderson Field and claimed to have obtained on hit on an enemy destroyer. The Japanese destroyers which were operating in the Guadalcanal / Tulagi area this night were the Kagero, Isokaze, Kawakaze, Mutsuki and Yayoi. Our positions on Guadacanal were also bombed by high level bombers shortly before noon this day.

After daylight on the 25th, Task Force 11 and part of Task Force 16 commenced fuelling from the tankers USS Cimarron (T/Capt. R.M. Ihrig, USN), USS Platte (Capt. R.H. Henkle, USN) and USS Sabine (T/Capt. H.L. Maples, USN) which were escorted by the destroyers USS Clark (T/Capt. M.T. Richardson, USN), USS Dale (Cdr. H.E. Parker, USN) and USS Gwin (Cdr. J.M. Higgins, USN).

On completion of the fuelling USS Enterprise, USS Portland, USS Balch, USS Benham and USS Ellet parted company to leave the operations area. USS Maury was ordered to proceed to Tulagi. She rejoined on the 28th. Task-Force 16 arrived at Tonga on 30 August 1942.

Meanwhile Task Force 18 was operating in support of the Marines on Guadalcanal. Three enemy reconnaissance aircraft were shot down by fighters from USS Wasp. In addition aircraft from USS Wasp reconnoitred Rakata Bay which was suspected to be used by the enemy but the Bay was found to be empty.

Two submarine contacts were obtained by Task Force 18 on the 25th. The destroyer USS Grayson sighted a ship on the horizon and was detached to invesitigate. The ' ship ' turned out to be a large submarine which submerged. USS Grayson then attacked with several patterns of depth charges. She was later joined by USS Patterson. When USS Grayson ran out of depth charges USS Monssen took over from her. In the end the Japanese submarine, which was the I-9 (offsite link), managed to escape damaged. The other submarine contact was attacked by a dive bomber from USS Enterprise which claimed a direct hit.

26 August 1942.

Shortly after midnight Task Force 11 (Saratoga Group) completed fuelling and reinforced by USS North Carolina, USS Atlanta, USS Grayson and USS Monssen proceeded northwards to join Task Force 18 (Wasp Group).

At 1215L/26, our positions on Guadacanal were raided by sixteen twin engined enemy bombers supported by twelve Zero fighters. Allied land based fighters intercepted them and shot down seven bombers and five fighters for the loss of one fighter including its pilot.

On joining up both Carrier Task Forces operated during the night of 26/27 August on the parallel of 11°S, between San Christobal Island and the Santa Cruz Islands.

27 August 1942.

During the day the carrier groups had steered to the southward and by sunset had reached position 12°00'S, 165°00'E. In the afternoon the CAP had shot down a large four-engined enemy flying boat which attempted to shadow the carrier forces.

Allied reconnaissance aircraft from Ndeni again found enemy naval forces to the north-east of the Solomons. The forces comprised a battleship, cruisers and destroyers. They were reported on various courses during the day but always in the vicinity of position 02°00'S, 162°00'E.

According to intelligence more and more units of the Japanese Fleet were known to be in the area as were a lot of the Japanese senior naval commanders. This indicated the magnitude of the effort the Japanese are preparing to make in the area.

The Allied Commander South Pacific (Vice-Admiral Ghormley) decided that every effort should be made to reinforce our positions in the Guadalcanal - Tulagi area.

During the day the seaplane tender (former destroyer) McFarland (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Alderman, USN) relieved the destroyer minelayer USS Breese (T/Cdr. H.F. Staut, USN) at Ndeni thus joining the seaplane tender USS MacKinac (T/Capt. N.R. Hitchcock, USN) there.

In the Guadalcanal - Tulagi area there were no reports of enemy activity. A large patrol had been sent to attack a Japanese outpost at Kukumbona (seven miles west of Lunga Point). In the afternoon four additional fighters landed at Henderson Field. On their way in they had damaged and hopefully destroyed a large four-engined enemy flying boat.

During the night Task Forces 11 and 18 cruised around latitude 12°00'S between meridians 165°00'E and 162°00'E.

28 August 1942.

At daylight the two carrier groups were sixty miles south of San Cristobal Island and operated throughout the day to provide cover for a convoy en-route to the Guadacanal - Tulagi area from the New Hebrides area.

This convoy was made up of the transports USS William Ward Burrows (AP 6) (4577 GRT, built 1929) (T/Cdr. E.I. McQuiston, USN) and Kopara (New Zealand, 679 GRT, built 1938). They were escorted by the destroyer minelayers 2157 Gamble (Lt.Cdr. S.N. Tackney), 2368 Tracy (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Collis, USN) and the high speed transports (former destroyers) USS Colhoun (T/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Madden, USN), USS Gregory (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bauer, USN) and USS Little (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Lofberg, Jr., USN).

Reconnaissance aircraft found no enemy naval forces in the area north-east of the Solomon Islands. Enemy submarine activity in the area between 05°S and 15°S, and 160° to 170° has greatly increased during the last few days and it is estimated that there area now at least ten enemy submarines in the area. It would appear that the enemy is aware of the approximate vicinity of our forces and is andeavouring to achieve some success against our carriers with this concentration of submarines. However, the carrier forces have an ample number of screening destroyers and strong A/S air patrols which are maintained during daylight and have been keeping the submarines down and scoring some successes against them.

During the day Rear-Admiral Scott transferred from the USS San Juan to the San Francisco. The USS San Juan then parted company to join Task Force 16 (the Enterprise Group) as she had a defective gun mount for which she needed to undergo repairs.

In the Guadalcanal area, the US Marines patrol returned after dealing with the enemy detachmentt at Kukumbona. US casualties had been five killed and ten wounded. Enemy casualties uncertain.

An afternoon air patrol from Guadalcanal located an enemy force comprising three large destroyers and one smaller one seventy miles to the northward and steering south. Eleven dive bombers took off and attacked this force resulting in one large destroyer blowing up and sinking, one large destroyer being hit amidships and set on fire and the smaller destroyer being hit and left proceeding at slow speed and in distress. The remaining large destroyer escaped. One of our dive bombers failed to return. It was reported that these destroyer had carried considerable quantities of gear on deck. The destroyer attacked were the Asagiri which was sunk while the Shirakumo and Yugiri sustained heavy damage and the Amagiri sustained minor damage. [All these destroyers were the same size as all belonged to the Fubuki-class, all links are offsite links.]

It was learnt that about 100 Japanese had landed on Mahige Island (South end of Isabel Island) the previous afternoon from two rafts. It is probable that this party consised of survivors from the transport which had been sunk about 120 miles to the northward on the 25th by our aircraft.

During the night of 28/29 August 1942, both carrier groups proceeded to the northward.

29 August 1942.

At daylight the carrier groups were in approximate position 10°00'S, 163°00'E, able to cover the arrival at Guadalcanal of the convoy mentioned earlier. In this position Task Forces 11 and 18 were joined by Task Force 17. During the day they operated to the southward reaching latitude 12°S by sunset.

At 0440L/29, our position in Guadalcanal was bombed by 6 enemy aircraft and at 1155L/29 our position was again bombed. In this raid, which was carried out by 18 twin-engined bombers, supported by 9 fighters, our shore based fighters intercepted and shot down at least three enemy bombers and four enemy fighters (Type Zero). In addition one bombers was brought down by AA fire. Two Allied fighters were destroyer on the ground and two were damaged in aerial combat. Some ammunition and AA material had been destroyed. Allied casualties were 3 killed and 9 wounded.

The Commanding General Guadalcanal has reported that only the F4F Wildcat fighters are able to compete against the enemy's bombing formations owing to the great height at which they approach.

At 1250L/29, our convoy arrived in the Tulagi area with a much needed cargo of ammunition, rations, aviation spirit and stores. After unloading, the three high speed transports (former destroyers) will remain in the area to transport Marine raider detachments in mopping up operations against outlying enemy detachments.

The next movement of supplies to Guadalcanal area began today with the departure from Esperitu Santo of the destroyer USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN) escorting the patrol tenders YP 239, YP 284 and YP 326 and of the destroyer USS Henley (Lt.Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) escorting the Naval Cargo Ship USS Betelgeuse (AK 28) (6198 GRT, built 1939) (T/Capt. H.D. Power, USN).

A report was received the enemy cruisers or destroyers have left Faisi (Shortland Islands) to proceed to Guadalcanal at high speed. Orders were therefore given for the USS William Ward Burrows, Kopara and their escort to retired to the eastward through the Lengo Channel and to return to the area the next day to complete unloading. Indeed the Japanese destroyers Isokaze, Kawakaze, Suzukaze and Umikaze had departed followed by the Fubuki, Hatsuyuki and Murakumo. They landed Japanese troops near Cape Taivu during the night of 28/29 August 1942.

During the night of 29/30 August 1942, the Carrier Groups cruiser in the vicinity of position 12°00'S, 164°00'E.

30 August 1942.

At daylight the light cruiser USS Phoenix (Capt. H.E. Fischer, USN) finally joined the Carrier Forces which at 0800M/12 were reorganized as follows;
Task Force 61 (Vice-Admiral F.J. Fletcher, USN)
Task Group 61.1, under Vice-Admiral Fletcher was made up of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, battleship USS North Carolina, heavy cruisers USS Minneapolis, USS New Orleans, AA cruiser USS Atlanta and the destroyers USS Phelps, USS Farragut, USS Dewey, USS Macdonough, USS Worden, USS Grayson and USS Monssen.
Task Group 61.2, under Rear-Admiral G.D. Murray, USN, was made up of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, heavy cruisers USS Northampton, USS Pensacola, light cruiser USS Phoenix, AA cruiser USS San Diego and the destroyers USS Morris, USS Anderson, USS Mustin, USS Russell, USS O'Brien, USS Bagley and USS Patterson.
Task Group 61.3, under Rear-Admiral L. Noyes, USN, was made up of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp, heavy cruisers HMAS Australia, USS San Francisco, USS Salt Lake City, light cruiser HMAS Hobart and the destroyers USS Selfridge, USS Farenholt, USS Aaron Ward, USS Buchanan, USS Lang, USS Stack and USS Sterret.

During the day the combined Task Force operated in the vicinity of position 12°30'S, 164°00'E.

In the Guadalcanal area there was an aerial engagement in the forenoon in which Allied fighters shot down 8 land-based enemy type Zero fighters for a loss to themselves if 4 aircraft of which 1 pilot was rescued. Around 1500M/30, 18 enemy bombers attacked Allied ships unloading of Kukum during which the high speed transport USS Colhoun was sunk. No other ships were hit. During the night of 29/30 August the transport William Ward Burrows had grounded on Sylvia shoal off Tulagi. She was towed off, with great difficulty, the following day. It was believed that USS Gamble and USS Little each destroyed an enemy submarine in the area on the 29th. [USS Gamble indeed sunk the I-123 (offsite link).]

In the afternoon 17 F4F fighters and 4 scout dive bombers arrived as reinforcements at Henderson Field.

During the afternoon an enemy force of four cruisers was located between Isabel and New Georgia Islands, proceeding to the north-west. They were then bombed by the aircraft which made the sighting but no hits were obtained. [More likely this were destroyers though.]

During the night of 30/31 August 1942 the combined carrier forces steered to the northward. Task Force 18 / 61.3 ('Wasp'-Group) was to be detached during the night to proceed to Noumea for fuel, provisions, ammunition and a few days of in harbour. Task Forces 11 / 61.1 and 17 / 61.2 would reach latitude 10°S at daylight to continue the operations.

31 August 1942.

Shorty after midnight, Task Group 61.3 turned to the southward to proceed to Noumea as planned.

However, at 0748M/31, in position 10°34'S, 164°18'E, USS Saratoga was hit by a torpedo from the Japanese submarine I-26 (offsite link) which had fired a salvo of six. The torpedoes were spotted by USS Macdonough which alerted the carrier which was able to dodge the other torpedoes, one of which had broken surface as well. The carrier came to a standstill. Prior to the attack, at 0310M/31, the new SG radar of USS North Carolina had detected a surface contact and at 0337M/31, USS Farragut had been detached to investigate but she could not find anything [obviously, the submarine had submerged and tried to get into an attack position.]

Towing gear was then rigged and USS Minneapolis and USS New Orleans were ordered to make ready to take the disabled carrier in tow but at 0835M/31, USS Saratoga was able to get underway on one shaft and commenced to leave the area. the destroyer USS Monssen was left behind with orders to keep the sumbarine down until sunset and then rejoin. At the same time USS Phelps obtained a contact. While maintaining contact USS Macdonough came in and dropped depth charges. USS Monssen then took over.

Around 1018M/31, the destroyer USS Bagley joined from Task Force 17 / 61.2 to reinforce the damaged carrier's destroyer screen. Eight minutes later a second shaft could be used to propel the damaged carrier which by now was back on an even keel.

At 1043M/31, all power was however lost and she was dead in the water again. At 1204M/31, a towline was established with the cruiser USS Minneapolis and towing commenced around half an hour later.

Around 1310M/31, both usable shafts were back 'online' and she was able to propel herself again. Towing was still continued though and the ship was towed into the wind and at 1330M/31, 29 aircraft were flown off to Esperitu Santo. Tow was casted at 1637M/31.

During 1 September 1942, 5 more aircraft were flow off to Esperitu Santo while 2 returned from there. Also an A/S patrol was maintained throughout the day. Around 1842M/1, the tug Navajo (T/Cdr. J.A. Ouellet, USN), escorted by the destroyer Laffey (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Hank, USN) joined.

On 2 september USS Saratoga flew off 2 aircraft to Esperitu Santo and a total of 32 fighters to Efate. also the Task Group, less the Saratoga fuelled from the tanker USS Guadalupe which had arrived escorted by the destroyer USS Dale. Also during the day personnel and bagage were transferred to the destroyers USS Monssen and USS Grayson. Early in the afternoon 17 aircraft landed on from Esperitu Santo for gear, torpedoes, etc.. These aircraft later took off again to return to Esperitu Santo but one crashed on taking off, the pilot being rescued by USS Navajo. Again A/S patrols were maintained throughout the day.

On 3 September fuelling was completed and USS Guadalupe and USS Dale were detached around 1245M/3. As usual air patrols were maintained throughout the day. Task Force 11 arrived at Tonga on 6 September 1942.

Meanwhile around 1200M/1, Task Force 18 / Task Group 61.3 turned around. The destroyers then fuelled from the bigger ships.

On 31 August 1942, in the Guadalcanal area, moonlight air patrol had located two enemy cruisers and two destroyers near Cape Taivu. They were close inshore and are thought to have been discharging troops and cargo. Dive bombers then attacked them forcing them to withdraw. [In fact during the night of 31 August / 1 September, 1000 troops and stores were landed by the Japanese destroyers Kagero, Kawakaze, Suzukaze, Umikaze, Fubuki, Amagiri, Hatsuyuki and Murakumo.]

In the afternoon the USS Betelgeuse escorted by USS Henley arrived at Guadalcanal. On board were much needed stores including aviation spirit. Also on board were 200 Navy construction personnel to assist in unloading operations. On their departure these two ships were to evacuate 400 POW's. Also on this day the Kopara completed unloaded and departed escorted by the USS Tracy.

Around 1800M/31, HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart and USS Selfridge parted company with Task Group 61.3 with orders to proceed to Brisbane, Australia.

Around 1900M/31, USS Phoenix, USS Bagley and USS Patterson parted company with Task Group 61.2 also with orders to proceed to Brisbane, Australia. All these ships were to revert to the control of the Commander-in-Chief South-West Pacific.

2 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330L/2, HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN on board) are joined by USS Phoenix (Capt. H.E. Fischer, USN), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) and USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) joined company. They then continued their passage to Brisbane. (56)

3 Sep 1942
In the afternoon, Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Phoenix (Capt. H.E. Fischer, USN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN on board), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) and USS Patterson (Cdr. F.R. Walker, USN) arrived in Moreton Bay. They arrived at Brisbane early in the evening. (56)

6 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While at Brisbane, around 1230K/6, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), is hit and damaged by the transport John Wise (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942). HMAS Hobart sustained some damage on the port side near the Ward Room. The hull underwater was inspected by divers but no damage was found under the water line. Repairs to the damage commenced around 2000K/6 and were completed around 1130K/10. (57)

7 Sep 1942

Operations by Task Force 44 in the south-west Pacific / Milne Bay area.

7 September 1942.

Around 1100K/7, ships of Task Force 44, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser USS Phoenix (Capt. H.E. Fischer, USN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) and USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) departed Brisbane to patrol in the Coral Sea so as to be in position to support operations in the Milne Bay area if called upon. Reinforcements were to join as soon as possible as some ships of Task Force 44 had been detached on other duties or were undergoing repairs.

On departure from Brisbane it had been intended to conducted gunnery exercises using a target that was being towed by the auxiliary M/S trawler HMAS Tongkol (?). Bad weather conditions hover prevented the exercises proceeding as the towline of the target fouled the srew of HMAS Tongkol. USS Bagley briefly stood by the M/S trawler but rejoined the other ships later the same day.

8 September 1942.

At 1200K/8, Task Force 44 was in position 23°27'S, 154°45'E, course 345°, speed of advance 15 knots.

Around 1 830K/9, USS Selfridge and USS Bagley parted company with the cruisers for a night encounter exercise. On completion of the exercise they rejoined the cruisers.

9 September 1942.

During the forenoon Allied bomber aircraft made contact with the force in order to learn the recognition and identification of our ships.

At 1200K/9, Task Force 44 was in position 17°42'S, 152°58'E, course 345°, speed of advance 15 knots.

At 1500K/9, course was reversed to make contact with the destroyers USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN) and USS Henley T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) who were approaching the area coming from Efate. They were however not sighted and at 1745K/9 course was shaped to the north-west and speed was increased to 22 knots.

10 September 1942.

Around 0700K/10, USS Helm and USS Henley were sighted and joined company and the force then entered the area in which it had been intended to operate. Course was thus set to the northward at 15 knots to get within striking distance of Milne Bay whilst awaiting the results of our land based reconnaissance aircraft.

At 1200K/10, Task Force 44 was in position 13°45'S, 148°47'E, course 350°, speed of advance 15 knots.

Around 1145K/10, HMAS Hobart ( Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), with her repairs completed, departed Brisbane to join Task Force 44 at sea.

By 1800K/10, no reports of enemy forces had been received to Task Force 44 retired to the southwards for the night.

11 September 1942.

At daylight Task Force 44 turned and steered towards the north-east to await the result of this mornings air reconnaissance.

At 1200K/11, Task Force 44 was in position 12°49'S, 147°49'E.

The forenoon air searches had not located any enemy forces within reach of Milne Bay. Task Force 44 therefore turned to the south-east and USS Selfride and USS Bagley were ordered to fuel from HMAS Australia and USS Phoenix. Fuelling was barely begun when an aircraft report was received placing two enemy destroyers east of the Trobriand Islands at noon steering to the south-west. As this was the type of force that had previously been sent into Milne Bay and that when these ships would continue to Milne Bay they would find the destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and two transports there.

Fuelling was at once stopped and Rear-Admiral Crutchley ordered Captain Flynn to proceed, from position 13°09'S, 148°03'E, with USS Selfridge, USS Helm, USS Henley and USS Bagley at 28 knots towards Milne Bay to destroy any enemy force entering or found in the bay or to withdraw to the southward in case the enemy was forced to withdraw due to our bombing by land based striking forces or to withdraw by early dawn if his force had entered Milne Bay and contact had not been made with the enemy.

Meanwhile HMAS Australia and USS Phoenix would proceed to the northward to be in position to provide cover if needed. At 1600K/11, a reconnaissance aircraft reported an enemy cruiser north of Woodlark Island and on a southerly course. It was seen that this enemy vessel could also reach Milne Bay during the night and Rear-Admiral Crutchley therefore turned his cruisers towards China Strait at 22 knots. At 1630K/11, an air striking force from Port Moresby attacked the two enemy destroyers which had now reached Normanby Island and scored on hit on the stern of one of them, setting her on fire and bringing her to a standstill. The second enemy destroyer was last seen at 1725K/11, heading 160° at 30 knots. No other report subsequent to the original sighting report was received of the enemy cruisers. It seemed, therefore, that one enemy destroyer and one enemy cruiser might enter the Milne Bay area during the night and that Captain Flynn's force would be ample to deal with them. [The Japanese destroyers were the Isokaze and Yayoi of which the last one was sunk in position 08°45'S, 151°25'E.]

By 2030K/11, no further information had been received and so being confident that cruiser support was not required, Rear-Admiral Crutchley turned HMAS Australia and USS Phoenix to the southward to make rendezvous with HMAS Hobart the next morning. Speed was set to 17 knots.

12 September 1942.

Around 0800K/12, HMAS Hobart joined having steamed from Brisbane at 22 knots. The three cruisers then shaped course to the northward to make contact with the four destroyers now withdrawing from the Milne Bay area.

At 1200K/12, the cruisers were in position 14°03'S, 148°02'E steering 000° at 15 knots.

Around 1600K/12, the destroyers rejoined. USS Helm and USS Henley were at once fuelled by HMAS Australia and USS Phoenix.

Captain Flynn reported that they had entered Milne Bay at 2345K/11 and then swept to the westward to 150°33'E and then patrolled east and west between that longtitude and 150°54'E on either side of latitude 10°24'S. They had cleared China Strait at 0615K/12 and had sighted nothing of interest. HMAS Arunta and two transports then entered the Bay at 0600K/12.

On completion of fuelling the two destroyers Task Force 44 set course to the south-west of the night.

13 September 1942.

At 0630K/13, USS Selfridge and USS Bagley commenced fuelling from HMAS Australia and USS Phoenix.

At 1200K/13, Task Force 44 was in position 12°21'S, 147°37'E, steering 130° at 15 knots.

14 September 1942.

At 1200K/14, Task Force 44 was in position 14°07'S, 149°25'E, steering 050° at 15 knots.

Shortly after noon, HMAS Henley obtained a promising A/S contact which was immediately attacked with a full pattern of depth charges after which contact was lost. An A/S patrol launched by HMAS Australia then patrolled the area of the attack but found no sign of an enemy submarine being present.

During the night the force proceeded to the southward.

15 September 1942.

At 1200K/15, Task Force 44 was in position 14°02'S, 149°00'E, steering 010° at 15 knots.

Around 1400K/15, Task Force 44 turned to the South-West to proceed to Challenger Bay, Palm Islands to fuel.

16 September 1942.

At 0545K/15, USS Phoenix launched two aircraft for A/S patrol off Grafton Passage through which the force was to pass.

Task Force 44 passed through the Grafton Passage around 0745K/15 and arrived at Challenger Bay around 1545K/15. They now had to wait for the tanker to arrive, meanwhile the sloop HMAS Warrego (Lt.Cdr. A.D.C. Inglis, RN) conducted A/S patrol off the bay. This duty was later taken over by HMAS Castlemaine (T/Lt.Cdr. P.J. Sullivan, RANR(S)).

A transport with fresh supplies was also sent from Townsville. (58)

10 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1145K/10, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Brisbane to make rendezvous with Task Force 44.

[For more info see the event ' Operations by Task Force 44 in the south-west Pacific / Milne Bay area ' for 7 September 1942.] (57)

18 Sep 1942

Continued operations by Task Force 44 in the south-west Pacific / Milne Bay area.

18 September 1942.

Around 0900K/18, Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Phoenix (Capt. H.E. Fischer, USN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN) and USS Henley T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) sailed from Challenger Bay (Palm Islands) to operate again to the south of New Guinea. On sailing USS Selfridge developed a steering gear defect and she had to be left behind to effect repairs and join on completion of these. The chartered tanker British Sailor (British, 5576 GRT, built 1918) and supply ship Yunnan (British, 2812 GRT, built 1934) also departed for Townsville escorted by HMAS Castlemaine (T/Lt.Cdr. P.J. Sullivan, RANR(S)).

Around 1730K/18, Task Force 44 cleared the Grafton Passage and shaped course to the north-east at 15 knots. USS Selfridge rejoined around 1800K/18 having completed repairs to her steering gear.

19 September 1942.

At 1200K/19, Task Force 44 was in position 13°24'S, 148°46'E, course 110°, speed of advance 15 knots.

As HMAS Stuart (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN), which had been at Milne Bay with four transports, had to retire to Port Moresby to fuel, Task Force 44 changed course to the northward at 1600K/19 so as to give close cover to these ships. By 2100K/19 there had been no report of enemy activity in the area and Task Force 44 turned to the southward for the night.

20 September 1942.

At 0600K/20, Task Force 44 turned to the north-west.

At 1200K/20, Task Force 44 was in position 12°37'S, 149°07'E, course 330°, speed of advance 15 knots.

Around 1600K/20, Task Force 44 changed course to the southward to meet the destroyer USS Mugford (T/Cdr. E.W. Young, USN) which was coming north from Sydney having completed repairs there.

During the day USS Bagley reported her gun director out of action. This additional casualty now makes it necessary for her to be the first destroyer to be withdrawn to Sydney for overhaul.

21 September 1942.

Around 0800K/21, USS Mugford joined.

At 1200K/21, Task Force 44 was in position 14°09'S, 149°07'E, course 080°, speed of advance 14 knots.

Around 1400K/21, course was altered to the northward. USS Bagley was then detached to proceed to Sydney so as to arrive there during daylight on 24 September.

Around 1800K/21, Task Force 44 turned to the westward as no enemy sightings had been made by our reconnaissance aircraft.

22 September 1942.

Around 0600K/22, course was altered to the eastward.

At 1200K/22, Task Force 44 was in position 13°29'S, 147°49'E, course 060°, speed of advance 15 knots. This course was maintained until 2000K/22 by which time there had been no enemy sightings by our reconnaissance aircraft and Task Force 44 retired to the southward during the night.

23 September 1942.

At 1200K/23, Task Force 44 was in position 12°26'S, 150°05'E, course 070°, speed of advance 15 knots.

At 1300K/23, course was altered to the north and at 2000K/23 course was altered to 220° for the night.

24 September 1942.

During the forenoon HMAS Hobart and the destroyers were fuelled by HMAS Australia and USS Phoenix.

At 1200K/24, Task Force 44 was in position 15°45'S, 148°37'E, course 120°.

Fuelling was completed around 1300K/24, and course was changed to north with speed set at 15 knots.

25 September 1942.

During the forenoon two unidentified aircraft flew over the Task Force at 15000 feet. Visibility was poor and it was hoped the aircraft did not see Task Force 44. They later disappeared of the radar screen steering a steady course of 190°.

At 1200K/25, Task Force 44 was in position 13°45'S, 148°02'E, course 060°, speed of advance 15 knots.

At 2000K/25, Task Force 44 turned to the south for the night.

26 September 1942.

Around 0600K/26, Task Force 44 turned to the east-north-east.

At 1200K/26, Task Force 44 was in position 14°41'S, 149°46'E, course 030°, speed of advance 15 knots.

By 1800K/26, no reports of enemy warships within reach of Milne Bay had been received course was set for the Grafton Passage as Task Force 44 needed to refuel.

27 September 1942.

Around 1130L/27, Task Force 44 entered the Grafton Passage. Half an hour later USS Mugford, which had collected mails from all ships, parted company to proceed to Townsville so as to arrive there around 1830L/27. She had orders to remain at Townsville overnight and having embarked mails, stores and personnel for Task Force 44, to leavy harbour around 0800L/28 and then rejoin the force at Cid Harbour.

At 1230L/27, HMAS Australia's aircraft was launched to fly to Townsville with despatches. the aircraft was recovered at 1800L/27 when Task Force 44 was near the Brook Islands.

28 September 1942.

At 0730L/28, Task Force 44, less USS Mugford, reached Cid Harbour and began fuelling and provisioning from the chartered tanker British Sailor (British, 5576 GRT, built 1918) and supply ship Merkur (Australian, 5946 GRT, built 1924).

At 1400L/28, USS Mugford arrived from Townsville.

A/S patrol of the area was maintained during daylight hours on 28 and 29 September by a Catalina flying boat. (58)

30 Sep 1942

Continued operations by Task Force 44 in the south-west Pacific / Milne Bay area.

30 September 1942.

At 0530L/30, USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) departed Cid Harbour to pick up mails at Townsville. She was to join Task Force 44 at sea later the same day.

At 0700L/30, Task Force 44, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Phoenix (Capt. H.E. Fischer, USN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN) and USS Mugford (T/Cdr. E.W. Young, USN) departed Cid Harbour to operate again to the south of New Guinea.

Around 1330L/30, USS Henley rejoined and the mails were distributed among the other ships. HMAS Australia's aircraft, which had flown to Townsville with despatches, was recovered at 1615L/30.

At 1750L/30, a man fell overboard on board HMAS Hobart but he was quickly recovered.

Around 2200L/30, Grafton Passage was cleared and Task Force 44 shaped course 060° at 15 knots.

1 October 1942.

At 1200L/1, Task Force 44 was in position 14°57'S, 149°21'E, course 060°, speed 15 knots.

At 1300L/1, course was altered to 010°.

At 1830L/1, course was altered to 280° and to 230° at 2100L/1.

2 October 1942.

At 0700L/1, course was again shaped in the general direction of Milne Bay.

At 1200L/2, Task Force 44 was in position 14°42'S, 148°21'E, course 030°, speed 15 knots.

At 1900L/2, course was altered to the north.

At 2100L/2, Task Force 44 retired to the south-south-east for the night.

Around 1900L/2, USS Helm was detached to the Grafton Passage as a signal had been received from the Commander-in-Chief South-West Pacific that could not be decyphered. USS Helm was to transmit a signal to inform the Commander-in-Chief South-West Pacific of this.

3 October 1942.

At 0900L/3, Task Force 44 turned to the north-west.

At 1200L/3, Task Force 44 was in position 15°03'S, 150°00'E. USS Helm rejoined and course was then shaped to the north. Speed still 15 knots.

At 2100L/3, Task Force 44 turned to the south-west for the night.

4 October 1942.

At 0900L/4, course was altered to 070°.

At 1200L/4, Task Force 44 was in position 14°50'S, 148°54'E, course 340°, speed 15 knots.

Around 1845L/4, course was altered to the southward to reach a position suitable for fuelling the destroyers out of range of enemy air reconnaissance.

5 October 1942.

Around 0730L/5, HMAS Hobart, which had on board mails from all ships of Task Force 44, parted company to proceed to Sydney to give leave to her crew and to undergo a short refit.

During the morning, USS Helm and USS Mugford fuelled from HMAS Australia and USS Selfridge and USS Henley from USS Phoenix.

During the fuelling operation the aircraft of HMAS Australia provided A/S patrol, unfortunately when it got alongside to be picked up it hit the ships side, capsized and sank. The crew was picked up.

At 1127L/5, course was set in the direction of China Strait.

At 2130L/5, course was altered to the southwestward for the night.

6 October 1942.

At 0645L/6, Task Force 44 altered course to the north-east. USS Phoenix now had to supply the dawn A/S patrol from now on.

At 1200L/6, Task Force 44 was in position 14°33'S, 148°37'E, course 050°, speed 15 knots.

At 2030L/6, Task Force 44 altered course to 250°, to rendezvous with the destroyer USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN), which is coming from Sydney, the following day.

7 October 1942.

At 0640L/7, Task Force 44 altered course to 107° along USS Patterson's approach route to the rendezvous position in 14°00'S, 148°00'E.

Around 0702L/7, USS Patterson was sighted ahead and then joined company. She delivered correspondence from Sydney to all ships.

Around 0910L/7, USS Henley parted company to proceed to Sydney for her maintenance period. She had collected mails from all ships of Task Force 44.

At 1200L/7, Task Force 44 was in position 14°26'S, 149°09'E, course 070°, speed 15 knots.

At 1600L/7, course was altered to 330° and at 2100L/7 to the westward for the night.

8 October 1942.

At 0642L/8, Task Force 44 altered course to 170°.

At 1200L/8, Task Force 44 was in position 14°27'S, 147°29'E, course was now altered to 025°, speed still 15 knots.

At 2100L/8, course was altered to 170°, speed was now 13.5 knots.

9 October 1942.

At 0637L/9, course was altered to 110°, speed 15 knots.

At 1000L/9, course was altered to 340°,

At 1200L/9, Task Force 44 was in position 14°23'S, 149°25'E.

At 1600L/9, course was shaped for Grafton Passage as the fuel in Task Force 44 was no longer sufficient to provide for an operation in the Milne Bay area at high speed with a safe margin for return to base.

10 October 1942.

The Grafton Passage was reached around 0800L/10.

At 1545L/10, Task Force 44, anchored in Challenger Bay, Palm Island. Fuelling was commenced from the chartered tanker Aase Maersk (British, 6184 GRT, built 1930). The supply ship Yunnan (British, 2812 GRT, built 1934) was also present with provisions and mail for all ships. (58)

7 Oct 1942
Around 1630L/7, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), arrived at Garden Island, Sydney to give leave to her crew and for a short refit. (59)

8 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is taken in hand for a short refit at Sydney. (59)

16 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is docked in the Sutherland Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. (59)

20 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is undocked at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard and then returned to the Garden Island naval base. (59)

21 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) completed her refit at Sydney. (59)

22 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Sydney. These were followed by RDF and compass swing trials. These last had to be abandoned due to the unsuitable weather conditions. (59)

23 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted RDF trials off Sydney. (59)

24 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0250L/24, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney to rejoin Task Force 44. Her sailing had been delayed by a few hours due to a defect to her crane which required repairs. (59)

25 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800L/25, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), arrived in Moreton Bay (near Brisbane) from Sydney.

About one hour later Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN, struck his flag in HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) and hoisted it in HMAS Hobart.

HMAS Australia and the destroyer USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) then departed Moreton Bay for Sydney. (59)

25 Oct 1942

Continued operations by Task Force 44 in the south-west Pacific / Milne Bay area.

25 October 1942.

Around 1800L/25, Task Force 44, made up of the light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), USS Phoenix (Capt. J.R. Redman, USN) and the destroyers USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. E.W. Young, USN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) departed Brisbane to patrol in the area to the south of New Guinea.

26 October 1942.

By 0100L/26, Task Force 44 was clear of the searched channel to Moreton Bay. Course was then shaped to the north-north-east.

At 1200L/26, Task Force 44 was in position 24°24'S, 155°08'E, course 345°, speed of advance 17.5 knots.

27 October 1942.

At 1200L/27, Task Force 44 was in position 17°47'S, 152°55'E, course 350°, speed of advance 14.5 knots.

At 1600L/27, course was altered to 300°.

28 October 1942.

At 0820L/28, the destroyer USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) departed Brisbane to join Task Force 44 at sea.

At 1200L/28, Task Force 44 was in position 14°27'S, 148°58'E, course 030°, speed of advance 15 knots.

At 2100L/28, course was altered to the south for the night.

29 October 1942.

At 1200L/29, Task Force 44 was in position 13°55'S, 148°49'E, course 340°, speed of advance 15 knots.

At 2030L/29, course was altered to the southward for the night.

30 October 1942.

At 0940L/30, USS Henley joined coming from Brisbane. She transferred mails to all the other ships of the Task Force. A south-easterly course was then shaped and USS Phoenix fuelled all four destroyers to top them up to about 75% capacity.

At 1200L/30, Task Force 44 was in position 14°18'S, 148°14'E, course 130°, speed of advance 8 knots due to the fuelling operations.

At 1430L/30, Task Force 44 was ordered to return to Brisbane by the Commander-in-Chief South-West Pacific. Course was set accordingly.

31 October 1942.

At 1200L/31, Task Force 44 was in position 17°22'S, 153°01'E, course 170°, speed of advance 15 knots.

1 November 1942.

At 0645L/1, a B 17 bomber arrived to take photographs of the Task Force.

At 1200L/1, Task Force 44 was in position 22°55'S, 154°55'E, course 130°, speed of advance 14 knots.

2 November 1942.

At 1115/2, Task Force 44 entered to north-west swept channel to Moreton Bay. They arrived at Brisbane in the second half of the afternoon. (58)

5 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in Moreton Bay. (60)

6 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Task Force 44, made up of the light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), USS Phoenix (Capt. J.R. Redman, USN) and the destroyers USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. E.W. Young, USN), USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) conducted gunnery followed night exercises in the Brisbane area. They returned to Moreton Bay the following morning.

USS Bagley and USS Patterson had parted company around 1545L/6 for escort duties. These destroyers therefore did not participate in the night exercises. (60)

11 Nov 1942
Around 2200L/11, Task Force 44, made up of the light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), USS Phoenix (Capt. J.R. Redman, USN) and the destroyers USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. E.W. Young, USN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) departed Moreton Bay for Cid Harbour. (58)

13 Nov 1942
Around 1200L/13, Task Force 44, made up of the light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), USS Phoenix (Capt. J.R. Redman, USN) and the destroyers USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. E.W. Young, USN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) arrived at Cid Harbour.

Around 1400L/13, the destroyer USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) joined.

Around 1530L/13, the destroyer USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN) joined.

The following day Task Force 44 fuelled from the chartered tanker Aase Maersk (British, 6184 GRT, built 1930) after she had arrived from Brisbane escorted by HMAS Geelong (A/Lt.Cdr. C.G. Hill, RANR(S)).

Around 1900L/14, the destroyer USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) joined. (58)

15 Nov 1942

Continued operations by Task Force 44 in the south-west Pacific / Milne Bay area.

15 November 1942.

At 1900L/15, Task Group 44.4, made up of the light cruiser USS Phoenix (Capt. J.R. Redman, USN) and the destroyers USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. E.W. Young, USN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) departed Cid Harbour to patrol in the area to the south of New Guinea. Rear-Admiral Crutchley had been ordered that half his force was to proceed on patrol to cover shipping movements in the New Guinea area. The other half of his force was to proceed to a forward reef anchorage.

16 November 1942.

At 1200L/16, Task Group 44.4, was in position 17°05'S, 146°06'E.

At 2100L/16, Task Group 44.6, made up of the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. G.A. Sinclair, USN) and USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) departed Cid Harbour for Challenger Bay (Palm Islands).

17 November 1942.

At 0500L/17, when Task Group 44.6 was abreast Townsville, USS Bagley was detached to that place to land despatches and to embark mails. Also a sick rating was landed for hospitalisation.

At 0845L/17, Task Group 44.6 (minus USS Bagley, anchored in Challenger Bay which USS Bagley rejoining around 1325L/17. Task Group 44.6 kept at 2 hours notice for steam.

At 1200L/17, Task Group 44.4, was in position 12°30'S, 147°19'E.

18 November 1942.

At 0800L/18, the chartered tanker Aase Maersk (British, 6184 GRT, built 1930) arrived in Challenger Bay.

At 1200L/18, Task Group 44.4, was in position 13°30'S, 149°24'E.

Information was received that convoy movements in the New Guinea area were delayed

Japanese forces, made up of one cruiser and two destroyers were reported at Buna, New Guinea. 12 B-17 bombers attacked them and the cruiser and one destroyer were reported to have been sunk. [In fact three destroyers were at Buna, these were the Asashio, Kawakaze and Umikaze of which the last two were damaged.]

19 November 1942.

At 0800L/19, the supply ship Merkur (Australian, 5946 GRT, built 1924) arrived at Challenger Bay.

Task Group 44.6 then completed with fuel and provisions.

At 1200L/16, Task Group 44.4, was in position 13°24'S, 148°40'E.

20 November 1942.

At 0800L/20, the Aase Maersk departed Challenger Bay with 6294 tons of fuel remaining. She proceeded to Townsville to fuel Task Group 44.4 there.

At 1200L/20, Task Group 44.4, was in position 13°48'S, 147°48'E. USS Phoenix fuelled the three destroyers of her Task Group during the day.

21 November 1942.

At 0800L/20, the Merkur departed Challenger Bay for Townsville to supply Task Group 44.4 there.

At 1000L/20, Task Group 44.4 departed Challenger Bay to relieve Task Group 44.6 on patrol. Grafton Passage was cleared around 1900L/20.

At 1200L/21, Task Group 44.4, was in position 13°14'S, 147°57'E.

22 November 1942.

At 0915L/22, rendezvous was made between Task Groups 44.4 and 44.6 in approximate position 14°00'S, 148°00'E. Exercises were then carried out, despatches were exchanged by line and both groups then opened out for radar calibration.

At 1200L/22, Task Group 44.4 was detached to withdraw to the Palm Islands for fuel and stores. Task Group 44.6 commenced patrol. Noon position was 13°49'S. 148°29'E.

23 November 1942.

At 1200L/23, Task Group 44.6, was in position 14°35'S, 149°48'E.

Around 1330L, Task Group 44.4 arrived at Challenger Bay. USS Phoenix then fuelled USS Helm and USS Mugford while USS Phoenix and USS Patterson fuelled from the Aase Maersk which had returned to Challenger Bay as did the Merkur.

USS Phoenix sent two of her floatplanes to Townsville with despatches.

24 November 1942.

At 0140L/24, USS Phoenix completed fuelling from the Aase Maersk.

At 0800L/24, the Aase Maersk departed Challenger Bay for Townsville.

Around 0815L/24, USS Bagley parted company with Task Group 44.6 to transmit a signal near Osprey Reef. She rejoined Task Group 44.6 around 1910L/24.

At 0915L/24, USS Patterson departed Challenger Bay for Townsville to transport two hospital cases there.

At 1200L/24, Task Group 44.6, was in position 14°10'S, 150°09'E.

25 November 1942.

At 1200L/25, Task Group 44.6, was in position 14°45'S, 149°48'E.

At 1755L/25, USS Patterson returned to Challenger Bay from Townsville.

26 November 1942.

At 0850L/26, HMAS Hobart commenced fuelling USS Bagley for a little over an hour. Apparently the destroyer was a bit short of fuel.

At 1200L/26, Task Group 44.6, was in position 14°24'S, 150°38'E.

At 1740L/26, the minesweeper HMAS Colac (T/Lt.Cdr. S.B. Komoll, RANR(S)) arrived at Challenger Bay with mails for the ships of the Task Group.

27 November 1942.

At 1000L/27, the Merkur departed Challenger Bay for Townsville.

At 1100L/27, Task Group 44.4 departed Challenger Bay to relieve Task Group 44.6 on patrol.

At 1200L/27, Task Group 44.6, was in position 14°02'S, 149°35'E.

Around 1915L/27, Task Group 44.4 cleared the Grafton Passage.

28 November 1942.

Around 0915L/27, rendezvous was made between Task Groups 44.4 and 44.6 in approximate position 14°00'S, 148°00'E. Exercises were then carried out, despatches were exchanged by line.

At 1200L/28, Task Group 44.6 was detached to withdraw to the Palm Islands for fuel and stores. Task Group 44.4 commenced patrol. Noon position was 13°51'S. 148°31'E.

29 November 1942.

Around 0700L/29, Task Group 44.6 entered the Grafton Passage. USS Bagley was then detached to proceed to Townsville to land mails and hospital cases.

At 1200L/29, Task Group 44.4, was in position 13°25'S, 148°58'E.

At 1430L/29, Task Group 44.6 arrived at Challenger Bay where the Aase Maersk and Merkur had also arrived and fuelling and provisioning was commenced. This was completed the following morning.

30 November 1942.

At 1200L/29, Task Group 44.4, was in position 13°34'S, 148°46'E.

Around 1515L/30, USS Bagley arrived at Challenger Bay from Townsville to rejoin Task Group 44.6.

At 1700L/30, the Aase Maersk departed Challenger Bay for Townsville with 2059 tons of fuel still on board.

1 December 1942.

At 1200L/1, Task Group 44.4, was in position 13°53'S, 149°08'E.

Around 1300L/1, the Merkur departed Challenger Bay for Townsville.

2 December 1942.

At 1200L/29, Task Group 44.4, was in position 14°35'S, 148°32'E.

3 December 1942.

Shortly before noon the Merkur and the tanker USS Victoria (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Olsen, USNR) arrived at Challenger Bay from Townsville.

At 1200L/3, Task Group 44.4, was in position 14°05'S, 149°30'E.

Around 1600L/3, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) arrived at Challenger Bay from Sydney (via Brisbane). Rear-Admiral Crutchley then transferred his flag from HMAS Hobart to HMAS Australia.

4 December 1942.

At 0815L/4, USS Henley departed Challenger Bay for escort duties.

At 0930L/4, Task Group 44.6, now made up of HMAS Hobart, USS Selfridge and USS Bagley departed Challenger Bay to relieve Task Group 44.4 on the Coral Sea patrol. While clear off Challenger Bay, HMAS Hobart conducted refuelling at sea trials with USS Victoria.

At 1200L/4, Task Group 44.4, was in position 13°33'S, 148°57'E.

Around 1915L/4, Task Group 44.6 cleared the Grafton passage and commenced patrol.

During the day the Merkur departed Challenger Bay for Townsville and then onwards to Brisbane.

5 December 1942.

Around 0900L/5, Task Group 44.4 entered the Grafton Passage.

At 1200L/5, Task Group 44.6, was in position 14°42'S, 149°57'E.

Around 1700L/5, Task Group 44.4 arrived at Challenger Bay, Palm Island.

Around 2200L/5, USS Phoenix and USS Mugford departed Challenger Bay for Sydney for overhaul and give leave.

The following temporary Task Force organisation came into effect on the 5th;
Task Group 44.3 was made up of HMAS Australia, USS Helm, USS Henley and USS Patterson.
Task Group 44.5 was made up of HMAS Hobart, USS Selfridge and USS Bagley.

6 December 1942.

At 1200L/6, Task Group 44.5 (former Task Group 44.6), was in position 14°26'S, 149°25'E.

7 December 1942.

At 1200L/7, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°07'S. 148°28'E.

8 December 1942.

At 1200L/8, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°21'S, 149°38'E.

9 December 1942.

At 1200L/9, Task Group 44.5, was in position 13°54'S, 149°00'E.

Around 2359L/9, USS Bagley was detached from Task Group 44.5 for escort duties.

10 December 1942.

Around 0830L/10, USS Henley arrived at Challenger Bay where she fuelled from USS Victoria. Commander E.W. Young, USN then hoisted his pennant as Commander Destroyer Division Seven on board USS Henley.

At 1145L/10, Task Group 44.3 departed Challenger Bay. While clear off Challenger Bay, HMAS Australia conducted refuelling at sea trials with USS Victoria.

At 1200L/10, Task Group 44.5, was in position 13°39'S, 148°34'E.

11 December 1942.

Around 0930L/11, Task Groups 44.3 and 44.5 made rendezvous with each other and exercises were then commenced.

Around 1020L/11, USS Bagley rejoined Task Group 44.5 having returned from escort duties.

Around 1500L/11, the Task Groups parted company. Radar calibration test were then carried out. Task Group 44.3 took over the patrol in the Coral Sea while Task Group 44.5 set course for the Dunk Island anchorage where the ships of this task group were to fuel and resupply.

Also on this day the Merkur departed Brisbane escorted by the minesweeper HMAS Goulburn (Lt.Cdr. B. Paul, RANR(S)). USS Victoria departed Townsville for Dunk Island.

12 December 1942.

At 0745L/12, Task Group 44.5 entered the Grafton Passage.

At 0900L/12, USS Selfridge parted company with Task Group 44.5 to proceed to Cairns.

At 1200L/12, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°22'S, 149°27'E.

Around 1300L/12, Task Group 44.5, minus USS Selfridge, arrived at Dunk Island where the ships were fuelled by USS Victoria.

At 1715L/12, USS Selfridge arrived at Dunk Island from a short call at Cairns.

Today it was noted that Japanese air reconnaissance reached further into the Coral Sea presumable to search for Allied aircraft carriers. Seems that an operation in the New Guinea area might be on shortly.

13 December 1942.

At 1200L/13, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°27'S, 149°14'E.

Around 1300L/13, Allied reconnaissance aircraft reported two Japanese cruisers and three destroyers about 200 miles north-west of Vitiaz Strait and proceeding south-east at high speed. This was obviously a force with reinforcements for the New Guinea area. The enemy force was successfully shadowed and tracked all day but attacks by Allied bombers were apparently unsuccessful. [The force reported was actually made up of five destroyers; Yugumo, Kazagumo, Arashio, Inazuma and Isonami.

14 December 1942.

The reported enemy force had landed troops near Gona, New Guinea during the night. The force was again tracked by Allied reconnaissance aircraft from daylight onwards. They were proceeding at high speed towards Rabaul. Bombing attacks were again unsuccessful.

At 0630L/14, USS Patterson completed with fuel from HMAS Australia.

At 1200L/14, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°28'S, 148°47'E.

At 1800L/14, USS Patterson parted company with Task Group 44.5 for Cairns and subsequent escort duty.

On this day the Merkur arrived at Townsville where she embarked mails for Task Force 44. She departed for Dunk Island later the same day.

During the day, Japanese reconnaissance in the Coral Sea came as far south as 14°S.

15 December 1942.

At 1200L/15, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°33'S, 149°31'E.

16 December 1942.

At 0700L/16, USS Bagley departed Dunk Island with mails for Cairns.

At 1200L/16, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°23'S, 149°47'E.

At 1340L/16, Task Group 44.5, minus USS Bagley, departed Dunk Island to make rendezvous with Task Group 44.3.

Around 1730L/16, USS Bagley rejoined Task Group 44.5 with mails from Cairns.

17 December 1942.

Around 0930L/17, Task Groups 44.3 and 44.5 made rendezvous. Exercises were then commenced.

Around 1500L/17, Task Group 44.3 and 44.5 parted company with the former setting course for Dunk Island while Task Group 44.5 took over the Coral Sea patrol.

18 December 1942.

Around 1200L/18, Task Group 44.3 reached Dunk Island where the destroyers were fully fuelled by USS Victoria. HMAS Australia also fuelled from the tanker but was still 600 tons short when the tanker was empty. Provisions were supplied by the Merkur.

At 1200L/18, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°06'S, 149°04'E.

Around 1530L/18, USS Patterson arrived at Dunk Island from escort duties. She then rejoined Task Group 44.3.

19 December 1942.

At 1130L/19, USS Victoria departed Dunk Island for Brisbane, via Townsville.

At 1200L/19, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°10'S, 149°32'E.

During the day Japanese air reconnaissace even proceeded further to the south. An aircraft was tracked as far as latitude 16°S in longtitude 153°E.

Also on this day the Aase Maersk arrived at Townsville where she embarked mails. She then departed for Dunk Island.

20 December 1942.

At 0800L/20, the Aase Maersk arrived at Dunk Island.

At 1200L/20, Task Group 44.5, was in position 13°30'S, 148°23'E.

21 December 1942.

At 1030L/21, the supply ship Yunnan (British, 2812 GRT, built 1934) arrived at Dunk Island with provisions for Task Group 44.3.

At 1200L/21, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°00'S, 149°24'E.

At 1800L/21, the Yunnan departed Dunk Island for Townsville.

At 2000L/21, the Merkur departed Dunk Island for Townsville.

22 December 1942.

At 0630L/22, USS Mugford arrived at Palm Island following her overhaul at Sydney.

At 0800L/22, USS Patterson then left Dunk Island for Sydney for overhaul.

During the forenoon, HMAS Australia and USS Mugford completed with fuel from the Aase Maersk.

At 1200L/22, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°18'S, 150°17'E.

At 1400L/22, Task Group 44.3, now made up of HMAS Australia, USS Henley, USS Mugford and USS Helm departed Dunk Island for patrol. USS Mugford however developed engine problems and had to be left behind for repairs. She sailed a few hours later to overtake and join Task Group 44.3 the following morning.

23 December 1942.

At 0915L/23, USS Mugford rejoined Task Group 44.3. Task Force 44.5 was sighted by Task Group 44.3 around the same time.

At 1000L/23, Both task groups commenced exercises.

At 1640L/23, the exercises were completed. Task Group 44.3 proceeded on patrol while Task Group 44.5 set course for Challenger Bay.

24 December 1942.

At 0740L/24, Task Force 44.5 entered the Grafton Passage. They were clear 40 minutes later.

Around 0900L/24, USS Bagley parted company with Task Force 44.5 to proceed to Townsville for mails and to land hospital cases.

At 1200L/24, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°35'S, 148°57'E.

Around 1515L/24, Task Force 44.5 arrived in Challenger Bay where the ships commenced fuelling from the Aase Maersk and embarking stores from the Merkur.

Around 1940L/24, USS Bagley arrived at Challenger Bay from Townsville.

25 December 1942.

At 1200L/25, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°34'S, 149°05'E.

26 December 1942.

At 1200L/26, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°24'S, 149°09'E.

Around 1800L/26, USS Mugford parted company with Task Group 44.3 and set course for Brisbane where she is to conduct exercises.

27 December 1942.

At 1200L/27, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°14'S, 148°56'E.

28 December 1942.

At 0950L/28, Task Force 44.5 departed Challenger Bay to make rendezvous with Task Force 44.3.

At 1200L/28, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°04'S, 148°56'E.

29 December 1942.

Around 1000L/29, Task Groups 44.3 and 44.5 met in approximate position 14°S, 148°'E. Exercises were then commenced.

At 1415L/29, the Task Groups parted company with Task Group 44.3 setting course for the Palm Islands while Task Group 44.5 took over the Coral Sea patrol.

As of 29 December 1942, Task Force 44 was orginised as follows;
Task Group 44.3 made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia and the destroyers USS Henley and USS Helm.
Task Group 44.5 made up of the light cruiser HMAS Hobart and the destroyers USS Selfridge and USS Bagley.
Task Group 44.7 made up of the light cruiser USS Phoenix and the destroyers USS Mugford and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN).

30 December 1942.

Around 0830L/30, Task Group 44.3 entered the Grafton Passage.

At 1200L/30, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°03'S, 149°25'E.

Around 1530L/30, Task Group 44.3 arrived at Challenger Bay, Palm Islands to embark fuel and stores from the Aase Maersk and Merkur.

31 December 1942.

At 1200L/31, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°21'S, 149°21'E.

1 January 1943.

During the morning HMAS Hobart fuelled USS Bagley and USS Selfridge.

At 1200L/1, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°07'S, 149°15'E.

2 January 1943.

At 0740L/2, USS Henley departed Challenger Bay, Palm Islands for Townsville with mails where she arrived around 1400L/2.

At 1200L/2, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°12'S, 150°03'E.

3 January 1943.

Around 0730L/3, USS Henley departed Townsville with mails for Task Force 44. She arrived at Challenger Bay around 0930L/3.

Around 1015L/3, Task Group 44.3 departed Challenger Bay to make rendezvous with Task Group 44.5.

At 1200L/3, Task Group 44.5, was in position 14°01'S, 150°16'E.

4 January 1943.

Around 0900L/4, Task Groups 44.3 and 44.5 made rendezvous. Mails were then transferred by USS Henley.

Around 1005L/5, USS Bagley parted company with Task Group 44.5 to proceed to Sydney for upkeep.

Around 1230L/4, the Task Groups parted company with Task Group 44.3 proceeding on patrol while Task Group 44.5 set course for Cid Harbour.

5 January 1943.

At 0920L/5, Task Group 44.5 (HMAS Hobart and USS Selfridge) entered the Grafton Passage.

At 1200L/5, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°26'S, 149°37'E.

6 January 1943.

Around 0700L/6, Task Group 44.5 (minus USS Bagley arrived at Cid Harbour.

Around 0930L/6, Task Group 44.7 (minus USS Ralph Talbot) arrived at Cid Harbour.

Around 1005L/6, the chartered tanker Aase Maersk arrived at Cid Harbour to supply ships of Task Groups 44.5 and 44.7 with fuel.

At 1200L/6, Task Group 44.3, was in position 13°22'S, 147°05'E.

7 January 1943.

Around 0650L/7, the Aase Maersk departed Cid Harbour for Townsville.

Around 0945L/7, USS Selfridge departed Cid Harbour for Townsville where she was to be provisioned.

At 1200L/7, Task Group 44.3, was in position 14°01'S, 148°11'E.

Around 1345L/7, HMAS Hobart departed Cid Harbour for Brisbane.

On this day the organisation of Task Force 44 changed.
Task Force 44.5 was disbanded.
Task Group 44.3 was made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia and the destroyers USS Henley and USS Helm.
Task Group 44.5 was made up of the light cruiser USS Phoenix and the destroyers USS Selfridge and USS Mugford. (58)

8 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600L/8, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) entered the swept channel into Moreton Bay.

Around 0800L/8, USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) joined company for AA gunnery exercises on a sleeve target towed by RAAF aircraft. The exercises were completed around 0910L/8.

Around 1325L/8, HMAS Hobart arrived at Brisbane. (61)

14 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises in Moreton Bay on a target that was being towed by the auxiliary M/S trawler HMAS Tongkol (?). (61)

22 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) conducted exercises in Moreton Bay. (61)

23 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1215L/23, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Brisbane for Challenger Bay. She cleared the swept channel to Moreton Bay by 1800L/23. (61)

25 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200L/25, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Challenger Bay, Palm Islands.

Later in the day she fuelled from the tanker USS Victoria (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Olsen, USNR). (61)

29 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) conducted exercises off Challenger Bay, Palm Islands. (61)

31 Jan 1943
Around 0715L/31, Task Group 44.5, made up of the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyer USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) departed Challenger Bay, Palm Islands.

Around the same time, Task Group 44.7, made up of the light cruiser USS Phoenix (Capt. J.R. Redman, USN) and the destroyers USS Helm (T/Cdr. C.E. Carroll, USN) and USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN) departed Dunk Island.

The two Task Groups made rendezvous around 0930L/31 and exercises were commenced.

Exercises were completed by noon and then Task Group 44.5 set course for Dunk Island while Task Group 44.7 set course for Challenger Bay, Palm Islands.

Both Task Groups arrived at their destinations later the same afternoon. (62)

3 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2315L/3, Task Group 44.5, made up of the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyer USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) departed Dunk Island.

Around 0500L/4, USS Patterson was detached to Townsville.

Around 0730L/4, HMAS Hobart arrived at Challenger Bay, Palm Island.

Around 1325L/4, HMAS Hobart departed Challenger Bay to make rendezvous with USS Patterson returning from Townsville.

After Rendezvous was effected exercises were carried out and they arrived at Dunk Island around 1800L/4. (63)

6 Feb 1943
Around 0650L/6, Task Group 44.5, made up of the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyer USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) departed Dunk Island.

Around 0700L/6, Task Group 44.7, made up of the light cruiser USS Phoenix (Capt. J.R. Redman, USN) and the destroyers USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) departed Dunk Island.

Around 0900L/6, the two Task Groups met and exercises were commenced.

On completion of the exercises around 1230L/6, Task Group 44.5 set course for Challenger Bay, Palm Islands while Task Group 44.7 set course for Dunk Island.

Around 1330L/6, Task Group 44.5 was joined by USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board).

Around 1400L/6, Task Group 44.5 arrived at Challenger Bay.

Around 1530L/6, Task Group 44.7 anchored off Dunk Island. (64)

10 Feb 1943
As of 10 February 1943, the organisation of Task Groups 44.5 and 44.7 was as follows;
Task Group 44.5 was made up of the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN).
Task Group 44.7 was made up of the light cruiser USS Phoenix (Capt. J.R. Redman, USN) and the destroyers USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN).

Around 1250L/10, Task Groups 44.5 and 44.7 departed Challenger Bay for exercises from which they returned around 1910L/10. (64)

15 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0200L/15, Task Group 44.7, made up of the light cruiser USS Phoenix (Capt. J.R. Redman, USN) and the destroyers USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) departed Challenger Bay.

They were followed around 0320L/15 by Task Group 44.5, made up of the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) also departed.

Around 0445L/15, night encounter exercises commenced between these two Task Groups. The exercises were completed around 0530L/15.

Around 0600L/15, the destroyers commenced conducting dawn torpedo attacks on the cruisers. These were followed by further exercises.

Around 0930L/15, the two Task Groups parted company.

Around 1150L/15, Task Group 44.5 anchored off Dunk Island.

Around 1945L/15, Task Group 44.7 anchored in Kennedy Sound for the night. They got underway again around 0700L/16.

Task Group 44.7 arrived at Brisbane around 1500L/17. (64)

18 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0815L/18, the destroyers of Task Group 44.5, USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) departed Dunk Island for exercises.

They were followed around 0900L/18, by the other member of Task Group 44.5, the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN).

Exercises commenced around 0930L/18 and were completed around 1110L/18.

HMAS Hobart returned to Dunk Island around 1300L/18.

The destroyers continued exercising and returned around 1615L/18. (65)

23 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845L/23, the destroyers of Task Group 44.5, USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) departed Dunk Island for exercises.

They were followed around 0930L/23, by the other member of Task Group 44.5, the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN).

Exercises commenced around 1030L/23 and were completed around 1425L/23.

Around 1545L/23, Task Group 44.5 returned to Dunk Island. (65)

25 Feb 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1315L/25, the destroyers of Task Group 44.5, USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) departed Dunk Island for exercises.

They were followed around 1430L/25, by the other member of Task Group 44.5, the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN).

Exercises commenced around 1530L/25 and were completed around 2330L/25.

Around 0210L/26, Task Group 44.5 anchored in Challenger Bay. (65)

1 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Around 0730L/1, USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) departed Townsville for exercises.

Around 0820L/1, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) departed Challenger Bay, Palm Island for exercises.

Around 0915L/1, the ships of Task Group 44.5 commenced exercises.

Around 1300L/1, exercises were completed.

Around 1355L/1, Task Group 44.5 anchored in Challenger Bay although USS Selfridge arrived around half an hour earlier. (66)

4 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0645L/4, Task Group 44.5, made up of the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyer USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with Capt. C.W. Flynn, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) departed Challenger Bay for exercises.

They returned to Challenger Bay around 1245L/4. (66)

7 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0300L/7, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Cleveland Bay for Townsville where she arrived around 0815L/7.

Around 1205L/7, she departed for Dunk Island where she arrived around 1725L/7. (67)

9 Mar 1943
Around 0800L/9, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Phoenix (Capt. A.G. Noble, USN) and the destroyers USS Bagley (T/Cdr. T.E. Chambers, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) departed Dunk Island for exercises.

On completion of the exercises they proceeded to Challenger Bay where they arrived between 1230 and 1300 hours. (68)

17 Mar 1943
Around 1505L/17, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruisers HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and USS Phoenix (Capt. A.G. Noble, USN) departed Challenger Bay, Palm Islands for exercises.

Around 1845L/17, the destroyers USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN), USS Bagley (T/Cdr. T.E. Chambers, USN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN), USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) and USS Patterson (T/Cdr. W.C. Schultz, USN) departed Challenger Bay to join the exercises.

Exercises continued until the following day and also included underway refuelling exercises with the tanker USS Victoria (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Olsen, USNR).

On completion of the exercises all ships, which was since 15 March 1943 known as Task Force 74, arrived at Dunk Island in the afternoon of 18 March 1943. (69)

21 Mar 1943
Around 0730L/21, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Dunk Island for Townsville where she arrived around 1220L/21.

She departed for Sydney around 1545L/21. (67)

24 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800L/24, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) entered Sydney Harbour. One hour later she commenced to de-ammunition the ship for refit. (67)

25 Mar 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After having completed de-ammunitioning, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), is taken in hand for refit at the Garden Island naval base. (67)

8 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is towed from the Garden Island naval base to the Cockatoo Island Dockyard where she is docked in the Sutherland dry dock. (70)

14 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is undocked. The ship was then ammunitioned and fuelled. (70)

16 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Sydney. (70)

17 Apr 1943
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted A/S, RDF and compass swing trials at Sydney.

Around 1900K/17, HMAS Hobart departed Sydney to rejoin Task Force 74. (70)

19 Apr 1943
Around 1650K/19, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived in Cid Harbour from Sydney. (70)

19 Apr 1943
Around 1830K/19, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Cid harbour for exercises.

Around 1845K/19, USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with T/Capt. F.R. Walker, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN) and USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) departed Steamer Passage, Palm Island for exercises. They were joined shortly afterwards by USS Bagley (T/Cdr. T.E. Chambers, USN) coming from Townsville.

Around 1930K/19, HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) departed Cid harbour for exercises.

Exercises were carried out during the night and the following morning.

All ships arrived at Challenger Bay, Palm Island around 1000K/20 (the destroyers) and 1300K/20 (the cruisers). (71)

26 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Ships from Task Force 74, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with T/Capt. F.R. Walker, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) departed Challenger Bay for exercises. These also included underway refuelling exercises with the RFA tanker Bishopdale (8406 GRT, built 1937).

On completion of the exercises Task Force 74 anchored off Dunk Island in the afternoon. (71)

29 Apr 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730K/29, the RFA tanker Bishopdale (8406 GRT, built 1937) departed Dunk Island for exercises.

Around 0815K/29, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) and the light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) also departed.

Around 0900K/29, the destroyers USS Selfridge (T/Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN, with T/Capt. F.R. Walker, USN, commanding Destroyer Squadron 4 on board), USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN), USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) and USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) also departed.

On completion of the exercises all ships arrived at Challenger Bay early in the afternoon. USS Ralph Talbot (T/Cdr. J.W. Callahan, USN) (71)

3 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700K/3, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN), USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN) and USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) departed Challenger Bay for exercises.

Around 1300K/3, they returned to Challenger Bay. (72)

4 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0850K/4, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), and USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) departed Challenger Bay for exercises.

On completion of this days exercises they anchored off Wheeler Reef around 1300K/4.

Around 0950K/5, they weighed anchor to continue the exercises.

Around 1230K/5, on completion of the exercises, USS Henley was detached to Townsville.

Around 1450K/5, HMAS Hobart arrived at Challenger Bay. (73)

7 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330K/7, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN) and USS Henley (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) departed Challenger Bay for exercises and subsequent passage to Cid Harbour.

Around 0700K/8, HMAS Hobart commenced underway refuelling exercises with the RFA tanker Bishopdale (8406 GRT, built 1937).

All ships arrived at Cid Harbour in the second half of the morning. (72)

15 May 1943
Around 0745K/15, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Perkins (T/Cdr. G.L. Ketchum, USN, with COMDESRON 5, T/Capt. J.H. Carter, USN on board) and USS Conyngham (T/Cdr. J.H. Ward, USN) departed Cid Harbour for exercises.

They returned around 1530K/15. (73)

25 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730K/25, the destroyers USS Perkins (T/Cdr. G.L. Ketchum, USN, with COMDESRON 5, T/Capt. J.H. Cartes, USN on board), USS Mahan (T/Cdr. J.T. Smith, USN), USS Drayton (T/Cdr. V.A. King, USN), USS Flusser (T/Cdr. J.A. Robbins, USN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Cid Harbour for exercises.

Around 0830K/25, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) and light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) also sailed to join the exercises.

On completion of the exercises all ship returned to Cid Harbour arriving the around or shortly after midnight. (74)

27 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730K/27, the destroyers USS Perkins (T/Cdr. G.L. Ketchum, USN, with COMDESRON 5, T/Capt. J.H. Cartes, USN on board), USS Drayton (T/Cdr. V.A. King, USN), USS Flusser (T/Cdr. J.A. Robbins, USN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Cid Harbour for exercises.

Around 0830K/27, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) and light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) also sailed to join the exercises.

On completion of the exercises all ship returned to Cid Harbour arriving between around 1630K/27 and 1800K/27. (74)

31 May 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1245K/31, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Perkins (T/Cdr. G.L. Ketchum, USN, with COMDESRON 5, T/Capt. J.H. Cartes, USN on board), USS Flusser (T/Cdr. J.A. Robbins, USN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Cid Harbour for exercises which would include night exercises.

They arrived at Challenger Bay around 0950K/1.

(75)

8 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1510K/8, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) and light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Challenger Bay for exercises.

They were followed around 1630K/8 by the destroyers USS Perkins (T/Cdr. G.L. Ketchum, USN, with COMDESRON 5, T/Capt. J.H. Cartes, USN on board), USS Mahan (T/Cdr. J.T. Smith, USN), USS Flusser (T/Cdr. J.A. Robbins, USN) and USS Smith (T/Cdr. R.A. Theobald, Jr., USN) which were to join the exercises.

Around 2030K/8, the destroyers USS Perkins and USS Smith were detached to proceed to Brisbane for A/S exercises, ammunitioning and to give leave to the crew.

Around 0615K/9, HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart, USS Mahan and USS Flusser arrived at Cid Harbour. (76)

13 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800K/13, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Cid Harbour for Cleveland Bay (near Townsville).

14 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0555K/14, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) anchored in Cleveland Bay where she embarked mails for Task Force 74 as was as an RAAF liaison officer.

Around 0800K/14, exercises with RAAF aircraft were commenced.

At 1025K/14, one of the aircraft crashed into the sea. All four crewmembers were rescued by HMAS Hobart after which the exercises continued.

Around 1400K/14, the exercises were completed and HMAS Hobart set course to return to Cleveland Bay where she arrived around 1500K/14, the disembark the RAAF personnel.

Around 1655K/14, HMAS Hobart dropped anchor in Challenger Bay, Palm Islands. (77)

15 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0715K/15, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Challenger Bay for more exercises with RAAF aircraft.

Around 1410K/15, the exercises having been completed, she returned to Challenger Bay. (77)

18 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0715K/18, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Challenger Bay for more exercises with RAAF aircraft.

Around 1540K/18, the exercises having been completed, she returned to Challenger Bay. (77)

20 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745K/20, the Commanding Officer of Task Force 74, Rear-Admiral Crutchley, his operations officer and some staff transferred from the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN) to the destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) which then took them to Townsville for a meeting with the Commander-in-Chief South-West Pacific, the Commanding Officer of Task Force 76 and their staffs.

The conference was held on board HMAS Arunta in the early afternoon and pending operations were fully discussed. On completion of the conferance HMAS Arunta returned to Challenger Bay.

During the forenoon, HMAS Australia, light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers USS Flusser (T/Cdr. J.A. Robbins, USN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN) and USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN) conducted exercises with RAAF aircraft. On completion of the exercises they returned to Challenger Bay.

Early in the evening HMAS Hobart departed again for more exercises with RAAF aircraft. She returned to Challenger Bay on completion of the exercises around 0055K/21. (78)

21 Jun 1943
Around 0945K/21, Task Force 74, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN), USS Flusser (T/Cdr. J.A. Robbins, USN), USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN) and USS Mugford (T/Cdr. H.G. Corey, USN) departed Challenger Bay for exercises.

All ships returned to Challenger Bay in the afternoon with the exception of USS Flusser which proceeded to Townsville on completion of the exercises.

From 1845K/21 to 0030K/22, HMAS Hobart again went to sea for exercises with RAAF aircraft. (78)

22 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915K/22, Task Force 74, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and USS Helm (T/Cdr. W.B. Braun, USN) departed Challenger Bay for exercises with RAAF aircraft.

On completion of these exercises the destroyers proceeded to Townsville to land the dummy aircraft torpedoes they had recovered. HMAS Warramunga returned to Challenger Bay later the same day.

HMAS Hobart returned to Challenger Bay late in the afternoon.

HMAS Australia returned to Challenger Bay in the evening. (78)

24 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted gunnery exercises off Pandora Reef. (77)

26 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600K/26, the destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Challenger Bay with mails for Cairns.

Around 1000K/26, Task Force 74, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN) and USS Lamson (T/Cdr. P.H. Fitzgerald, USN) departed Challenger Bay for the Flinders Group.

Around 1600K/26, Task Force 74 was joined by HMAS Arunta.

Around 0915K/27, Task Force 74 arrived in the Fly Channel, Flinders Group. (78)

29 Jun 1943
Around 0645K/29, Task Force 74, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN) and USS Lamson (T/Cdr. P.H. Fitzgerald, USN), departed Flinders Group to provide cover for operations in the Solomon Islands area. They were to patrol to the south of the Louisiades.

The destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) was to have departed with them but was delayed due to mechanical problems. After repairs she sailed to join at sea which she did around 1300K/29.

At 1200K/30, Task Force 74 was in position 11°59'S, 150°52'E.

At 1200K/1, Task Force 74 was in position 13°07'S, 151°30'E.

After sunrise on 2 July, HMAS Warramunga and HMAS Arunta were fuelled by HMAS Australia.

At 1200K/2, Task Force 74 was in position 13°50'S, 150°48'E.

At 1200K/3, Task Force 74 was in position 12°27'S, 149°54'E.

At 1200K/4, Task Force 74 was in position 12°42'S, 151°05'E.

At 2200K/4, Task Force 74 set course to return to the Flinders Group to fuel and resupply.

At 1200K/5, Task Force 74 was in position 12°42'S, 148°12'E.

At 0915K/6, Task Force 74 anchored off the western side of Stanley Island, Flinders Group.

During the day Task Force 74 was provisioned by the stores ship USS Mizar and fuelled from the Mizar and the chartered tanker Aase Maersk (British, 6184 GRT, built 1930). (79)

10 Jul 1943
Around 0800K/10, Task Force 74, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and USS Lamson (T/Cdr. P.H. Fitzgerald, USN), departed Flinders Group first for a few hours of exercises after which they proceeded to provide cover for operations in the Solomon Islands area. They were again to patrol to the south of the Louisiades.

At 1200K/11, Task Force 74 was in position 12°04'S, 150°15'E.

At 1200K/12, Task Force 74 was in position 13°25'S, 151°10'E.

During the morning of 13 July, HMAS Warramunga and HMAS Arunta were fuelled by HMAS Australia.

At 1200K/13, Task Force 74 was in position 13°45'S, 150°45'E.

As three Allied cruiser had been damaged in a naval battle with the Japanese and one destroyer had been sunk it was anticipated by Rear-Admiral Crutchley that his force would be called up to reinforce the Allied Fleet in the Solomons. Course was therefore set accordingly and the Commander-in-Chiefs were informed. These later indeed ordered Task Force 74 to proceed to Tulagi. This was later changed to Esperitu Santo.

At 1200K/14, Task Force 74 was in position 13°06'S, 156°16'E.

At 1200L/15, Task Force 74 was in position 14°17'S, 162°58'E.

Around 0900L/15, Task Force 74 arrived at Esperitu Santo. (80)

17 Jul 1943
Around 0830L/17, the destroyers of Task Force 74, HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and USS Lamson (T/Cdr. P.H. Fitzgerald, USN) departed Esperitu Santo for an A/S sweep off the harbour.

Around 0900L/17, the cruisers of Task Force 74, HMAS Australia (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN) and HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed the harbour and joined the destroyers.

Course was then set for position 12°30'S, 163°00'E.

Around 0700L/18, rendezvous was made with DESRON 21, made up of the destroyers USS Nicholas (T/Cdr. A.J. Hill, Jr., USN, with COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. F.X. McInerney, USN on board), USS Redford (T/Cdr. W.K. Romoser, USN), USS Jenkins (T/Cdr. M. Hall, Jr., USN) and USS O'Bannon (T/Cdr. D.J. MacDonald, USN). The destroyers of Task Force 74 were then detached. Course was set to operate between position 11°30'S, 164°20'E and 12°30'S, 166°30'E.

At 1200L/18, Task Force 74 was in position 12°30'S, 163°58'E.

At 1300L/18, USS Jenkins was detached to perform escort duties.

At 1200L/19, Task Force 74 was in position 12°06'S, 164°56'E.

At 1515L/19, Task Force 74 was ordered to operate in the northern half of area ' Fox ' (Area ' Fox ' was a circle with a radius of 100 miles from position 14°30'S, 162°00'E.)

At 1115L/20, orders were received from the Commander 3rd Fleet directing Task Force 74 to proceed to Esperitu Santo via Bougainville Strait so as to arrive at daybreak the next morning. Course was then set to 105°, speed 23 knots. The Force was zig-zagging.

At 1846L/20, in position 15°07'S, 163°34'E, HMAS Hobart was struck on the port side aft by a torpedo fired by a submarine. [This was the Japanese I-11 (offsite link).] At this time HMAS Australia and HMAS Hobart were formed in column 600 yards apart and were screened by USS Nicholas, USS Radford and USS O'Bannon. Base course was 105°, speed 23 knots and British zig-zag no.38 was being carried out. The night was clear and dark (starlit) and the moon had not yet risen. Sea slight.

in accordance with the zig-zag plan, course had been altered to 115° (10° right of base course) at 1835L/20 and at 1845L/20 course was altered to 135° (30° right of base course). HMAS Australia had just made or were making this latter alteration of course of course but, by HMAS Hobart's clock the wheel would have been put over in another 20 seconds.

On being struck HMAS Hobart immediately reported ' Jig Emerg '. This was by night the emergency turn procedure. So the remainder of the force was manoeuvred clear to starboard. The destroyers USS Nicholas and USS Radford were ordered to stand by HMAS Hobart while HMAS Australia screened by USS O'Bannon continued on. By TBS Rear-Admiral Crutchley informed T/Capt. McInerney that he would make the initial report (signal) of the happening and that he was to make subsequent reports in order to keep all authorities advised of Hobart's condition and off progress being made in getting her clear of the area.

The initial report of Rear-Admiral Crutchley was passed only after considerable communication difficulty for, in spite of the urgent priority given in the transmission, no station answered immediately except Thursday Island (which answered within two minutes). There was much traffic between ships and shore stations on both Task Force Commander's frequency and ship-shore wave. Radio Noumea eventually accepted the message after considerable delay.

After clearing to the southward, HMAS Australia and USS O'Bannon shaped course for Bougainville Strait and re-commenced zig-zag.

On receipt of the report of the casualty to HMAS Hobart, the Commander 3rd Fleet immmediately despatched tugs and additional escorts and also ordered COMPATWING 1 to provide A/S cover from dawn on 21 July until HMAS Hobart and escorts reached Esperitu Santo.

HMAS Australia and USS O'Bannon arrived at Esperitu Santo around 0700L/21. Shortly afterwards USS Jenkins arrived having completed her escort duties. All three then immediately completed with fuel and stores.

Shortly afterwards USS O'Bannon was ordered to proceed on escort duties. HMAS Australia and USS Jenkins were kept at one hour notice for sea.

During the day, reports from COMDESRON 21 in USS Nicholas with HMAS Hobart and escorts showed that the damaged ship was making good progress towards Espiritu Santo and would arrive after dark.

At 0510K/21, the destroyer USS Saufley (T/Cdr. B.F. Brown, USN) had joined HMAS Hobart, she was followed by three tugs, at 0815K/21, the USS Apache (Lt. C.S. Horner, USN) joined, followed at 0930K/21 by the USS Sioux (Lt.(jg) L.M. Jahnsen, USN) and at 1015K/21 by the USS Vireo (T/Lt. C.H. Stedman, USN).

At 1230K/21, USS Apache was detached.

At 1440K/21, USS Saufley was detached.

At 1700K/21, USS Sioux secured to HMAS Hobart forwards and took her in tow.

At 1725K/21, USS Vireo secured alongside on the starboard side. She casted off after 15 minutes.

At 0145L/22, HMAS Hobart safely reached Segond Channel and she dropped anchor around 0230K/22. USS Nicholas and USS Radford were ordered to hasten completion of logistic requirements and Rear-Admiral Crutchley reported to the Commander 3rd Fleet that HMAS Australia, USS Nicholas, USS Radford and USS Jenkins would be ready on two hour's notice from 1600K/22.

Damage to HMAS Hobart was severe. She was taken in hand at Esperitu Santo for temporary repairs before she was able to proceed to Sydney for permanent repairs. (80)

18 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted trials at Esperitu Santo. (81)

21 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000L/21, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) escorted by HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) departed Esperitu Santo for Sydney. (81)

26 Aug 1943
Around 1130K/26, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN) and HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Esperitu Santo. (81)

27 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) commenced de-ammunitioning and de-storing the ship at the Garden Island naval base at Sydney. (81)

29 Aug 1943
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) completed de-ammunitioning at the Garden Island naval base at Sydney. she is then taken in hand for action damage repairs and refit. (81)

6 Sep 1943
HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is towed to the Sutherland Dry Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

The dock is pumped out on the 8th.

HMAS Hobart remained repairing and refitting at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard until December 1944. [No further details available.] (82)

Heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (83)

10 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the forenoon, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) conducted AA gunnery exercises off Seeadler Harbour.

In the afternoon HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. H. Williams, Jr., USN) and USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN) also conducted AA exercises off Seeadler Harbour. (83)

13 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) and USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN) conducted exercises off Seeadler Harbour. During the exercises a crewmember of USS Mullany was killed by a shell splinter. (83)

17 May 1944

Operation Straightline.

This operation was an amphibious landing Arara, northern New Guinea and also on Wadke Island.

Forces involved.
Task Group 77.2 was the Attack Group under T/Rear-Admiral A.G. Noble, USN.
Task Unit 77.2.1 was made up of the flagship was the destroyer USS Reid (T/Cdr. S.A. McCornock, USN, flying the flag of T/Rear-Admiral A.G. Noble, USN). A second destroyer was also part of this Task Unit as relief flagship, this was the USS Wilkes (T/Cdr. F. Wolsieffer, USN).
Task Unit 77.2.2 was made up of the amphibious transports USS Henry T. Allen (T/Capt. H.B. Brumbaugh, USN) and HMAS Manoora (Cdr. A.P. Cousin, RANR(S)).
Task Unit 77.2.3 was the LCI Group under T/Cdr. H.F. McGee, USN, and was made up of USS LCI(L)-28 (Lt.(jg) N. Molyneaux, USNR, with T/Cdr. H.F. McGee, USN on board), USS LCI(L)-25 (Lt.(jg) W.R. Maliek, USNR), USS LCI(L)-26 (Lt. H.J. Adams, Jr., USNR), USS LCI(L)-27 (Lt.(jg) H.G. Hibbard, USNR), USS LCI(L)-29 (Lt. T.R. Hopkins, USNR), USS LCI(L)-30 (Lt. C.B. Faunce, Jr., USNR), USS LCI(L)-71 (?, with Lt.Cdr. J.P. Hurndall, USNR on board), USS LCI(L)-72 (Lt.(jg) S.Z. Kepner, USNR), USS LCI(L)-74 (Lt.(jg) R.J. Liechti, USNR), USS LCI(L)-224 (Lt.(jg) P.O. Olafsson, USNR), USS LCI(L)-338 (Lt.(jg) C.M. Goodman, Jr., USNR), USS LCI(L)-340 (Lt.(jg) H.F. Eckenrode, USNR) and USS LCI(L)-342 (Lt.(jg) R.A. Smith, USNR).
Task Unit 77.2.4 was the LST Group under T/Capt. R.M. Scruggs, USN, and was made up of USS LST-466 (Lt. R.E. McCarthy, USNR, with COMLSTFLOT 7, T/Capt. R.M. Scruggs, USN on board), USS LST-170 (Lt. T.N. Kelly, USCGR), USS LST-181 (Lt. R.J. Wilson, USNR, with Lt.Cdr. A. Schlott, USNR on board), USS LST-202 (?), USS LST-245 (Lt. M.J. McCabe, USNR), USS LST-456 (Lt. G.W. Prue, USN), USS LST-457 (Lt. W.P. Sullivan, USNR) and USS LST-458 (Lt. F.W. Hinrichs, USNR).
Task Unit 77.2.5 was Fire Support Group A under Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN, and was made up from ships of Task Force 74, the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) and USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN).
Task Unit 77.2.6 was Fire Support Group B under Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN, and was made up from ships of Task Force 75, the light cruisers USS Phoenix (T/Capt. J.H. Duncan, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN), USS Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts, USN) and the destroyers USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Beale (T/Capt. J.B. Cochran, USN), USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN), USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. T.B. Hutchins, 3rd, USN, with COMDESDIV 48, T/Capt. J.B. McLean, USN) and USS Trathen (T/Cdr. J.R. Millett, USN).
This force was further divided into three Fire Support Units.
77.2.61 was made up of USS Phoenix, USS Boise, USS Daly and USS Bache.
77.2.62 was made up of USS Hutchins and USS Beale.
77.2.62 was made up of USS Nashville, USS Abner Read and USS Trathen.
Task Unit 77.2.7 was Fire Support Group C under T/Capt. R.F. Stout, USN, and was made up of the destroyers USS Stevenson (T/Cdr. F.E. Wilson, USN, with COMDESRON 19, T/Capt. R.F. Stout, USN on board), USS Gillespie (T/Cdr. J.S. Fahy, USN), USS Hobby (T/Cdr. G.W. Pressey, USN, with T/Capt. COMDESDIV 38, W.S. Veeder, USN on board), USS Kalk (T/Cdr. H.D. Fuller, USN), USS Stockton (T/Cdr. W.W. Stark, Jr., USN), USS Grayson (T/Cdr. W.V. Pratt, 2nd, USN), USS Wilkes, USS Nicholson (T/Cdr. W.W. Vanous, USN), USS Russell (T/Cdr. L.R. Miller, USN), USS Roe (T/Cdr. F.S. Stich, USN).
This force was further divided into four Fire Support Units.
77.2.71 was made up of USS Hobby and USS Kalk.
77.2.72 was made up of USS Gillespie and USS Stockton.
77.2.73 was made up of USS Stevenson and USS Russell.
77.2.74 was made up of USS Wilkes, USS Nicholson, USS Roe and USS Grayson.
Task Unit 77.2.8 was the Beachmaster Unit.
Task Unit 77.2.9 was the Special Service Group. This force was further divided into three Units.
77.2.91 was the Control Unit and was made up of the patrol vessels USS SC-703 (Lt.(jg) R.M. Baird, USNR), USS SC-699 (Lt.(jg) J.W. Foristel, USNR), USS SC-734 (Lt. R.B. MacLean, USNR) and USS SC-736 (Lt.(jg) F.A. Marsteller, USNR).
77.2.92 was the Rocket Unit and was made up of LCI(R)'s, USS LCI(R)-31 (Lt.(jg) T.J. Morrissey, USNR), USS LCI(R)-34 (Lt.(jg) J.F. Keefe, USNR) and USS LCI(R)-73 (Lt.(jg) N.M. Taylor, USNR).
77.2.93 was the Minesweeping and Salvage Unit and was made up of the munesweepers USS YMS-8 (Lt. F.L. Comley, USNR), USS YMS-46 (Lt.(jg) H.J. Topping, USNR), USS YMS-47 (Lt.(jg) A.W. Busbee, USNR), USS YMS-51 (Lt. F.P. Allen, Jr., USNR) and the tug USS Sonoma (Lt.(jg). G.I. Nelson, USN).

Chronology of the passage towards the operations area.

1500K/15, Task Force 74 (Task Unit 77.2.5) and Task Force 75 (Task Unit 77.2.6) departed Seeadler Harbour for the operations area.

1900K/16, Echelon S-1, Section 1, which was made up of USS LCI(L)-28, USS LCI(L)-25, USS LCI(L)-26, USS LCI(L)-26, USS LCI(L)-29, USS LCI(L)-30, USS LCI(L)-71, USS LCI(L)-72, USS LCI(L)-74, USS LCI(L)-224, USS LCI(L)-338, USS LCI(L)-340 and USS LCI(L)-342, Echelon S-1, Section 2, which was made up of USS Henry T. Allen and HMAS Manoora and Echelon S-3, which was made up of USS LCI(R)-31, USS LCI(R)-34, USS LCI(R)-73, USS SC-699, USS SC-703, USS SC-734 and USS SC-736 departed Hollandia for the operations area. They were escorted by the destroyers USS Reid, USS Russell, USS Gillespie, USS Hobby, USS Kalk, USS Stockton and the destroyer escorts USS James E. Craig (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Andrews, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 37, T/Cdr. M.W. Firth, USN, on board), USS Manning (Lt.Cdr. J.I. Mingay, USNR) and USS Eichenberger (T/Lt.Cdr. N. Harrell, USN).

1900K/16, Echelon S-2, which was made up of USS LST-466, USS LST-170, USS LST-181, USS LST-202, USS LST-245, USS LST-456, USS LST-457, USS LST-458 and USS Sonoma departed Tanahmerah Bay for the operations area. They were escorted by the destroyers USS Stevenson, USS Grayson, USS Wilkes, USS Nicholson and USS Roe.

All echelons arrived in the operations area around 0515K/17.

Chronology of the actual landing operations near Arara on 17 April 1944.

0600K/17, The naval bombardment was commenced by the ships of Task Forces 74 and 75. These also bombarded Wadke Island. Several fires were started ashore by the bombardment and off Wadke several Japanese barges were sunk. No enemy reaction followed on the bombardment.

On completion of the bombardments, around 0700K/17, the troops from the two amphibious transports went in and landed according to plan. They were followed by waves of troops from the LCI(L)'s.

Already at 0630K/17, having launched their boats, USS Henry T. Allen and HMAS Manoora departed the area escorted by USS James E. Craig, USS Manning and USS Eichenberger.

0835K/17, The first LST was beached. By now all LCI(L)'s had completed unloading and commenced to return to Hollandia where they arrived around 2200K/17.

1143K/17, troops were landed on Insoemanai Island (off Wadke) without enemy opposition.

1200K/17, Task Force 75 was released from the operation. They arrived at Humboldt Bay around 1745K/17.

2200K/17, Three of the LST's of Echelon S-2 had completed unloading and departed for Hollandia escorted by USS Stevenson, USS Stockton and USS Russell.

0130K/18, The remaining five LST's of Echelon S-2 had completed unloading and departed for Hollandia escorted by USS Kalk, USS Hobby and USS Gillespie.

Chronology of the landing operations on Wadke Island on 18 May 1944.

1700K/17, Echelon S-4, made up of the LST's USS LST-18 (Lt. C.W. Radke, USCG), USS LST-67 (?), USS LST-206 (Lt. C.O. Opperman, USCG) and USS LST-465 (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Murphy, USNR) departed Humboldt Bay for Wadke. They were escorted by the destroyers USS Morris (T/Cdr. G.L. Caswell, USNR, with COMDESRON 2, T/Capt. E.A. Solomons, USN, on board), USS Hughes (T/Cdr. E.B. Rittenhouse, USN), USS Mustin (T/Cdr. M.M. Riker, USN) and the destroyer escorts USS Lovelace (Cdr. R.D. de Kay, Jr., USNR), USS Neuendorf (T/Cdr. J.N. McDonald, Jr., USN) and USS Whitehurst (T/Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gray, USN).

0900K/18, Echelon S-4 arrived off Wadke, and troops were then landed on Wadke covered by gunfire from the LCI(R)'s and USS Wilkes and USS Roe. USS LCI(R)-31 and USS LCI(R)-34 were both damaged by enemy fire and sustained 1 dead and 5 wounded and 1 dead and 3 wounded respectively. On the island the troops encountered stiff Japanese resistance. Early in the afternoon Allied troops had captured the air strip but enemy resistance remained strong.

[Later, follow up echelons proceeded to the Arara / Wadke area but these will be dealt with seperately.]

18 May 1944
HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, VC, DSC, RN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) and USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN) were patrolling to the north-east of Wadke Island to provide cover for the ongoing amphibious operations in the Arare / Wadke area.

Late in the morning / early in the afternoon, HMAS Arunta and HMAS Warramunga were topped off by HMAS Shropshire and HMAS Australia respectively.

During the night of 20/21 May 1944, Task Force 74 patrolled near Liki Island to guard the Wadke area from attack from Japanese warships reported to be in the Halmahera area but no enemy was encountered.

Around 0700K/21, Task Force 74 was relieved on patrol by Task Force 75. Task Force 74 then set course for Hollandia arrived there around 1230K/21. (83)

28 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200K/28, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Humboldt Bay, New Guinea for Sydney where she was to refit. (83)

3 Jun 1944
Around 0800K/3, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Humboldt Bay. She was then taken in hand for a short refit. (84)

17 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 17/18 June 1944, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is fumigated. (84)

19 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is docked in the Sutherland Dock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. (84)

22 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) is undocked. (84)

29 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) conducted post refit trials off Sydney. (84)

30 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1415K/30, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Sydney for Seeadler Harbour, Manus. (84)

5 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700K/5, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Seeadler Harbour, Manus from Sydney.

A short stop had been made at Milne Bay in the morning of 4 July.

While on passage from Sydney to Milne Bay exercises and trials had been carried out. (85)

8 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) conducted AA gunnery exercises at Seeadler Harbour. (86)

9 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Beale (T/Capt. J.B. Cochran, USN) and USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN) conducted AA gunnery exercises at Seeadler Harbour. (86)

12 Jul 1944
Around 1000K/12, Task Force 74, made up of HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) and USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN) departed Seeadler Harbour for Aitape. (86)

13 Jul 1944
Around 0700K/13, Task Force 74, made up of HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) and USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN) arrived at Aitape from Seeadler Harbour. (86)

14 Jul 1944
Between 0500K/14 and 0630K/14, Task Force 74, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN), HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) and USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN) departed Aitape for bombardment duties.

From 0800K/14, bombardments commenced. HMAS Australia and HMAS Warramunga bombarded targets near Yakamul. HMAS Arunta bombarded targets near Marubian. USS Bache bombarded targets near Matupu. HMAS Shropshire and USS Ammen bombarded targets near Sowam.

Air spotting had been available for all ships and in all cases all areas were reported to have been very well covered.

On completion of the bombardments HMAS Australia and HMAS Warramunga remained in the area on standy for the Army if required for bombardment duties. The other ships returned to Aitape.

During the afternoon HMAS Australia answered a call from the Army and opened fire on an enemy troop concentration near Charov. Spotting was difficult and after 20 rounds of 8" HMAS Australia ceased fire.

HMAS Australia and HMAS Warramunga returned to Aitape before dark.

Ammunition expenditure was as follows;
HMAS Australia, 100 rounds of 8".
HMAS Shropshire, 66 rounds of 8".
HMAS Arunta, 201 rounds of 4.7".
HMAS Warramunga, 201 rounds of 4.7".
HMAS Ammen, 173 rounds of 5".
HMAS Bache, 225 rounds of 5".
(86)

17 Jul 1944
Around 1135K/17, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN) departed Aitape to bombard an enemy headquarters and troop concentrations near Niap.

Around 1200K/17, HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) departed Aitape to bombard enemy troop concentrations near Marubian.

HMAS Shropshire opened fire on her target at 1421K/17 and ceased fire at 1427K/17. She had been assisted by an aircraft for spotting duties. HMAS Shropshire and USS Bache returned to Aitape around 1700K/17.

HMAS Australia also destroyed her target around the same time and then returned to Aitape with HMAS Warramunga. (87)

20 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0630K/20, HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) and HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Aitape to bombard enemy targets in the Yakamul area. They were joined by HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) which had already been at sea.

Around 0800K/20, HMAS Australia and HMAS Shropshire opened fire on their assigned targets. HMAS Australia expended 120 round of 8" while HMAS Shropshire expended 92 rounds of 8".

On completion of the bombardment they returned to Aitape. (86)

22 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At Aitape, Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN, transferred his flag from HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN) to HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN).

Around 1300K/22, HMAS Australia and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) departed Aitape for Sydney where they were to refit. (86)

25 Jul 1944
Around 0600K/25, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Beale (T/Capt. J.B. Cochran, USN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) and HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) departed Aitape for Humboldt Bay where they arrived around 1200K/25.

At 0845K/25, an aircraft reported a submarine in position 03°10'S, 143°10'E. USS Hutchins and USS Ammen were detached to hunt this submarine but no contact was made. A large log was seen, which was possibly mistaken for a submarine. They arrived at Humboldt Bay late in the afternoon. (86)

30 Jul 1944

Operation Globetrotter.

This operation was amphibious landings on Middelburg and Amsterdam Islands (east of Cape Sansapor) and to the west of Cape Sansapor and later also to the east of Cape Sansapor.

Forces involved.

Task Force 77 was the Attack Force under T/Rear-Admiral R.A. Fechteler, USN.
Task Group 77.1 was the Force Flagship, the destroyer USS Swanson (T/Cdr. W.K. Ratliff, USN, flying the flag of T/Rear-Admiral R.A. Fechteler, USN).
Task Group 77.2 was the Main body and was made up of the following Task Units.
Task Unit 77.2.1 was Fire Support Group A and was made up of the destroyers USS Morris (T/Cdr. G.L. Caswell, USNR, with COMDESRON 2, T/Capt. E.A. Solomons, USN, on board), USS Hughes (T/Cdr. E.B. Rittenhouse, USN), USS Mustin (T/Cdr. M.M. Riker, USN) and USS Russell (T/Cdr. L.R. Miller, USN).
Task Unit 77.2.2 was Fire Support Group B and was made up of the destroyers USS Fletcher (T/Cdr. J.L. Foster, USN, with COMDESDIV 42, T/Capt. A.E. Jarrell, USN on board), USS Radford (T/Capt. G.E. Griggs, USN), USS Jenkins (T/Cdr. M. Hall, Jr., USN) and USS La Valette (T/Cdr. W. Thompson, USN).
Task Unit 77.2.3 was Fire Support Group C and was made up of the destroyers USS Stevenson (T/Cdr. F.E. Wilson, USN, with COMDESRON 19, T/Capt. J.R. Pahl, USN on board) and USS Welles (T/Cdr. D.M. Coffee, USN).
Task Unit 77.2.4 was the High Speed Transport Unit and was made up of the high speed transports USS Kilty (Lt. L.G. Benson, USNR, with COMDESDIV 22, T/Cdr. D.L. Mattie, USN) on board), USS Schley (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Farley, USNR), USS Ward (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Lemly, USNR), USS Crosby (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Sims, USNR) and USS Herbert (T/Cdr. J.N. Ferguson, Jr., USN).
Task Unit 77.2.5 was the LCI Unit and was made up of the LCI's, USS LCI(L)-546 (Lt.(jg) W.B. Campbell, USNR with, COMLCIFLOT 8, T/Cdr. F.B.C. Martin, USN, on board), USS LCI(L)-544 (Lt.(jg) L.V. Sternberg, USNR), USS LCI(L)-545 (Lt.(jg) T.B. King, USNR), USS LCI(L)-547 (Lt.(jg) J.S. Peacock, USNR), USS LCI(L)-548 (Lt.(jg) J.B. Reeves, USNR), USS LCI(L)-577 (Lt.(jg) E.J. Morgan, USNR), USS LCI(L)-578 (Lt.(jg) W.D. Rounds, USNR), USS LCI(L)-579 (Lt.(jg) J. Wood, USN), USS LCI(L)-661 (Lt.(jg) P.B. Pylant, USN), USS LCI(L)-957 (Lt.(jg) J.F. Hartmann, Jr., USNR), USS LCI(L)-958 (Lt.(jg) W.R. McCracken, USNR), USS LCI(L)-961 (Lt.(jg) R.P. Games, USNR), USS LCI(L)-962 (Lt.(jg) R.L. Steele, USNR) from LCI Flotilla 8 and USS LCI(L)-430 (Lt. P.C. Hill, Jr., USNR, with COMLCIFLOT 7, T/Cdr. H.F. McGee, USN on board), USS LCI(L)-62 (Lt.(jg) J.M. Roye, USN), USS LCI(L)-334 (Lt.(jg) M.E. Staed, USNR), USS LCI(L)-335 (Lt.(jg) J.A. Latimer, USNR) and USS LCI(L)-519 (?).
Task Unit 77.2.6 was the LST Unit and was made up of the LST's, USS LST-18 (Lt. C.W. Radke, USCG, with COMLSTGR 21, Cdr. F.D. Higbee, USCG, on board), USS LST-26 (?), USS LST-28 (Lt. B.D. Quirk, USNR), USS LST-66 (Lt. W.H. McGowan, USCG), USS LST-170 (Lt.(jg) J.C. Baquie, USCGR), USS LST-202 (Lt.Cdr. T.N. Kelley, USCGR), USS LST-206 (Lt.(jg) J.D. Robertshaw, USCGR) and USS LST-466 (Lt. R.E. McCarthy, USNR).
Task Unit 77.2.7 was the Special Service Unit which was made up of the following Task Units.
Task Unit 77.2.71 was the Control Section which was made up of the patrol vessels, USS PC-1120 (Lt.Cdr. C.S. Molitor, USNR), USS PC-1132 (Lt. W.E. Quint, USNR), USS PC-1133 (Lt. J.C. Chandler, USNR) and USS PC-1134 (Lt. D.J. Callaghan. Jr. USNR).
Task Unit 77.2.72 was the Rocket Section which was made up of the LCI(R)'s, USS LCI(R)-31 (Lt.(jg) L.J. Haidet, USNR), USS LCI(R)-34 (Lt.(jg) R.J. Sponsler, USNR) and USS LCI(R)-73 (Lt.(jg) N.M. Taylor, USNR).
Task Unit 77.2.73 was the Salvage Section which was made up of the tug USS Vireo (Lt.(jg) S. Delamater, USNR).
Task Group 77.3 was the First Reinforcement Group and was made up of the following Task Units.
Task Group 77.3.1 was the LST Unit which was made up of the LST's USS LST-452 (Lt. G.W. Miller, USNR, with COMLSTGR20, Cdr. D.M. Baker, USNR on board), USS LST-171 (Lt. L.H. Smiley, USNR), USS LST-395 (Lt. A.C. Forbes, USNR), USS LST-397 (Lt. W.R. Hitch, USNR), USS LST-456 (Lt. G.W. Prue, USN), USS LST-458 (Lt. F.W. Hinrichs, USNR), USS LST-462 (Lt. W.D. Gregory, USNR) and USS LST-463 (Lt.(jg) A.E. Grounds, USNR).
Task Group 77.3.2 was the Escort Unit which was made up of the destroyers USS Hobby (T/Cdr. G.W. Pressey, USN, with T/Capt. COMDESDIV 38, W.S. Veeder, USN on board), USS Gillespie (T/Cdr. J.S. Fahy, USN), USS Anderson (T/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Murdock, USN) and USS Stockton (T/Cdr. W.W. Stark, Jr., USN).
Task Group 77.4 was the Second Reinforcement Group and was made up of the following Task Units.
Task Group 77.4.1 was the LST Unit which was made up of the LST's USS LST-469 (Lt. L.E. Green, USNR), USS LST-181 (Lt. R.J. Wilson, USNR), USS LST-204 (Lt. C.W. Radke, USCG), USS LST-245 (Lt. M.J. McCabe, USNR), USS LST-457 (Lt. W.P. Sullivan, USNR), USS LST-468 (Lt. I.K. Stevenson, USNR), USS LST-470 (Lt. D.J. Guthridge, USNR) and USS LST-475 (Lt. M.S. Whitsett, USNR).
Task Group 77.4.2 was the Escort Unit which was made up of the destroyers USS Wilkes (T/Cdr. F. Wolsieffer, USN, with COMDESDIV 24, T/Capt. A.J. Greenacre, USN on board), USS Nicholson (T/Cdr. W.W. Vanous, USN), USS Grayson (T/Cdr. W.V. Pratt, 2nd, USN) and USS Stack (T/Cdr. R.E. Wheeler, USN).

Cover Forces.

To provide cover for the operation, Task Forces 74 and 75 were deployed.

Task Force 74 was made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) and the destroyers USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Beale (T/Capt. J.B. Cochran, USN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) and HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN).

Task Force 75 was made up of the light cruisers USS Phoenix (T/Capt. J.H. Duncan, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), USS Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts, USN) and the destroyers USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. T.B. Hutchins, 3rd, USN, with COMDESDIV 48, T/Capt. J.B. McLean, USN), USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN), USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN) and USS Trathen (T/Cdr. J.R. Millett, USN).

Chronology of the passage towards the operations area.

0800K/27, Task Force 75 (see above) departed Seeadler Harbour, Manus for the operations area.

2300K/27, Task Force 77 (TF 77.1 and TF 77.2, see above) departed Maffin Bay for the operations area. This was known as Echelon G-1.

1000K/28, Task Force 74 (see above) departed Humboldt Bay to make rendezvous with Task Force 75. Rendezvous was affected around 1500K/28. Both Task Forces now operated in company as Task Force 78, Covering Force.. A naval bombardment for the landings was not planned, Task Force 78's orders were to just provide cover for the landings.

0800K/29, USS LCI(L)-958 parted company to proceed to Mios Woendi as reserve. One of the other LCI(L)'s also parted company as there were 16 LCI(L)'s present during the landing operations.

2330K/29, Echelon G-2, made up of Task Group 77.3 (see above) departed Maffin Bay for the operations area. The four escorting destroyers from Destroyer Division 38 had actually departed Humboldt Bay around 2245K/28 and joined the convoy of LST's on leaving Maffin Bay having first conducted an A/S patrol in the area. 2315K/29, Echelon G-3, made up of Task Group 77.4 (see above) departed Maffin Bay for the operations area. The four escorting destroyers from Destroyer Division 24 had arrived at Maffin Bay from Humboldt Bay earlier in the day.

Chronology of the landing operations in the operations area.

0700K/30, Task Force 77, (TF 77.1 and TF 77.2) commenced landing operations east of Cape Sansapor and on Middelburg and Amsterdam Islands. No enemy opposition was encountered.

0830K/30, Task Force 78, was released and set course to proceed to Mios Woendi. Around the same time the LCI(L)'s departed the operations area to return to Maffin Bay escorted by USS PC-1122 and USS PC-1133.

1800K/30, The LST's, having completed unloading, departed the area to return to Maffin Bay. Tug USS Vireo was with them. They were escorted by USS Swanson, USS Fletcher, USS Radford, USS Jenkins, USS La Vallette, USS Stevenson and USS Welles.

0800K/1, Echelon G-2 arrived commenced beaching the LST's to unload which was completed later the same day following which they set course to proceed to Mios Woendi having been joined by the three 3 LCI(R)'s and the tugs USS Whippoorwill (T/Lt. C.L. Knopp, USN) and HMAS Sprightly (Lt. G.S. Duck, RANR(S)). They were escorted by USS Morris, USS Hughes, USS Mustin, USS Russell, USS Hobby, USS Gillespie, USS Anderson and USS Stockton.

0800K/3, Echelon G-3 arrived commenced beaching the LST's to unload which was completed later the same day following which they set course to proceed to Mios Woendi.

31 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730K/31, Task Force 78, made up of the heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), light cruisers USS Phoenix (T/Capt. J.H. Duncan, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), USS Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts, USN) and the destroyers USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Beale (T/Capt. J.B. Cochran, USN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN), USS Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts, USN) and the destroyers USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. T.B. Hutchins, 3rd, USN, with COMDESDIV 48, T/Capt. J.B. McLean, USN), USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN), USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN) and USS Trathen (T/Cdr. J.R. Millett, USN) and HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) arrived at Mios Woendi from the Cape Sansapor area. (88)

3 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1840K/3, the heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), light cruiser USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN) and the destroyers USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. T.B. Hutchins, 3rd, USN) and USS Trathen (T/Cdr. J.R. Millett, USN) departed Mios Woendi for Seeadler Harbour, Manus. (89)

5 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430K/5, the heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), light cruiser USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN) and the destroyers USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. T.B. Hutchins, 3rd, USN) and USS Trathen (T/Cdr. J.R. Millett, USN) arrived at Seeadler Harbour from Mios Woendi. (89)

14 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 14/15 August 1944, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN), HMS Ariadne (Capt. Lord Ashbourne, RN), USS O'Bannon (T/Cdr. R.W. Smith, USN), USS Taylor T/Cdr. N.J.F. Frank, Jr., USN) and USS Hopewell (T/Cdr. C.C. Shute, USN) conducted exercises off Manus. (90)

18 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN), HMS Ariadne (Capt. Lord Ashbourne, RN), USS Nicholas (T/Cdr. R.T.S. Keith, USN, with COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. J.K.B. Ginder, USN on board), USS O'Bannon (T/Cdr. R.W. Smith, USN), USS Taylor T/Cdr. N.J.F. Frank, Jr., USN) and USS Hopewell (T/Cdr. C.C. Shute, USN) conducted exercises off Manus. (91)

21 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 21/22 August 1944, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN), HMS Ariadne (Capt. Lord Ashbourne, RN), USS Nicholas (T/Cdr. R.T.S. Keith, USN, with COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. J.K.B. Ginder, USN on board), USS Hopewell (T/Cdr. C.C. Shute, USN) and USS Bush (T/Cdr. R.E. Westholm, USN) conducted exercises off Manus. (90)

23 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900K/23, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) departed Seeadler Harbour for Hollandia. She is escorted by USS Nicholas (T/Cdr. R.T.S. Keith, USN, with COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. J.K.B. Ginder, USN on board). (92)

24 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300K/24, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) and USS Nicholas (T/Cdr. R.T.S. Keith, USN, with COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. J.K.B. Ginder, USN on board) arrived at Humboldt Bay (Hollandia) from Seeadler Harbour (Manus).

At Hollandia HMAS Shropshire exchanged her 4" AA gun barrels. (92)

27 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700K/27, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN) departed Humboldt Bay for Seeadler Harbour. She is escorted by USS Nicholas (T/Cdr. R.T.S. Keith, USN, with COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. J.K.B. Ginder, USN on board) and USS O'Bannon (T/Cdr. R.W. Smith, USN). (93)

28 Aug 1944
Around 1210K/28, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), USS Nicholas (T/Cdr. R.T.S. Keith, USN, with COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. J.K.B. Ginder, USN on board) and USS O'Bannon (T/Cdr. R.W. Smith, USN) arrived at Seeadler Harbour from Humboldt Bay. (93)

31 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During During 31 August / 1 September 1944, HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN), USS Nicholas (T/Cdr. R.T.S. Keith, USN, with COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. J.K.B. Ginder, USN on board), h COMDESRON 21, T/Capt. J.K.B. Ginder, USN on board), USS O'Bannon (T/Cdr. R.W. Smith, USN), USS Taylor T/Cdr. N.J.F. Frank, Jr., USN), USS Hopewell (T/Cdr. C.C. Shute, USN) and USS Bush (T/Cdr. R.E. Westholm, USN) conducted exercises off Manus. (94)

3 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At Seeadler Harbour, Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN, transferred his flag from HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) to HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN). (95)

8 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board) and USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN) conducted gunnery exercises off Manus. (96)

10 Sep 1944
Around 0630I/10, Task Force 74, made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) as well as Task Force 75 made up of the light cruisers USS Phoenix (T/Capt. J.H. Duncan, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN), USS Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts, USN) and the destroyers USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Beale (T/Cdr. D.M. Coffee, USN), USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN), USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. T.B. Hutchins, 3rd, USN, with COMDESDIV 48, T/Capt. J.B. McLean, USN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN), USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN) and USS Bush (T/Cdr. R.E. Westholm, USN) departed Seeadler Harbour, Manus for Humboldt Bay where they arrived around 0700I/11. (96)

15 Sep 1944

Operation Tradewind.

This operation was an amphibious landing on Morotai.

Forces involved.

Task Force 77.
The force flagship was the Amphibious Force Command Ship USS Wasatch (T/Capt. A.M. Granum, USN, flying the flag of T/Rear-Admiral D.E. Barbey, USN. Reserve flagship was the destroyer USS Russell (T/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Wicks, Jr., USN).

Task Group 77.1 was the Escort Carrier Group under T/R.Adm. T.L. Sprague, USN. It was made up of the following Task Units.
Task Unit 77.1.1 was made up of the escort carriers USS Sangamon (T/Capt. M.E. Browder, USN, flying the flag of COMCARDIV 22, T/R.Adm. T.L. Sprague, USN), USS Suwanee (T/Capt. W.D. Johnson, USN), USS Chenango (T/Capt. G. van Deurs, USN) and USS Santee (T/Capt. R.E. Blick, USN).
Task Unit 77.1.2 was made up of the escort carriers USS Fanshaw Bay (T/Capt. D.P. Johnson, USNflying the flag of, COMCARDIV 25, T/R.Adm. C.A.F. Sprague, USN) and USS Midway / St. Lo (T/Capt. F.J. McKenna, USN).
Task Unit 77.1.3 was made up of the destroyer escorts USS Edmonds (T/Cdr. C.S. Barker, Jr., USN, with COMCORTDIV 63, T/Cdr. J.V. Bewick, USN, on board), USS Richard S. Bull (T/Lt.Cdr. A.W. Gardes, Jr., USN), USS Richard M. Rowell (T/Cdr. H.A. Barnard, Jr., USN), USS Eversole (T/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Marix, USN), USS Dennis (Lt.Cdr. S. Hansen, USNR), USS Shelton (Lt.Cdr. L.G. Salomon, USNR), USS John C. Butler (T/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Pace, USN) and USS Raymond (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Beyer, Jr., USNR).

Task Force 77.2 was the Cover and Bombardment Force under T/Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN. It was made up of the following Task Units.
Task Unit 77.2.1 was made up of the light cruisers USS Phoenix (T/Capt. J.H. Duncan, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), USS Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts, USN) and the destroyers USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Beale (T/Cdr. D.M. Coffee, USN) and USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN).
Task Unit 77.2.2 was made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) and the destroyers HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN) and USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN).
Task Unit 77.2.3 was made up of the light cruiser USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN) and the destroyers USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. T.B. Hutchins, 3rd, USN, with COMDESDIV 48, T/Capt. J.B. McLean, USN) and USS Bush (T/Cdr. R.E. Westholm, USN).

Task Force 77.3 was the Attack Force.
Task Group 77.3.1 was the Attack Force for White Beach under T/Rear-Admiral D.E. Barbey, USN, with USS Wasatch as flagship and was made up of the following Task Units.
Task Group 77.3.11 was made up of the destroyers USS Morris (T/Cdr. G.L. Caswell, USNR, with COMDESRON 2, T/Capt. E.A. Solomons, USN, on board), USS Mustin ( T/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hughes, USN), USS Russell, USS John Rodgers (T/Cdr. J.G. Franklin, USN) and USS McKee (T/Cdr. R.B. Allen, USN).
Task Group 77.3.12 was made up of the amphibious transport HMAS Kanimbla (Cdr. A.V. Bunyan, RANR(S)).
Task Group 77.3.13 was made up of the high speed transports USS Ward (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Lemly, USNR), USS Schley (Lt.Cdr. E.T. Farley, USNR), USS Kilty (Lt. L.G. Benson, USNR), USS Crosby (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Sims, USNR) and USS Herbert (T/Cdr. J.N. Ferguson, Jr., USN).
Task Group 77.3.14 was made up of the LCI(L)'s, USS LCI(L)-28 (Lt.(jg) W.T. Witt, USNR, with COMLCIFLOT 7, T/Cdr. H.F. McGee, USN, on board), USS LCI(L)-25 (Lt.(jg) G.W. Connelly, USNR), USS LCI(L)-29 (Lt. J.F. McNamara, USNR), USS LCI(L)-30 (Lt.(jg) L.E. Larson, USNR), USS LCI(L)-224 (Lt.(jg) W.K. Bohn, USNR), USS LCI(L)-225 (Lt.(jg) W.S. Ogilvy, USNR), USS LCI(L)-226 (Lt.(jg) W.L. Harned, USNR), USS LCI(L)-361 (Lt.(jg) A.J. Hawkes, USNR), USS LCI(L)-430 (Lt. P.C. Hill, Jr., USNR) and USS LCI(L)-432 (Lt. M.D. Coppersmith, USNR).
Task Group 77.3.15 was made up of the LST's, USS LST-470 (Lt. D.J. Guthridge, USNR, with COMLSTGR20, Cdr. D.M. Baker, USNR on board), USS LST-245 (Lt. M.J. McCabe, USNR), USS LST-459 (Lt. N. Waggener, USNR) and USS LST-474 (Lt.(jg) H.T. Ross, USNR).
Task Group 77.3.16 was made up of the LCT's, USS LCT-947, USS LCT-939, USS LCT-940 and USS LCT-941.
Task Group 77.3.17 was made up of the patrol vessels USS PC-1119 (Lt. J.E. Martin, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-1134 (Lt.(jg). W.B. Marshall, USNR).
Task Group 77.3.18 was made up of the LCI(G)'s, USS LCI(G)-68 (Lt.(jg) J.D. Devaney, USNR), USS LCI(G)-70 (Lt. R.M. Jordan, USNR) and LCI(R)'s USS LCI(R)-72 (Lt.(jg) J.F. Dray, USNR) and USS LCI(R)-73 (Lt.(jg) N.M. Taylor, USNR).
Task Group 77.3.19 was made up of the tug USS Sonoma (Lt. W.R. Wurzler, USNR) and USS LCI(D)-227 (Lt.(jg) A.S. Eskind, USNR) [D = Demolition] ().
Task Group 77.3.2 was the Attack Force for Red Beach under T/Rear-Admiral R.A. Fechteler, USN, with USS Hughes (T/Cdr. E.B. Rittenhouse, USN, flying the flag of T/Rear-Admiral R.A. Fechteler, USN) as flagship and was made up of the following Task Units.
Task Group 77.3.21 was made up of the destroyers USS Fletcher (T/Cdr. J.L. Foster, USN, with COMDESDIV 42, T/Capt. A.E. Jarrell, USN on board), USS Radford (T/Cdr. G.L. Caswell, USN), USS Jenkins (T/Cdr. M. Hall, Jr., USN), USS La Valette (T/Cdr. W. Thompson, USN) and USS Stack (T/Cdr. R.E. Wheeler, USN).
Task Group 77.3.22 was made up of the amphibious transport HMAS Manoora (Cdr. A.P. Cousin, RANR(S)).
Task Group 77.3.23 was made up of the LCI(L)'s, USS LCI(L)-546 (Lt.(jg) W.B. Campbell, USNR, with, COMLCIFLOT 8, T/Cdr. F.B.C. Martin, USN, on board), i>USS LCI(L)-543 (Lt.(jg) L.S. Mosley, USNR), USS LCI(L)-544 (Lt.(jg) L.V. Sternberg, USNR), USS LCI(L)-545 (Lt.(jg) T.B. King, USNR), USS LCI(L)-547 (Lt.(jg) J.S. Peacock, USNR), USS LCI(L)-577 (Lt.(jg) E.J. Morgan, USNR), USS LCI(L)-578 (Lt.(jg) W.D. Rounds, USNR), USS LCI(L)-579 (Lt.(jg) J. Wood, USN), USS LCI(L)-663 (Lt.(jg) F.B. Stimson, Jr., USNR), USS LCI(L)-744 (Lt.(jg) J.B. Vallely, USNR), LCI(L)-746 (Lt.(jg) E.H. Chittenden, USNR), USS LCI(L)-747 (Lt. R.M. Burnes, USNR), USS LCI(L)-748 (Lt.(jg) D.R. Hassell, USNR), USS LCI(L)-750 (Lt.(jg) S.A.R. White, USNR), USS LCI(L)-958 (Lt.(jg) W.R. McCracken, USNR), USS LCI(L)-962 (Lt.(jg) R.L. Steele, USNR), USS LCI(L)-964 (Lt.(jg) H.R. dePue, USNR), USS LCI(L)-965 (Lt.(jg) A.T. Wellman, USNR), USS 967 (Lt.(jg) H.M. Piper, Jr., USNR), USS 968 (Lt.(jg) B. Shaw, USNR), USS 969 (Lt.(jg) J.W. Clement, USNR), USS 971 (Lt.(jg) V. Muse, Jr., USNR), USS 976 (Lt.(jg) W.C. Lawtom, USNR), USS 977 (Lt.(jg) J.T. Morgan, Jr., USNR), USS 978 (Lt.(jg) P. Tackett, USNR), USS 979 (Lt.(jg) M.J. Fleischman, USNR), USS 981 (Lt.(jg) T.J. Bailey, USNR), USS 1014 (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Moncure, USNR) and USS 1015 (Lt. G.Y. Harry, USNR).
Task Group 77.3.24 was made up of the LST's, USS LST-466 (Lt. R.E. McCarthy, USNR), with COMLSTFLOT 7, T/Capt. R.M. Scruggs, USN on board), USS LST-181 (Lt. R.J. Wilson, USNR), USS LST-452 (Lt. G.W. Morris, USNR), USS LST-456 (Lt. G.B. Libby, USNR), USS LST-462 (Lt. W.D. Gregory, USNR), USS LST-467 (Lt. M.B. Taylor, USNR), USS LST-468 (Lt.(jg) L.H. Bellis, USNR) and USS LST-472 (Lt. W.O. Tally, USN).
Task Group 77.3.25 was made up of the LCT's, USS LCT-948, USS LCT-942, USS LCT-943, USS LCT-949, USS LCT-950, USS LCT-951, USS LCT-952 and USS LCT-953.
Task Group 77.3.26 was made up of the Landing Ship Dock USS Carter Hall (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Harris, USNR).
Task Group 77.3.27 was made up of the patrol vessels USS PC-1120 (Lt. H.T. Smith, Jr., USNR), USS PC-1122 (Lt. L.C. Hall, USNR), USS PC-1133 (Lt. J.C. Chandler, USNR) and USS PC-476 (Lt. D. Knapp, USNR).
Task Group 77.3.28 was made up of the LCI(G)'s, USS LCI(G)-69 (Lt.(jg) H.R. Roesti, USNR, with Lt.Cdr. A.M. Holmes, USNR, on board), USS LCI(G)-23 (Lt.(jg) M.L. Russell, USNR), USS LCI(G)-64 (Lt.(jg) F.G. Love, Jr., USNR), USS LCI(G)-65 (Lt.(jg) C.J. Macaluso, USNR) and LCI(R)'s USS LCI(R)-31 (Lt.(jg) L.J. Haidet, USNR) and USS LCI(R)-34 (Lt.(jg) R.J. Sponsler, USNR).
Task Group 77.3.29 was made up of the minesweepers USS YMS-8 (Lt.(jg) E.S. Conway, USNR), USS YMS-9 (Lt.(jg) B.F. Hildes, USNR), USS YMS-46 (Lt. H.J. Topping, USNR) and USS YMS-51 (Lt.(jg) W.F. Montgomery., USNR).

Chronology of the passage towards the operations area.

1000I/10, Task Group 77.1, the Carrier Cover Group, (see above), departed Seeadler Harbour for the operations area.

1300I/11, Echelon M-1, made up of all Task Units of Task Groups 77.3.1 and 77.3.2 (see above) departed Maffin Bay for the operations area.

2300I/11, Task Units 77.2.1 and 77.2.2 (see above) departed Humboldt Bay for the operations area.

1000I/12, Task Unit 77.2.3 departed Humboldt Bay for the operations area. On board USS Nashville General MacArthur and staff is embarked.

Chronology of the initial landing operations in the operations area.

0630I/15, The order ' Deploy ' was given for the landings which were to commence at 0830I/15 (H-hour). The LCT's which had been towed to the operations area by LST's had just been cut loose and were now proceeding on their own. YMS minesweepers commenced sweeping the landing area.

0700I/15, between around 0700 and 0830 hours the ships from Task Force 77.2 bombarded their selected targets near the landing area. Carrier aircraft from Task Force 77.1 conducted fighter and A/S patrols and were also available to attack land targets. Following the bombardment the ships of Task Force 77.2 remained in the area to provide cover for the operation. They were released from the operation at 1800I/16.

0830I/15, H-hour, Landing operations commenced.

0900I/15, USS Carter Hall departed the operations area for Mios Woendi. She was escorted by USS Herbert and USS Crosby. All three ships had completed unloading.

1030I/15, Almost all LCI(L)'s, having completed unloading, departed the operations area for Hollandia. They were escorted by USS Ward, USS Schley and USS Kilty.

2000I/15, Five LST's and four LCI(L)'s, having completed unloading, departed the operations area for Cape Sansapor. They were escorted by the destroyers USS Morris and USS Jenkins.

1800I/15, HMAS Kanimbla and USS Manoora departed the operations area for Hollandia. They were escorted by the destroyer USS Stevens and the patrol vessel USS PC-476.

1700I/16, The remaining seven LST's, having completed unloading departed Morotai for Cape Sansopor. They were escorted by USS Anderson and USS Stack.

More echelons transporting troops and supplies arrived at Morotai during the next days. [These will not be dealth with here.]

18 Sep 1944
Around 0715I/18, Task Force 77.2 (Task Force 75), made up of the heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (Capt. E.F.V. Dechaineux, DSC, RAN, flying the flag of Commodore J.A. Collins, CB, RAN), HMAS Shropshire (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN), light cruisers USS Phoenix (T/Capt. J.H. Duncan, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 15, Rear-Admiral R.S. Berkey, USN), USS Nashville (T/Capt. C.E. Coney, USN), USS Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts, USN) and the destroyers USS Hutchins (T/Cdr. C.B. Laning, USN, with COMDESRON 24, T/Capt. K.M. McManes, USN, on board), USS Bache (T/Cdr. R.C. Morton, USN), USS Beale (T/Cdr. D.M. Coffee, USN), USS Daly (T/Cdr. R.G. Visser, USN), USS Abner Read (T/Cdr. T.B. Hutchins, 3rd, USN, with COMDESDIV 48, T/Capt. J.B. McLean, USN), USS Bush (T/Cdr. R.E. Westholm, USN), USS Ammen (T/Cdr. J.H. Brown, USN), USS Mullany (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN), HMAS Arunta (Cdr. A.E. Buchanan, RAN) and HMAS Warramunga (Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN) arrived at Mios Woendi from operations in the Morotai area. (96)

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