HMAS Benalla (J323)

HMAS "Benalla" (J323/M323), named for the city of Benalla, Victoria, was one of 60 "Bathurst" class corvettes constructed during World War II, and one of 36 initially manned and commissioned solely by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Benalla_%28I%29 |title=HMAS Benalla (I) |accessdate=2008-09-15 |publisher=Sea Power Centre - Royal Australian Navy]

Construction

"Benalla" was laid down at HMA Naval Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria on 24 March 1942. She was launched on 19 December 1942 by the wife of Arthur Drakeford, serving Minister for the Air, and commissioned on 28 April 1943.

Despite being part of a class of minesweepers, "Benalla" was fitted out as an armed survey ship. Minesweeping gear was not installed, and an extension to X deck housed a large chart room. Her role resulted in an increase from the "Bathurst" class' standard crew complement of 85 to 107.

Operational history

"Benalla" entered service on 2 June 1943, towing an ammunition lighter from Sydney to Brisbane. She worked her way up the eastern Australia coast to New Guinea, escorting a small convoy between Townsville and Milne Bay, where she would be based as a survey vessel for the rest of 1933. Arriving in New Guinea waters in late June, the corvette was immediately assigned to support the landing of United States troops on Kiriwina Island and Woodlark Island on 30 June; these landings were unopposed as there were no Japanese soldiers on the islands. From July to September, "Benalla" and HMAS "Shepparton" led a Survey Group of vessels to perform hydrological surveys of the waters around Lae, Salamaua, and Finschhafen, in preparation of Australian troop landings at these locations. "Benalla" remained at Milne Bay until early December, when she proceeded to Sydney for refit.

Returning to survey work New Guinea in February 1944, the corvette was involved in the surveying of Seeadler Harbor and the waters around the Admiralty Islands following their capture by the United States as part of Operation Brewer in March and April. In August, she sailed for Brisbane to undergo a two month refit. On 11 October, "Benalla" sailed for the Philippines via Hollandia, joining the escort of 20 Liberty Ships on the second leg. In November, the corvette assisted frigate HMAS "Gascoyne" in surveying San Pedro Bay, before resuming work in the New Guinea area. On 6 January 1945, "Benalla" was sent to Darwin and assigned to a Survey Group operating off the north-western coast of Australia. She spent four months with the group, then was assigned to Fremantle from 3 May to 20 July. Returning to Darwin, "Benalla" was assigned to a joint Australian-Dutch group heading for Koepang, and was present when the Japanese surrender of Timor was carried out aboard HMAS "Moresby" on 11 September 1945.

"Benalla" resumed survey work off the north-west coast of Australia on her return from Timor, a role she would maintain until 2 November 1945, when she was ordered to Fremantle for decommissioning. The corvette was decommissioned into reserve on 28 January 1946. She was transferred from Fremantle to Melbourne, Geelong, then Sydney over the course of 1955 and 1956, and was sold to Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha Ltd of Tokyo on 20 February 1958, who towed the vessel to Japan in April for scrapping.

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