HMAS   Junee takes over at Macassar

 

Junee was at Morotai until 15 October 1945 when she sailed for Karebi Bay, north-west New Guinea to rendezvous with HMAS Lachlan. Some stores and 100 tons of fuel were transferred and Junee received four Japanese war criminals who were taken to Morotai. The ship underwent a boiler clean and was in harbour until 29 October when Captain E.S.Durrance of Advance HQ AMF was embarked with interpreter Capt. J.A. Louwisch and two other ranks to carry out a surveillance of Taland and Sangi  groups of islands north of the Celebes. 

 

At Beo, on the west coast of Karakelong Island on 30 October the commandant of the Japanese Toland garrison was interrogated on the fate of five Allied airmen reported to have been executed in March. Confessions were obtained and 18 Japanese who had been directly implicated were placed under guard on the upper deck aft.

 

Next day a further 46 Japanese were embarked for transport to Menado. The ship went to Kiama village, at the southern end of Karakelong, then to Essang Bay on the northwest coast of the same island to pick up another two men implicated in the executions. Next day Junee went to Tahoena on the west coast of Sangi Island arriving there on 1 November to deliver medical supplies for the native population. The Rajah of Tahoena entertained the officers and ship’s company during the day.

 

The Japanese garrison of 37 was embarked for Menado and Junee sailed soon after 6 p.m.

Next morning 83 Japanese troops were landed at Menado. They had given no trouble and had willingly carried out chores on board. That evening Junee left for Morotai arriving there the following afternoon to land the 18 alleged war criminals. Junee was anchored at Morotai until 8 November drawing fresh food from the supply ship Merkur.

 

She set out for Macassar and sailed in clear weather, arriving there on 12 November to take over Port Director duties from HMAS Inverell. The takeover took a week and on the morning of Sunday, 25November, Junee embarked 30 AMF and 30 Netherlands personnel to carry out surveillance of Kendari on the east coast of the Celebes. The approach to Kendari harbour was reached next morning but Junee had to stand out six miles from the township because of minefields.

 

Navy Captain Tanaguchi came out by barge and confirmed the presence of the minefields. The CO of Junee and the senior AMF officer accompanied by troops went ashore in the barge. The next day there was an official ceremony installing the Dutch administration in Kendari. Barracks were occupied by the NICA troops and an inspection was made to see the Japanese garrison had carried out instructions to dump arms. During the visit enquiries were made into the political situation. Although Kendari was quiet there were reports from nearby districts of a number of armed bands of the Free Indonesian Movement. Fifteen Japanese civilian administration personnel were taken on board for transport to Macassar. The ship arrived there on the afternoon of 30 November.

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