- MV Krait
The MV "Krait" is a wooden hulled vessel famous for its use during
World War II by theZ Special Unit (Z Force) ofAustralia during the raid against Japanese ships anchored inSingapore Harbour. The raid was known asOperation Jaywick .History
"Krait" was originally a Japanese fishing vessel based in Singapore called "Kofuku Maru". Following the outbreak of war the ship was taken over by Allied forces and used to evacuate over 1,100 people from ships sunk along the East Coast of
Sumatra . The ship eventually reached Australia viaCeylon andIndia in 1942 and was handed over to the Australian Military. In Australian service she was renamed "Krait" after the small but deadly snake.In September 1943 "Krait" transported members of Z Special Unit to Singapore where they successfully raided the city's harbour, sinking seven ships. She returned to Australia in October. "Krait" was used by the Australian military throughout the war and was present at the surrender of the Japanese forces on Ambon in September 1945.
"Krait" was sold following the war and was operated off
Borneo until she was purchased for use as an Australian Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol vessel in 1964. She was acquired by theAustralian War Memorial in 1985 and is currently on loan to theAustralian National Maritime Museum where she has been displayed to the public since 1988.Since the success of "Krait" on Operation Jaywick, Australian Commando Unit vessels have traditionally used the names of venomous snakes. This tradition continues today with "Red Viper" and "Coral Snake" as current examples.
ee also
*
Australian commandos
*Operation Jaywick
*Z Special Unit References
* [http://www.dva.gov.au/media/publicat/2003/jaywick/index.htm Australian Department of Veteran's Affairs OP Jaywick website, background and photos]
* [http://www.anzacday.org.au/education/activities/z_special/pdf/z_force.pdf Includes map of route taken and detail of raid]
* [http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/krait.htm Australian War Memorial]
* [http://www.coastalpatrol.org.au/history/mvkrait.htm Post war service with Volunteer Coastal Patrol]
* [http://www.hnsa.org/ships/krait.htm HNSA Web Page: Commando Boat Krait]
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