Print this page The Japanese Midget Submarine Attack on Sydney Harbour

On the night of 31 May 1942, three Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour on a daring mission to attack Allied warships. Their raid sparked one of the most dramatic wartime events ever experienced on Australian soil. This engaging course explores how the attack unfolded, the strengths and weaknesses of Sydney's harbour defences, and the tragic sinking of HMAS Kuttabul, which claimed the lives of 21 Allied sailors. Learn about the crews behind the mission, the desperate overnight search and counterattack, and the subsequent shelling of Sydney and Newcastle by Japanese submarines offshore. Although the raid achieved little military success, it profoundly changed Australia's perception of the war, shattering the belief that the mainland was beyond the reach of enemy attack. Discover the courage, controversy and lasting legacy of the night Sydney came under attack.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

COURSE RESOURCES

• A Very Rude Awakening by Peter Grose

COURSE OUTLINE

• The Situation prior to the Attacks
• Harbour Defences and Communications
• The Attacks
• Aftermath
• Summary

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Historical Realisation and Context ie war on the doorstep and Japanese tactical intent
• Events and Impact of the Night ie the sequence of events and human cost
• Defence Evolution ie flaws at the time