Submarines Still In Australian Waters

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1942, Page 4

Submarines Still In Australian Waters

(Special) SYDNEY, June 10. That a reduced force of Japanese submarines is still operating in Australia’s sea lanes is proven by the latest report of an unsuccessful attack on an Allied vessel. The time as well as the locality of the attack is not revealed. The ship was attacked with gunfire. Absence of reference to torpedo action is thought to indicate that any remaining submarines were short of torpedoes. If this theory is correct, then it confirms the belief that Monday morning’s shellings of Sydney and Newcastle were farewell gestures by Japanese submarine commanders who had expended all their torpedoes in attacks on Australian shipping. Their only successes were against two coastal merchantmen, each of about 3500 tons and the naval depot vessel in Sydney Harbour.

Seven, probably eight, enemy submarines were destroyed.. The search for any remaining in this area continues.

Relays of Bombers

When the Japanese submarine attacked the Allied vessel the captain wirelessed for help and x’elays of reconnaissance planes arrived to escort the ship to port. While the shelling was in progress the crew successfully fought an outbreak of fire. The vessel is reported to have been hit several times. There is no information yet of any casualties among the crew. No request was made for a doctor when the vessel reached port. Bombers are still combing areas rcund the scene of the attack, but no trace of the raider has been found.