HMAS Canberra Casualty of Circumstance

This is the story of HMAS Canberra from from the time the ship was commissioned in 1928 to the last terrifying moments when HMAS Canberra’s fate was sealed. Some may know the fate of HMAS Canberra on 9 August 1942 in a war-ravaged Pacific Ocean. World War II was in full force and it was about to overwhelm those onboard the Australian Navy cruiser. But the events that lead to Canberra’s demise on that dark night are not so well known—until now. A tribute to the 84 men whose lives were lost, this book tells their stories and those of the men who survived—all share their motivations for joining the Navy and tell what it was like onboard. If there were questions about the readiness of Australian warships for modern warfare, or about the power of the British Admiralty over Australian Royal Navy Officers, this book has the answers. What was the role of the American fleet? Was there an international cover-up concerning friendly fire on that night? Be informed about a significant event in our naval history. Be inspired by the stories of the men who served. But most of all, be prepared to be shocked.

Dr. Kathryn Spurling served with the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS). Her late father FO Maxwell Norris (RAAF) served with RAF Bomber Command during WWII. After securing her PhD in military history, Dr. Spurling tutored history and strategic studies and guest lectured in history at the University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra. In 2012 she was appointed a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University, Canberra and in 2014 became an Adjunct Visiting Research Associate with Flinders University. She has lectured extensively overseas on military  issues.

Preface 6 Foreword 7 Introduction 8 A Most Impressive New Ship 13 Lull Before the Storm 30 Warship or Glamour Ship? 53 Bewildering World 80 War Again 103 First Action 130 Convoy Duty 153 Unprepared 176 Casualties of Circumstance 198 Deflection of Responsibility 222 Endnotes 244 Photo Credits 255 Acknowledgements 255 About the author 256