HMAS Nepal: Fleet destroyer (Men and Ships at War)

The only complete history of Australia's World War II fleet destroyer, HMAS Nepal.

This book is a description of the service during World War II of the Australian fleet destroyer, HMAS Nepal, including the period when Allan's great-uncle, Bobby Forbes, was a crew member.

The period 1939-43 is the focus of Part One of this book, the time when Bobby Forbes served on HMAS Nepal; a chameleon destroyer, ever changing in form and identity. Laid down in the first week of the War, HMAS Nepal was the last of the N Sub-class destroyers to commission into the Australian Navy. After working up with the Home Fleet she spent time in the north Atlantic Ocean. This book looks at the question of why HMAS Nepal was not awarded the battle honour ‘ATLANTIC 1939-43’.

HMAS Nepal transferred to the Indian Ocean, spending most of the War there. The year 1943 is an appropriate interregnum in the story of HMAS Nepal. Firstly, Bobby Forbes left the ship in late 1942. Secondly, HMAS Nepal’s service was more focused upon the war against Japan. Insights are provided on the Disruption phase of the Australian Campaign that commenced after September 1942.

In Part Two of the book, the War took her from the coast of Madagascar, protecting convoys from Japanese submarines, to attacking Japanese positions and installations in Burma, Java and Sumatra, then to the Okinawa Campaign – the largest amphibious assault of the Pacific War – and finally to supporting attacks upon the Japanese mainland. She had the honour of being the first Australian Navy ship to berth in Tokyo Harbour after the surrender ceremony. HMAS Nepal survived all of this without a single loss to the crew.

Up until early 1943, HMAS Nepal had been a chameleon. During 1943 she established a reputation as a truly Australian fleet destroyer. By 1945 she was respected as one of Australia’s more capable, trusted and best led fleet destroyers of World War II.