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Notable events involving Katoomba include:

8 Aug 1942

Combined convoy A 2 / B 2.

This convoy departed Caloundra on 8 August 1942.

It was made up of the following transports; Aldinga (Australian, 3078 GRT, built 1921), Balikpapan (Dutch, 1279 GRT, built 1938), Bontekoe (Dutch, 4668 GRT, built 1923), Fiona (Australian, 2198 GRT, built 1933), James Cook (Australian, 2142 GRT, built 1921), John G. Whittier (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Macumba (Australian, 2526 GRT, built 1919), Oliver Hazard Perry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Van Heemskerk (Dutch, 2996 GRT, built 1909) and Zebulon Pike (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Caloundra around 0300K/8, the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Stuart (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN) and minesweeper HMAS Goulburn (Lt. B. Paul, RANR(S)).

HMAS Stuart and HMAS Goulburn parted company around 2200K/9, in the Capricorn Channel.

On 10 August the transport James Cook parted company with the convoy and entered Bowen.

The convoy then proceeded unescorted until 1710K/11 when near Townsville the destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and minesweeper HMAS Katoomba (Cdr. A.P. Cousin, RANR(S)) joined.

Three of the transports of the combined convoy parted company near Townsville and entered that port on the 11th, these were the Aldinga, Macumba and Oliver Hazard Perry. The Fiona also parted company with the convoy to proceed to Lucinda Point.

Around 1700K/13, the mineweeper HMAS Warrnambool (T/Lt. E.J. Barron, RANR(S)) joined the convoy coming from Port Moresby.

Around 1830K/13, Convoy B 2 split off bound for Port Moresby. This convoy was made up of the John G. Whittier and the Zebulon Pike escorted by HMAS Warrnambool. Convoy B 2 arrived at Port Moresby around 1400K/14.

Convoy A 2, made up of the transports Balikpapan, Bontekoe and Van Heemskerk meanwhile continued on towards Fall River (Milne Bay) still escorted by HMAS Arunta and HMAS Katoomba.

Around 1250K/14, HMAS Katoomba parted company to proceed to the assistance of the submarine S-39 (Lt. F.E. Brown, USN) which had grounded on a reef near Rossel Island.

Convoy A 2, escorted by HMAS Arunta arrived at Fall River, Milne Bay around 0920K/15.

15 Nov 1942

Convoy O.

This convoy departed Townsville around 1800K/15.

It was made up of the following transports; Balikpapan (Dutch, 1279 GRT, built 1938), Bantam (Dutch, 3322 GRT, built 1930), Bontekoe (Dutch, 4668 GRT, built 1923), Both (Dutch, 2608 GRT, built 1931), Cremer (Dutch, 4608 GRT, built 1926), Japara (Dutch, 3323 GRT, built 1930), Jesse Applegate (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John B. Ashe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Maetsuycker (Dutch, 4131 GRT, built 1936).

On departure from Townsville the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and the minesweepers HMAS Ballarat (T/Lt.Cdr. A.D. Barling, RANR(S)) and HMAS Katoomba (Cdr. A.P. Cousin, RANR(S)).

Around 1930K/17, the convoy split up in two sections.

The ' Port Moresby ' section was made up of the Bontekoe, Both, Cremer, Maetsuycker and Jesse Applegate. It was escorted by HMAS Arunta. Around 1500K/18, the minesweeper HMAS Broome (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Denovan, RANVR) joined coming from Port Moresby. This section of the convoy arrived at Port Moresby around 1915K/18.

The ' Milne Bay ' section was made up of the Balikpapan, Bantam, Japara and John B. Ashe. This section was escorted by HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Katoomba. This section of the convoy arrived at Fall River around 1300K/19.

11 Aug 1944

Convoy BG 8.

Around 1800K/11, this convoy left Langemak Bay for Humboldt Bay.

The convoy was made up of the transports; Extavia (American, 6535 GRT, built 1941), Owen Summers (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Nelson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Thomas W. Symons (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William Ellery Channing (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Langemak Bay the convoy was escorted by the minesweeper HMS Gympie (T/Lt.Cdr. R. Rowsell, RNZNR). The patrol vessel USS SC-737 (?) was to have sailed with the convoy but had been delayed and was unable to sail with the convoy. She later sailed to overtake and join the convoy which she did around 0035K/12.

Around 1300K/12, the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and minesweeper HMAS Katoomba (T/Lt. J.A. Grant, RANR(S)) joined the convoy coming from Madang as additional escorts.

The convoy arrived at Humboldt Bay around 0800K/14. (1)

12 Aug 1944
Around 0800K/12, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and HMAS Katoomba (T/Lt. J.A. Grant, RANR(S)) departed Madang to join convoy BG 8 which they did around 1230K/12.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BG 8 ' for 11 August 1944.] (2)

2 Mar 1945
Around 1315I/2, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. G.S. Gordon, RAN) departed Hollandia to return to Mios Woendi. This signal was later cancelled and she returned to Hollandia taking over the A/S patrol off Humboldt Bay from HMAS Katoomba (Lt.Cdr. F.N. Allison, RANR) around 0715I/3. (3)