Bombing of Newcastle
· On 8th June, 1942, the City of Newcastle was shelled by a Japanese submarine I-21.
· At about 2.15 am on 8 June 1942, Japanese submarine I-21 under the command of Captain Kanji Matsumura, shelled Newcastle in New South Wales. I-21 had travelled across Stockton Bight and positioned itself about 9 kms north east of Newcastle. I-21 travelled eastwards firing almost directly across the stern of the submarine. Their orders were to shell the Newcastle shipyards at Carrington. It is possible that it may have also targeted the BHP Works at Kooragang Island, Fort Scratchley and a large BHP-owned iron ore bulk carrier ship, the "Iron Knight" (4,812 tons), which was moored at the steelworks docks.
· The Japanese gun crew broke out 20 shells (5.5" shells) from the ready locker. They also brought up another 14 rounds from the armoury below decks. 8 of the shells were "illuminators" or "star shells". All 34 shells were fired at Newcastle. After 13 minutes of firing, the guns at Fort Scratchley returned fire with 4 rounds. I-21 continued firing for another 3 minutes until all 34 shells had been fired.
· The shelling caused minimal damage and no casualties.
· Several shells landed in Newcastle Harbour, some exploded in a fountain of water whilst the rest sank to the bottom where they still remain.
· There were no deaths and only two casualties sustained during the bombing of Newcastle. Two men who were running across Parnell Place (the suburb next to the fort). One of the men got hit by shrapnel and the other man was knocked over and received gravel rash.
· The shells fired at Newcastle landed over a very wide area, one almost hit the BHP steelworks (Newcastle’s biggest industry at this time), many landed in the area around Fort Scratchley, some were found as far as the south west side of Nobbys Head, many are still being recovered from the harbour.
· On 8th June, 1942, the City of Newcastle was shelled by a Japanese submarine I-21.
· At about 2.15 am on 8 June 1942, Japanese submarine I-21 under the command of Captain Kanji Matsumura, shelled Newcastle in New South Wales. I-21 had travelled across Stockton Bight and positioned itself about 9 kms north east of Newcastle. I-21 travelled eastwards firing almost directly across the stern of the submarine. Their orders were to shell the Newcastle shipyards at Carrington. It is possible that it may have also targeted the BHP Works at Kooragang Island, Fort Scratchley and a large BHP-owned iron ore bulk carrier ship, the "Iron Knight" (4,812 tons), which was moored at the steelworks docks.
· The Japanese gun crew broke out 20 shells (5.5" shells) from the ready locker. They also brought up another 14 rounds from the armoury below decks. 8 of the shells were "illuminators" or "star shells". All 34 shells were fired at Newcastle. After 13 minutes of firing, the guns at Fort Scratchley returned fire with 4 rounds. I-21 continued firing for another 3 minutes until all 34 shells had been fired.
· The shelling caused minimal damage and no casualties.
· Several shells landed in Newcastle Harbour, some exploded in a fountain of water whilst the rest sank to the bottom where they still remain.
· There were no deaths and only two casualties sustained during the bombing of Newcastle. Two men who were running across Parnell Place (the suburb next to the fort). One of the men got hit by shrapnel and the other man was knocked over and received gravel rash.
· The shells fired at Newcastle landed over a very wide area, one almost hit the BHP steelworks (Newcastle’s biggest industry at this time), many landed in the area around Fort Scratchley, some were found as far as the south west side of Nobbys Head, many are still being recovered from the harbour.
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