War - Ww2 - Kamikaze Attack On The Hmas Australia Ii At Leyte Gulf Poem by Paul Warren

'People of the Phillippines, I have returned, ' said General Douglas MacArthur
As the Americans landed their army on the beaches of Leyte Gulf as masters
Of the Japanese on the afternoon of 20 October 1944 fulfilling his promise
He had been away for two and a half years preparing his forces without miss

The HMAS Australia II was the flagship of the Royal Australian Navy in these years
And had been fighting across the world since the beginning of the war without fear
Captain Emile Dechaineux had taken command of the ship as a popular man
As the Australia took part in the Philippines invasion under American command

It was Trafalgar Day the 21st of October,1944, and they were in the Leyte Gulf battle
With other Australians, the Shropshire, Warramunga and Arunta showing their mettle
Admiral Onishi Takajiro had announced the formation of a new attack unit the tokkotai
The infamous kamikaze suicide bombers in an attempt to keep the Allies at bay

At 6.05 am the HMAS Australia weighed anchor to support the ground forces ashore
A Val dive bomber appeared between the Shropshire and Australia and did draw
Fire from both ships retiring westward away from the ships, hit but still airborne
The Val dipped its wing into the sea, recovered turning east toward the ships borne

The anti-aircraft fire was heavy as the Val passed to the port side of Australia
Until it crashed in the foremast of the ship when it appeared the attack was a failure
In its attack the cannon fire from the Val made casualties along the deck of the ship
Then the fuel tank exploded showering the bridge with burning fuel as it ended its trip

There were heavy casualties including Captain Dechaineux who was at his station
He was seated with a large wound to his stomach and burns needing attention
During his ordeal he continually asked about his sailors in concern that didn't fade
There were officers and ratings killed and wounded in this fierce attack made

The medical officers on the HMAS Australia worked on the wounded men
With a number of them died during the day including the gallant captain
So this attack has been debated since whether it was the first kamikaze attack
But what mattered in the end was the bravery of the HMAS Australia in fighting back.

© Paul Warren Poetry