Koolama Incident, The
Bill Loane
Sold by Elizabeth's Bookshops, Fremantle, WA, Australia
AbeBooks Seller since 8 March 2001
Used - Soft cover
Condition: Used - Very good
Ships from Australia to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketSold by Elizabeth's Bookshops, Fremantle, WA, Australia
AbeBooks Seller since 8 March 2001
Condition: Used - Very good
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketAUSTRALIAN MILITARY -Â 165 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, port. ; 30 cm. First Edition. Signed by Author (Inscription.) #0418 / 0920 / 160523 /190624/160826On 20 February 1942 the Koolama was attacked by Japanese bombers off Cape Ruilhieres, approximately 150 kilometres west of Wyndham while carrying 91 passengers, 89 crew and a cargo of war supplies destined for the Australian Army at Wyndham. It was the first aerial attack by the Japanese in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The Japanese flew a total of 22 air attacks in the Kimberley region from bases in Timor between 20 February 1942 and July 1944, including five raids on Broome that destroyed 23 aircraft and resulted in the loss of some 100 lives.The Koolama was damaged in the attack and though partially disabled, was able to be beached nearby in what is now known as Koolama Bay. Fortunately no lives were lost though some passengers and crew were wounded in the attack. The Koolama was bombed again the next day, but was able to send radio SOS signals. However the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese on 19 February delayed an official rescue response to this remote area.Meanwhile the 180 passengers and crew were landed among the mangroves at Pangali Cove, where the local Kwini people found them and sent messages via runners between Pago Mission and the survivorsâ camp, separated by 80 kilometres of rough country . The Pago Mission lugger arrived on 24 February and took away the sick, wounded, women and an infant with his parents a few days after the bombing. A seaplane arrived on 3 March and was able to evacuate a further 25 survivors. The remaining 93 survivors walked to Pago Mission guided by Kwini people. During this stage two Kwini men risked their lives to cross the flooding Drysdale River, run to Pago Mission and return with a rope to help the survivors across (Balanggarra Native Title Working Group).With the large number of extra people stretching resources at Pago Mission the decision was made to walk everyone another 30 kilometres to the airstrip at Kalumburu Mission for evacuation, during which time one crew member died of heatstroke. Most of the passengers and crew arrived at Fremantle on 8 April, 47 days after the initial attack. Father Seraphim Sanz of Kalumburu Mission won laurels for his part in rescuing the stranded passengers and crew of the Koolama and bringing them to the mission in the Missionâ s lugger Moa.Meanwhile a skeleton crew stayed aboard the Koolama and after patching the hull and pumping out water on 1 March the Koolama was refloated and able to limp to Wyndham, where it arrived without steering and taking on water. Another Japanese attack on 3 March forced all hands to abandon ship and the Koolama was bombed and sunk at Wyndham wharf.This was a double blow as not only had a vital link between the northern and southern part of Western Australia been lost, but a strategically important waterway and port had been partially blocked causing disruption to shipping and supply of war materials.Difficult environmental conditions including strong tidal currents meant that the Koolama was never fully salvaged. A major salvage effort using over a hundred men (including helmet divers from Australia and India), plant and gear in 1946 succeeded in cutting holes in the shipâ s hull and pumping in compressed air, with the aim of raising the hull keel up and towing it several kilometres away from the wharf or out to sea to be scuttled. However this attempt only succeeded in moving the wreck 47 feet further out from the wharf and depositing it across the natural tidal flow of the Cambridge Gulf. The Koolama remains in this position today with the hull and part of its war cargo (mainly foodstuffs) intact. A multi-beam survey by the Department of Transport conducted in 2010 shows the wreck lying on its starboard side with the port side almost totally exposed and intact for the entire length of the hull, and the starboard side buried. The hull comes to with.
Seller Inventory # 41493
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diner's Card.
We are happy to answer enquiries re. postage costs, condition details, etc. prior to confirming order.
Prices quoted are plus postage.
DOMESTIC: Courier or "RED PARCEL POST" (unless "Express Post/ Overnight" is requested).
INTERNATIONAL: "AIR MAIL"
If books fall outside standard weight range, we will advise postage
for approval before charging credit card. Books dispatched within 24 hours of payment received.
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Elizabeth's Bookshops, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, +61 8 94333236, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
POSTAGE & PACKING DOMESTIC (Australia): Standard service (Default): Courier (1 - 3 days) or Red Parcel Post (7 - 12 days). Rates: From A$9.90 (500g) to A$ 13.50(3kgs) Priority Service: Courier or Express Post (delivery 1-3 days) From A$15.00 (500g) POSTAGE & PACKING INTERNATIONAL: Airmail(Default): Airmail ( 5 - 14 days) To US$30.00 (Up to 999g) For items outside this range, we will advise cost of postage for your approval before processing order. Note: Many hardcover books may exceed the ABE international standard postage rate. We will advise you re cost before processing your order.
| Order quantity | 14 to 45 business days | 8 to 14 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 38.42 | £ 53.93 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.