Royal Australian Navy minesweeping after World War II
Royal Australian Navy minesweeping after World War II | |
---|---|
Location | |
Objective | Minesweeping around Australia and New Guinea |
Date | December 1945 – August 1948 |
Executed by | Royal Australian Navy |
Outcome | 1,816 mines cleared |
Casualties | Four killed, 25 wounded |
Following
History
During World War II both the Allies and Japanese laid mines in Australian and New Guinean waters. The RAN's minelayer, HMAS Bungaree, laid almost 10,000 mines in Australian waters alone, and further mines were laid around Australian ports.[1] Following the war Australia was legally responsible for clearing mines from its territorial waters as part of an international minesweeping effort coordinated by the Mine Clearance Board in London.[2]
The RAN's
Minesweeping was arduous and dangerous and the sailors involved were granted danger money of 6
The 20th Minesweeping Flotilla completed its task in August 1948. By this time 1,816 mines had been swept.[2] Eleven officers and sailors were recommended for honours and awards for their role in the operation, with all recommendations being fully endorsed by Vice Admiral John Collins, the First Naval Member, Australian Commonwealth Naval Board. Some of the awards were delayed and others never granted, however, due to disagreements between the RAN and the Government over whether post-war minesweeping constituted 'operational' service.[7]
See also
Notes
- ^ Straczek, J.H. "RAN in the Second World War". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Fogarty (1998), p. 123
- ^ Fogarty (1998), pp. 123–124
- ^ Fogarty (1998), p. 124
- ^ "HMAS Warrnambool (I)". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
- ^ Cooper (2006), p. 157
- ^ Fogarty (1998), pp. 124–125
References
- Cooper, Alastair (2006). "1955–1972: The Era of Forward Defence". In David Stevens (ed.). The Royal Australian Navy. A History (Paperback ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-555542-2.
- Fogarty, Michael (1998). "'Small wars you may have missed': the minor campaigns of the RAN, 1936–56". In David Stevens (ed.). Maritime Power in the Twentieth Century. The Australian Experience. St Leonards: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-736-4.