Models Used by the Allies at Fremantle

When, in December 1941, the forces of Imperial Japan launched their overwhelming campaign into southeast Asia, the Port of Fremantle, isolated on the rim of the Indian Ocean, suddenly assumed tremendous importance to the allies and the enemy. After the fall of Singapore and the disastrous Battle of the Java Sea, sea routes in the northern Indian Ocean became almost unusable due to the wide-ranging sea and air forces that the Japanese could deploy there. Consequently, when the US Navy had to evacuate its bases at Cavite Bay, in the Philippines, the nearest safe port was Fremantle.

The submarine tender USS Holland arrived in Fremantle on 3 March 1942, along with the submarines Snapper, Sculpin, Seadragon, Sturgeon, Sargo and Stingray. The submarine tender USS Otus arrived on 10 March 1942. Almost immediately after Otus arrived the tenders were ordered to Albany as there was a fear of a Japanese attack, or even invasion, of northern Australia. After the last US forces in the Philippines surrendered, 6 May 1942, the tenders began moving up to Fremantle and a base was formally set up.

The US Navy Headquarters was situated in the Colonial Life Insurance building in Perth, and the old asylum became port headquarters. The six US submarines were ordered out to patrol off Darwin, thus beginning Fremantle’s dual role of a haven for ships escaping the Japanese and a springboard from which attacks could be launched.

This collection of model warships belonged to the US Navy. The models were used to teach recognition of vessels coming into Fremantle Harbour and for strategic planning regarding ship movements during World War Two.

Crew aboard US Navy Submarine USS Raton in Fremantle Harbour 1943-1944.
Credit: Western Australian Museum