Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA043
Sunday, 31 May 2009
WWII SURVIVORS MARK THE DAY SYDNEY CAME UNDER ATTACK
Survivors of the Japanese attack on Sydney Harbour during the Second World War were joined by
the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, at a ceremony in Sydney today honouring the 21
Australian and British sailors killed in the attack.
Mr Griffin said 67 years ago Sydney came under direct attack from the Japanese, just ten weeks
after the bombing of Darwin in February 1942.
“On 31 May 1942, three Japanese midget submarines launched an attack on Sydney Harbour,” Mr
Griffin said.
“The first submarine became entangled in the boom net situated across the harbour and her crew,
realising their situation was hopeless, set off a demolition charge destroying the submarine. A
second submarine entered the harbour and fired torpedoes at the cruiser USS Chicago. Narrowly
missing the Chicago, one torpedo detonated under the converted ferry HMAS Kuttabul, which was
being used as accommodation for Australian and British naval personnel. Nineteen Royal Australian
Navy and two Royal Navy sailors were killed in the attack.”
Mr Griffin stood alongside survivors of the tragedy and their families at today’s memorial service at
HMAS Kuttabul, the naval base named after the torpedoed vessel, laying a wreath in honour of
those killed in the attack.
“The events that unfolded in Sydney that day are an important chapter in Australia’s wartime history
and those lost and those who survived should be honoured and remembered,” Mr Griffin said.
Mr Griffin said in November 2006 the wreck of the second submarine was discovered by a group of
divers off Sydney's northern beaches. Until 2006, its location was a complete mystery. A third
midget submarine also entered the harbour that night but was destroyed by depth-charges before it
had fired any torpedoes. Sections of two of the submarines are on display at the Australian War
Memorial in Canberra. Another section of one of the submarines is also on display at the Royal
Australian Navy Heritage Centre at Garden Island.
Historical images of the Japanese attack on Sydney Harbour are available from the Australian War
animated version of the attack can be accessed at
Media enquiries: Sasha Nimmo 0437 863 109
Editor’s note: The relatives of the 21 killed on the HMAS Kuttabul are entitled to receive a Navy
Bereavement Pin – commemorating the life and service of those who died whilst serving in the
information.
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a
week on 1800 011 046. To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email subscribe at
minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
NEWS 
