NOCN111 FINAL PUBLIC VERSION

Number 111, December 2017 Naval Officers Club NEWSLETTER ISSN 1445-6206 Tribal Class destroyer at speedHMAS Arunta was designated the first of the RAN’s Improved “Tribal” Class destroyers, ordered in1939. Three were eventually built, the others being named Warramunga (1942) and Bataan (1945).Dimensions : Length 377 ft x Beam 36 ft x Draft 21 ft. Displacement : 1990 tons (2122 in 1945)Speed : 36.5 knots (designed) ; 14 knots (economical) SHP 44,000 with Admiralty 3 drum boilersArmament : 3 x twin 4.7 inch Mk XII, one twin 4 inch Mk XVI, 6 single Oerlikons, 1 x 4 Mk VIII 2 pdrpompom mounting.4 x 21 inch torpedo tubes. 2 depth charge throwers Mk XIX**, 46 depth charges (on deck and in maga-zine)(By 1945 the Oerlikons had been replaced by 6 x 40mm Bofors Mk III.)Builders : Cockatoo Docks & Engineering Co Pty, Sydney.Launched by Lady Gowrie, wife of the Governor-General (936-45) and commissioned30 March 1942 (Commander J C Morrow, DSO RAN)Complement: 190 (12 officers and 178 ratings); later 260 (13 officers and 247 ratings)Record : employed almost continuously in the SW Pacific from Cape Gloucester to Balikpapan (Borneo).Refitting at Sydney at end of WW2, participating in Sydney Victory parade 1946. Later recommissionedas anti-submarine destroyer and participated in Korean War 1954 and deployment with FE Fleet based atSingapore. Paid off into reserve 1956 and disposed of for scrap in 1969, but capsized and sank while undertow to Japan. 1

Naval Officers Club Newsletter Naval Officers Club Newsletter is published by ISSN 1445-6206 The Naval Officers Club Number 111, December 2017 of Australia IncorporatedEditor: Richard Francis State and Territory Divisional contacts on this page. Details of forthcoming social eventsMail: 62 Annam Rd around the country will be found on the Page 5 Bayview NSW 2104 Notice Board in this issue.Telephone: (02) 9997 3893Email: [email protected] Naval Officers Club Contents 1 PO Box 648 3 RAN Tribal Class Destroyers 4 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 Members’ page 5 Www.navalofficer.com.au Notice Board 6 Email: [email protected] Argentine’s missing Submarine 11 Lead Article RADM Rothesay Swan Memories WW2 12Electronic Funds Transfer: Cyclone Tracy 1974—Loss of HMAS Arrow 13Westpac Washington Treaty cruisers 19Naval Officers Club account Vietnam—Swimmer/sapper attack—Vung Tau 1969 2017-4666, BSB 032-087 Recent USN Collisions at sea 22Patron: Social Pages /Photos 23Vice Admiral T Barrett AO CSC RAN Absent over leave 25President: Up Spirits - RAN style 26Captain Rick Bayley RAN ret News Items - Martin Baker Tie Club [email protected] MB Tie Award / Nelson’s Jewel 29Vice President: Obituary—Captain Mike Downes MN 30RADM Simon Cullen AM CSC RAN ret AF Lord Bruce Frazer of North Cape 32Committee members: RAN Future Submarine Programme 33David Blazey (Membership Sec.) Book Review —Empire Strikes South [email protected] Archimedes 35Geoff Cole (Webmaster) Trafalgar postscript [email protected] Nelson—new insight of humanity 38John Ellis (Hon. Treasurer) Book Review - Operation Mincemeat [email protected] USS John S. McCain—update 40Richard Francis (NOCN Editor) Membership [email protected] Social Events – Booking formsKingsley Perry (Hon Secretary)[email protected] Warren (Social functions)John Hazell (Social functions)John HodgesDivisional Chairmen:Andy Craig (QLD)Warwick Gately (VIC)Stephen Jeisman (SA)Bob Mummery (WA)Mike Taylor (ACT)Chairman…*@navalofficer.com.au* Insert state/territory abbreviationHon. Auditor:Nick HorspoolMembership: Total: 607NSW: 248, VIC: 108, ACT: 113,QLD: 59, SA: 25, WA: 37, TAS: 7NT: 1, UK: 2, USA: 2, France: 1Canada: 1, New Zealand: 2, Malaysia: 1NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 2

NEW MEMBERSCAPT M.J. CARREL RAN ret Contact details not publishedRADM A K DU TOIT AM RAN ret in Public version of NewsletterLCDR J EASTHAM RFD RANR retCMDR P ELLIOTT RAN retSBLT M W RIDLEY RAN retCAPT L V H RIXON CSC RANCMDR K G ROE RAN retCMDR A STONE OAM RAN retCMDR J YOUNG RAN ret LAST POSTS NARRABUNDA ACT NARRABEEN NSWCDRE H H G. DALRYMPLE RAN ret FARRER ACTLCDR A M DOWNES RD** RANR(S) ret LEABROOK SALCDR G H TAYLOR RANR retLEUT J RISCHBIETH RANVR NORTH ROCKS NSW*CMDR D M A. HAMILTON RN* Not an NOC Member ADDRESS CHANGESContact details not publishedin Public version of Newsletter EMAIL CHANGESContact details not publishedin Public version of Newsletter 3

Notice board This page carries club announcements, details of forthcoming social events, and other information. Division Social Functions NSW WESTERN AUSTRALIA Contacts details at end of each notice: Bob Mummery, O8 9528 2779 John Hazell 0410 447 189 (JH) Bi monthly Luncheon [email protected] (JH); Fremantle Sailing Club, Kingsley Perry 0422 169 860 (KP); 151 Marine Terrace, FREMANTLE. [email protected] Jim Warren 0409 227 869 (JW) QUEENSLAND [email protected] Members Lunch Christmas Luncheon Thursday 7 December 2017 Lord Nelson Brewery Pub, The Rocks, Sydney Tides Restaurant, Caloundra Thursday 25 January 2018—1200 (KP) Dress—Smart casual Wal Farquhuar, Cost $50 cash on the day. Contact: [email protected] or 0478 946 266 Harbour Cruise aboard MV Magistic, VICTORIA Saturday 17 February 2018, 1200 (JW) Dress—Smart casual. Cost $105 pp, includes buffet Last Wednesday of Month at 1700 Casual Catch-up: The Cricketers’ Bar, Hotel Windsor lunch and all drinks. Payment by cheque to Hon. Treasurer or EFT. The Hero’s Club lunch—Wednesday 6th December Warwick Gately (See Flyer this issue) Contact: [email protected] * Important Notice—New bank Account for SYDNEY Functions: * ACT EFT for NSW Functions to be sent to new Saturday Brunch. Commonwealth Club Bank Account “NOC Sydney Functions Saturday, Dec 9th - 0900 - 1130 (Short Title for transfers : “NOCSydFns”) Lunch - Orion Room, Southern Cross Club BSB 032-087; Account No. 37-8079 2018 Monday, Feb 5th - 1200 2018 Monday, Mar 5th - 1200 SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2018 Monday, Apr 2nd – 1130 (AGM & Lunch) Stephen Jeisman 0408787384 Mike Taylor Quarterly Luncheon Contact: [email protected] Pepper’s Restaurant Waymouth St, Adelaide Friday 1st December , 1200 for 1230.. Notices for all Club membersChanges of contact details: Please tell the Hon Remittance of funds to the Club: Money forSecretary in writing or email the moment you dues, functions or merchandise can be sent to thechange your address, phone number, email address club by either cheque or EFT. Make the chequeetc. out to “Naval Officers Club” and accompany it with written advice of both the sender and what thePayment of Club dues: Members who are not Life funds are for. If using EFT, the account details areMembers and pay their dues annually are reminded on page 2; also advise the Hon Treasurer by emailthat dues are payable on or before 1 March each ([email protected]) the same day..year. Prompt payment supports your Club.NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 4

News FlashArgentina’s missing US satellite company Iridium said in a state- submarine ment that while one of its satellite phones was onboard the submarine, the seven signals detectedSpecialist equipment did not come through its network. The last call deployed made from its satellite phone onboard the submarine was the day contact with Navy command was lost. International efforts Teams from several countries have intensified theirARA San Juan has been missing (SUBSMASH) efforts in the South Atlantic to find the San Juan. Itsince 15 November 2017. The submarine is thought that the submarine may have had commu-disappeared 267 miles off the Argentine coast with nication difficulties caused by a power failure. Navy44 crew onboard. It was on routine passage from protocol dictates that a vessel should come to theUshuaia in the extreme south to her base at Mar del surface if communication has been lost.Plata, south of Buenos Aires. The US Navy has sent a second ship with spe- cial tracking equipment and deep-sea rescue mod-Specialist underwater rescue equipment has ules to join the search. Chile and UK have sent extraarrived from the United States to help locate the aircraft to assist the search, while a total of 11 shipsmissing vessel. More ships and aircraft have also and 10 aircraft from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru,joined the search, which has been hampered by South Africa, Uruguay, the UK and US were cur-heavy winds and stormy seas. The Argentine Navy rently taking part in the searchsays that their submarine has enough supplies for at ARA San Juan is the newest of the three sub-least two weeks. marines in the Argentine fleet, built in Germany inSince then, satellite signals, believed to have 1983, with range of 22,224 km.come from the sub were detected ashore near theValdez peninsula. However, Rear Admiral Jorge (BBC News/world-latin-america 21 NovemberLorenzo Cisneros has warned that the signals had 2017)been “very weak and of short intensity”. He saidthat the Navy had not yet been able to confirm thatthe failed calls had come from the missing vessel. Merchandise Make all cheques payable to: Naval Officers Club,Although a small stock of Club merchandise is still and send the cheque with the order, to the followingavailable, only the Club ties will be restocked in address:future, at $45 each. Name tallies are produced on Naval Officers Club, PO Box 648,demand and the new price is now $21.50. Call Mike PENNANT HILLS NSW 1715.Taylor (02) 6288 3393 5

The Making of a Naval HMAS Canberra at Savo Island on 9 August the Swan previous year.Rear Admiral R C Swan, AO, CBE, RAN Rtd ad- As a lowly Midshipman, one of my first tasksdressed members of the Federation of Naval Ships was to shake the Admiral. Rear Admiral VictorAssociation and a number of NOC attendees at the Crutchley VC RN was the Commander of TaskFNSA annual luncheon on 12 October. Admiral Force 74 and had also been the TF CommanderSwan’s speech was, in its entirety, an encapsulation when Canberra was sunk. Admiral Crutchley epit-of memorable moments from his early service life omised every Midshipman’s image of a crusty oldwhich began 77 years ago. Part of his speech dealt admiral. Suffice to say that my method for shakingwith his World War II experiences, and that part is the Admiral proved to be incorrect. I actually phys- ically shook him. He was not happy - and I had a Midshipman Swan aboard HMAS Shropshire lesson well learnt - never robustly shake a sleepingproduced here to record an individual’s observa- Admiral.tions of war at sea in a different era.Having graduated from the Naval College at Cer- As was the practice for many years before andberus, I joined the latest addition to the RAN, the to follow, Midshipman were required to rotatecruiser HMAS Shropshire, in Sydney in early Octo- through the various departments for a month at aber 1943, shortly after she had arrived on her deliv- time. My wartime rotation learning periods wereery voyage. Shropshire had been transferred to the frequently interrupted by the need to be involved inRAN in June 1943, in the UK, following the loss of the ship’s operational activities. In December we were involved in supporting the landings at Cape Gloucester and Arawe, with many bombardment missions. As part of our seamanship training we had to lower the sea boats. One day I was doing just that when a Supervising Sub Lieutenant interfered. I said who is lowering this boat, you or me. I was duly reported to the “Snotty’s Nurse “who decided I should be punished. The punishment – belting over the backside with a deck hockey stick. Another les- son hard learnt. Early in 1944 I transferred to HMAS Arunta while Shropshire proceeded to Sydney for a dock- ing and maintenance period. Arunta was tasked with supporting the landings at Biak. While patrol- ling off Biak a group of Japanese destroyers ap- peared and we were directed to join a number of other destroyers and engage the Japanese. The Jap- anese group retreated with the Allied ships in hot pursuit. Unfortunately, they had superior speed and we never came within gun range. Having rejoined Shropshire in 1944 after my month’s training in Arunta, the ship returned to the fray in our northern waters. On this very day, 12 October, 73 years ago we sailed from Humboldt Bay and joined the escort of some 450 other vessels. This mighty force, comprising every conceivable type of naval or assault vessel, set sail for Leyte Gulf in the Philippines at a speed of advance of 7NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 6

HMAS Arunta coming alongside for heaving line transfer.knots to cater for the slowest ships. With 2000 nau- wounding more, including Commodore Collins.tical miles to go, this was not an exciting prospect. Later that day Australia, escorted by HMAS Warra-On 20th October we entered Leyte Gulf, hav- munga, left for repairs. Our Action OOW wasing miraculously managed to free a mine from our transferred to Australia as their Navigator.paravanes as we entered the Gulf. After the battle- Having been the Navigator’s Yeoman, I wasships USS Missouri, West Virginia and Maryland clearly so experienced I was made Action OOW athad given the beaches a good pounding, Shropshire action stations, when there was no air attack Myand the other cruisers gave them a further pounding, normal action station was in charge of the starboardfollowed by the destroyers. We expected to be met Barrage sight, from which broadsides of the 8” gunsby many Japanese aircraft but, to our surprise, there would be fired at incoming aircraft when close towere none. General Douglas Macarthur went the ship – the blast from which, it was thought,ashore that day from the USS Nashville and made would throw the aircraft off course, such that theyhis carefully choregraphed broadcast to the people would miss the ship. The terrific flash from the 8of the Philippines starting with those well-known inch guns would also distract the pilots as theywords “I have returned”. came in for attack. The air assault on our ships con-However, all hell broke loose at first light tinued for the next three days. Hundreds of aircraftnext morning, Trafalgar Day. At about 06.00, with attacked during daylight hours, simultaneously ap-the ships still at anchor, Japanese aircraft began at- proaching from ahead, from astern, from port andtacking ships in the Gulf. Both Shropshire and Aus- starboard, firing their machine guns as they ran in.tralia were attacked. It is my recollection that we in We had many near misses from torpedoes, and fromShropshire damaged an aircraft which then went on, bombs, with the ship shuddering and, not infre-bounced off the sea and hit the mast and superstruc- quently, disappearing in great columns of water.ture of Australia killing some thirty, including the We spent at least 8 hours a day at action stations,Captain, Navigator and other bridge personnel, and eating and sleeping there. The mattress was the steel 7

Chart of Suriago Strait action.deck and the pillow one’s Mae West. The Galley shooting. It was then as Action OOW that I learntstaff were marvellous bringing food, such as it was, that if one heard the whine of shells, they had al-around to men at their action stations. ready passed over – no need to worry about them. It was the ones that you did not hear that you need- On 24 October advice was received of a sig- ed to be concerned about. However, we came outnificant Japanese Fleet approaching from the south, of the battle unscathed and we were credited withthrough Surigao Straits and due to arrive in the Gulf assisting in the destruction of the Japanese flagshipin the early hours of the following day. The Ameri- – a battleship.can Admiral decided to cross the T. The Japanesewould be met by some 40 fast and powerful torpedo As the morning wore on we became awareboats, then by two divisions of destroyers, including that a Japanese fleet was approaching from theHMAS Arunta, and then receive the fire power of north. Not good news as our fleet was by this timesix battleships, including USS Missouri and then very short of ammunition. However, that fleet be-from two groups of cruisers including Shropshire. came aware of an American carrier force and decid- ed to withdraw north again. The battle began at about 22.30 - the torpedoboats and destroyers fired many torpedoes with very After a month in Leyte Gulf we withdrew tolimited success. The destroyers and torpedo boats Manus for rest and maintenance. It was there thatwere then ordered to clear the scene. Then the bat- our gunnery officer managed to get about a dozentleships and cruisers opened fire. The fireworks 40mm Bofors guns installed by the Americans - re-display was magnificent, as the American ships had placing the ship’s Oerlikons and adding additionaltracer-fitted shells. They also had flashless cordite. mounts - all for a couple of cases of whisky - noWe in Shropshire had no flashless cordite, so when questions asked.we fired there was a blinding flash which lit up thesky at night and blinded us. It made for more ex- Christmas 1944 was celebrated on 15 Decem-citement, with shells bursting short and some over ber - a great occasion as a ship had arrived from Australia to resupply us. There were great celebra-NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 8

HMAS Shropshire under firetions, with the officers serving the crew as was the aircraft, which was cut in half by her guns. Oncetradition, followed by concerts and other events, be- again Shropshire survived unscathed, although shefore we sailed on 26 December to return to Leyte had many close shaves from aircraft attacks. OnGulf. On arrival back in Leyte Gulf we became part one particular occasion an aircraft dived on the ship.of the next invasion force on its way to Lingayen It was cut in half by our pompom battery. Half fellGulf. This force, protected by 6 battleships, with 12 in to the sea adjacent to the bridge – the other halfescort carriers, 8 cruisers and 46 destroyers, sailed on the port side. When the bombs exploded the shipon 3 January 1945 down through Surigao Straits disappeared into columns of water, and even theand to the west of the Island of Luzon. All was qui- bridge - 60 feet above the water – was filled withet on the first day, but on the second there were sea water. My Barrage sight was also filled withwaves of 50 to 60 aircraft, high and low and from water and the Leading Seaman and I thought weall directions. A kamikaze hit an American escort were in the sea. When it all subsided we were, for-carrier which later sank. Arunta was attacked and tunately, still safely on board.was holed by a near miss. Australia was continually attacked, being hit While being attacked by three aircraft Aus- four more times during the four days of bombard-tralia fired everything including her main arma- ment, prior to the landing of troops on 9 January. Ament. Two were shot down, but one aircraft ended hole had been blown in her hull by a bomb, reduc-up on the 4” gun deck, killing all 25 and wounding ing her speed to 15 knots. Another kamikaze hit the30 more. The fires were put out promptly. Shrop- tripod mast and cut the forward funnel in half.shire was in the thick of it but came out unscathed There were numerous further casualties. She wasonce again. On one occasion an aircraft flew past ordered to leave the area of operations for repairs,us at masthead height with its tail shot off, but it with Arunta as her escort.flew on and crashed into the bridge of the battleshipUSS New Mexico. While many were injured and killed on Aus- tralia, the more critical and lasting effects of the On 6 January Shropshire and Australia began Kamikaze attacks were psychological - men werebombardment duties. Australia was hit again by an broken in mind and in spirit. Those above decks 9

were in danger - men started to desert their posts by the midshipmen, Shropshire’s three war veteranand endeavor to get below. The Medical Officers Midshipmen were put ashore about a week after theand their teams were heavily stretched – over- landings in Lingayen Gulf, to be flown back to Aus-worked and exhausted. After days of attacks this tralia for passage to the United Kingdom for furthernot only happened in Australia but also in Shrop- naval training. Sitting on top of some crates in theshire - I can recall having to stand at the top of a back of a DC3 transport aircraft was our first-classladder and prevent men from going below. ticket to the next stage of our naval adventures. Despite the importance of the roles performedMidshipman Swan down aft HMAS Shropshire (back right) Your SayDear Editor, Enquiry, I was immediately posted back to sea inGood to hear from you and I have to say I really command of HMAS Bombard (sister patrol boat),enjoy reading the Newsletter. I am currently on a which was a reassuring decision as I am sure youcruise ship in the Middle East, with very limited would appreciate.internet. However, I am happy for you to publishthe ABC article. (see p 11 Cyclone TRACY) I will be home towards late November 2017. Warm regards, It may be worth noting that after a Board of Bob Dagworthy (Bogangar NSW)NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 10

Cyclone Tracy 1974 himself, Arrow had taken on so much water that he HMAS Arrow’s deadly could not reach the (upper) level of the wharf. “So I actually jumped into the water and was swept sprint through the wharf and was found the next day on back to Darwin wharf the mud flats”, he said.Robert Dagworthy was captain of the Attack Class HMAS COONAWARRA (naval base Dar-patrol boat HMAS Arrow when Cyclone Tracy win) present Commanding Officer, Commanderdecimated Darwin in 1974. Viktor Pilicic said he was surprised how little is ac- tually known about what happened. “Listening toTropical Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin in the early his recounting…was amazing, and the fact that hehours of Christmas morning, almost entirely de- had to make that command decision to abandonstroying the city. Of the 66 people killed, 53 were ship…it’s an amazing story.”onshore and 13 at sea. Two of those were Lieuten-ant Dagworthy’s men. “We were told there was a Teamwork saved livessmall cyclone tracking towards Darwin but (that it) Bob Dagworthy said if it was not for the teamworkwould probably pass close by,” Mr Dagworthy said. of his ship’s company, more people would have died. “We had been together in a small ship. You As a precaution, Lieutenant Dagworthy and become a really great team,” he said. But he is wor-his crew were ordered to go out to a Navy-provided ried people are beginning to forget what happened.cyclone buoy, roughly a kilometre out to sea from He said that it is important to talk about it. To stateStokes Hill Wharf at Darwin. the facts as they really were. “I want people to re-“It’s believed when you are at that cyclone buoy, member what happened to Arrow and I want peopleyou are there, and no cyclone is going to cause to remember the two sailors who lost their lives. My(you) a problem.” But Cyclone Tracy did cause a two shipmates.”problem. Patrol boat HMAS Arrow’s final resting place after The Arrow’s anchor winch and cable slips cyclone recovery at Darwin – on the mud flats, awere ripped clean from the deck of the ship, leaving sad, crumpled, total loss..the vessel to the mercy of the stormy waves andwinds of more than 200kph. “We could see red and (ABC news story posted 19 Aug 2017 – contributedgreen light as waves washed right over the ship – by Bob Mummery – WA)the rain actually took the paint off the metalwork,”he said. The ship’s navigation equipment was also NB. For the record, Arrow’s sister ship, also at Dar-destroyed and an airlock in the engine cooling win that Christmas, HMAS Attack (Lieutenant de Graaf)pumps meant they could seize at any minute. was blown aground and damaged, but survived. Naval HQ at Darwin, above the wharf and closer to town, was Bob Dagworthy decided the best thing would destroyed. (Ed)be to ground the ship further inland (ie. up a creekprotected by surrounding mangroves), but gettingthere would be purely guesswork.“Running across Darwin Harbour with waves wash-ing me down, we were forced down onto the cornerof the wharf,” he said. He gave the order to abandonship, and they used the undulance of the waves toclimb up onto the wharf. Despite his action, two ofhis men, AB Ian Rennie and Petty Officer LeslieCatton were killed in the aftermath. By the time Dagworthy came to leave his ship 11

Washington Treaty Cruisers The County Class heavy cruisers were given a lowcentre of gravity so that they could withstand floodingwithout the risk of capsizing, a factor which made themheavy rollers and poor gun platforms in bad weather.However, apart from their expense to maintain and oper-ate, they were splendid ships for a world empire atpeace. Their fine presence, wonderful accommodation,with their 8 foot high deck-heads, and their ability tosteam great distances at high average speed, regardlessof the weather, made them able guardians of the PaxBritannica. It was, in fact, their steaming qualities that inwartime amply made up for their deficiencies in armourand gun-power. The great hulls could also take considerable addi-tional anti-aircraft protection in the way of guns withoutstraining their sea-going qualities; there was also a largehangar aft in some ships (RN only) NB. Perhaps this would explain the difficulty the USN(The Metal Fighting Ship in the Royal Navy by E H H destroyers had in trying to sink HMAS Canberra, afterArchibald – Blandford Press UK – 1971) she had been abandoned and the decision taken to scut- tle her before the return of the Japanese task force to Savo Sound. (Ed)NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 12

The Swimmer/Sapper the recovery of two modern Soviet BPM-2 limpet mines. Attack at Vung Tau The RAN’s CDT 3, based in Vung Tau was integrated 23 May 1969 into the USN EOD Mobile Unit Pacific (EODMUPAC) organisation in South Vietnam and designated by the US By Hector Donohue and Jake as EODMUPAC Team 35. Linton Navy EOD detachments were deployed to keyThe following article describes the first swimmer/sapper areas throughout Vietnam to contribute to the overallattack involving CDT3 in Vietnam and is drawn mainly defence of shipping in ports and rivers under Operationfrom the recently published book ‘United and Undaunted Stable Door. EOD support was also required for all the– the First 100 Years’, by EW Linton and HJ Donohue. major shore-based facilities and ports, and to undertakeIt also includes data from the Australian War Memorial an ever increasing demand for Navy EOD to supportarchives covering intelligence reports on the incident land-based Army and Marine Corps units.based on interrogation of the two enemy sappers cap-tured. Additionally, interviews were conducted with With the building of a DeLong mobile pier, VungJohn Brumley, Jeff Garrett and Mike Ey, the three sur- Tau had become a major support base. Capable of of-viving members of the team. floading deep water and shallow berth vessels, Vung Tau increased the flow of logistics throughout South Vi-Background etnam. Patented by the DeLong Corporation, the piers In the early hours of 23 May 1969 a swimmer/ were sectional and were fabricated in a variety of sizes and configurations. They were then towed to a site andsapper attack against ships berthed at the DeLong pier in quickly emplaced. (The DeLong piers made it possibleVung Tau was thwarted, with Clearance Diving Team 3 to develop deep-draft ports and berths at Qui Nhon,(CDT 3) playing a major role in the incident including Vung Tau, Cam Rahn Bay, Vung Ro, and Da Nang in a few months.) North Vietnamese sappers were assault or shock troops, which in today’s parlance would be designated as Special Forces. Naval Sappers were organized just as other sapper units, the main difference being that Naval Sappers tended to be less hierarchical and more central-Vung Tau—Phuoc Tuy Province 13

ized and flexible in their organization. Naval Sapper tar- The Attackgets included commercial and military shipping, bridges, On the night of 22/23 May, a motorised sampanand piers, floating military bases, shore bases, power conducted a reconnaissance, under cover of darkness,plants, and any other target that was close to water. before dropping three swimmer sappers near the DeLong pier in Vung Tau harbour. The prior reconnaissance byWithin a Naval Sapper platoon, there were generally two the sampan established the port’s master lighting systemcombat groups of two to five men. It was known at the was no problem and the sappers could swim to their ob-time that Group 10 VC, reinforced by 126 North Viet- jective without passing through an illuminated area.namese Navy Regiment Sapper Swimmers, was based They observed sentry positions and patrol boat patterns.somewhere in the Rung Sat Special Zone, near Vung The sappers waited until slack tide conditions andTau. three left the sampan, two with limpet mines and one with a locally made explosive charge. They swam to- A favoured method of swimmer insertion was wards the ships alongside the pier on the surface. Theyfrom a sampan. Sampans were the most were not concerned with the possibility of small armscommon waterborne vessel in Vietnam and so were the fire or underwater explosions since their reconnaissanceperfect covert insertion vehicle for the swimmer. The indicated that the sentries did not shoot at floating debrissampan allowed the swimmer to extend his range from nor were grenades being used to any degree. On thethe main base and carry more or heavier gear. Sampans night the moon was a waning crescent giving enoughalso blended in with ‘normal’ waterway traffic which light for a swimmer to see his objective but still remainmade them the perfect reconnaissance platform for the relatively unobserved by a sentry.swimmer. At around 0125, a sentry onboard USS Hickman County (LST – 825) spotted two swimmers 75 yards A US Navy study calculated that there were 88 astern moving in a northerly direction with the incomingsuccessful swimmer/sapper attacks against shipping inVietnamese waters between January 1962 and June 1969DeLong Pier, Vung Tau (AWM photo)which killed more than 210 personnel and wounded 325. tide. The sentry opened fire with small arms as theAgainst this only 20 enemy sappers were killed or cap- swimmers headed for the pier in the vicinity of MVtured for all attacks whether successful or not, emphasis- Heredia, which was berthed alongside the northern end.ing the extremely advantageous payoff to the enemy of Two converted tankers were at permanent moorings justthis type of attack. south of the piers which were potentially lucrative tar- gets as they supplied electrical power for all the military installations and some civilian assets in Vung Tau andNOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 14

surrounding areas. However on this occasion, Heredia, towards the hard stand and anti swimmer lights and sig-an ammunition ship, would have been the target as the nal lights were shined on them. Concussion grenades were thrown into the water. The ship notified port con- Partial detonation of booster and locally made trol via radio, and army MPs arrived to investigate the charge container shooting. The two swimmers were by now 150 yards to starboard heading towards the hard stand. A patrol boatship was carrying almost 8,000 tons of explosives. pursued the swimmers and came within the line of fire Hickman County’s sentries then saw three swim- preventing further firing from the ship. Contact with the swimmers from Hickman County was lost but one swim-mers with packages and opened fire again, while the mer was captured by the patrol boat.ship, now alert to the attack, increased readiness andcalled for EOD assistance. Two swimmers struck south CDT 3 Response Two team members, POCD John Brumley and ABCD Andy Sherlock, had left the team’s headquarters (and accommodation) at the Harbour Entrance Control Post (HECP) to conduct a routine search of ship’s anchor ca- bles in the anchorage off Vung Tau under Operation Sta- ble Door. Lieutenant ‘Snow’ Davis, OIC of the team, was temporarily absent in the Delta area. At 0130 a phone call was received at the HECP stating that swimmers had been positively sighted in the water off the end of the DeLong Pier. Within 15 minutes, the remaining team members, CPOCD Vic Rashleigh, ABCD Jeff Garrett and ABCD Mike Ey, ar- rived at the DeLong Pier. They found the area around the pier and ships in turmoil. US MPs were shooting at ran- dom and throwing grenades and scare charges off the pier. Rashleigh managed to restore order and ordered the pier cleared of all but MPs and EOD personnel. It was learned that one swimmer had been captured and a nylon rope was visible, attached to a large tractor tyre fender close to Heredia.Captured swimmer sappers 15

Recovered Soviet BPM-2 Limpet mine top view locally made explosive charge the size of a four gallon with base plate removed—fuses intact. drum, fitted with a wire strop to which was attached to a nylon line. The line was tied to the fender and the mine Photo courtesy Jeff Garrett suspended about 12 feet below the surface. The other two pulled him out of the water and back onto the wharf. Rashleigh decided to put a diver in the water toinvestigate. Security personnel were informed that div- On being briefed by Garrett, Rashleigh adviseding would commence and use of scare charges and gre- the MPs to clear the area of all personnel and the masternades were suspended. Well aware that enemy sappers of Heredia was also advised to move his ship as soon aswere close, Garrett dived under the fender to discover a possible. As preparations were made to move the ship, a small explosion was heard. Rashleigh checked to see if grenades had been thrown in the water and on receiving a negative response, told Ey to investigate the charge. Ey entered the water from the bows of a patrol boat posi- tioned between the ship’s stern and the wharf and found the mine had experienced a partial detonation which would have been the small explosion they heard. The container bottom was burst open and he recovered some of the contents which appeared to be plastic explosive. Brumley and Sherlock joined the operation around 0230. Having heard of the attack, they cancelled the Stable Door ship inspections they were due to carry out approx- imately three miles distant in the anchorage. The team commenced searching the entire pier structure and other vessels alongside the southern side of the pier. At 0310 Heredia was moved and the explosive charge attached to the pier was lifted clear of the waterNOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 16

Garrett, Rashleigh and Ey more than 40 years later.and onto the roadway. On inspection it was found the some 60 pounds of C4 plastic explosive and the boosterbooster charges were badly packed in US jam tins and consisted of ten pounds of cast TNT. The charged failedhad not detonated. The enemy had reached the target but to high order due to poor selection of detonator/boosterwere letdown by a poor product. The bulk explosive was combination i.e. the detonator was ineffective and or theL-R: Brumley, Sherlock, Ey, Davis, Garrett and Rashleigh - RAN CDT3 1969 17

booster was too stable to maintain the detonation wave responsible for deploying the locally made charge, man-into the bulk explosive. aged to escape. The overall response to the attack showed that the established doctrine was sound and yet The captured swimmer was interrogated by an in- again showed how important alert sentries are.terpreter about the presence of other swimmers but ad-mitted nothing. Around 0400, there was a further out- CDT 3’s rapid response to the call for assistance,break of shooting by MPs on the pier and a second swim- arriving on the scene within 15 minutes of a call in themer was apprehended. He was a North Vietnamese sap- middle of the night was impressive. CPOCD Rashleighper who had been wounded in the earlier shooting was arrived to find a disorderly situation, made more danger-found holding on to one of the piers, hoping to remain ous as live ordnance was being discharged, and quicklyunseen in the darkness. established order, allowing the divers to search for mines. The fact that mines/charges had been deployed, At dawn the team returned to the HECP to re- that enemy sappers were still in the area, and workingcharge diving equipment and returned around 0900. A underwater at night with no visibility, made the divingsentry reported seeing a swimmer earlier near a large task particularly difficult and hazardous.steel fender on the northern side of the pier in the vicinityof where Heredia’s had been berthed. Ey dived in and Garrett and Ey, who no doubt experienced a sensefound a Soviet BPM-2 limpet mine attached to the fend- of disquiet that night, performed their tasks professional-er’s underside. Visibility was poor but he could see the ly and exhibited a high level of bravery.arming forks were still intact on the dual firing fuses butnot if the safety pin was also intact on the anti removal The recovery of two modern Soviet made limpetdevice fuse. A rubber flotation bag, still inflated, was mines proved to be valuable intelligence. Although USstrapped to the mine. He secured a rope to the limpet intelligence was aware of the BPM 2 limpet mine, thismine’s carry handle and the patrol boat attempted to pull was the first time a mint condition mine had been recov-the mine free but the rope parted. Ey dived again to the ered. The CDT 3 team members removed the explosivemine and was able to see that the third pin was in place. and together with a USN EOD team member who wasHe pulled the mine off the fender and surfaced at the with CDT 3 under the Australian and US exchange pro-stern of the patrol boat. The limpet mine was taken gram, devised a render safe procedure which was bothonboard and made safe by removing the three fuses. safe and feasible. The previous procedure of sliding a metal shim under the limpet was shown to be completely US salvage divers from the Harbour Clearance impracticable and certainly unsafe. One mine was givenUnit, Vung Tau joined and assisted in the search of the to the USN by Lieutenant Davis and is held by the Navalgeneral area in daylight, while the Harbourmaster closed Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division Indi-the pier and prevented vessels moving in the area. With an head, Maryland, whilst the other was returned to Aus-no further limpet mines or explosive charges found, tralia and is at the Diving School, HMAS PENGUIN.Rashleigh ceased searching around midday. Furthersearches were conducted the next day for the mine the The senior USN EOD officer from Naval Supportsecond swimmer would have carried to no avail. Howev- Activity, Saigon flew down to congratulate the team on aer four days later it was found washed up on a beach job well done. Garrett and Ey were recommended for theeight km away, still attached to its small flotation blad- US Bronze Star but the award could not be accepted be-der. cause of Australian government policy at the time. CPOCD Vic Rashleigh was awarded the British Empire Impact of the Attack Medal and ABCD Jeff Garrett a Mentioned in Despatch-The swimmer sapper attack had been well planned. It es. It is surprising that there has been little recognition ofwas believed the group had been in the general area since the import of this event, removing a sophisticated limpetDecember and certainly their reconnaissance on the night mine would in most circumstances merit a significantof 22/23 May indicated they had a good chance of suc- award. As a result of the attack, the Vung Tau Sub Areacess. Fortunately, alert sentries during the middle watch Command updated its defence plans, a Joint Tactical Op-sighted the swimmers and thwarted the attack of the two erations Centre was created and Standard Operating Pro-carrying limpet mines. One sapper had reached his target cedures were revised.and secured a relatively large charge alongside the am- (Previously published NHSA Review—Dec 2016)munition ship. Fortunately it failed to detonate correctlywhich if it had, would have resulted in a major disaster.In the event two sappers were captured and the sapperNOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 18

Recent USN collisions this recognition was too late.” Benson, Babbitt and the senior enlisted sailor ofThe US Navy has found that two ship collisions thatcombined to kill 17 sailors at sea were preventable and the ship, Command Master Chief Brice Baldwin, werecaused by “multiple failures” by service members who cited for being absent from the bridge at the time of thewere standing watch on the nights of the incidents. crash, “during an evolution where their experience, guid- ance and example would have greatly benefitted theUS Ships Fitzgerald and John S. McCain, both guided- ship,” the Navy found. They were removed from theirmissile destroyers, suffered catastrophic collisions on 17 jobs in August.June and 21 August 2017 respectively. The Fitzgeraldaccident killed seven sailors off the southern coast of In the McCain collision, the ship’s captain, Com-Japan, while the McCain collision killed 10 sailors near mander Alfredo J Sanchez, and XO, Commander JessieSingapore. The collisions shocked the Navy, which L Sanchez, were on the bridge, but confusion about howprides itself on good seamanship. In the last few months, the ship’s steering worked caused chaos. Both officersthe Service has removed numerous people from their were removed from their positions in August as the Ser-jobs as a result, including the senior officer in charge of vice examined what happened. The investigation foundthe US Navy’s 7th Fleet, to which both ships were as- that it was about 0519 on 21 August 2017 when thesigned. ship’s captain noticed that the ship’s helmsman steering the vessel, was having difficulty in maintaining course The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John while in a congested ship corridor. In response, the cap-Richardson USN, said in a statement releasing the inves- tain put a second sailor in charge of shifting speed con-tigation results that the Service must do better. “We are a trol while keeping the steering with the helmsman. TheNavy that learns from mistakes, and the Navy is firmly decision prompted confusion, with the sailors thinkingcommitted to doing everything possible to prevent an that steering had also been transferred to the second sail-accident like this from happening again.” Richardson or even though it had not.said. “We must never allow and accident like this to takethe lives of such magnificent young sailors and inflict The helmsman reported a loss of steering, prompt-such painful grief on their families and the nation.” ing the commanding officer to order the ship’s speed from 10 knots to five knots. But the second sailor re- The Fitzgerald was attributed to its watch teams duced the speed only on one of the ship’s propellerdisregarding established ways of contacting other ships shafts, steering it towards the Alnic MC, a much largerand required safety precautions that were in place. The oil tanker.investigations found that at about 2300 on 16 June, theship’s top to officers – Commander Bryce Benson, the “Although John S. McCain was now on a courseship’s captain, and Commander Sean Babbitt, the ship’s to collide with Alnic, the CO and others on the bridgeXO, left the bridge for the evening. By 0100 the Fitzger- lost situational awareness,” the investigation recounted.ald was moving past Japan’s Oshima Island and ap- “No one on the bridge clearly understood the forces act-proached three merchant ships from the starboard side of ing on the ship, nor did they understand the Alnic’sthe ship. There was “minimal” distance between the course and speed relative to John S. McCain during theFitzgerald and the other vessels, and all three presented confusion.” Three minutes after the steering problemsa collision hazard, the investigation found. were reported, the McCain’s crew regained control. But it was too late, and the ships collided at 0524. The Navy determined that the Fitzgerald was in acrossing situation with each vessel, meaning that it was “The collision was felt throughout the ship,” thethe US sailors’ obligations to take manoeuvring action to investigation reported. “Watchstanders on the bridgeavoid them. But in the 30 minutes leading up to the colli- were jolted from their stations momentarily and watch-sion, neither the Fitzgerald nor the much larger MV keepers in the after steering were thrown off their feet.ACX Crystal, a Philippine-flagged container ship, did so Several suffered minor injuries. Some sailors thoughtuntil just a minute prior to the disaster. that ship had run aground, while others were concerned that they had been attacked. Sailors in parts of the ship The investigation faulted the officer of the deck, away from the impact point compared it to an earth-who was not named in the documents, for failing to ma- quake. Those nearest the impact point described it likenoeuvre as needed, sound the danger alarm on the ship, an explosion.”contact the Crystal or call his own captain, as required.“Initially, the Officer of the Deck intended to take no The investigation found that the McCain collisionaction, mistaking Crystal to be another of the two ves- “resulted primarily from complacency, over-confidencesels with a greatest point of approach,” the investigation and lack of procedural compliance.” It added that, withfound. “Eventually, the Officer of the Deck realized that regard to procedures, no one on the Bridge watch team,Fitzgerald was on a collision course with Crystal, but including the CO and XO, were properly trained on how to correctly operate the ship control console during a steering casualty.” (ie. breakdown). (The Washington Post- 1 November 2017) 19

Social EventsPhotographs below are from the Naval Luncheon held in the United Service Club, Brisbane on 24October. A successful event with some 60 attending. Guest was VADM David Johnston AM RAN -Chief, Joint Operations (and a Craig-trained cadet at RANC - we must have done something right!!).CHAP Bill Pearson RANR Rtd, Harvey Greenfield (Qld President of the Navy League), Dr David Cilento, VADM David Johnston, Chairman QLD Andy Craig.CAPT Nick Woodley RANR, CMDR Alan Reagan CSC RFD RANR, and CHAP Bill Pearson RANR Rtd.NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 20

Social EventsSouth Australian ActivitiesAlthough the South Australian Division of the Naval Officers’ Club is relatively small in comparison tothe eastern states, numbers are growing slowly. Over the last year, several former members of the Ade-laide Port Division joined the club, helping to boost membership. Members meet regularly for lunch ona quarterly basis and annually attend the Trafalgar Night Dinner and the Encounter Night Dinner whichcommemorates the historic meeting between Matthew Flinders and the French explorer, Nicholas Bau-din at Encounter Bay, S.A. on 8 April 1802..Stephen JeismanQuotation: “I must down to the sea again,, to the lonely sea and the sky, and all I wish is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by.” (Sea Fever – John Masefield) 21

The Bloke at BRNC 1960The amusing book by John Winton appeared in Book title—We joined the Navybookshops in 1960 and was made into a film in1962, starring Kenneth Moore (as the Bodger). The girl (schoolgirl) on the plane which arrived at aboutfilm was adapted to sell in the USA and was a flop – dusk at Heathrow and when she learned that I was aapart from the first 20 minutes covering routine naval cadet she pleaded with me to escort her acrosstraining at BRNC. I saw the film for the first time, London, as she was frightened of travelling aloneon TV one rainy afternoon about a month ago, and on the Tube in the dark. I agreed and escorted her tocould identify my squad marching smartly across her destination. (Thinking of my father who hadthe parade in one clip – but we were midshipmen by spent over 40 years service in Africa - any whitethen! The film’s colour had begun to fade….. man would have done the same). The Commander (XO) when I joined BRNC I then had to find my own way to PaddingtonDartmouth and the Royal Navy was an imposing terminus to catch the train to the West Country. Infigure – Commander Tom Stocker RN. There were those days it seemed to me that once at the frontieractually two commanders, the other being the Train- in Somerset that Red Indians could be expected toing Commander (in charge of all initial basic train- gallop over the hill to fire the train (I had seen a loting at the College), whom we saw more of actually of western movies at school). My mitigation state-taking an interest in all classes under instruction and ment never got that far with Tom Stocker:” Guiltyon the river. Commander Stocker was normally as charged. Fourteen days No.9s **! “seen near his office by the hallway and taking “Right turn, quick march. Report to the Regulatingcharge of Divisions on the parade ground, before Office” snapped the MAA.reporting to the Captain on such occasions. He wasthe only one to ever rebuke the Parade Gunner in What a disaster! At no stage of events was Ipublic on parade – while the Royal Marine Band ever in any doubt that my good intentions would notwere the usual perceived culprits – as they could be be accepted. I had heard the apocryphal tale of sail-made to march round again if there were no sloppy ors being given the benefit of the doubt under: “Thetraining divisions to chastise during the ceremony. age of chivalry remains alive and well – Case Dis- missed!” However, all defaulters were seen by theCommander in the usual manner, if the offence It was a salutary experience of the real RNcommitted had been against the NDA*, and not just view of discipline.a training blitz. I myself fell into this category at the * Naval Discipline Act (…punishable by death – orstart of my second term, when returning late from any less punishment.)Summer leave (spent with my family in the middle ** (Extra work and drill with daily punishment rou-of Africa) – “Adrift – absent over leave by six tine).hours, Sir” intoned the Master at Arms. I pleadedguilty (big mistake!). (Richard Francis – cadet RN 1960) “Before I pass sentence on you, Cadet Fran-cis, do you have anything to say in mitigation?” I seized the opportunity to explain my man-gled travelling arrangements which had led to myreturning late – the last train from London Padding-ton to the West Country did not run as expected.There was a little more to the story. I had met a niceNOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 22

THE ONE-AND-ONLY in lieu), and not under punishment, was entitled to “UP SPIRITS” one-eighth of a pint of 95.5 proof rum. Petty Offic- ers and above received their rum undiluted; others By Largo received it diluted with two-thirds water. It was is- sued messdeck-by-messdeck. And once it got to theA naval myth holds that Admiral Edward Vernon messdecks, another unofficial ritual ensued, withintroduced rum into the Royal Navy. He didn’t; it birthday “sippers” and other adjustments hiddenpre-dated him. But Vernon, he of the grogram cloak from official eyes.which inspired his nickname of “Old Grog”, intro-duced the practice of diluting the spirit with water The abstemious RAN, of course, never issuedbefore it was given to the crew. rum – but the time-honoured pipe “Up Spirits” was heard once, in peacetime, in a commissioned unit in A smart move indeed: the resultant shandy HMA Fleet. It happened in the 1960s, very soon af-was probably less lethal than straight water in ships ter a tall, balding RN officer took up an exchangeof the line that had been at sea for six months or posting in one of the RAN’s Type 12 Frigates. Hismore. The practice not only became official; even baggage had been lost en route and he joined thethe word “grog” became official, so sailors never ship in refit. To bring him quickly up to speed, heforgot who started diluting their tipple. It’s almost was made Officer of the Day on his first day onancient history now. World-wide, there are consid- board. (“Welcome aboard, Pom …” etc).erably more admirals serving today who were noteven born when the RN abolished the rum issuethan there have ever been Grand Final wins by StKilda and Cronulla combined. Black Tot Day, 31July 1970, relegated the RN’s daily tot to history. 1970 Last tot - HMS Forth It lasted only another two years for the Cana- Being a highly-efficient RN officer, this fel-dians, but the Kiwis held out until 28 February low noted at a certain hour that a critical part of any1998. If there are any RAN members serving today, naval ship’s daily routine had not been observed.officers or sailors, who have supervised or received He spoke to the Quartermaster, responsible fora naval rum issue afloat, they probably did it in ser- guarding the brow and running the ship’s routine,vice, or on exchange service, with the RNZN. and said words to the effect “My good man, why have you not piped ‘Up Spirits ?” But dwindling numbers of retired members of A totally bemused look was all that he receivedthe RAN are still around who had exchange service from the Quartermaster. “Pipe ‘Up Spirits’, Quarter-in the RN, once almost automatic before the PWO master!” ordered the tall balding one, reverting todesignation came in, and who supervised the elabo- type. Which, of course, the Quartermaster forthwithrate ritual that followed the pipe “up spirits”, to ap- did, preceded by the usual wolf-whistle on his bo-portion the daily rum issue. sun’s call. A deadly hush came over the ship. Eve- rything stopped. Even those dockyard workers who Each enlisted man who was over 20 years old, were actually doing anything at the time stoppedclassified “G”, (i.e., “grog” as opposed to T-for- what they were doing immediately.“temperance” – the latter received three pence a day At that moment, the First Lieutenant had just poured himself a stiff horse’s neck, having had a bad morning being chastised by the Captain for the 23

HMS Blake - last rum issue in Singapore 1970. Quartermaster’s station at the gallop. A few moments passed without further an-poor state of the upper deck, and having himselfalready taken it out on numerous people who had nouncements. Then the Quartermaster was heard tocrossed his path. Unsurprisingly, he came out of the give voice again. “Belay the last pipe”, his voicestalls like a favourite in the Melbourne Cup, closely said.followed by the Captain – who was convinced hewas in McHale’s Navy. Both were heading for the Order and Regularity - those watchwords of naval discipline, were restored. This fragment of history – or non-history, if you will – came to the writer first- hand from the aforementioned, tall, balding officer, who is no longer balding but totally bald – as a cue ball. He says he blames it on the nightmares he still suffers from his time in the RAN. (Footnote: History records that in RN messdecks, at the pipe “Up Spirits” over the ship’s broadcast, it was traditional for someone to say “Stand fast the Holy Ghost.”) *** DID YOU KNOW?What was the origin of the expression:” Not for all the tea in China”? China is still the world’s leading producer of tea (about two million tonnes every year), so sayingone would not do something “for all the tea in China” is a neat way of saying “not at any price”, butwhere it originally came from is unclear. The precise form, “Not for all the tea in China” seems first tohave been used at the end of the 19th century. The Oxford Dictionary suggests that it began in Australia,but its origins go back exactly 200 years. Walter Scott, in his novel Rob Roy, written in 1817, wrote” Atoast and tankard would have pleased her better than all the tea in China.” This appears to be the earliest recorded use of the expression.(International Express – Oct 2017) Divided by a common Language?A recent news headline caught the eye, perhaps another sad maritime tragedy : USS Ashland rescues two sailors and their dogs, stranded at sea.Something sounded wrong. On re-reading the brief article (which may have further repercussions), itread:The Sasebo (Japan) based amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland carried out a rescue of two femaleyacht sailors on 25 October 2017 in the Pacific, etc. An accompanying video showed the yacht adrift andbecalmed, but not in obvious distress. The bulletin continued: The crew experienced survival at sea for 5 months….(it got worse and worse…) Surely every NOC member would believe that “stranding” meant running aground in a sea-goingvessel - or running out of fuel in the outback? Do you have any similar pearls to publish? Please forwardto the editor.NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 24

News Items The Martin Baker Tie Club has saved more than 7,500 aircrew. Both aircrew were also given membership of the “Caterpillar Club” by the Irvin Parachute Company, as their par- achute was fitted to the ejection seats. Over the 57 years since this incident, Brian’s tie was mislaid. Recently, he contacted the Martin Baker Company in the UK and asked if he could buy a re- placement. The Company responded by arranging for the Managing Director of Martin Baker Austral-In June 1960, Brian Dutch, while serving with 724Squadron, undertook an All Weather Fighter Courseat RAN Naval Air Station, Nowra, prior to joining805 Squadron, the front line squadron, which wasdue to start training for embarkation in HMAS Mel-bourne. Having completed the final exercise of thecourse in the Sea Venom F.A.W. 53 aircraft, Brianjoined the circuit for a night landing. However, thewind conditions had deteriorated dangerously forthe low-level circuit, and as he lowered the under-carriage, the aircraft rolled uncontrollably.Before he could recover normal flight, the air-craft hit a tree and the resultant damage rendered the ia, Andrew Eden, to come to Adelaide to presentaircraft unable to continue to a safe landing. Fortu- Brian with a replacement tie. This led to Andrewnately, Brian was able to gain just enough altitude to meeting Brian and other former naval personnel forenable him and his observer, Sandy Sandberg, to lunch in the Wardroom of the South Australian Na- val, Military and Air Force Club where Brian waseject safely.The Martin Baker Ejection Seat company sub- presented with the replacement tie.sequently presented each airman with a tie thusgranting them membership of their exclusive (NB. See full story of this remarkable incident at\"Tie Club\". Brian was the 130th person to have been NOCN 109, p26. Ed)saved by the seat and thus became the club’s 130thmember. Since then the Martin Baker Ejection SeatLord Nelson’s rotating gems recreated decades after original was stolenOne of Nelson’s most treasured possessions, which great diamond on his cocked hat rotated, has beenmust have provoked stifled giggles when he recreated from the original designs, more than halfswitched on the clockwork mechanism and the a century after it had been stolen. 25

at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It included 13 dia- mond sprigs, representing the French ships sunk or captured by Nelson in the battle. The admiral wore the jewel on his hat for the rest of his life, setting a fashion copied by many admirers. He was so proud of it that he added its image to his coat of arms. The historian Martyn Downer, whose book Nelson’s Lost Jewel, (just published) traced detailed early drawings that allowed the London jeweller Philip Denyer to recreate the lost treasure, complete with tiny hidden clockwork. He described the origi- nal as “one of the most historic, bizarre and instantly recognizable jewels in British history,” so intimately connected with Nelson’s image that it was even in- cluded in the towering memorial standing in Trafal- gar Square, London. The original had been on public display many times after Nelson’s death, until it was dramatically stolen from the National Maritime Museum in the early hours of the morning of 11 June 1951. TheThe ‘chelenk’, or plume of triumph, presented to thieves used a folding ladder to break in through a window and smashed an 8ft glass case to get at theNelson by the Sultan of Turkey and worn by him in jewel.his hat. Sadly, it was stolen from the National Mari-time Museum in 1951 and the thief has since con- It had been inherited by Nelson’s brother and passed down through the family, gradually losing itsfessed that it was broken up for its componentdiamonds. clockwork and some of the decorative details, until itThe replica jewel, so delicate that it needed was sold in 1895 for 710 pounds. In 1929 it wasemergency overnight repairs before being displayed bought for the nation by the heiress, Lady Barclay,at the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Ports- and displayed with other memorabilia in the Paintedmouth naval base from 21 October 2017, Trafalgar Hall RN College, Greenwich, where Nelson’s bodyDay. It is being shown beside a black felt cocked had lain in state after his death at Trafalgar. Afterhat, identical to those worn by Nelson, newly-made WW2 it was included in a Nelson display at the mu-by the admiral’s hatters, Lock & Co, who still keep seum from which it was stolen.his measurements in their London workshops. The More than 30 years later, a notorious cat bur-jewel displayed on Nelson’s hat, the Chelengk, a glar, George “Taters” Chatham, claimed responsibil-plume of more than 300 diamonds, was presented by ity and said the jewel had been broken up and theSultan Selim III of Turkey after Nelson’s victory at diamonds sold -” for a few thousand” – though whenthe Battle of the Nile in 1798. It was reputedly taken the theft was announced in Parliament in 1951, thefrom his turban and said to be the first such decora- UK government offered a reward of 250 pounds,tion presented to a non-Muslim. which was said to be more than the value of theOne can obtain a close-up of the replica gems stones. No trace of the treasure was ever discovered.on display in Nelson’s Great Cabin in HMS Victory (The Guardian UK - 21 Oct 2017)Quotation: If we look back on our past life we shall see that one of its most unusual experiences isthat we have been helped by our mistakes. (W S Churchill)NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 26

ObituariesCaptain Mike Downes MN, Lieutenant Commander RANR Captain Mike Downes MN, who has died aged LCDR Mike Downes RANR at re-commissioning96, served in a Q-ship in 1940 and later, in ‘Black as Commanding Officer of HMAS Kookaburra.May’ 1943 helped to defeat the U-boat menace inthe Battle of the Atlantic. wrongly concluded that she was an innocent mer- chantship. All the while Neptune lay stopped, Downes was already at sea in the Merchant Na- beam on, a quarter of a mile away with her mainvy when the Second World War broke out and he armament fore-and-aft, the crew enjoying the sun-was called up as a midshipman in the Royal Naval shine. Downes recalled ‘We could have sunk herReserve. Asked if he would volunteer for danger- with no trouble at all.’ous service, the 18-year old immediately said ‘yes’.The service was in what the Admiralty called When the incident was reported to the Admiral-‘special service ships’, others called mystery ships ty, the captain of Neptune got ‘a hell of a blast’, butor Q-ships after their forerunners of the First World the whole scheme had been so secretive that no les-War. sons-learned were passed on. Subsequently it was thought that had a warning been given, it might Downes joined one of nine such Q-ships, a have helped to save the cruiser HMAS Sydney whenslow, elderly tramp steamer known to the Admiralty she met and was sunk by a German Q-ship in No-as HMS Botlea, but to the world as the SS Lam- vember 1941.bridge. She was armed with 4-inch guns hiddenbehind drop-down steel doors and underwater torpe- Arthur Michael Downes was born at Woodcotedo tubes: the idea being that she should trail her Green, Surrey and trained to the sea at the Thamescoat in likely U-boats areas. It was hoped that a U- Nautical Training College, HMS Worcester. As aboat would surface to use her gun instead of wast- cadet he manned the windjammer Cutty Sark on hering a torpedo, a ‘panic party’ would take to the last voyage from Falmouth to Greenhithe on theboats, but as the U-boat approached to interrogate Thames in 1938, and is the last survivor of that voy-or to pick up the ship’s papers, Lambridge’s gunswould be unmasked and open fire. Such a tactic had worked in the First WorldWar, but by 1940 German U-boats were alerted.Instead two Q-ships were torpedoed without warn-ing while pretending to be stragglers from convoys,no other Q-ships achieved anything, and the schemewas abruptly ended after Downes in Lambridge metthe light cruiser HMS Neptune. Lambridge failed to send the correct responseto challenge and was boarded. Most of the crewwere hiding by their guns and Downes was loung-ing on the upperdeck dressed in scruffy clothes, butwas startled to realise that he knew one of theboarding officers and might be recognised, so hetoo quickly hid himself. Meanwhile the boardingparty examined Lambridge’s false papers and 27

age. until he was discharged in March 1946. He had From 1942 to 1945 Downes served as navigator continued to study for his mate’s and master’s cer- tificates and postwar he joined Shaw Savills ships,and ship’s anti-submarine officer in the River-class sailing mainly on the UK to Australia run, and thenfrigate HMS Tay, part of Commander (later Vice- the Adelaide Steamship Company ships on the Mel-Admiral Sir) Peter Gretton’s Escort Group B7, bourne to Cairns run.when he participated in some of the bitterest convoybattles of the Second World War. In 1951 Downes returned to Britain for addi- tional naval training before joining the Royal Aus- Having in March 1943 successfully escorted tralian Navy, where as a lieutenant-commander heConvoy ON173 with no losses, Tay was part of the was Master Attendant of the Garden Island navalescort for the return convoy, Convoy HX231 from base, deputy Captain of the Port and Senior Pilot,Halifax consisting of 61 ships which was attacked Sydney, and he commanded HMA Ships, the boomon April 4 in mid-Atlantic by a wolfpack of fifteen defence vessel Kookaburra, the tugs Sprightly andU-boats: two U-boats were sunk for the loss of six Emu, and the motor vessel Woomera. In 1960merchantships and the wolfpack was driven off. Downes retired to set up as a marine surveyor andCommencing on April 28, a third convoy, Convoy compass adjuster, a business he ran for the next fourONS5 of 43 ships was attacked over seven days by decades.three wolfpacks, with only a short break, when theU-boats and the convoy were dispersed by appalling Downes was a keen swimmer and long-weather. Thirteen merchant ships were lost but standing member of the North Sydney ANZACfive U-boats were sunk. Next, in mid-May Club swimming section, the Balmoral Beach Club,Downes in Tay was part of the escort of Convoy Balmoral Beach Swimming Club and until recentlySC130 of 39 ships which was attacked over four still won handicap races. He was also a masterdays by two wolfpacks: no merchants hips were mariner, keen sailor and a life member of the RANlost but four U-boats were sunk including U-954 in Sailing Association.which Peter Dönitz, youngest son of Admiral KarlDönitz, the German U-boat commander-in-chief, Downes married Joan Gaffney in 1953 in Stperished with the rest of the crew. May 1943 be- Patrick’s cathedral, Melbourne: she predeceasedcame known as ‘Black May’ by the Germans, and him and he is survived by their four sons and afurther U-boat operations in the Atlantic were sus- daughter.pended. Captain A M Downes, born 7 July 1921, died Subsequently Downes served (as navigator) in 24 September 2017.the escort carrier HMS Patroller, which was em-ployed as a troopship in the British Pacific Fleet, (Obituary by Captain Peter Hore RN – The Telegraph UK)HMS Patroller—Escort Carrier with British Pacific Fleet 1945.NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 28

Brief Encounter withAF Lord Bruce Fraser of North CapeLieutenant Steve Youll RAN took the RN Long Gun- escort, sang out::”Youll! Come and pay yournery Course in 1968/9 at HMS EXCELLENT on respects to Lord Fraser “ (or words to that effect.)Whale Island, Portsmouth, UK. The cheery Surgeon Captain introduced me, as one of “our Australians” and I had to seek hisEvery midsummer, Whale Island used to hold a help to hold my overload, in order to shake thelevee with a demonstration of the Portsmouth Field Admiral’s hand. Our short conversation went asGun teams, the Royal Marine Band performance, follows:and heaps of champagne with strawberries andcream teas, as only the Royal Navy could do. All Fraser: Australian, eh – I spent some time downthe local dignitaries and distinguished retired offic- there.ers were also invited. Admiral of the Fleet Lord Youll: Yes, Sir, I am well aware.Bruce Fraser was the Guest of Honour in 1968, Fraser: I was never married, you know, but always- Admiral of the Fleet the Lord Chatfield having accompanied, and had to often travel between Mel-been committed to the deep in late 1967. bourne and Sydney . Have you fixed that bloodyPrior to the festivities, syndicates of the Long rail gauge problem at Albury? Getting up in theCourse had to make a presentation to the Staff on a middle of the night in your dressing gown andsignificant naval event. My syndicate had the slippers and ushering your companion across theDieppe Raid as our topic, and we managed to find, platform was very inelegant.in Portsmouth, a German defender, one Canadian Youll: You will be pleased to know, Sir, that aand two British raiders. We based our presentation standard gauge is now in place.around these gentlemen’s oral testimonies, accom- Fraser: About time – I must go and thank the Band.panied by pyrotechnics. It was amusing, full ofcolour and movement, but considered to be lacking He then lurched (due to age, not libation) towardsin intellectual depth – as if we cared. the RM Band, where the Drum Major had his backAnother syndicate had the sinking of the to us, in preparation for the next series of paradeScharnhorst as their topic and delivered a turgid, manoeuvres. Lord Fraser walked into two-two-pedestrian presentation, with Lord Fraser sitting in three beat drum rolls, and an advancing band, andthe front row. On completion, Lord Fraser was was last seen dodging trombones as the Bandasked to say a few words and he remarked: marched “over” him.“So that’s what happened! I just remember that itwas rough, dark and noisy!” (Stephen Youll OAM, Gilmore ACT)Afterwards, at the garden party, I was return- NB. Lord Fraser survived a little longer, and hising from the bar with four glasses of champagne memorial statue may be seen on the lawn ap-and two punnets of strawberries and cream, stuck proaches at HMS EXCELLENT/CINCFLEET HQ –between my fingers, to fuel the invited young if one can ever enter these days! Edladies, when the Surgeon Captain, Lord Fraser’s 29

An Interview with RADMGregory Sammut AM CSCHead of the RAN Future Submarine Program by Brendan Nicholson RADM Gregory Sammut alongside a Collins ClassHow long will the Collins-class submarines oper- submarineate and, in retrospect, how should Australiansview the Collins program? Australia’s expectations. The new submarine is entering service from Given the current debate, is the future subma-the early 2030s. The Collins class will be our prima- rine a new design and could an existing subma-ry capability into the 2030s. We’ve always made it rine have been bought ‘off the shelf’?clear that it’ll be necessary to extend its life. There’snothing preventing us doing that. Collins is em- It’s a new design, as any conventional subma-ployed on operations today and I believe it is re- rine to meet our capability requirements would havegionally superior. With the Collins, we took the au- to be. That doesn’t mean it’s devoid of the lineagedacious and very successful step to manufacture of Naval Group designs that have preceded it—and,submarines in Australia. I think we overlook too in particular, the Barracuda design as a reference.often the successes achieved in delivering a fleet of We’re also drawing on Naval Group’s experience invery capable submarines. Now that appropriate sup- designing conventional submarines. After years ofport and sustainment arrangements are in place, research, we couldn’t find a military-off-the-shelfwe’re seeing a world-class submarine that meets submarine to meet Australia’s requirements. We need a submarine with the range and endurance of HMAS Farncomb living the dream Collins to operate where we believe submarines need to operate. We have to improve stealth and sensor performance in a submarine that will operate into the 2070s. What’s the design and construction schedule and when will the submarines be delivered? A key lesson from the Collins program, and many shipbuilding programs, is to ensure we have a mature design before construction commences. We began construction of the Collins with less than 10% of production drawings and detailed design complete. This time we’ll ensure we have high de- sign maturity before the build. Work on establishing the dimensions of the subma- rine is complete. That pre-sizing—the initial length, diameter, displacement and other key parameters— is crucial to ensure the submarine remains balanced as the design proceeds and increasing requirements are considered. Nobody wants a submarine that be- comes too large in trying to meet too many require- ments. We’re currently in concept design, which will lead into preliminary design and then detailed de- sign and a very effective plan for how the subma- rine will be built. There’ll be a lot of testing in la- boratories and on land-based test sites. We’ll alsoNOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 30

need prototyping so that when we start construction for technology transfer.we’ll have a practised workforce and proven meth- Are you converting a nuclear-powered Barracu-ods. Three key facilities to be completed by mid- da submarine to conventional power and might a2021 include the land-based site to integrate and test switch be made to nuclear power in the future?the main motor, the batteries, the diesel generators,the DC switchboard and the platform management Barracuda submarine—reference designsystem which will control all of that and knit it to- You can’t convert a nuclear submarine to agether before it’s installed in the submarine. The conventional submarine. That’s why we have a de-combat system will be built and tested on a raft in a liberate design process. The Barracuda is a refer-physical integration facility and then inserted into ence design. Many calculations and methods used tothe submarine as the boat is built. That will ensure it develop the Barracuda can be reemployed effective-works well and allows a high level of security. We ly in the future submarine. That’s a tremendous ad-need a hull construction hall built by mid-2021 to vantage and it’s what most submarine nations do—train the workforce. We should commence con- go back to the lineage of their designs and takestruction in around 2023, ramping up to construc- them forward. There’s no plan to switch to nucleartion of the modules that will go into those hulls and power. Before we can contemplate a nuclear-aiming to deliver the submarine in 2032. We’re al- powered fleet, there’d need to be a much broaderlowing about 36 months before starting the second policy debate about nuclear power itself.submarine so that we can fold what we learn on the Is there any doubt about using pump-jet propul-first boat into the second. Then we’ll go into, proba- sion, will the submarine use air-independent pro-bly, a two-year drumbeat for commencement of pulsion and lithium-ion batteries and will it haveconstruction of the remainder. There’s no time to a land-strike capability?waste now. We are using pump-jet propulsion that was offered by France. Some claims about the pump jetWill all the submarines be built in Australia and are misleading. It’s not purely for use in nuclearwhy was Naval Group chosen as a partner? submarines. It can be efficient across the entire speed range, taking account of the submarine’s size, Many people think we’re going to build them the speed required and stealth. It needs to be tunedin France. We’re not. We’ll build all 12 in Austral- to the hull of the submarine. The hull needs to beia. Australians must be involved in all stages of the tuned to the pump jet. We did not specify that thedesign and construction of the yard itself and the boat should have or not have air-independent pro-submarine, the supply chain and the integration and pulsion or lithium-ion batteries, rather that it mettesting of platforms and combat systems as we go our requirements. We’ll continue to look at all ap-through the design process. Without the ability to plicable technologies as we go through the designdo those things on our terms, we lack true sover- process. The government did not require a land-eignty and the ability to upgrade and deploy the strike capability. The future submarine is being de-submarines when and as we must. signed to fulfil key roles, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, ISR [intelligence, surveillance To ensure we have the sovereign capability to and reconnaissance], and special operations.sustain the submarines through their lives, we mustmaximise Australian industry’s involvement. That’s Reproduced with permission of the Australiannot simply done by mandating a level. By most ac- Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)cepted figures, we had between 67% and 70% in-volvement in the Collins, but we didn’t emergefrom the acquisition phase with a sovereign capaci-ty to operate and sustain the submarines. That tookmany years of hard work. We need to get that rightfrom the beginning. A key driver of the choice ofNaval Group was capability and the assessment thatit offered us the best opportunity to design and de-liver a regionally superior submarine and, im-portantly, one over which we have the sovereigncapacity to operate and sustain over its life. Thiscould not be simply a commercial relationship. Italways had to be backed by a treaty-level govern-ment arrangement between our country and thehome nation of our partner. We’re developing plans 31

The Empire Strikes South By Dr Tom Lewis OAM RANR Book Review by J W Ellis This comprehensive record of Japanese airraids across northern Australia from 1942 to 1944emerged from the author’s pen (or keyboard) as heappreciated that considerable numbers of Australi-ans were quite unaware of the air warfare on ourdoorstep during World War II. Many Australians at least know of the Japa-nese attack on Darwin in February 1942, but knowlittle of the Japanese strategy to secure New Guin-ea and the Solomon Islands and thus limit the ef-fectiveness of American operations in the southwest Pacific. The first and most destructive Japa-nese raid on Australia, the subject of chapter one,was carried out by aircraft launched from the samefour aircraft carriers, which had attacked PearlHarbor ten weeks earlier. Lewis out records thedetails of over 200 air raids across northern Aus-tralia during the following two years. His researchis extensive with seven pages of references andinterviews. He uses archival information from Ja-pan and had access to interviews of several formerJapanese aircrew who served during those raids.For those unfamiliar with air warfare andaircraft of the 1940s, Lewis covers the realities ofair combat. He covers airmanship, navigation andoperational conditions for aircrew that would not ence to a pilot’s training. Bomb loads and expendi-be used in recruiting material. An air gunner would ture of ammunition are also recorded. In most cas-be perched in sub zero temperatures in a cramped es, the details of each raid include opposition frombubble as he peered through Perspex trying to put the RAAF, the USAAF and anti-aircraft artillery.an end to some threatening assailant coming in Although the defence of northern Australia at theastern. There was no space for him to wear his par- beginning of 1942 was negligible, the latest Britishachute; it was hanging up along the fuselage. Simi- and American aircraft were soon stationed in Dar-larly, the role of the fighter pilot is reviewed and win and to the south. Radar and searchlights werealso the capabilities of ground defences including installed allowing aircraft to be airborne to meet ananti-aircraft guns, searchlights and radar. attack. Some raids ventured as far as 300 km south The Great Depression greatly reduced Aus- of Darwin. Japanese sorties over the Northern Ter-tralia’s defence forces, especially the RAAF; hence ritory and Western Australia took off from whatthe defence of Australia’s northern approaches in was then the Netherlands East Indies. Attacks onearly 1942 amounted to a handful of Wirraways. Queensland were based from Rabaul.Fortunately, the US Army Air Force had a few The Japanese also sought to interrupt Aus-Warhawks available at Darwin. Although anti- tralia’s support of troops in Timor and made occa-aircraft artillery had been installed, radar, search- sional raids over Western Australia and Queens-lights and Spitfires came later. land flying as far south as Exmouth and Towns- The details of raids are grouped in chapters: ville. Lewis records that both sides exaggeratedtwo for Darwin and the Northern Territory and one successes. Although Japanese losses are recordedeach for Western Australia and Queensland. Dar- in detail, there is no comparative information ofwin and outback airstrips were the main targets. Allied losses. The last Japanese flew south in JulyEach raid is described in a paragraph covering the 1944 as the Allies gradually turned the tide. Thisaircraft type, bomb loads, names of pilots and book is for the seeker of information of historicalflight details. The latter includes the airfield, date events rather than a page turning narrative.of the operation, times of flight and often a refer- (207 pages, by Avonmore Books)NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 32

On which we float … floats and other equipment – spread through the Father Who? oceans of the world. And by its very nature, fishery junk is long-life stuff, non-bio-degradable and de- Archimedes cidedly un-benign. Regrettably, the fishing industry is not good at cleaning up after itself.These days, Archimedes takes satisfaction in hisrecent realisation that our maritime trades – with Perhaps this is because commercial fishingone notable exception – care for the environment covers the entire gamut of fishing technology, frombetter than the land-bound world does. one man with a hand line clinging to a pole in the surf on the Sri Lankan coast to a multi-million- T’was not always so, nor is it necessarily a dollar steel-hulled monster, only 100 miles away inreflection of our individual, gentle, caring natures. the Bay of Bengal, that surrounds a prawn boil withBut the international regulatory framework within a net of bubbles and ingests it through a hole in itswhich we now operate requires our floating ma- bottom like a vacuum cleaner. Within minutes thechines to conduct themselves responsibly. latter’s catch is processed and packed appropriately for its designated market, before the guy on the pole So, for example, ships are compelled to dis- has got his first bite. The bottom end of commercialpose of various effluents and ejections relatively fishing is a cottage industry, a one-man operation;benignly, to an approved onshore facility, or by ap- but it isn’t all like that.proved means offshore. Their chemical impact onthe world’s oceans is limited by proscribing the use In the view of Archimedes, the world is giv-of certain toxic paints harmful to marine life. Bal- ing fisheries a free ride. Commercial fishing needslast embarked in coastal waters is exchanged for to be subject to the same level of monitoring anddeep ocean pelagic water on passage, to hamper the supervision, on an international basis, as the IMOtransmission of minute organisms across vast dis- gives to commercial shipping.tances. *** Thus, generally, today’s ships are required to Archimedes should return now to the original prem-be built and operated to standards friendly to the ise, and demonstrate how much more unkindly theenvironment. They are subjected to regular manda- land entrepreneurs treat the soil than mariners treattory inspections and other monitoring to ensure that the water. But to be fair, land is where people live,they comply. The system isn’t foolproof, but the side-by-side with commercial activities like mining,fact that there is a “system” at all means that it can manufacture, agriculture. If the people all lived onbe fine-tuned, loopholes can be plugged; it is, and the water, the oceans would be a planetary septicthey are. tank. And one can’t compare apples with oranges, much less with sea anemones or starfish. The peo- The “notable exception” mentioned in the ple are the problem. There are too many of them:opening paragraph is the world’s fishing industry. more than three times as many as when your scribeArchimedes has no wish to attack the fishos; most was born. The number is increasing exponentially.people have to make a dollar; most people like to Yet our leaders all worry about carbon emissionseat fish. But the fishing industry, unlike the floating and sea-level rise; not about the ever-increasingcargo and passenger trade, is actively engaged in bums:seats ratio, that generates all the extra carbon.depleting the oceans of living resources. Some fishspecies have been reduced to unsustainable levels; Perhaps Mother Nature will take a hand? Didsome have vanished from the tables of the world. she influence the recent SSM vote, and might it make a small difference? Archimedes guesses no to Commercial fishing has had, and continues to both propositions. Should Father Nature have a gohave, a huge ecological impact purely as a result of then?its harvesting activities; but it is also a major pollut-er, with jettisoned by-catch and jettisoned fishingparaphernalia – particularly long lines, but also nets, 33

Battle of Trafalgar PostscriptDuring a recent visit to UK for naval reunions, I came The author outside the Crown Inn & boutique bed-across the Crown Inn (pub) in the heart of rural Hamp- rooms.shire, at the ancient market town of Bishop’s Waltham,situated at the mid-point of a long-established route from the old Roman fort at Porchester was used. Many of thethe County Town of Winchester to Portsmouth, that cuts French naval prisoners came from Dieppe and werethrough the chalk Downs and the ancient forest of Bere. skilled craftsmen, who eked out their idle imprisonmentThe ruins of the Bishop of Winchester’s palace, disestab- making ship models (from the bones of their meagrelished with many others by King Henry VIII, are also meals) which they could sell for cash, to improve theirworth a visit and right on the doorstep. The pub is hearti- situation. The ship models were highly prized in Britainly recommended with full English breakfast included. and even today command a hefty price tag at auctions.One could be forgiven for thinking that one was accom-modated in an admiral’s suite in a ship of the line. Despite his successful exchange, Admiral Ville- neuve was not employed back in Napoleonic France in I was unaware that after the Battle of Trafalgar in any capacity, and was found at Rennes, stabbed to death1805, French prisoners of war, including the Admiral of in apparent suicide on 21 April - in suspicious circum-the Franco-Spanish fleet, Villeneuve, were housed in the stances - possibly murdered by Napoleon’s secret police.pub. It was felt that they were too far inland to be likely By contrast, Napoleon held a formal ceremony in whichto escape, so the officers were relatively free to mingle Lucas andin the town, having given their parole. Indeed, Admiral Infernet, the shortest and tallest French captains, wereVilleneuve requested permission to attend Lord Nelson’s honoured for their bravery after returning home in thestate funeral in London, which was later granted. prisoner exchange. Napoleon’s only announcement of the battle was to report that : “some ships had been lost However, amongst the memorabilia adorning the in a gale following an imprudent engagement”.walls of the pub’s interior were translated copies of theFrench propaganda newspapers of the day, which stated It seems that in 1805 “Fake news” wasthat during the battle Villeneuve’s flagship, the Bucen- already established amongst leading combatants!taure, boarded Nelson’s HMS Victory, that Villeneuvehimself duelled with Nelson on his quarterdeck and suc- (Richard Francis)ceeded in killing him! Unfortunately, the respective flag- NB. The Bishop’s Palace across the road from the pubships drifted apart, and Villeneuve found himself strand- was formerly the private residence of Admiral of theed onboard the British ship and was forced to surrender, Fleet Viscount A B Cunningham during WW2 and laterand thus taken prisoner. Napoleon of course claimed that during his retirement, and the ruins he merely used tothe French Fleet remained undefeated and the death of keep a flock of geese.Nelson was well known and trumpeted throughoutFrance. The captured Bucentaure eventually washed upon the beach near the harbour entrance of Cadiz, whereshe had so grandly left four days earlier. (her Britishprize crew was rescued by the Spanish, who in the cus-tom of the day treated them with courtesy). After Nelson’s funeral, a prisoner of war exchangewas proposed by the British government and agreed toby Napoleon, so Villeneuve was exchanged in April1806 – for four captured British frigate captains. Howev-er, subsequent exchanges were disallowed by Napoleon,so huge PoW camps had to be constructed and managedin Britain, the largest being established at Peterborough,in the Midlands. Dartmoor Prison was another, and evenNOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 34

Nelson – new insight (International Express – 8 November 2017) of humanity NB. HMS Tonnant was a former French 3rd rate LeWhile discussing tactics for the coming naval en- Tonnant (80 guns) captured at the Battle of the Nilegagement with the Combined French and Spanish in 1798 and taken into Royal Navy service. (Ed)fleets, with his captains over dinner in the flagship,HMS Victory, one captain confided to Lord Nelsonthat his son had run away with a Maltese dancinggirl. Lieutenant George Tyler had been missing fortwo months and his father, Captain Charles Tyler,told the Admiral that his son was several hundredpounds in debt and that he feared that he had beenlocked up in an Italian prison. Nelson penned a letter to the captain the nextday 30 September 1805, pledging he was takingsteps to find his son and reassured him: ”We shallget hold of him before any great length of time.”Unknown to Captain Tyler, Nelson also wrote an-other letter offering to help pay off the debt that theyoung George had incurred, saying: “All we want isto save him from perdition.” Lieutenant Tyler, who disappeared from hisfrigate HMS Hydra (38) on 27 July 1805, was backin the Royal Navy the following year, seeminglyafter his debt was cleared. At the battle of Trafalgar,three weeks after the dinner onboard Victory, hisfather, Captain Tyler distinguished himself, despitebeing shot during the action. His ship, HMSTonnant, captured three Spanish ships, as Nelsonthat day crushed the sea power of France and Spain. Nelson’s letter to Captain Tyler has beenrecently unearthed after 212 years and is to be auc-tioned at Bonhams (UK) on 15 November 2017. Humour Two engineering students were standing at the foot of a flagpole mast, looking towards the truck andits lightning conductor. A woman passing, asked what they were doing. “We are supposed to find theheight of this flagpole,” said the tallest, Sven, “but we don’t have a ladder.” The woman pursed her lips and looked inside her handbag. From its depths she took out a shifter(adjustable spanner), loosened a couple of bolts at the base, and laid the pole down on the ground – to themild amusement of the students. Then she took a tape measure from her purse, took a measurement, andannounced: ”6.5 metres,” and walked away. One engineer shook his head and laughed. “A lot of good that does us. We asked for the height andshe gives us the length!” (Anon) 35

OPERATION MINCEMEAT Ben Macintyre Book Review by Kevin Rickard“Dulce et Decorum est pro patria mori\"Quintus Horatius Flaccus, Rome, 23BCChurchill suggested that Horace in his ode movement of German troops from Sicily andsummarized the impact of the death of the ob- Russia to reinforce the 'new' invasion target inscure Welshman, Glyndwr Michael, -'The Man the Mediterranean, on the coast of Greece. Ger-Who Never Was' in the outcome of the 1943 Bat- man troop withdrawals led to the saving of thetle for Sicily. lives of many of the 160,000 US and British Following the Casablanca Conference of troops when Sicily was invaded in OperationJanuary 1943, the Allies were planning to Husky of July 1943.mount a large amphibious operation to invade The deception, 'Operation Mincemeat,' wasthe German-held, Italian island of Sicily. This the boldest, strangest and most successful of thewould be the first assault of the war against Hit- war. Macintyre's book is the detailed story ofler's 'Fortress Europe'. Naturally, there was great the meticulous planning of this operation. Thesecrecy and subterfuge as Allied naval and mili- story as told in the book was portrayed somewhattary forces needed to be made ready in North Af-rica. incorrectly in the 1956 movie 'The Man Who Never Was' with the American actor, Clifton The Deception Plan Webb playing the role of Montague.An intelligence scheme was devised and imple- The Body and a new Identitymented by a RAF and a RN officer to mislead The body used in this WW11 subterfuge was thatthe Germans about the Allies' intention to invadeSicily. This 'Trojan Horse' type plan was the of an impoverished, young Welshman, named Glyndwr Michael from Aberbargoed, a grimbrainchild of an eccentric Oxford graduate Flight Welsh mining town of coal-dusted, sadness andLieutenant Charles Cholmondeley, RAF, who,after he conceived the plan, was ably partneredby a very clever Trinity College/Cambridge-educated barrister serving in RN Intelligence, LtCommander. Ewen Montague, RNVR. Their cunning, but problematic scheme, in-volved floating the body of a 'fake' Royal MarineOfficer, ashore from a RN submarine onto the Ca-diz coastline in South Western Spain. This corpsewould be carrying strategically important top-secret letters from senior British officers toGeneral Sir Harold Alexander in Tunisia.These letters would indicate that the main tar-get of any future Allied invasion was to be theMediterranean coast of Greece. Sicily was por-trayed as a cover target. It was intended, that once the body was re-covered and processed by Spanish officials, thecrucial letters would find their way from Germa-ny's Abwehr network in south western Spain toBerlin. Hopefully, they would then land on Hit-ler's desk. Eventually, the misleading infor-mation was swallowed 'hook line and sinker' bythe Nazis and Hitler himself. The result wasNOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 36

unending toil. Following his parents' death, Mediterranean. Mountbatten had promised CIGSGlyndwr had made his way to war-torn London that Cunningham would ensure the onward pas- sage of Nye’s letter being carried his staff of-where he was found collapsed from acute ficer, Major Martin, RM, an expert on landingchemical poisoning. He died in St Pancras hos- craft, to Alexander. Mountbatten mentionedpital probably from bronchopneumonia on 24 Nye’s letter was very ‘hot’ and could not be safe- ly sent by signal. A third letter was from Mount-January 1943. batten to Eisenhower. Churchill had obtained Ei- The coroner, Bentley Purchase, was known senhower’s approval for the plan in a very short period. Accordingly, the trap was set, and theto Montague and also to the famous forensic body sealed in a CO2 gas container was trans- ported to Scotland and transferred to HMSpathologist, Sir Bernard Spilsbury of St. Bar- Seraph, commanded by Lieutenant. Bill Jewell.tholomew's hospital. Purchase knew Montague The body, stinking and showing early signs ofwas looking for a body. After a brief 'inquest' decomposition, with a briefcase chained to its wrist was cast ashore on the Spanish coast atthe body officially became a nameless corpse 0430 on 30 April 1943.lying in the mortuary at St Pancras. Spilsburyindicated it would be difficult for a pathologist An Autopsy and Authentication of the letterhandling a corpse found floating in sea water todifferentiate between drowning and pneumonia Because of the heat and poor local conditions,as a cause of death. Certainly, he added, if the an abbreviated autopsy was performed by twobody was found in the south of Spain. Spanish civilian doctors, Dr. Fernandez and his son, Eduardo. Fernandez senior did think the It was decided to name the body that of body may have drowned but had some doubts.Major William Martin, Royal Marines. A real The ears were not nibbled by marine life andperson of this name did exist on the Navy List. the uniform was thoroughly wet but not soggy! Had the body been in the water as long as sup-An identity card was developed. To add gravitas posed by the contents of the letters in the wal-to the situation, the body was carrying admon- let? Moreover, he thought Martin's ID photoishing letters from his father, bank manager was not quite right.and the tax department. Even a love life was Martin's brief case finished up in the pos-developed for Martin with love letters from, session of Admiral Moreno at the Spanish Ad-and a photo of his fiancé together with a Bond miralty in Madrid. Eventually a Spanish general staff officer, Pardo Suarez, under pressure fromStreet jeweller's receipt for an engagement his security chief, handed the documents over toring. Martin also carried a pass from Combined the Germans. The letters were authenticated atOperations. Fremde Heere West, in Zossen, by Lt Colonel Alexis Baron von Roenne. The latter decided The Letters that Sicily was not the real target for the Allies,After approval at the highest level, Martin but a decoy and the Peloponnesus and Sardinia were the target. Von Roenne may have chosenwould be carrying three letters containing cru- to believe the fake documents. He loathed Hitlercial information and confirmation about Allied and wanted to undermine the Nazi war effortOperations in the Mediterranean in mid-1943. (Von Roenne was subsequently brutally mur- dered by the Nazis). At first Hitler was skeptical,The most important letter was written personally but came to believe the contents of the lettersby Lt Gen Sir Archibald Nye, the Vice Chief of and altered the planning of his troop movementsthe Imperial General Staff in Whitehall, to his accordingly. The one person who was always skeptical about the letters was the Propagandaassociate General Sir Harold Alexander GCB, Minister Joseph Goebbels. He had no faithDSO, MC who was in command of a British whatsoever in the Abwehr.Army in Tunisia, under the overall command ofGeneral Eisenhower at 18th Army Headquarters The planners in London were receiving some delayed information about Major Martin'sin Tunisia. Alexander was informed by Nye Spanish landing and the eventual German pro-that General Sir Henry 'Jumbo' Wilson, CinC curement of the letters via signal interpretationof the Middle East was moving some of his bri-gade groups because the 'Bosche' were strength-ening their forces in Greece and Crete. Alexan-der was informed that Jumbo Wilson had pro-posed Sicily as a cover for 'Husky' but Sicilywas already agreed as a cover for 'Brimstone'.Accordingly, Sicily would experience bombard-ment to neutralize its airfield. The main Alliedobjective was to be the Dodecanese Peninsula. The second letter was written by LordLouis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined Opera-tions, to Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, CinC 37

at Bletchley Park. Eventually 'Operation who considered General George Patton conceitedMincemeat' was successful. Operation Husky and rudely outspoken when he ordered Jewell's HM Submarine Seraph to be a beacon for theproceeded in July 1943 and Sicily was taken by Husky landings, became Captain of the Thirdthe Allies. Submarine Flotilla. He was Director of the Staff College at Greenwich and later served on Aftermath Mountbatten's staff.Macintyre's compelling book relates a true-lifestory and adventure in considerable but interest- This is an old, well-known story. The book was published in 2010 but is still a great read.ing detail. Despite the Foreign Office and M15 The whole episode was, in many ways 'a close-objections, the story was serialized in the Daily run thing' so the tale keeps you on your toes. IfExpress in 1951. Soon after, Montague's book, you are looking for an exciting true story, incor-‘The Man Who Never Was' was published porating truly relevant naval and military events, then look no further than 'Operationand sold 3 million copies. Montague became Mincemeat'!a Captain RNR, a District Judge and Judge Ad-vocate of the Fleet. Cholmondeley stayed withRAF Intelligence but finished up selling lawnmowers in Somerset! Lieutenant Bill Jewell RN, News Item – USS John S. McCain updateThe guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) is enroute to Japan for repairs, after her col-lision with the merchant tanker Almic MC east of Singapore on 21 August 2017, in which 10 crew werekilled. After survey and initial repairs at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, the severely damaged US destroy-er was loaded on to the heavy lift vessel MV Treasure, for passage to Japan. It had been determined thatdamage assessment was within the capability of US Fleet Activities at Yokosuka naval base. The heavy lift ship departed Singapore on 6 October and has been diverted to Subic Bay, Philip-pines, arrival on 27 October, after a heavy weather passage in the wake of Typhoon Lan, during which acrack in the hull was detected during transit. Investigation of repairs will be conducted at Subic. Unlike her sister ship, USS Fitzgerald, which similarly was severely damaged in a collision with amerchant vessel off Japan, and is to be transported to mainland USA for repairs, it is expected that USSJohn S. McCain will be repaired on station. (gcaptain website 30 Oct 2017)NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 38

Application for Membership of the Naval Officers’ ClubTo: Membership Secretary, Naval Officers’ Club PO Box 648, Pennant Hills, NSW 1715I forward this application for membership of the Naval Officers’ Club of Australia. In the event of my be-ing accepted, I hereby undertake to conform to the Constitution of the Club (see NOC website). My navalassociation is:...…………………………………………..…………………………………………….in the …………………..………………..………………NavyPersonal DetailsLast name ………………………………………………………. First name………….……………………………Initials……………………Orders/decorations ……………………………................................... Rank…………………………………………………………….Naval Service. Year joined ……………………. Year left …………..……….Status Active/Retired….………………………….Postal address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...............................…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Postcode…………………………Email ……………………………………………………………………………………………... Mobile…….………………………………………..Home Phone…………………………………………………………….Work Phone……………………………………………………………...Occupation ……………………………………………………………….Partner’s name ……………………………………………………….MembershipAnnual Subscription expires end February each year.Newsletter printed and posted - $30 OR Newsletter digitally delivered (preferred) - $20MerchandiseSilk Club Tie $45 – Yes/NoPaymentAmount = $................................. Scan form and email to Hon Treasurer OR post.EFT. BSB 032-087, Account 174666, Naval Officers’ Club. Email Hon Treasurer [email protected]. To Hon Treasurer at PO Box 648, Pennant Hills, NSW 1715Signature …………………………………………………………………………………...………… Date ………………………………………….. 39

Sydney Harbour Cruise for Members and Guests Aboard MV MAGISTIC, departing King St Wharf Saturday 17th February 2018, 12:00. Dress: Smart Casual; Cost $105 pp. Payment to Hon. Treasurer by cheque or by EFT. See Flyer this issue Organiser – Jim Warren 0409 227 869. Guests Names: ………………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. (including first/last names/seating preferences) IMPORTANT NOTICE – NEW BANK ACCOUNT FOR SYDNEY FUNCTIONS EFT for NSW Functions to be sent to a new Bank Account “NOC Sydney Functions” (Short Title for transfers “NOCSydFns”); BSB 032-087; Account No. 37-8079HMS Queen Elizabeth sails for further sea trials from Portsmouth UK. Millennium Spinnaker Tower in background.NOC Newsletter Number 111, December 2017 40