Naval conflicts take place often far from our shores. Ships and men
sometimes disappear to leave only mystery in their wake. In the 1990s
the Royal Australian Navy broke with tradition and for the first time
named six submarines after naval heroes. This book shows the true depths
of their achievements. These were men whose warrior exploits stand
alongside those of any other nations. But they have been largely
unrecognized, save for those submarines.
Captain Hec Waller, for example, fought to the end in HMAS Perth,
alongside fellow cruiser HMAS Houston. The Houston's Captain Rooks was
deservedly awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, America's highest
honor. Captain Waller, by comparison, was given distinction, but not of
the highest rank. Should he have been given the Victoria Cross?
Other heroes stand alongside him:
Emile Dechaineux, hero of Dunkirk and the North Sea, battling it out
against Japanese Kamikaze attack.
John Collins, taking HMAS Sydney to victory against Italian cruisers.
Hal Farncomb - the first Australian to command an aircraft carrier, in
action off the French coast.
But The Submarine Six also examines whether two more of its men
deserve futher honor:
Teddy Sheean, tenacious gunner from Tasmania, fought to the end in HMAS
Armidale.
Robert Rankin commanded HMAS Yarra against fearful odds, dying in
defense of his convoy, attacked by overwhelming Japanese forces.
Are they also VC candidates?
