Was HMAS Canberra a victim of friendly fire?

Discussion in 'World War 2' started by spidge, Oct 21, 2007.

  1. spidge

    spidge Active Member

    http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CA-Canberra.htm

    [FONT=&quot]August[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] 7th Deployed on patrol off Talus with FMAS [/FONT][FONT=&quot]AUSTRALIA[/FONT][FONT=&quot], USS CHICAGO and two destroyers[/FONT][FONT=&quot] of US Navy.[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] 9th In action with Japanese cruisers CHOKAI, AOLOA, KAKO, KINUGASA and[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] FURUTAKI south of[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Savo[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Island[/FONT][FONT=&quot] whilst in low state of readiness.[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] Set on fire and received major damage after repeated hits by 5" shells and by four torpedoes. 84 of ship's company were killed.[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] Sunk by USS ELLET in position 09.15s 159.04E.[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] (Note: The circumstances and details of loss of this ship are the subject of a great[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] deal of controversy. Two official enquiries were held by RAN and a post-war[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] US Defence Department study also included this action.[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] SHAME OF SAVO published in [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Australia[/FONT][FONT=&quot] contends that the ship was in fact[/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] sunk by a US Navy destroyer. [/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot] There is substantial reason to judge that the sinking has not been explained fully.[/FONT]
     
  2. Antipodean Andy

    Antipodean Andy New Member

    Given the confusion of the night, nothing would surprise me. Would be interesting to know her heading, where the perceived threat was and where the other Allied ships were supposed to be...and what side she was hit by the fish on. Must do some more reading!
     

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