TRIBAL-Class Destroyer ordered from Cockatoo  Docks and Engineering Co at Sydney, Australia for service with the Royal Australian Navy on 20th December 1939. The ship was laid down on 30th December 1940 and  was to be named HMAS KURNAI,  However when launched on 15th January 1944 the name was changed to HMAS BATAAN in recognition of the valiant defence of the Phillipines by the US General Douglas MacArthur in 1942. Build was completed on 25th May 1945 and she was the last of the three TRIBAL destroyers built in Australia which had been ordered in 1939 She was  the only ship of this Class not carry the name of Commonwealth Tribe. Her build completion on 25th May 1945 had been delayed due to the low priority given to warship construction after the outbreak of war with Japan and the consequent threat to Australia in 1942.

B a t t l e   H o n o u r

KOREA 1952 *

(* Awarded for UN service)

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

None is recorded in the Admiralty Official List

as this ship belonged to the RAN

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

1 9 4 5

May

Contractors trials

25th - Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.

June

On completion of trials commenced work-up for operational service based at Sydney. Nominated for service off Japanese mainland with Commonwealth warships in Task Force 37 in US 3rd Fleet

July

Completed storing and took passage with HM Australian Destroyer WARRAMUNGA to Subic Bay to join Task Force 74 prior to sailing to join ships of 3rd US Fleet deployed off Japan fo offensive operations prior to planned landings. (For details see WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO) and THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J Winton.)

26th - Arrived at Subic Bay

August

Deployed at Subic Bay. After VJ-Day Took passage from Subic Bay with US warships to Japan with call at Okinawa.

September

Joined British and Commonwealth warships nominated as Token Force in Sagami Bay.

2nd - Present at final surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay.

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

HMAS BATAAN remained in Japan and took part in deployments to repatriate allied Prisoners of War and civilians held by Japanese since 1941. On release from this duty the ship returned to Sydney and carried out normal Fleet duties until August 1940 when she was deployed for service with UN Naval Force off Korea in support of military operations against the North Korean invasion. This destroyer carried out two tours in UN deployment off Korea and was nominated for conversion to and Anti-submarine escort destroyer in 1952. On completion of the modifications which included changes in armament, fit of an anti-submarine mortar (SQUID) and replacement of foremast with a lattice structure, the ship resumed Fleet service in 1954. She was deployed in her new role for exercises with RNZN ships and multi-national exercises with ships of SEATO in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. Paid-off into Reserve in 1960.she was placed on the Disposal List in 1962 and sold to a Japanese ship-breaker for demolition  in February 1963. Finally taken in tow to the breakers yard later that year.