HMAS. The 1942 issue of the RAN story.

H.M.A.S.

Written & prepared by Serving Personnel of the R.A.N.

Published by the Australian War Memorial Canberra ACT 1942

Dedicated to all those, past & present, who "Fear God, Honour the King".

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISER DUEL by B3/154.

H.M.A.S. Sydney chasing the Italian cruiser Giovanni Delle Bande Nere after having disabled her consort, the Bartolomeo Colleoni, off Cape Spada, Crete, in the early morning of July 19, 1940

EDITORIAL NOTE

THIS is an attempt to present to you a picture of the work in this war of the ships and men of the Royal Australian Navy. It has been made possible by the Australian War Memorial Board which has produced the book, which has made available the work of the official war artists, and the officers of which have been unflagging in giving their help and advice; and by the serving personnel of the Royal Australian Navy, who have not only by their actions afloat given us the basic material for a record of achievement, but who have, in their written and artistic contributions, made this book a really worthwhile thing.

In attempting to tell the story of three years of naval warfare within the limited space of the narrative chapters that form the first part of this volume, many omissions, many inequalities, have been unavoidable. Apart from space reasons, the work and achievements of many must, because we are still*at war, go un-honoured and unsung save in general terms.

But the anonymity of ships and individuals, where such is preserved, is reflected in that of the contributing writers whose work forms the later, and best, pages of this book. Therein Able Seaman B.J. is the whole Service, in the same way that the credit accorded in these pages to any one ship is that of the Royal Australian Navy.

Space limitations did not permit the use of much of the contributed material, but to those whose work has been left out, as much as to those others here represented, grateful thanks are due; as also to the many other willing helpers who have assisted in making the editing of this volume an easy and enjoyable task.

"Soldiering On", dealing with the work of the Australian Army, and "These Eagles", giving the story of the Royal Australian Air Force, are being produced as companion volumes to "H.M.A.S." The three books provide an interesting and valuable record of Australia's part in the war.

THE EDITORS

FOREWORD

H.M.A.S." is the first attempt to give to the men of the Royal Australian Navy "Hand to Australians generally, a story in some connected form, leavened by the thoughts and experiences of the actors themselves, of the part Australian seamen and Australian ships have played during the past three years of the great drama now unfolding before us. It is a drama that touches us all very nearly, not alone because of the danger in which our fighting men and our country stand, but because upon its denouement depends the future of the human race.

In this drama, the main stage is the sea. That is essentially so, since we of the British race are a seafaring people whose kith and kin are widespread over the world, divided and connected by the oceans. Across the oceans our ships must sail to attack our enemies wherever they are to be found, to repel their advances wherever they may be made, to carry our land armies and supplies, and to maintain communication between the peoples of the British Commonwealth of Nations and their Allies. This has been so throughout British history. British destiny was founded on the seas, and on the seas its fate will be decided.

The task of our sailors remains the same, to guarantee to us the freedom of the seas. Our strategy is unchanged, but the years have brought changes under which that strategy must be worked out. New weapons have made their appearance to add to the difficulties under which our men carry on. The modem submarine, the magnetic and acoustic mine, the dive-bomber and torpedo carrying aircraft, have made the task harder. They have not dampened the ardour nor dimmed the faith of our men, whether of Navy or Merchant Service, as the contents of this book show.

The work of the Royal Australian Navy is closely bound up with that of the Royal Navy, with whose ships and men our ships and men have fought side by side in every ocean of the world in this present war. It is an association of which both Navies are proud. Our work is, of course, carried on in close co-operation with the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Navy is happy in its link with those two fine Services in the defence of our country. Here, too, in the South West Pacific, we have been, and are, particularly associated with the ships of the United States of America, the Dutch, and the Fighting French. Their deeds have been such that we are happy to be with them. Our mutual experience is such that, looking back on these days from some future time, we shall know them as days of that real comradeship which led to ultimate victory.

Vice-Admiral
First Naval Member
Chief of the Naval Staff