A SMALL DOSE OF "EGO" TRIPPING

HMAS Shropshire was the largest ship in the Royal Australian Navy, the fastest, the most heavily armed, the most powerful, the most crew (1280), the best gunnery, the best Radar.

As we said it ourselves: - 15000 tonnes full load of fighting fury.

AN UNSURPASSED RECORD OF ACTION

My book HMAS "Shropshire" is really a tribute to the men of the Royal Australian Navy who served in and on her - a magnificent effort indeed.

Stan Nicholls
"HMAS Shropshire"

N.B. - So remember if you talk to any member or ex-member of the Royal Australian Navy.

Theirs was the only ship - not yours.
"Theirs" (A sailor's boasting to his mates)

Called (1) TheGrey Ghost of Leyte Gulf by the Americans (US ships dark grey and we used light grey).

Called (2) The Lucky Ship by our squadron.

Crest and Motto "Floreant Ambo"
(May Shropshire Prosper and Flourish)

There is no better way to commence than read the resumé from my book of HMAS Shropshire's four battle tours from 1943 - 1945. (Only 1400 copies printed - a hard back of 315 papers indexed including 300 pictures and illustrations).

Without reading my book HMAS Shropshire, this is the nearest article you will ever read to appreciate the history of the Royal Australian Navy's heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire.

Operations and Battles - 15:
Arawe 15/12/43, Cape Gloucester 26/12/43, Admiralty Islands 4/3/44, Hollandia 22/4/44, Wakde 22/5/44, Biak 27/5/44, Aitape 14/7/44, Morotai 15/9/44, Leyte 20/10/44, Surigao Strait Navy Battle 25/10/44. Lingayen 6/11/45, Corregidor 15/2/45, Brunei 18/6/45, Bakilpapan 27/6/45, Surrender Tokyo Bay (flagship of the Royal Australian Navy Squadron) 2/9/45 and part of British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan. B.C.O.F. 31-8-18-11-45 (80 days).

1. Bombarded 56 targets
   
2. Destroyed Japanese Army Headquarters at Yakamul
   
3. Destroyed four shore batteries that fired at and straddled us.
4. Destroyed on request by US Army and AIF five more shore batteries.
   
5. Kamikaze and air attacks. Closed up an additional 133 times in SWP. (Groups of enemy aircraft in swarms of eighties, hundreds, forties, fifties, thirties, as well as ones and twos) closing in and reported by our radar.
   
6. Shot down nineteen (19) aircraft, shared eight (8) plus fired at many more targets - no results recorded in log.
   
7. Radar operators gained ninety-two percent of all reports from Fleet - commended by Admiral J. Oldendorf USN and destroyer captains - use "Porthole" reports.
   
8. Two Torpedo attacks on us - one near missed astern by ten feet - USN report. The other passed close across our bows.
   
9. Naval Battle Surigao Strait: Fired thirty-two broadsides at a range of 15,800 yards closing in to 12,700 yards claiming nineteen broadside hits before ceasing fire after thirteen minutes thirty seconds to witness the sinking of our target - the Battleship Yamashiro 10 minutes later.
   
10. Shot at by Yamashiro - two dropped short, four over the top (14" shells)
    
11. Three submarines reported close vicinity and depth charges by destroyers.
    
12. Two close shaves by mines - one attached to our port paravane.
    
13. Closed up dawn action stations 636 times since commissioning.
    
14. Closed up dusk action stations 636 times since commissioning plus action stations closing up throughout the days and nights.
    
15. A lucky ship indeed - no-one lost during our four battle tours, however, four men lost on active service.

An unsurpassed record in the RAN during World War II.

Specifications:
15 heavy cruisers designed, 5 Kent class - Australia, Canberra, 4 London Class - Shropshire, 4 Dorsetshire, 13 built and (2) 6 x 8" cruisers York and Exeter.

Shropshire's:
Length-633 feet, beam-66 feet, draught-22 feet, freeboard aft-28 feet, forward-32 feet.
Displacement: Empty 10,032 tons
Full Load: 15,000 tons
Speed: 32.646 knots = 37.419 MPH = 60 KPH
Height to the truk from sea level 120 feet.
Engines 80,000 horse power but developed 81,000 horse power.
Range at 32 knots, 3,100 miles, 12 knots, 12,500 miles.

The first cruiser built the HMAS Berwick had short funnels - too much smoke and smoke inhalation so funnels raised 15 feeet. Australia and Canberra raised 18 feet.

These heavy cruisers were named after the county's of England and were often called by the uninformed:

"Useless, hopeless and helpless."

click images to enlarge

However how wrong they were because they were involved in naval battles resulting in the sinking of the Graf Spee, the Bismark and the Yamashiro our own sea battle. (The last great sea battle in World War II).

We were the largest ship in the Royal Australian Navy in World War II, the fastest and the most heavily armed with the most up-to-date British radar installed.

Our armament:

• 8 x 8" guns elevated to 70º
• 8 x 4" guns elevated to 85º
• 2 x 8 barrel pom pom (37mm)
• 15 40mm bofors (long barrel) - (these numbers were confirmed by Kevin Day, ex-A.B AAII)
• 8 x 21" torpedo tubes ) These 3 were removed to equalise the weight
• depth charge racks ) added by the 15 Bofors being fitted.
• smoke cannister racks )
• 12 x 2" rockets fitted to "A" turret ("Y" turret not fitted)

Our Oerlikons with a 1,000 yards range were replaced by Bofors because they had a 5,000 yard range and also related to weight distribution. Our main armament of 8 x 8" guns were also used as anti aircraft guns (one barrel in each turret at a time) and controlled by Abu radar 283 unit. Not all ships were fitted with this anti aircraft facility. However as a result Tokyo Rose accused the Australian Navy of using giant flame throwers, e.g. our cordite used belched out huge flames and smoke followed by the exploding shell must have appeared to the Japanese pilots as flame throwers. Unfair she said.

Direct hits were not expected - the shell set to explode would do the damage, e.g. our shooting down a torpedo bomber - it exploded above, shattering the wings forcing the plane into the sea.

Another aside of interest - and not to forget our canteen run by civilians dressed in uniform with a captive group of buyers - 1,280 men.

We were commanded by 4 captains (one at a time of course):

• 1st Captain - J.A. Collins
• 2nd Captain - H.A. Showers
• 3rd Captain - C.A.G. Nichols
• 4th Captain - H.J. Buchanan

The squadron was commanded by Rear Admiral Crutchley, Commodore J.A. Collins, Captain C.A.G. Nichols and Commodore H.B. Farncomb, and in Tokyo at the signing, Commodore Collins. HMAS Shropshire shared being flagship with the Australia, Hobart and Arunta (very briefly). HMAS Shropshire was the Australian flagship in Tokyo.

Well why did we get the Shropshire. It was gift to the Royal Australian Navy by the British government, originally purchased by the County of Salope (Shropshire)
Total population - 600,000 people donated £2,000,000.00 in 1928.

The reason - HMAS Canberra was sunk on the 9/8/1942, hit by (28) 8" shells destroying her power and her ability to return fire.

The enemy - The Japanese fleet of 5 heavy cruiers, 2 light cruisers and 1 destroyer swept into the attack.

The Allied fleet were covering 4 areas to protect the Guadalcanal landings consisted of 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and eight destroyers. 4 other destroyers were in the vicinity.

A quote from "Memories of HMAS Shropshire" by Ron Russell and dedicated to Stan Nicholls - a rhyming story of our exploits including poetic humour.

The British Government promptly
rose to the occasion.
They offered us another ship
to resist the Jap invasion.
"We have a ship" the Admiral said
"a little tired down aft.
It's getting old and so I'm told,
it has a dicky shaft.
It simply needs a little renovation."

"Excellent" cried Churchill,
"those convicts wouldn't know
a shaft down aft from a bamboo raft,
so that's the one to go!"
"We'll bring her in for refit,
but they can pay for that.
The dockyard needs the money
for they've been a little flat.
Send a telegram and let them know."

COMMUNICATION ERRORS MOSTLY TO BLAME

THE DEBACLE

The end result - 4 allied heavy cruisers sunk, the Canberra, Vincennes, Astoria and Quincy. USA/RAN dead 1,024, 709 wounded, 4 ships lost, 111 Japanese dead. No ships lost.

The end, was a burning Canberra which had to be sunk and not left as a floating hulk, 300 5" shells and 5 torpedoes finished her. And even today memories are still protective of what happened and one has to avoidd repeating what was officially recorded - (Canberra was sunk without firing a shot although ready to fire) - nobody wants to remember.

The gift ship and preparation commenced when the ex-Canberra crew and others arrived in the UK at Chatham as early as November 1942 and during early 1943. The refit was a dirty task and Commander David Hugh Harries did an excellent job before the new captain arrived.

It was Captain J.A Collins who asked for the ship and accepted a reduction in rank from Commodore to become again, a fighting Captain.

Lieutenant Commander Warwick Bracegirdle proposed a cafeteria system advised by CPO Hoffman (cook) as opposed to separate small messing. Supported by the captain, HMAS Shropshire was the first ship to have a cafeteria in the Royal Australian Navy, often called Collins Cafeteria or Bracegirdle's Bistro or after the Chief Petty Officer in charge Otto Smith as Otto's Grotto - this appeals as the most appropriate although not much of a grotto, more like grotty - it was adjacent to the boilers - bloody hot and uncomfortable so it was a rare sight to witness long discussions during meals especially when all scuttles were closed. (Most probably designed for that very reason)?

MORE ANECDOTES

Whilst in Chatham and the only usable toilets being ashore, there are always comedians hovering. One placced a burning bundle of paper and floated them down the long toilet channel singeing hairy bottoms creating a lot of laughter and cries of revenge against the Australians which never came to pass.

According to Kevin Day - what happened to the propeller of the German M.E. Fighter which Shropshire's Pom Pom shot down whilst in dry dock and was salvaged andd displayed in the key board flat?

And who unbolted the ship's crest, kept it and returned it to the Shropshire County 55 years later to be feted in great style. It should be in Australia on display, not in the UK Roy because it was a piece of our great history as was discussed in 1989.

The newly refitted ship left for sea trials at Scapa Flow with the north sea battle fleet where King George VI inspected the ship and the crew.

Then we moved on to the Greenock for her final fittings and fine tuning followed by our return to Australia via Africa and across the Indian Ocean.

On the way to Australia and Lord Haw Haw said the Royal Australian Navy would never see the new ship HMAS Shropshire.

Well to the First of our 4 battle tours in December 1943. The crew were well trained and ready to go and operation "Dexterity Phase I" at Arawe was about to commence to rid the New Britain of the Japanese. Every air attack was unsuccessful. An enemy sub was attacked but with a negative result. We did not open fire during the landings - no call from the army so we returned to Milne Bay and a concert party given by Tivoli girls who gave a show on the Foc'sle - they were the "Rockettes" - singing, legs and more legs etc.

Phase II of "operation dexterity" took place totalling 15 ships at Cape Gloucester, New Britain.

This time we did open fire.

A total of 700 - 8", 900 - 4.7", 100 - 4", 700 - 5" and 1600 - 6" shells were fired to soften up the landing areas. Our air cover increased from 12 to 48 aircraft. They were magnificent in shooting down 56 Jap aircraft however, a US destroyer was sunk and 3 others damaged by Japanese dive bombers.

It was our first taste of real action and knowing how easy it could be to die if the crew were not alert and pulling as a team.

It was Shropshire's long range radar that alerted our battle fleet of 4 cruisers and 22 DS that bogies were approaching.

During those operations we were ably supported by Wing commander Conaghan arranging our cover with the US and Squadron Leader Dornton responsible for the RAAF air cover as well as our army bombardment team of Captain's Manning and Calder.

During our Second battle tour we bombarded the Admiralty Islands creating a very large naval base called Manus from where we jumped off to execute General MacArthur's plan of island hopping, i.e. setting up perimeters, cutting off supply lines and starving the Japs out. (General MacArthur was the Supreme Commander of the South West Pacific).

It worked well and saved thousands of American lives. Another concert party came aboard, a US group - we surely enjoyed the show - especially the singing, dancing and flashing legs - you know I can still see it to this day - a make shift stage covered by canvas, the ship's musicians and all of us perspiring in the humid conditions and no one left the show.

The one I remember
and I'm sure that you will too,
was the day they did the seaboat sketch
and caused a nasty blue.
There came the cry "Man overboard"
the ship was brought about.
"Away seaboats crew" was piped
and they turned the whaler out.
The sound were true and right on cue.

The seaboats crew went down the ropes
like firemen down a pole.
"There's not a moment to be lost
if we're to save that soul."
Then the voice of our Commander
cut sharply through the air,
"Ahoy the seaboat Cox'n,
bring that boat back here."

But a sailor drowns, the cry went up
and they heard the Commander say:
"What you say is true, but a man in that crew
is not in the rig of the day."
Well, we laughed and laughed
till we near went daft
and even the Captain smiled.
But David Hugh went a shade of blue
he was downright bloody wild,
and the perpetrators thought they'd get a draft.

We left Manus for Dutch New Guinea/Hollandia and bombarded our target area in Tanamerah Bay. We fired 380 8" shells to make it easy for the US army 24th and 41st divisions to land with minimum of resistance - the Japs had fled to the hills.

AN ANECDOTE

It was during the biak operation that a US liberator bomber dropped its bomb load just astern of us and depending on who you wish to believe the ship increased speed, dug its bow into the sea, its propellers racing in the air etc. However, apart from these exaggerations we did get thrown about a bit so it must have been close although not that close. (Just imagine the explosive force required to lift a 636 foot, 15,000 ton fully loaded ship out of the water at the stern to bury our bows under the sea, on a calm sea. (Story by Leading Seaman John Turner.)

Our Third battle tour resulted in the bombardment of Sowam at Aitape at the request of General Kruger. We bombarded the Japanese HQ at Yakamul and a beaufort pilot, Flight Lieutenant (Bill Ewing) from 71 wing spotting for us advised that the target although small was completely destroyed and no sign of life remaining.

AN ASIDE

Meanwhile, one of our crew, CPO Jim Ralston was trying to catch Shropshire - it took 47 days moving from the base to ship after ship all over the South West Pacific before he finally came alongside. His thoughts were "she looked great" home at last. (Jim was in charge of our sick bay).

Moratai - Point Gila was our next operation and it was one of those rare occasions when, both Shropshire and Australia remained stationary whilst bombarding, protected by a destroyer screen.

Then came one of the very large operations - the Leyte Gulf landings in the Philippines. A huge fleet of 700 ships assembled in Humboldt Bay/Hollandia as well as 70,000 troops for the landing - at 8 knots the cruise if you can call it that, was a "sickening time for the troops in small barges". Entering the gulf a mine was caught by our Paravane - 20 feet from the port side it was a frightening 6 hour episode before being exploded astern by a US Destroyer escort - because it could not be slipped in the darkness. (Marksmen report to the quarter deck but too dangerous to fire).

The Leyte Gulf operation was indeed the commencement of our entering the real Tiger Country (Acccording to our Gunnery Officer Commander Bracegirdle).

Our initial bombardment lasted 3 hours firing 600 8" shells whilst enemy aircraft approaching then retreating kept all alert. Submarine reports came in with destroyers searching and torpedo bombers coming in.

On 21st October 1944, our anti aircraft guns were firing - we hit a Japanese plane which bounced off the sea, turned behind the Australia and crashed into her bridge (portside) - 10 killed, 65 wounded. This was not a Kamikaze as is often claimed. (The first Kamikaze attacks commenced sometime later on 25th October 1944.

This day our Captain Nichols became Senior Naval Officer commanding the Australian squadron and HMAS Shropshire the "Flagship?" HMAS Australia left for repairs at Manus escorted by HMAS Warramunga. Air raid alerts were continuing with Jap planes, coming in waves of 20's and 30's and our carrier aircraft shooting most of them down. Constant refuelling at sea with warships either side of a tanker with all others circling the slow moving refuelling group was exciting and dangerous while more attacks were pending with 120 Jap planes circling awaiting their chance but driven off by gunfire andd US carrier planes.

NOW THE "NIGHT ENCOUNTER"
A naval sea battle fe ever experience during war.

Two Japanese battle fleets entered Surigao Strait to attack "Tacloban" landings, Leyte Gulf. 39 P.T. boats (Motor Torpedo Boats) stationed above, below and in the Strait, 6 old Battleships stationed across the top of the strait (4 were sunk and raised after the Pearl Harbour "infamous" attack).

Three cruisers on the right flank including HMAS Shropshire and 5 cruisers on the left flank including USS Louisville the Flagship.

Twenty seven destroyers stationed in both protective duties surrounding the battle fleet and as Destroyer Squadrons to attack the Japanese Fleets.

On the 25th October 1944, the Last Great Sea Battle was on us in the Surigao Strait (ships only, and no air support). HMAS Shropshire and HMAS Arunta were the only Royal Australian Navy ships in action with US 7th fleet under the command of Admiral Oldendorf. He crossed the "T" Admiral Horatio Nelson's system of attack, i.e. maximum guns firing at the enemy with mimimum guns returning fire.

The P.T. boats attacked first, but were driven off with 10 damaged. Only one torpedo hit, and it damaged one Japanese light cruiser which was ordered to retire.

Destroyer squadrons attacked including HMAS Arunta. One battleship torpedoed, exploded and split in two and did not sink until later. Four destroyers were hit - two sank and one was sunk later by cruisers, the DENVER & COLUMBIA one escaped. One battleship torpedoed. It was slowed down and was then sunk by battleshipsand cruisers (YAMASHIRO - Flagship).

Further to the attack Captain Nichols mentioned in his report to Rear Admiral Oldendorf that Arunta's captain, Commander Buchanan's torpedo attack was probably affected due to the presence of another Desron coming into attack required Arunta to increase speed before firing and Beale and Killen slowing down subsequently reducing the accuracy of the shoot in total.

Battleships and cruisers opened fire for 16 minutes. One Japanese heavy cruiser was damaged and retired - the MOGAMI. The YAMASHIRO battleship sunk and only one destroyer escaped - only damaged lightly - the SHIGURE.

HMAS Shorpshire fired 32 broadsides at Yamashiro. 19 broadsides hit target in 13 1/2 minutes. HMAS Arunta fired four torpedoes and missed - 3 broadsides hit target, and others were smothered. HMAS Arunta as Captain "D" led USS Beale and USS Killen into the attack. One of Killen's torpedoes hit Yamashiro and she slowed down.

Shropshire opened fire at 9 miles closing to 7 miles at 0356 firing 32 broadsides (30 tons of 8" shells) and gaining 19 broadsides hitting the battleship Yamashiro. The radar range spotting confirmed the fall of shots and a big thank you should go to Bill Perrin and his team of Rule, Ward and Cotter.

We ceaed fire at 04091/2 after witnessing the devastating fire power of all the allied ships especially the Boise and Phoenix close by and we achieved the highest rate of fire ever - for this 16 year old but very efficient heavy cruiser.

During this frightening 131/2 minutes of our lives, the Yamashiro fired at us twice - 2 14" shells dropped short and 4 12" shells over the top - but it was all over, it was burning, exploding and it sank at 0419 - so a mighty thank you that the 3rd Japanese broadside never occurred - they might have middled it.

ANECDOTES
Rex Halliday from South Australia claimed the 4 14" shells passed through our rigging? Vince Highland from New South Wales, a crane operator said the sound of rushing air was not only dramatic but downright frightening - I agree.

ADMIRAL OLDENDORF'S FAMOUS ANECDOTE "NEVER GIVE
A SUCKER A BREAK" AFTER THE PEARL HARBOUR ATTACK, PAID OFF

I have no record of the number of shells fired by the USN cruisers or destroyers. However, following are the battleship squadron statistics:

MISSISSIPPI (flagship) fired 1-14" shell; MARYLAND fired 48-14" shells; PENNSYLVANIA 0; WEST VIRGINIA fired 96-16" shells. (These old battleships carried on the main high explosive shells with minimum armour piercing shells). California fired 54-14" shells and Tennessee fired 78-14" shells.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS

(Captain C.A.G. Nichols HMAS Shropshire) (COMMANDER A.E. Buchanan HMAS Arunta)

One near collision occurred between two US battleships, and one collision between two Japanese heavy cruisers - Mogami and Nachi.

A Japanese destroyer took off the crew of the crippled Mogami (later torpedoed by Japanese).

130 torpedoes fired during the battle and only about 10 of them hit. Approximately 5,000 Japanese were killed in total. Of the Allied personnel (all USN), 35 were killed and 101 were wounded.

The drenching gunfire of the US ships was overwhelming but not always accurate. It was estimated that one in ten shells hit targets during "old" style naval battles (Shropshire's effectively hit one in two shells.) (Today's gunnery is very accurate).

HMAS Shropshire requested permission to sink a damaged Japanese destroyer. They were denied permission, but two USN cruisers did the job, the Denver and the Columbia.

What the Japanese did not know.
The US ships were down to less than 20% of their ammunition/fuel/supplies after the Tacloban landings. HMAS Shropshire still had a full load because Captain Nichols through Commander Bracegirdle our "Guns" had over loaded our 8" magazines from normal 1.500 to 2,000 shells.

A very interesting post war battle comment by the Japanese Minister of the Navy, Admiral Yonai:

"Our defeat at Leyte was tantamount to the loss of the Philippines.
When you took the Philippines that was the end of our resources." (i.e. oil)
(from David Mattiske Q)

This ended the "Last Great Sea Battle" where capital ships fought capital ships to a fitting end for Rear Admiral Oldendorf's battle fleet. A complete victory. And we were there - two Australian war ships, a heavy cruiser and a destroyer attacking a Japanese battleship with 12 x 14", 16 x 6" and
8 x 4.7" guns as well as torpedo tubes underwater.

What a night to remember for we 1,500 Australians!!

The results of this battle, the Last Great Sea Battle of World War II are allies USN and RAN; 1 destroyer damaged, 10 PTS damaged (1 sunk later), 35 men killed and 101 wounded. Japanese - 2 battleships sunk, 1 cruiser sunk, and 1 damaged and sunk later. Only one destroyer survived the battle, 3 were sunk. The Shigure escaped and approximateely 5,000 men died - only 3 volunteered to come aboard the rescue vessels.

During and leading up to this battle, everyone was working at fever pitch. For example, the cooks prepared 3,600 meals, we altered course 47 times, altered speed 39 times, engines increased and decreased revs 43 times and the engines stopped 4 times. Altogether 130 torpedoes were fired at the enemy fleets, but only 10 hits were gained. The Japanese fired at islands. There were no torpedo hits on allied ships.

This battle was fought in a very confined area 12 miles wide to 25 miles wide and 30 miles length with 14 Jap ships trying to get through our lines with 39 US/RAN ships policing the strait as well as 39 PT's doing their best to harass the Japs from both sides.

STRIKE FORCE - 25th OCTOBER 1944

Strike force formed up at 1015 to attack Japanese fleet to the north of Leyte Gulf. Only Shropshire were involved and were to be used as a "decoy"? Supported by 2 destroyers or 2 cruisers?

So the strike force was finally formed at the direction of Vice Admiral Kinkaid to Rear Admiral Oldendorf to travel north to protect Rear Admiral Sprague's light Carrier force. It consisted of 21 ships, battleships, cruisers and 13 destroyers.

This came about because Vice Admiral Kinkaid understood that Admiral Halsey's battle fleet was protecting the eastern side of Leyte in the Pacific.

In fact, he was decoyed by Vice Admiral OZOWA's carrier force with few aircraft aboard steaming north. Halsey denied he was decoyed however reading between the lines, Vice Admiral Kinkaid was unconvincced as well as Admiral Nimitz Commanding Officer of the Pacific battle fleets.

Fortunately for us the rumour that HMAS Shropshire was to be the decoy to lure Vice Admiral Kurita's giant battleship with 18.1" guns and a range of 35,000 yards into Oldendorf's gun range was not to be. After sinking 2 light carriers and 4 destroyers a rain squall enveloped the fleets and Kurita changed course. The strike force joined with the light carrier fleet and returned to Leyte Gulf.

Collectively, the three separate battles of Engano, Samar and Surigao during the Philippines campaign was the greatest collection of warships all the US navy except for the Australian Squadron and support ships.

STRIKE FORCE
(6 hours after the Last Great Sea Battle WWII)

Formed up at 1015 on 25th October 1944 at the direction of Vice-Admiral Thomas Kinkaid under the command of Rear-Admiral Jesse Oldendorf. To attack Vice-Admiral Kurita's huge battle fleet north 2 hours away at 15 knots.

The Strike force consisted of USS Pennsylvania (BB), USS California (BB), USS Portland (CA), USS Nashville (CL), HMAS Shropshire (CA) - Captain Godfrey Nichols, USS Louisville (CA) flagship, Rear-Admiral Oldendorf and 13 destroyers (not named). (Researched, designed, built and photographed by S. Nicholls, 1996.) Geof Pettit was my source for the following: It was rumoured HMAS Shropshire was to increase to full speed 32 knots flanked by 2 US destroyers: attack the Japanese giant battleships, reverse course to lure the Japanese ships within the USN battleships range for another great sea battle. This did not eventuate. Vice-Admiral Kurita after attacking Rear-Admiral Sprague's light carrier fleet, sinking 2 carriers, 4 destroyers, retired north due to very heavy rain squalls.

After this, there was no respite, air raids increased. During November the increased activity of the suicide planes called Kamikazes were stepped up. On one occasion we shot down 7 with only 3 being credited. So you can see competition in war is still rife - we shared the other 4.

Later the USS destroyer Abner Read was sunk by a Kamikaze - its 4 torpedoes were released by the explosion and came towards the fleet - porpoising up and down with all ships firing trying to explode them whilst dodging other ships manoeuvering to avoid collisions.

After this exciting period we finally formed up with a greater force of 2,000 ships of all sizes. 250,000 US Marines for the landings in Lingayen Gulf - the ships spread out as far as the eye could see - an absolutely huge invasion force.

The Kamikazes were now the in thing for the Japanese. Droves of 100s/50s and 1 and 2s came in to crash and maim ships and men. The HMAS Australia had again rejoined the squadron but was hit by 5 Kamikazes and later in January left for Sydney under escort for repairs - she did not take part in any further engagement during World War II. One of her signals to us "You shoot'em down and we'll catch'em".

Christmas Day in 1944 was the usual, bully beef served cold but at least it wasn't greasy. As usual one of the ship's comedians was at work again -

An unknown sailor piped over the loud speakers:

"Do you hear there
Do you hear there
all ratings on draft
lay abaft
the after mast
with your gas masks
for feed of arse."

They never did catch the culprit - most of us laughed.

However, the officers did the right thing - they fed us in the traditional way and carried out many of those unrewarding functions we did daily. Lieutenant Ken Stock played the clown handing out sweets etc.

After bombarding corregidor and seeing 8" shells ricocheting off the rocks and hoping to put a shell into the gun tunnels and seeing US marines parachuting to their deaths, chutes failing to open (called Roman candle-ing), we finally left for Sydney via Manus.

The captain's report during the last 15 months recorded that we had fired 3263 (8") shells. HMAS Hobart rejoined (after 18/12 repairs) in Sydney. We exercised with HMAS Hobart for 4-5 days to bring her up to battle readiness and Commodore Farncomb (our Officer commanding the Australian Squadron) trasnferred his broad pennant to her. This battle tour had lasted for nine months. We were granted 28 days leave.

On return to the South West Pacific we carried out our final operations and landings and for the first time with our soldiers in the AIF in Borneo at Labuan Island and later Balikpapan operations.

It was 100% co-operative effort between Navy and Army - Commodore Farncomb conferred with General Wootten GOC 9th Australian division resulting in "the pocket" being our first target after the landings - sad to say, 2 of our own AIF soldiers were killed but the good news was 100 Japanese were killed. The Borneo operation was one of our longest bombardment tasks as required by the army to hit selected targets at Balikpapan.

We fired daily with the respite from the 18th June until firing our last broadside on the 9th July 1945. We were learning "what the army wants the army gets" and rightly so.

At one stage we fired (1) 8" shell every 5 to 8 minutes from dusk to dawn to harass the Japs and keep them awake - what about us, I mean the sailors and the soldiers? Did we sleep? Like hell - well I suppose that's what we were there for - to serve and put up with this rather strange action shooting at what in the dark?

The finale came while we were at anchor in Subic Bay in the Philippines forming up a huge battle fleet for the big push to Japan. There were a few scares of the enemy fleet approaching but then came the Atom bomb "little boy" on the 6th August. The 2nd Atom bomb "fatman" on the 9th August was dropped. We were issued with 2 bottles of beef each at one shilling and sixpence each - 15 cents.

It was all over and we left for Japan arriving on the 31st August to witness the signing of the peace on the 2nd September 1945. And what a sight of 250 war ships in Tokyo Bay. 1,000 planes overhead and other ships including aircraft carriers steaming up and down just South of Tokyo.

We stayed as the initial BCOF group for 80 days in Japan, and later to be organised by Commodore John Collins for the Kure Naval Base. The corvette HMAS Ballarat, the first to arrive at Tokyo Bay sent a message "If we knew you were coming we would have baked a cake". We sailors grinned, but nobody else laughed at this impudence.

War ending brought quick changes. Supplies from the USN ceased and we had to beg from the Royal Navy whose supplies were only adequate so things were rather humdrum. Some lucky groups visited Hiroshima and the Nikko holiday resort as well as a few visits ashore in Tokyo by water taxi (a destroyer). A few enjoyed sailing in our whaler around Tokyo Bay but advised no shore visits?

Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser was to visit so Captain Nichols decided to holy stone the paint off our decks and revert to the peace time days of "white as white decks". (Just to please the Admiral I suppose.)

Well it didn't work - the holy stones were surely dropped over the side - there was no collusion. It just happened and the decks were repainted with threats of charging the crew for the cost of the holy stones. I know I didn't pay.

Returning to Sydney we called into Wewak Papua New Guinea picking up 600 swaddies who thought we had it easy until we moved out into the open sea and the never ceasing swell at a slow 12-14 knots. When they recovered from their illness and gained their sea legs they hopped in and helped whenever they could - a great bunch of fellows to have aboard - and it gave us an easy time - we had nearly 2,000 men on board during the trip including many very sick POW's from Japan - the Japanese prison guards were a cruel bunch of bastards to say the least.

One might say the next couple of years before Shropshire was tied up in the "Navy Graveyard" in Athol Bay, Sydney the role was practically one of the old "gun boat diplomacy" just flying the flag and using the ship as a training vessel for young sailors.

The victory march in London was a magnificient finale for Shropshire although by this time half the original fighting crew had left to be discharged. (It was said that money "changed hands" to get a posting to Shropshire for this cook's tour.)

Most of us were discharged in 1946 but were offered the victory cruise if prepared to sign for 2 more years service - well some took the offer, most did not. Only 8 of Shropshire's crew actually marched in the victory parade.

THE REAL END OF Shropshire

HMAS Shropshire was towed to England in 1954 and scrapped in 1955 - a sad ending but a job well done for Australia from 1943-47. (Ask anyone who served - he will confirm my story or better still read my book HMAS Shropshire.)

Thank you for reading.

Stan Nicholls
P.A. 4145
Author and Dioramatist
(Ron Russell at it again)

We'll never see her like again,
we'll never see her peer.
And you can bet we'll never forget
H.M.A.S. Shropshire.

Aboard "HMAS Shropshire" 1943-1946

This drawing was made by an Able Seaman J. LIVINGSTONE (Doc) who jumped a Merchant Navy ship in England and joined the R.A.N.

His correct name is Underwood and now lives under this name.

The drawing came about because of a remark or boasting by Able Seaman Ralph (Joe) Langton from Hobart, Tasmania regarding his prowess in many areas and on many subjects.