HMAS MILDURA - THE WAR YEARS 1941-1946 PAGE 5

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1945
This page includes stories, anecdotes and photos from HMAS MILDURA's war years.

WHERE'S SUBIC BAY?

When the war ended the MILDURA was on patrol off Balik Papan (Borneo) and "buzzes" like "Sydney, here we come" swept the mess decks. After more than four years of almost continuous sea time we reckoned the ship, at least, needed a break. Almost immediately a signal was received, "Proceed forthwith to Subic Bay." The problem was, nobody had ever heard of the place and we didn't know where it was. Some good detective work proved it to be an enormous US  Naval Base in the Philippines.

War damage in Manila, 1945

Signalman Allan Waugh in Manila, 1945

Another Manila scene, 1945

As we arrived we noticed the presence of literally hundreds of US warships of all shapes and sizes. We were told that they had assembled for the final assault on the Japanese home islands which fortunately, the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki had made unnecessary. We were soon attached to our old friend of Fremantle days, HMS MAIDSTONE and told to brush up our minesweeping skills so that the British Pacific Fleet could enter Hong Kong and reassert British sovereignty.  

FIRST ALLIED SHIP INTO HONG KONG

At the end of the war, MILDURA was assigned to work with the British  Pacific Fleet. As the senior ship of the minesweeping group, MILDURA led the sweep along the sea lane approach to Hong Kong. The MILDURA was the first allied warship to reenter the harbour which had been in Japanese hands since Xmas Day 1941. After HMAS MILDURA had swept the inner channel, the RN destroyer HMS KEMPENFELT entered the dockyard area followed by the cruiser HMS SWIFTSURE to which Admiral Harcourt had transferred his flag. Other ships to follow were the battleship HMS ANSON, the carriers HMS INDOMITABLE and HMS VENERABLE, the cruiser HMS EURALUS, depot ship HMS MAIDSTONE, four destroyers, submarines and RAN corvettes HMAS's CASTLEMAINE, STAWELL, BATHURST, BROOME, FREMANTLE, STRAHAN and WAGGA. 

HMAS MILDURA ENTERS HONG KONG
An eyewitness report from "Snowy" Moore AB
First published in the Sunday Times, Western Australia 1945

"We left Balik Papan on the morning the Japs agreed to the Potsdam peace terms: we were to proceed to Morotai which has been our base. After we were at sea a couple of days, we received an order to divert from our course and go to Subic Bay (Manila), stopping at Zamboanga for fuel. We reached Subic Bay about August 20 in company with three other corvettes. In our orders we had been told nothing more than to proceed to Subic Bay and report to the Port Director. On arrival we signaled the "tower" and sought advice as to where we would anchor, what we were to do, etc., but no one knew anything until a British ship signaled "Welcome to the British Pacific Fleet." This ship was none other than the HMS MAIDSTONE. We hovered over to it and dropped anchor midst its mighty fleet of submarines. For days everything was "hush-hush" but we knew something big was on, as our skipper was back and forth to the MAIDSTONE, but he would tell us nothing. Day and night we worked in the continuous driving rain, loading stores, practicing mine sweeping, and the various jobs allied with it."

"Finally our anxiety was broken when the MAIDSTONE's captain came on board and told us that we were going to Hong Kong with the British Fleet of occupation to sweep the entrances. The Japanese apparently got to hear about us and told us to keep away, or they would pound us with their fortifications, which consisted of numerous 18in guns. It was consoling to know that we had an aircraft carrier, HMS INDOMITABLE, the battleship ANSON, a cruiser and several destroyers. Also of course MAIDSTONE, who was to be our mother ship and her group of subs."

"We arrived at the outskirts of Hong Kong on August 27 and swept an anchorage for the fleet to anchor for the night. Once again the Japanese warned us not to enter, but Admiral Harcourt, in charge of the fleet, said that he was ordered to enter the following day and he intended carrying out those orders."

"Early the following morning we were sent to sweep a channel; we had with us six other corvettes, of which we were the senior ship, and therefore went first. As we were sweeping the entrance the Japanese signaled that we were approaching dangerous waters, we kept on advancing, but we had queer feelings within us, for the rest of the fleet, except the MAIDSTONE, stayed out at the anchorage which was 16 miles away".

Views of Hong Kong, 1945

"The Japanese signaled again, "Stop immediately." We kept advancing but feeling much less safe than before. I have never felt so alone in all my life. I had my money, watch, and bank book secured in "gun covers," and we had ceased work ready to jump. Then came the signal which set all our spines shivering, and cigarettes were working overtime. It was to the MAIDSTONE this time and said, "Send a rescue ship for your leading ship's crew" (that was us), "they have gone too far."

"We read the signal as it was flashed, and we asked the MAIDSTONE what we should do. "Keep advancing," she ordered. We were all sure it was curtains. Seconds seemed like hours and the throb of our propellers pushing us forward was like the tick of a time bomb. Apparently we called their bluff for we entered unharmed, without a shot being fired. I was never so relieved. So the MILDURA was the first ship to reenter Hong Kong. As we approached the docks and the harbour front, the larger ships preceded us, but we were still the first to enter."

"In the harbour, the Japs showed their usual cheekiness. A destroyer escort was the only Jap warship, but armed Jap launches paraded around with haughty Japs armed to the teeth organizing things. I was placed on sentry with a Tommy-gun and told to use it if they came too close. Unfortunately they kept their distance, for I was itching to distort the leer on their slant-eyed faces.

"We have been here ever since, anchored not many yards from the quay. All the Jap soldiers were cleared out by last night. They looked a weary and disillusioned lot as they passed our ship on their way to Kowloon. Looting has been going on since last night, the English sent their Marines ashore to quell them down, and things seem to have quieted down a lot now; but this morning a Jap body floated past us, which the Chinese had apparently battered about and thrown into the harbour. We have been witnessing some amusing incidents this morning as the Chinese round up collaborators and throw them into the sea, keeping them under with long poles."

THE OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE

"A strong British naval force, commanded by Rear Admiral Harcourt, flying his flag on HMS SWIFTSURE, entered the port of Hong Kong today to reoccupy Britain's Crown Colony. The British force includes the aircraft carriers INDOMITABLE and VENERABLE, the battleship ANSON (Rear Admiral C.S.Daniel, CBE, DSO), the cruisers SWIFTSURE, EURYALUS, and HM Canadian ship PRINCE ROBERT; the destroyers KEMPENFELT, URSA, WHIRLWIND, QUADRANT, TYRIAN and TUSCAN; the submarine depot ship MAIDSTONE, with the submarines SELENE, SUPREME, SIDON, SPEARHEAD, SOLENT, SEASCOUT, SLEUTH, SCOTSMAN; and HM Australian minesweepers BROOME, BATHURST, MILDURA, WAGGA, CASTLEMAINE, STRAHAN and FREMANTLE, and HM hospital ship OXFORDSHIRE."

MILDURA CAPTURES THE BREWERY

The next few weeks were interesting. Runs ashore, rickshaws and our first experience of a great cosmopolitan city. We visited Amoy, swept more mines in adjacent areas and did anti-pirate patrols. In the days that followed entering Hong Kong, the MILDURA sailed down the coast to capture the San Miguel brewery. A full platoon of Royal Marines in full combat gear  were embarked. The twenty Japanese soldiers occupying the brewery surrendered their weapons and were made to squat on the MILDURA's quarter deck. The marines returned to the brewery to mop up. Two hours later there was a commotion at the top of the hill and  a flat top rail trolley came thundering down with a cargo of cartons of beer and some very happy marines.

Petty Officer Ernie Morrison said "It was very clear they had been very successful in mopping up what they had found in the brewery and were as loaded as their overloaded trolley. It was also clear that they either did not know or did not care that the rail track took a vicious turn halfway down the jetty. The trolley failed to negotiate the bend, left the track and catapulted the marines and the beer into the sea."

Japanese POW's at the jetty watched by Russell Williams

The MILDURA was loaded with crates of beer, looking like a modern container ship. The beer turned out to be "almost undrinkable", a great disappointment to all the crew. The late “Fanny” Medwin commented a few years ago, “You know, I kept a bottle of that stuff and opened it (1960)– it hadn't’t improved with age!”

Brewery bottle top,
HMAS MILDURA Collection

THE SAN MIGUEL BREWERY
Recollection of Ern Morrsion, Petty Officer

"After leading the 21st Minesweeping Flotilla into the approaches of Hong Kong at the end of the war, MILDURA and her sister ships swept the area clear of mines and then stood in the wings while the British Pacific Fleet made their triumphant and impressive return to the Colony. The sight of such leviathans as ANSON, INDEFATIGABLE, INDOMITABLE, IMPLACCABLE, MAIDSTONE and others from our vantage point on the upper deck of our dwarfed AMS was an awesome one. We, the small fry, were allowed into harbour later when we berthed at the Dockyard for our ever welcome boiler clean. As always, we felt for the stokers. We really took over the yard and little of any or no value did not end up in sailor's lockers. Our draught decreased significantly when all loot was ordered ashore."

"MILDURA was not finished with the war at this time and soon we were off to carry out minesweeping and other duties. One that remains vividly in my mind was the occupation of one of the more important Japanese strategic bases, namely the San Miguel Brewery. We duly embarked a platoon of Royal Marines and steamed up from Honkers to disembark them at the brewery jetty. Watching them march up the hill in full combat rig made us proud to be British."

Japanese POWs being marched along the San Miguel jetty.

"They returned in due course with a score or so Japanese prisoners who were required to squat on the quarter deck. I have never seen a more disconsolate group of men. I recall the strange feeling I had when I saw the total absence of expression on their faces, neither hostility or remorse. They appeared to have just switched their minds off."

Disarming the POW's at the jetty.

"In the meantime the Marines returned to the Brewery to "mop-up" but as they failed to return after an hour or two, the C. O. was showing concern. Before any rescue plan materialized, all on board were alarmed to hear a roar and much shouting coming from the direction of the Brewery. Alarm was soon replaced by amazement when we observed that the noise and commotion was caused by the Marines as they rattled down the hill aboard a commandeered flat top rail trolley with numerous cartons of San Mig. It was clear that they had successfully concluded their mopping up operation and were as loaded as their out of control means of transport. It was also clear that they were either unaware that the rail track took a vicious turn half way down the jetty or didn't care. In any case, the trolley failed to negotiate the bend, left the track and, with its noisy load, catapulted into the ocean."

"It was a sight to be remembered for a lifetime. Apart from the sheer spectacle, we lost all the San Mig which was to have been a present from the grateful Dutch owners. The Aussie matelots laughed until the tears flowed and the mountains echoed."

POW's unloading the beer

A LETTER FROM HONG KONGAn edited version of a letter sent by HMAS MILDURA sailor, Jeff McFarlane (18 years old), to his mother, September 23, 1945.

"My Dear Mother,
Yesterday I went ashore for the first time since I have been in Hong Kong. Twenty ratings are allowed to go ashore each day and as I was one of the Duty Watch the night before, I was one of the lucky ones. Leave was from one o'clock to seven so that wasn't too bad. As we had no motor boat we had to find our own means of transport. We managed to bum a ride in a sampan, quite a big one it was too. Although it was only about a mile ashore it took us fifty minutes so you can imagine how slow it was. There was only one girl sculling an oar but it looked pretty easy to her. We didn't pay anything as the ship was fixing them up with tea and sugar. They were quite pleased with that. A few of the boys out of their own generosity gave them a couple of cigarettes."

Sampan in Hong Kong Harbour

"Well eventually we got ashore. My intentions were to go and see what I could buy that would be useful. I thought the price would be the same as before but the currency had been fixed up and everything was ridiculously dear. I wouldn't buy a thing because I would have been broke in no time."

Hong Kong scenes, 1945

"Some of the boys went looking for booze but I was content to walk around with some of my cobbers. I had a few pounds changed into Hong Kong dollars. There are 12 to the Australian pound so that's about 1 shilling 8 pence each. I must have walked for miles up every street and lane. There were lots of things of interest but all too dear. I would like to have had a camera to take some snaps. I had a scran while I was ashore. It was very nice too. A bowl of soup, a piece of bread, a cup of tea and some beautiful meat all for 3 dollars, the equivalent of 5 shillings."

"By this time it was time to get back to the wharf and I was quite pleased to sit down in the sampan again as I could hardly walk, my legs were so sore. You wouldn't think that roaming around a ship would make one so lax as far as exercise goes. Coming back in the sampan we had quite an eventful time. There was one rating absolutely drunk. I don't know what he had been drinking, but it must have been dynamite. He never stopped screaming all the time. He soon quieted down when he got back on board because he knew what would happen to him."

"By this time I was ready to turn in, so I went and bathed and crashed and was it beautiful. Will tell you more next time. Cheerio. Hoping you are all well and to hear from you soon.
Lots of love,
Your loving son,
Jeff."

CHARLIE

Soon after our arrival in Hong Kong, we had a visit from a local contractor, "Charlie", who came with numerous references (one from HMS EAGLE, dated 1936) and offered to be our "side boy". He did the dhobying, removed all the garbage, and with his teenage daughter completed any odd jobs that needed doing. When we returned to harbour, he would be alongside in his sampan, even before we dropped anchor.

Eventually the time came to head southwards. Gavan Sandford-Morgan recalls connecting his portable gramophone to the bridge loud hailer to play "Today I Feel So Happy" as we sailed past other less fortunate corvettes as we headed homewards. Charlie and his daughter gave us a special good luck farewell from his sampan with a great fireworks display. He strung crackers from the mast of the sampan and exploded the lot.

Charlie and his daughter, Hong Kong, 1945

Unfortunately we caught a typhoon in the China Sea and experienced three days and nights of living hell. The steering engine broke down and we had to limp into Manila for repairs, using hand steering with strong armed sailors heaving on those heavy chains. While in Manila we stocked up with the usual luxuries from the Americans like ice-cream and ham etc. We saw a large city that had been very badly damaged by the US bombardment prior to the invasion. Crossing streets became quite hazardous because of US Army vehicles traveling down the wrong side of the road.

After a stop in Townsville, we eventually arrived in Sydney after probably the most interesting three months ever experienced by the MILDURA and its sailors.

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