Hi. Is anyone able to advise an exact date of when HMAS Hobart first visited Hiroshima after the atomic bomb had been dropped (6 Aug 1945) ? The RAN ship's history confirms she arrived in Tokyo Bay 31 August and was present at the Japanese surrender and also that she served in Japanese waters "November 1945 to March 1946" but makes no mention of Hiroshima. An article in the Sun-Herald entitled "World recalls Hiroshima anniversary" (Frank Walker, 7 August 2005) quotes ex-Hobart sailor Percival "Ned" Kelly as saying he "walked through the ruins of Hiroshima two months after the atomic bomb". Kelly's RAN service record shows that he joined Hobart 1 Nov 1945. Thanks. Martin
One of my old bosses at work was an ex 'Hobart' crew member. We were talking about Hiroshima, and I asked his impression of it, his answer was "an effing MESS". John.
He had that right, John. There are a couple of snaps of Hiroshima as viewed by some RAN sailors (probably HMAS Hobart) in the family history site below (you need to scroll down): Profile - GUEST Colin Franklin 09GUC0 Martin
Hi. Is anyone able to advise an exact date of when HMAS Hobart first visited Hiroshima after the atomic bomb had been dropped (6 Aug 1945) ? The RAN ship's history confirms she arrived in Tokyo Bay 31 August and was present at the Japanese surrender and also that she served in Japanese waters "November 1945 to March 1946" but makes no mention of Hiroshima. An article in the Sun-Herald entitled "World recalls Hiroshima anniversary" (Frank Walker, 7 August 2005) quotes ex-Hobart sailor Percival "Ned" Kelly as saying he "walked through the ruins of Hiroshima two months after the atomic bomb". Kelly's RAN service record shows that he joined Hobart 1 Nov 1945. Thanks. Martin Hi Martin, Have you seen this? AWM Collection Record: S00537 - Blain, Alexander Francis John (Barney), Reverend AWM Collection Record: S00537 ID Number: S00537 Title: Blain, Alexander Francis John (Barney), Reverend Maker: Bill Bunbury (Interviewer/Recordist) Date made: 24 February 1989 Physical description: Cassette Measurements: 1 hr 30 min Summary: Reverend Alexander Francis John (Barney) Blain, Chaplain HMAS Hobart, interviewed by Bill Bunbury for the Keith Murdoch Sound Archive of Australia in the War of 1939-45. Discusses enlistment HMAS Hobart; Australia; Royal Australian Navy (RAN); discipline; recreation; Captain Darling; pastoral duties; visiting Japan post-surrender; visit to Hiroshima. Discusses enlistment HMAS Hobart; Australia; Royal Australian Navy (RAN); discipline; recreation; Captain Darling; pastoral duties; visiting Japan post-surrender; visit to Hiroshima. Credit line: The Keith Murdoch Sound Archive of Australia in the war of 1939-45 Copyright: AWM copyright Copying provisions: Copy provided for personal non-commercial use Access: Onsite use of audio only Related unit: HMAS Hobart (1938-1955) Related place: Japan; Japan: Hiroshima Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945 Cheers Geoff
I had, Spidge, but in looking at it again (thanks to your post), I clicked on the record link and then noticed the "Display Transcript" in the top right-hand corner. Excellent, thanks! Martin
Thanks, Geoff. Though no precise date for HMAS Hobart's Hiroshima visit is mentioned (the interview was 44 years later), the transcript is very interesting nevertheless. The interview was with Reverend Barney Blain, Chaplain on the Hobart from August 1943 through to 1946. The interviewer's name was Bill Bunbury. Rev. Blain: "..we went to Yokohama immediately after the bomb was dropped, and we had a cruise around the inland sea and very shortly afterwards we went to Hiroshima, which I would like to say a bit about." Bunbury: "I'd be pleased for you to do that." Rev. Blain: "I think we were the first ship into Hiroshima after the bomb was dropped and the whole place, there was, as everybody knows, was completely flattened with the exception of a few buildings right at the extreme end, made of concrete which survived with a few of the safes were blown out of the building hundreds of yards away, all crumpled up.." Thanks. Martin
I must admit that I had no idea HMAS Hobart ever visited Hiroshima - I have found all of this of great interest. A picture of the cruiser taken the year before.
That family site has some good photos. Hiroshima was a mess alright. Look at the damage inflicted - unreal.
Thanks, cally. A nice shot. I notice her Walrus aircraft is not evident (deployed perhaps). Not sure but I think the aircraft may have been added a year or two before the war. For one with the Walrus, see the photo of Hobart on the site below (some photos I scanned for a work mate who's great uncle was on HMAS Australia), 5th photo down, "HMAS Hobart welcomes Australia home". A little obscured by one of Australia's 8" guns though. Navy Photos of William Edward Cosh Martin
Some background info on the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in Japan 1946–51: British Commonwealth Occupation Force 1946 - 1951 "The RAN ships that served [as part of the BCOF] were HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Shropshire, and the destroyers HMAS Arunta, Bataan, Culgoa, Murchison, Shoalhaven, Quadrant, and Quiberon. Landing Ships Infantry Manoora, Westralia, and Kanimbla were used for transport." regards, Martin
You learn something new every day! I never knew the BCOF was primarily an Australian effort, and that it was always under the command of an Australian. John.
You learn something new every day! I never knew the BCOF was primarily an Australian effort, and that it was always under the command of an Australian. John. Howden and HMAS Hobart In June she and Shropshire were engaged at the invasion of Brunei. Later in June she took part in bombardments in preparation for the Balikpapan landings, which she helped cover on 1st July. She was in Tokyo Harbour for the signing of the Japanese surrende HMAS Hobart, Australian light cruiser, WW2 g I am sorry I am unable to find an exact date but there are some links there that show where she was on certain dates that you might find useful. I did however find a link regarding the fact that she did visit Hiroshima after the bomb.
Thanks, Tomcat (sorry about the slow reply). I've since found that the NAA holds various logs for HMAS HOBART around this time, ship's logs and deck logs, so I've requested copy estimates for a couple. My mum's brother, Charles Patrick Goss (Pat), was Ldg. Cook (O) when on the HOBART (RANR, then RAN). He joined her from the QUADRANT 24.10.45 and remained on her until 21.8.46, after which he returned to CERBERUS. He would have been on Hobart when she visited Hiroshima, which is why I'm trying to find out when that was. My mum recalls that her brother wasn't well when he returned to Australia and she remembers he had red patches on his arms like burns and wondered if it was somehow related to exposure to radiation. He left the RAN in 1952. Sadly, he died in the early 1970's, I believe, when he was relatively young (in his early 50's). Does anyone know if any British or Australian naval ships were in any way involved in the U.S. atomic tests at Bikini Atoll (Operation Crossroads) in the Marshall Islands from 1946? Obviously there would have been numerous support ships and I understand there were many observers, including British. According to this U.S. government site, the first test, Shot "Able", was a plutonium bomb dropped from a B-29 on July 1 and the second, Shot "Baker", was detonated 90 feet underwater on July 25: Operation Crossroads, July 1946 Obviously, it had a devastating effect on the native people of Bikini Atoll: Bikini History With British veterans currently undertaking action for compensation for health problems due to the British atomic tests of the 1950s and Australian veterans not far behind, we're sure to hear more on the topic. regards, Martin Photo of Ldg. Cook (O) Pat Goss attached.
Some of the titles of documents held by NAA confirm that there was at least one RAN observer at Bikini Atoll in 1946: - Operation "Crossroads" (1946). - Air Force - Atomic Bomb - Operation Crossroads (1946). - 192/1946 : Australian observers at 'Operation crossroads' : Date of meeting - 21 May 1946. - 233/1946 : Operation crossroads - Proposed visit of Australian Service Observer to Australia : Date of meeting - 14 June 1946. - Report on Operation "Crossroads" July 1946. - Acting Captain S H K Spurgeon, Naval Attache Washington - expenses incurred whilst acting as Australian Government Observer at 'Operation Crossroads' 10 June to 27 August 1946. - 321/1947 : Report by Commander S H K Spurgeon Ran on atomic bomb tests (Operation Cross Roads) at Bikini Atoll : Agendum Number - 136/1947 : Date of meeting - Tuesday 30 September 1947. -Report by Commander SHK Spurgeon RAN on Atomic Bomb Tests (Operation Crossroads) at Bikini Atoll (1947). None are available online yet unfortunately. Martin
Hi I am the son of Robert Le Busque who is my father he served on the HMAS Hobart from 1944 to 1946,I have some pictures of the crew who one of the picture I believe may be your uncle, I am happy to shar these with you if they are your uncle. These Pictures were all taken by my father during his time on the ship. look forward to hearing from you
A belated welcome Mathew and a thank you for posting your father’s pictures: HMAS Hobart 1 1944-1946 | WW2Talk Please note that Martin hasn’t visited the site since 2013 so may not see your post.
yes I had noticed that after I had made my post, he may pop in sometime hopefully. Thank you for the info appreciate it.
