RANCA NSW
HMAS BENALLA J323
Namesake: City of Benalla, Victoria
Builder: HMA Naval Dockyard Victoria
Laid down: 24 March 1942
Launched: 19 December 1942
Commissioned: 27 April 1943
Decommissioned: 28 January 1946
Motto:
"We Lead Others Follow"
Battle honours:
-
New Guinea 1943-44[1][2]
Fate: Sold for scrap on 20 February 1958
Displacement: 650 tons (standard),
1,025 tons (full war load)
Length: 186 ft (57 m)
Beam: 31 ft (9.4 m)
Draught: 8.5 ft (2.6 m)
Propulsion: triple expansion engine,
2 shafts
Speed: 15 knots
(28 km/h; 17 mph) at 1,750 hp
Complement: 107
Armament: 1 × 4-inch gun
1 × 12-pounder gun
(temporary installation)
3 × Oerlikons (later increased
to 5, then decreased to 4)
Machine guns
Depth charges chutes and
throwers
Extract from Corvette Magazine November 1989
Memorable Benella incidents by Lt Peter F. Robinson (RANR) (Dec'd)
THE CHAIR
The Beach master at Buna was one Captain Christoff- U.S. Army, I believe, although he could have been Rangers, who mounted a bit of aggression on the New Britain Coast about that time.
Captain Christoff was very good company, full of useful information and furthermore, had in his office a most beautiful chair, salvaged from a Liberator.
George Tancred rather fancied this chair as a Skipper’s chair, mounted on the Flying Bridge of Benalla, from which he could keep close watch on all about, including the sky.
The commando, which rescued this chair was led with gusto and cunning by Ray Schofield (correct me if I’m wrong) and I can’t remember who else. The bait comprised a careful selection of fine Australian whiskies and gins. While Captain George and others were demonstrating the superior qualities of these beverages, the action party skillfully helped the chair to freedom.
We all retired in good order with no casualties worse than a headache. The hue and cry was raised next morning as Benalla moved out of the roadstead on the way north. Captain Christoff drew alongside in a fast LCP shouting something about a chair, but he couldn’t be heard above the noise of his craft. His somewhat showy manoeuvres were causing a bit of concern – I believe we had to make a show of force to shake him off!
Captain Christoff was a man with a poorly developed sense of humour; in fact there was a very tense atmosphere at Buna a few weeks later when we returned for fuel, and the incident was closed with the (reluctant) return of the chair, but alas not the grog.
THE BOFORS
Benalla was about to move into a new survey ground off Finschhafen where the Japs were very active – Sattelberg Hill had not then been stormed and the whole area was classified as unfriendly.
It had been rumoured that we would be fitted with more up-to-date A.A. armaments and perhaps even be given fighter cover. As our start date got nearer, the Air Defence situation became murkier.
Our shore liaison at Buna was very classy at this time and some brilliant mind conceived the idea of giving passage to what appeared to be a totally surplus US Army Bofors, while at the same time expressing our gratitude to the trustees by the gift of some “Corio” – 2 bottles I believe.
The first I saw of this deal was while I was at breakfast. I heard what sounded like a Yank Army truck, and then I saw a very large Negro soldier leaning against a “Bofors”.
Intrigued, I went on to the upper deck where I saw my first D.K.W. and probably my first Bofors. There was an impressive mixed force of artisans there too, and they fell on the machinery like a swarm of ants, having it parted from its carriage in no time.
From the dim recess of memory, I draw a picture of unremitting toil – holes bored in the quarter deck, large end-section hardwood bearers bolted in place and finally the Bofors itself, looking as if it had been just meant for the job. I’m sure Ted Lewis will have a better recollection that I have, but I know we all felt better than before, with an up-to-date quick firing A.A. weapon to supplement the Lewis Guns and Oerlikons.
THE LIGHTNING SURVIVOR
Benalla was on passage from Mitre Rock to Lae, not our normal course, as the Japs were still very active in the air. Several hours out, the masthead lookout reported a flashing light on the sea, to starboard. Nobody could identify it, but it persisted and eventually we altered course to close.
It turned out the be a rubber dinghy with a US pilot aboard, shot down by Zeros in his Lightning off Cape Ward some four days before. He was flashing a little mirror at us. He was quite spry when we helped him over the side, but suddenly went limp when he realised he was safe. He had been paddling each day for the New Guinea coast and when the day ended was quite close, but when he awoke in the morning he had drifted back towards New Britain – very frustrating.
Next day we landed him at Lae. He gave the dinghy to the ship and his other gear to various interested parties. The Engineer Officer got the .45 automatic pistol.
A week or so later we called at Lae and the Yank, clad in Army pyjamas only, was waiting for us. It was a mistake, he said, for him to give away the equipment, especially the .45, as his superiors claimed this was not his to give. Could he perhaps have it back?
Well, what could you do?
Extract from Corvette magazine July 1990
HMAS Benalla Association (THE BIG, BIG ONE)
Ed D. says: Meet your old shipmates from all over Australia on 22 October at Nth Syd Anzac Memorial Club for a splendid lunch and convivial afternoon and don't fail to contact Ed to tell him you will be there.
Extract from Corvette magazine October 1990
H.G.Whitebrook recalls his service as 1st Lieutenant in HMAS Benalla.
One of my main memories at Benalla’s commissioning was when one evening I took charge of a work party (1 L/Seaman, 6 Hands and a work cart) and visited an unlocked store on shore. We “souvenired” much paint, cordage and other gear which we thought would be good for Benalla. Marching back to the ship, all very “pusser” like, we were solemnly saluted by two dockyard police. I think Bungy Williams was one of the working party and a certain P.O. was an instigator.
Early shipmates will remember Salli and Manuel, native New Guinea men. They were very devout and had a swear box, 6d penalty. Each had been charged in the past for manslaughter, but the dead men had only been a tax collectors.
It was at this Island that the ship’s company went ashore for the first time since leaving Australia. Quite a number of the crew were in the late teens and I can still see their faces as the local girls, wearing only grass skirts, openly paraded in front of them swaying their – ah’um shoulders. Yet all came back on board on time.
Soon afterwards we escorted a group of American small craft who were to occupy the Trobriand Islands. At one stage en route we thought we were gone – coming towards us over the horizon was a cluster of masts. It was thought the Japs were out to destroy the whole outfit, but fortunately they were Americans; the US Intelligence had forgotten to inform us. When our group arrived at the Trobriand's we anchored overnight. The tide went out and in the morning at least half of the landing craft were high and dry. When getting ashore eventually, they were greeted by a group of Australian soldiers who had been there for some weeks. I am told the Trobriand girls are noted for their particularly friendly nature!
Of course we all remember A.B. Mitchener and our mascot Abou. In Sydney refitting and the night before sailing, Mitchener lost Abou. Frantic appeals over the Sydney radio and to the relief of all, about one hour before departure, Abou was found at Cremorne Pt. wharf.
When we arrived for that refit in Sydney, we asked for 9 months pay. I was sent for by the Captain Paymaster at G.I. (he was an old acquaintance) for flatly refused to believe any HMA ship could carry on without money or food for such a long period. He wasn’t aware how our Engine Room staff could manufacture Jap gear from iron scrap and barter it to our gallant allies. Remember the Oerlikons we obtained in a like manner – cost two bottles of whisky?
After that refit we were pestered with correspondence accusing Benalla of appropriating an anchor of Australia. Where would we have hidden it? As we all know, mail to us was spasmodic, so as far as we were concerned after our first denial, further letters on the subject were just “lost”. However, if any Benalla member has that anchor exhibited in his lounge room, please don’t tell.
I won’t forget the time “Engines” Pearse brought on board (at Lae, I think) a box containing about six tubes of fulminate of mercury – he frightened the life out of me and many others nearby.
At the time Benalla's first arrival at the Admiralty Islands the fighting was still in progress. That first night we anchored in a small bay at the Eastern side of the Island. Surrounded by coral reefs the entrance was buoyed by two drums about 100 yards apart. What we did not know, to confound any hit and run Japs overnight, one drum was moved at dusk to the opposite side (on top of the reef).
We found this out on our departure. Leaving between the two buoys the reef appeared immediately ahead – couldn’t possibly stop, so George Tancred went “full ahead” and we literally bounced over the reef. Fortunately the coral was soft – otherwise!!!