Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said
Australians should today reflect on the 75
th
anniversary of the sinking of the HMAS
Parramatta II
and the lives lost.
Of the ships’ full complement of 162, 138 Australians died and 24
survived when the HMAS Parramatta II
was sunk off the Libyan coast while escorting a merchant
ship supplying ammunition to the besieged garrison at
Tobruk in 1941.
Parramatta II was hit by a torpedo
fired from German submarine U559, causing it to
sink within minutes.
“The Parramatta II had been
instrumental in securing safe passage for the supply of
fuel and food to besieged Allied troops at Tobruk before
it was sunk,” Mr Tehan said.
“Today we remember the service and the sacrifice of
the crew of the Parramatta II, as well as the
more than one million Australians who have served our
country since Federation.”
Minister Tehan’s
Office: Byron Vale, 0428 262 894
Department of
Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203
