Military Archives - Page 4 of 17 - Destination's Journey

4 April 20232 April 2023

Sub Base Platypus Sydney

Steps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by Australia

Sub Base Platypus Sydney

Sub Base Platypus is a unique site located in Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia. The site has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s when it was originally used as a gasworks site. In the early 1960s, the site was acquired by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and used as a submarine base until it was decommissioned in the 1990s. During this time, the bas was home to the six Oberon class submarines operated by the RAN.

Not only were the submarines themselves based here, but a torpedo factory, maintenance facilities and a school for submariners provided a complete support structure for them.

Although long retired, several of the Oberons still exist as museum displays. HMS Onslow is close by in Sydney at the National Maritime Museum, while HMS Otway sits in Holbrook.

Getting There

We chose to take public transport because parking in the area is limited. A small carpark on Kiara Close provides somewhere to park if you drive. When we visited, this area was being extended, so perhaps in the future more space will be available.

The closest train station is Milsons Point, so we got off there and walked for only 10 minutes to get to the old submarine base. On the way we passed plenty of cafes and eateries, so grabbing a snack or drink is not a problem.

We entered via an alleyway off High Street, but access is available from Kesterton Park, which has a walkway over the water and an interesting entrance sign. We exited this way, so got to see both. Future plans will have a more official entrance off High Street.

What you will Find at the Base

Today, Sub Base Platypus has been redeveloped and transformed into a public space for the community to enjoy. The site includes a range of facilities and features, including a playground, public spaces, and a memorial to submariners who lost their lives in service to Australia.

The playground is a popular attraction for families, with a range of equipment and play areas designed for children of all ages. The playground has been designed to reflect the history of the site, with play structures shaped like torpedoes and submarines. Stepping stones running through the gardens are labeled with the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, Charlie etc.).

In addition to the playground, Sub Base Platypus is also home to the Submariners Memorial, which honors those who served on the Oberon class submarines, particularly the three men who lost their lives while serving. The memorial includes HMAS Oxley’s anchor and the names of the submarines on the steps.

Although currently closed, the old workshops and torpedo factory are, planned to re-open in the future. On High Street, a series of information boards show large photos of operations in these buildings.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, there are plans to further develop Sub Base Platypus into a cultural precinct that celebrates the site’s rich history and promotes community engagement. The development plans include a range of facilities, including a museum, art galleries, and performance spaces.

What Did We Think?

Overall, Sub Base Platypus is an important and unique site that has been transformed into a valuable community asset. Its history as a submarine base and gasworks site is honored through its public spaces and features, making it a significant and memorable part of Sydney’s cultural landscape.

Entrance from High Street — Lift and stairs to the to of the cliff

15 March 202315 March 2023

Australian War Memorial 1945 to Today

Long Range Patrol Vehicle MC2-Land Rover 110 6x6 used by the SAS in Iraq and Afghanistan Australian War Memorial

Australian War Memorial 1945 to Today

During our previous trip to Canberra, the gallery “Conflicts 1945” to Today in the Australian War Memorial was closed because of the renovations. This time however, it was open, so we took the opportunity to look around.

This gallery commemorates all the conflicts involving Australians from 1945 to today. This includes Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as numerous peace-keeping operations.

Korean War

This section commemorates Australia’s participation in the Korean War, particularly the army’s 3RAR, the RAAF’s 77 Squadron and the Royal Australian Navy.

Of the 17,000 Australians who served in Korea, casualties numbered more than 1,500, of whom 339 were killed. The majority served with the Australian Army.

The RAAF’s 77 Squadron was initially equipped with North American P-51 Mustangs, but these were later replaced with Gloster Meteor jet fighters. These, however, were outclassed as a fighter by the faster and more manoeuvrable MiG-15 operated by the Chinese and North Korean’s. As a result, they undertook ground attack missions in support of UN forces.

The RAN stationed HMS Sydney in Korean waters equipped with Firefly and Sea Fury aircraft. These made over 2,700 sorties, losing 9 aircraft with three aircrew killed.

Gloster Meteor F.8 fighter of 77 Squadron RAAF

Vietnam War

Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War lasted from 1962 until 1973. Over 60,000 Australians participated, the majority being from the army. Of these 523 were killed and nearly 2,400 wounded.

Long Tan Cross

One of the most interesting displays in the Long Tan Cross, erected after the Battle of Long Tan, to commemorate those who died.

In August 1966 a company of 6RAR was engaged in one of Australia’s heaviest actions of the war, in a rubber plantation near Long Tan. The 108 soldiers of D Coy held off an enemy force, estimated at over 2000, for four hours in the middle of a tropical downpour. They were greatly assisted by a timely ammunition resupply by RAAF helicopters, close fire support from Australian artillery, and the arrival of reinforcements in APCs as night fell. When the Viet Cong withdrew at night fall, they left behind 245 dead, but carried away many more casualties. Seventeen Australians were killed and 25 wounded, with one dying of wounds several days later.

Displayed in the Dong Nai Museum in Bien Hoa after the war, the Government gifted it to Australia in 2017.

Other Vietnam War Displays

Representing the Royal Australian Navy’s contribution to the war is a model of the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney. Other Australian ships provided escort, or fire-support duties, while aircrew served with US forces.

The Australian Army has displays covering the major equipment used, including artillery, an armoured personnel carrier and an Iroquois helicopter in the act of inserting troops.

Iraq and Afghanistan

This section covers Australia’s more recent involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Camp Russell Special Operations base and The Ghan Chapel where ADF chaplains ministered to everyone regardless of belief

Peace Keeping

Some of Australia’s more important and long-term engagements have been peacekeeping deployments. These have been important because they assist in stabilizing areas of unrest while helping the local people recover from or avoid conflict. A map illustrating where deployments are or have been was very interesting. Many of these have not been well represented in the press, despite their contribution to world peace.

Land Rover Series 2A as used in Namibia 1989-90 Australian War Memorial — Land Rover Series 2A as used in Namibia 1989-90

Locations of Australian peacekeepers — Land Rover Series 2A as used in Namibia 1989-90

What Did We Think?

As the War Memorial continues its redevelopment, older areas such as this will be modernised. It is still an amazing pace to visit because of what it represents and has many great displays.

2 March 202312 February 2023

Canberra Airport Hudson Bomber

Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra Airport

Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 at Canberra Airport

Something you don’t expect to see is a five-tonne bomber on the second floor of an airport terminal. However, Canberra Airport has a Lockheed Hudson bomber doing just that. Sitting at the far end of the check-in desks, it’s a monument to all of the RAAF crews who served in similar aircraft during the Second World War.

Lockheed Hudson

Developed from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner, the Lockheed Hudson was a light bomber and maritime patrol aircraft. Initially developed for Britain just prior to the Second World War, the Hudson. Of the 2,841 Hudsons built, 247 served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Following Japanese attacks on Malaya, Hudsons from No. 1 Squadron RAAF became the first Allied aircraft to make an attack in the Pacific War, sinking a Japanese transport ship, the Awazisan Maru, off Kota Bharu at 0118h local time, an hour before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105

Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 was built in 1938. It arrived in Australia in early December 1941 and was used to train RAAF aircrews. Between December 1942 and January 1943 it saw operational service in Papua and New Guinea, carrying out supply flights during the Allied advance on Buna, on Papua’s north coast.

After the war, A16-105 was flown as a photographic survey aircraft. It completed its last flight in 1998, and was purchased by the Australian War Memorial in 2001. It has since undergone an extensive restoration to its wartime configuration.

If you are interested in more of our photos of Lockheed Hudson bombers you can find them here.