On This Day
1945 > WW2
On This Day - 1945
- February 16, 1945
HMAS SHROPSHIRE, (cruiser), with HMA Ships ARUNTA and WARRAMUNGA, (destroyers), shelled enemy positions on Corregidor Beach in the Philippines.
- February 14, 1945
The River class frigate HMAS LACHLAN was commissioned. LACHLAN was laid down at Mort’s Dock, Sydney, and launched on 25 March 1944. LACHLAN, carrying the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, made a ceremonial entry into the Captain Cook Graving Dock, Sydney, officially opening the dock.
CMDR A. P. Cousin, RANR(S), was appointed to the DSO for conspicuous service while commanding HMAS MANOORA in amphibious landings at Tanahmerah Bay, Wakde Taem, Morotai, Leyte, Lingayen, Tarakan, Labuan and Balikpapan.
ADML Sir Bruce Fraser, RN, arrived in Sydney in command of the British Pacific Fleet.
CMDR K. H. Oom, RAN, was appointed to the OBE for conspicuous service while surveying in advanced areas in command of HMA Ships WHYALLA and SHEPPARTON.
- February 13, 1945
The air/sea rescue vessels, (search and rescue craft), HMA Ships AIR HOPE, (LEUT R. W. Dunn, RANVR), and AIR SPRAY, (SBLT W. A. Booth, RANVR), were commissioned.
- February 11, 1945
HMAS Nizam, twelve miles off Cape Leeuwin Light and while altering course, the ship struck a freak wave and rolled very heavily, 75 to 80 degrees, to port and 10 ratings were lost overboard. This accident occurred at ten o’clock at night with the wind at nearly gale force. The ship circled for a long period but no sign of any survivor was seen. Some damage was caused and Nizam remained at Fremantle until 7 March 1945 making good defects
- February 10, 1945
The main body of the British Pacific Fleet arrived at Sydney. At its peak strength the BPF numbered 336 vessels.
- February 9, 1945
Carrier-borne aircraft from the British Pacific Fleet landed at Nowra, NSW. The air station was in use by the RAAF from 7 May 1942 until it was transferred to the RN as an air station on 15 October 1944. On the departure of the RN the station was in disuse until taken over by the RAN and commissioned as HMAS ALBATROSS in 1948.
- February 8, 1945
The air/sea rescue vessels, (search and rescue craft), HMA Ships AIR FAITH, (LEUT R.R. Lewis, RANVR), and AIR TRIAL, (SBLT V.G. Maddison, RANVR), were commissioned. These vessels were built (along with all sister vessels), in Canada and the United States between 1943 and 1945, and transferred to the RAN under the Lend-Lease Agreement.
- February 5, 1945
HMAS NEPAL struck an uncharted obstruction in the Kaliendaung River in Burma, damaging her starboard propeller. The destroyer was withdrawn to Colombo for repairs.
- February 4, 1945
The main units of the British Pacific Fleet, one battleship, four fleet carriers, three cruisers and 10 destroyers arrived at Fremantle. The BPF was to number 336 vessels at its peak strength.
- January 30, 1945
HMAS WARREGO (sloop), and her US tender, YMS 316, carried out inshore surveys and buoyed wrecks off Bataan Peninsula while US troops fought their way off the landing beaches.