Japanese mini-submarine on fund-raising tour in Newcastle in 1942
Japanese mini-submarines on tour
On May 31 and June 1, 1942, mini-submarines, launched from a large Japanese mother-sub, the I-24, attacked Sydney Harbour.The subs caused havoc, sinking the converted ferry HMAS Kuttabul (being used as a navy depot ship) with the loss of 21 lives before they were themselves destroyed. A few days later I-24 attacked and sank the merchant ship Iron Chieftain off the Central Coast, killing 12 crew. The Kuttabul, here seen being fitted out at Walsh Island dockyard, Newcastle, in 1922. After the mini-submarines were destroyed, Australian defence authorities raised the remains of two, assembled parts from…
