The Chook report – HMAS Perth Regatta
Reporter: Hei Hei the chicken
Today I’m reporting from Nedlands Yacht Club at the 63rd HMAS Perth regatta which commemorates HMAS Perth and USS Houston in WW2.
I Asked MBSC Sailor Damien Smith When was World War 2 and what war it about?, “Depends who you ask, Empire of Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and Second Sino-Japanese War 1937, The Third Reich and USSR invaded Poland in 1939. In 1941 the Japanese launched simultaneous attacks at Pearl harbour and the Philippines then headed South towards the Dutch east Indies and Australia.” What would have happened if imperial Japan got to Australia? “You’d be sushi” so these ships stopped the Japanese invasion? “No.”
As this chicken is clearly not sushi I began looking for answers, I asked Lorelei who she was sailing for? (each crew given a name before the race) “Harry Lambden”, what happened to him? “He died on HMAS Perth”
Damien Smith seeing this chook’s horrified look continued, “The remaining American, Commonwealth and Dutch naval ships in the area formed a task force to stop the Japanese invasion fleet reaching what’s now Indonesia. Suffice to say what is known as the battle of the Java Sea did not go well. USS Houston and HMAS Perth, low on ammunition and fuel, tried to make their escape to the southeast through the Sunda Straight unfortunately, running into a Japanese invasion fleet consisting of 50 ships. Fighting literally until they ran out of ammunition HMAS Perth was destroyed when hit by four long lance torpedoes with USS Houston being taken out a few moments later.” Confused, I asked “So these guys totally lost the battle, and this event is their honour?” Mr Smith nodded,“ It would have been horrible, those that survived ended up as forced labour with many succumbing to disease and starvation.”
Turning to Lorelei I asked, “You and your father only got second over the line, do you think Harry would be disappointed?” No, Dad and I talked about this. Harry would have wanted kids in the future to enjoy our lives without worrying about if dad is in gaol for disagreeing with the government or being prepared for some dumb war, like in Russia.“ Her Dad continued, “In 1941 U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt gave his four freedoms speech, committing to a world where freedom including freedom from want and freedom from fear itself exists everywhere, Harry and his mates paid for our freedoms, including freedom to participate in this little boat race some 80 years later. I’m sure they would be delighted by this commemoration and the society they would find in Australia today.”
Still trying to understand the purpose this regatta I asked, “Are you saying what happened in World War Two means this chicken can be an idiot cock rather than sushi?” “…… yes Hei Hei, for you in particular it’s the freedom to be an idiot….”
MBSC would like to apologise for the subsequent behaviour of Hei Hei the chicken. “You can’t leap beak first into someone elses drink”, said Ms Davidson, MBSC Commodore, “This is not a sharpie event” she continued. Hei Hei will receive counselling and is restricted to mid strength until further
notice.