On the night of May 31, 1942, three Japanese midget submarines launched from a fleet of five larger Japanese subs and raided Sydney Harbor. Prior to completing their mission, two of the subs were spotted and attacked in the Harbor, but one of the subs -- the M24, which attacked HMAS Kattabul, killing 21 sailors -- was never found. Some people believe the sub slipped out of the harbor after the attack. However, historians have long argued about whether it managed to make an escape.
Recently, divers exploring Sydney's northern beaches discovered a wreck -- complete with the the remains of two crewmen. The divers asked the head of the Royal Australian Navy's heritage collection, Commander Shane Moore, to verify it. According to Moore, "It can only be the M24." Reportedly sitting on its keel on the sand, the divers who discovered the wreck said they hoped the Japanese government would agree to raise it, as it's an important part of WWII history.
1. That's amazing. If I recall correctly, the submarine that was fired on by the USS Ward just before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a midget sub of this class as well.
Posted at 1:54PM on Nov 27th 2006 by El Payo