This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Japanese midget submarine attack upon Sydney Harbour.  In accordance with this, the Kuttabul Commemoration Project was established back in 2010 and a search made to locate a direct descendant of each and every allied sailor who lost his life that night.

WHEN:- On the 31st of May, 2012 a four hour Commemorative Sydney Harbour cruise will be conducted in support of Sydney Legacy.  Boarding time commences at 10.15am and the Sydney Harbour Cruise will conclude at 2.30pm

IMAGE RIGHT: The Kuttabul Commemoration 70th Anniversary Cruise is in support of Sydney Legacy .  As a result of the Japanese attack, 21 allied sailors lost their lives.  Legacy has been supporting the families of our servicemen who have paid the supreme sacrifice and we are asking that you support Legacy, so that their valuable work may continue.

WHERE:- Sydney Harbour.  It is hard to imagine that one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, was once a battlefield.  Special permission has been granted for our cruise boat to enter restricted Naval waters, so that an Official Wreath Laying Ceremony can take place on the water, near where the depot ship KUTTABUL was sunk and 21 allied sailors lost their lives.  We board this vessel at Wharf 9 in Darling Harbour.  Wharf 9 is just north of the Sydney Aquarium and is opposite the National Maritime Museum.

IMAGE LEFT: The luxury Sydney Harbour Cruise vessel operated by All Occasion Cruises will be the venue for this memorable event.

CRUISE VESSEL:- The luxury Sydney Harbour Cruise boat “Bella Vista” operated by All Occasion Cruises will provide the venue.  This vessel provides an open plan dining area where a sit down meal will be provided.  It also offers ample deck space to provide you with an uninterrupted view of the Official Wreath Laying Ceremony which will be conducted upon the water.

IMAGE RIGHT: The spacious interior of the Sydney Harbour Cruise vessel, “Bella Vista” which will be the venue for the Kuttabul Commemoration 70th Anniversary of the Japanese midget submarine attack.

COMMEMORATIVE EVENT:- This event was born through a need to make contact with a direct descendant of each and every allied sailor who lost his life on the night of the 31st May / 1st June during the dark days of 1942.  With the generous assistance of the geneology group “Find My Past Australisia” and “Genes Reunited”, the Kuttabul Commemoration Project began a two year search which has led them to this event.  Whilst we have not been successful for this particular anniversary, it is hoped that all twenty one sailors will be represented for the 75th Anniversary during 2017.

COST:- Price per head is $80.00  This includes a four hour Sydney Harbour Cruise, hot buffet lunch and unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks.  Tickets are very limited.  Please contact Gary Traynor on mobile 0449 692401 or email: customerservice@medalsgonemissing.com to secure your seats which are selling fast.

IMAGE LEFT: Without the invaluable assistance of Find My Past Australasia, the Kuttabul Commemoration Project would not have been so successful.

It is tragic when any person loses their life as a result of war.  What sets these men apart is they were billeted on a non-combat vessel in what was considered to be a relatively safe harbour.  Sadly, they form a unique group of men whose death came about as a direct result of enemy action upon the city of Sydney.  Unlike Darwin and other mainland cities which suffered multiple attacks, Sydney was only raided once by manned attack craft.

IMAGE RIGHT:- Genes Reunited has assisted the organisers of the Kuttabul Commemoration Project to trace down the direct descendants of the men who were killed aboard KUTTABUL during the Japanese midget submarine attack upon Sydney Harbour.  However the work is not over yet!  If you are a descendant of one of these men, please contact the Project Manager Gary Traynor through this website.  We are still looking for descendants in preparation for the 75th Anniversary in 2017.

KUTTABUL – THE HISTORY:- Reknown historian, author and Kuttabul expert, Steven L. CARRUTHERS will be on board the “Bella Vista” and will narrate the history as the cruise unfolds.  Steven is the author of the historical accounts ‘Australia Under Seige’ and ‘Japanese Submarine Raiders 1942 – A Maritime Mystery’.

IMAGE LEFT: Historian and author Steven L. CARRUTHERS.  Having written two books on the Japanese midget submarine attack upon Sydney Harbour, Steven’s research into this subject is what other historians refer to when studying this action.

Steven has served in the Royal Australian Navy as an anti-submarine specialist and worked within Sydney Harbour as a NSW Fisheries officer, tagging abalone for a research project.  He then served as a commercial diver in the North Sea, Nigeria and West Africa.

IMAGE RIGHT: Steven’s first book on the Kuttabul and Japanese midget submarine attack upon Sydney Harbour was ‘Australian Under Siege’.  This book was the first book to deal with this attack and the response from veterans and eye witnesses was overwhelming.

As a result of the additional evidence which was presented to Steven after the release of his book, ‘Australia Under Siege’, he was further challenged to expand on this story and offer new information which was not previously available.  This further evidence resulted in the release of his second book which was titled ‘Japanese Submarine Raiders 1942 – A Maritime Mystery’.

IMAGE LEFT: ‘Japanese Submarine Raiders 1942 – A Maritime Mystery’.  This book by Steven L. Carruthers came about as a result of additional information supplied to him by veterans and eye witnesses to the Japanese midget submarine attack.

Do you wish to know more about the Kuttabul Commemoration Project?  Or do you wish to attend the Kuttabul Commemoration 70th Anniversary Sydney Harbour Cruise?  Please contact the Project Manager, Gary Traynor to secure your tickets.

OVERVIEW:-

TIME & DATE: Thursday 31st of May, 2012.  Boarding time is 10.15am at Wharf 9 – Darling Harbour (near the Sydney Aquarium on the ‘city’ side of Darling Harbour).  Wharf 9 is opposite the National Maritime Museum.

COST: Price is $80.00 per head.  Includes a four hour Sydney Harbour Cruise.  Hot buffet lunch & unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks.

NON PROFIT ORGANISATION: The Kuttabul Commemoration 70th Anniversary Sydney Harbour Cruise is a NOT FOR PROFIT event in support of Sydney Legacy; a registered charity.  Any other cruise which is being conducted in the name of Kuttabul and the Japanese midget submarine attack is a commercial venture and not in support of Legacy.

OFFICIAL WREATH LAYING: This is the only commemorative event which will lay a wreath on the water, near where Kuttabul was sunk during the Japanese midget submarine attack of 1942.  Special permission has been granted by the Royal Australian Navy to enter restricted naval waters so that the vessel can stand close to the position where Kuttabul went down with the loss of 21 allied lives.

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK: Look us up on face book by searching under the words KUTTABUL COMMEMORATION PROJECT.

KUTTABUL NEWSLETTER: We have produced monthly newsletters which historical facts and eye witness accounts.  Many stories previously unpublished.  If you wish to receive these newsletters, please contact Project Manager Gary Traynor who would be happy to email any back issues to you.

It is very satisfying when you play an instumental part in solving a mystery. What is even more enjoyable is when you solve that mystery with a group of friends.

An excursion along the Kokoda Track as part of the 2010 Anzac Day Commemorations, solved a mystery for me – however it has also opened a whole new range of possibilities in relation to the identity of a particular Japanese aircraft which met it’s demise on the ridge above Isurava, in Papua New Guinea.

IMAGE RIGHT: Kokoda Historical trekker, Andrew Hirst holding the Type 92 Machine Gun from the Alola Museum during a trek in October, 2008. When I first saw this relic in 2002, I formed the opinion that it may have been a surplus Australian Lewis Gun (originally manufactured for aircraft mounting) pressed into service during 1942 as a result of a shortage of automatic weapons.

When I first trekked along the Kokoda Track in 2002, I took interest in a relic condition machine gun, which looked for all intents and purposes to be a British Lewis Gun. History buffs amongst you may be able to picture a British fighter aircraft of World War One, which sported a Lewis Gun of this type – mounted on the upper wing of their aircraft. This particular type of Lewis Gun for aircraft use was devoid of the aluminium metal “sleeve” which encased the cooling vents along the barrel of the standard Lewis. I assumed that the gun was a ‘surplus’ weapon, which had been pressed into action during those dark days of 1942 when there may have been a shortage of automatic weapons. Indeed, with the AIF deployed in the Middle East being supplied most of the latest equipment (such as Bren Guns) – the Militia troops were initially issued with World War One era Lewis Guns (the 49th Infantry Battalion which initially garrisoned Port Moresby, were later brought up to Brigade strength and reinforced by the 53rd Infantry Battalion and the famous 39th Infantry Battalion, A.M.F) In fact, there is ample evidence to support the fact that the 39th Militia Battalion used their Lewis Guns to good effect in their initial confrontation with the Japanese near Awala ….. and throughout their actions at Kokoda Station, Deniki and Isurava.

IMAGE LEFT: A close-up of the Type 92 Machine Gun, showing the over-sized trigger guard – to enable access to the trigger whilst wearing gloves for temperatures at altitude. Note how a crack has formed between the actual trigger guard and the pistol grip. Evidence (combined with the ‘bent’ gun barrel) to support the suggestion that this gun was on board an aircraft which was subject of a crash. (Photo taken October, 2008)

I had long since known of the crash site of a Japanese aircraft, above Isurava. Initial reports suggested that this aircraft was a Mitsubishi A6M2 ‘Zero’ fighter, however I had also heard rumour of it being a ‘Val’ Dive Bomber. It was not until September of 2008 that I finally found time to visit this crash site; which is off the beaten track and up a very steep climb on the ridge between “wartime” Isurava and “current” Isurava Village.

  The Medals Gone Missing Administrator with Kokoda Historical Trekkers: – Harry Cizerle, Jared Williams, Dale Cairney and Captain Josh Hawes (Australian Army) at the scene of the Japanese crash site in September, 2008. By this time, Bill James’ wonderful “Field Guide to the Kokoda Track” was in print and page 365 of the first edition recorded this aircraft type as being an Aichi D3A ‘Val’ dive bomber. 

IMAGE RIGHT: The crash site is in such a position that not all Kokoda Trekking companies are able to visit it (especially those on a tight time schedule). The climb is very steep and arduous, but the wreck is a very satisfying reward for aircraft buffs who make the climb. Trekking companies Kokoda Historical (David Howell) and Komplete Kokoda (Soc Kienzle) are two companies which make every effort to take trekkers to this location (time and fitness permitting). So whilst I became a regular visitor to the crash site after October of 2008, I did not make the correlation between this aircraft wreck – and the “Lewis Gun” at the Alola Museum until nearly two years later. 

 IMAGE LEFT: A close-up photo of the receiver and magazine mounting – leaving no doubt as to the ‘Lewis Gun design’ of a top mounted drum magazine, fed weapon. A stainless steel post is also seen, protruding from the left hand side of the weapon. Clearly proving that this machine gun was mounted to an aircraft. (Photo taken October, 2008)

So it was not until my trek with the April “Anzac Day” group of 2010 that a vital piece of the ‘jigsaw’ was located by our intrepid Papuan guide, Kila Amuli. Whilst inspecting the wreckage, Kila unsuspectingly lifted a piece of aluminium which revealed an intact and unfired round (bullet) in the mud. Handing this round to me, I immediately assessed it to be a British .303 “rimmed” round……which did not seem to make sense amongst a Japanese aircraft wreck. A further search in the mud where the bullet was found, revealed a “drum” magazine which I immediately considered to be that of a British Lewis Gun. With a bit of thought, I remembered the “bent out of shape” barrel of the Lewis Gun at the Alola museum. As Alola and Isurava are not far apart as the crow flies, I considered it highly possible that the Alola Museum gun had in fact been pilfered from this aircraft wreck. Either that, or the gun had been thrown from the aircraft (possibly in a bid by the crew to reduce weight?) prior to the plane colliding with the hilltop. As virtually nothing about this aircraft is known – what caused it to crash is still a mystery. There is NO evidence to suggest that it was shot down and there are certainly no known claims of it being brought down by Australian ground fire during the Kokoda campaign. Two possibilities exist ….. that it was low on fuel (which supports the possibility that the machine gun was thrown overboard above Alola to lighten the weight) but more likely, is the possibility that the aircraft was enveloped in thick cloud and struck the hillside (the pilot misjudging his height). Regardless of this speculation, I thought that perhaps the Lewis Gun had been captured by the Japanese in a previous conquest (such as Singapore) and the gun adapted for Japanese use. At this time, I was unaware that the Japanese had produced a 7.7 calibre rimmed round – which is virtually identical to the British .303 round and I was unaware of the Type 92 Machine Gun. 

 IMAGE RIGHT: The Japanese Type 92 drum magazine which is virtually identical to that of the British Lewis Gun. Whilst it is heavily corroded, the mud had stuck to some surfaces of the magazine and subsequently when this mud was removed – traces of “blueing” were still evident on the metal. Photo courtesy of Kokoda Historical trekkers Warrant Officer Michael Scott (R.A.A.F) and Emma Withnell taken during April 2010.

Whilst the magazine and it’s contents were in a badly corroded state, it was not until one particular round with a relatively clear primer caught my eye. This round clearly showed the stamping “7.7″ which confirmed it’s Japanese origin. Upon my return to Australia, research into Nippon weapons of the Second World War indicated that the Japanese did in fact copy the British Lewis Gun and designated it the Type 92 Light Machine Gun. So the mystery of the Alola Museum gun, is a mystery no more and it is extremely likely that this machine gun and the drum magazine are from the same aircraft. 

 IMAGE LEFT: Some ‘live’ 7.7 calibre rimmed rounds can still be seen inside the magazine. Photo courtesy of Warrant Officer Michael Scott (R.A.A.F) and Emma Withnell, taken during April 2010.

Justin Tynan who is the administrator of the U.S. based website “Pacific Wrecks” is an expert on Japanese aircraft. Whilst the find completely eliminates the possibility of the crash site being a A6M2 Zero fighter (which carried no hand held weapons, such as the Type 92) …. a second mystery came to light. The serial number of ’5194′ is in fact a “Mitsubishi” manufacturer serial number. The Val (D3A) was made by Aichi ….. and not Mitsubishi. So does this rule out the aircraft being a Val dive bomber? The number 5194 can be attributed to two Mitsubishi types:- a G4M “Betty” bomber and a G3M “Nell”. Justin states the unlikeliness of it being a pre-war ‘Nell’ bomber. So that leaves us with the possibility of this aircraft wreck being a G4M ‘Betty’. However, there is clearly not enough wreckage at this site alone, for it to be a twin engined Betty bomber. Is it possible that there is further wreckage somewhere in the hills, yet to be found? The Betty was certainly armed with a number of Type 92 machine guns. So it is not conclusive at this time, what type of aircraft this wreck in fact is. 

 IMAGE RIGHT: The piece of aircraft wreckage bearing the serial number ’5194′ (Image taken in September of 2008 – prior to the “Lewis gun” magazine being found). This piece of wreckage bearing the number 5194 was still present at the wreck in September, 2010. It is the only piece located at this time that bears such a serial number. Pacific Wrecks Administrator Justin Tynan is still investigating this wreck site to confirm the aircraft type.

So with the find of a missing piece of militaria – in the form of a Type 92 drum magazine …… it is very likely that the mystery of the Alola Museum “Lewis Gun” has now been solved. The question of “how did this type of machine gun end up in a World War Two jungle battlefield?” can possibly be put down to a Japanese aircraft, which met it’s demise in a crash near Isurava.

However …… exactly what type of aircraft – crashed into this hillside ??….. is still yet to be determined. The search for the truth continues 

IMAGE RIGHT: The Aichi D3A “Val” Dive Bomber. This aircraft was only a two seater and the Type 92 machine gun in question would have been operated by the gunner who sat behind the pilot.

IMAGE RIGHT: The much larger Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” bomber which had a crew of seven would have had four of these Type 92 machine guns, 2 x mounted in blisters or port holes, on each side of the aircraft fuselage, one gun in the nose and one gun on the dorsal portion behind the cockpit. A 20mm (Type 99) canon was mounted in the tail of the aircraft.

Wish to know more about the Type 92 Machine Gun? Please Click Here to this link on Wikipedia.

Wish to see this Machine Gun and aircraft wreck for yourself? Please Click Here to visit the Kokoda Historical website and Click Here to visit the Komplete Kokoda website.

My acknowledgement goes out to Justin Tynan of Pacific Wrecks for his keen interest and determination to help solve this mystery. Justin’s excellant website can be viewed by Clicking Here