01)Extracts from short wave broadcast - Tokio: 9,14,28,29,30 April
& 15 May '43 - Attacks on Japanese Hospital Ships.
02)Memo (ref. 031811) 15 May '43 from T. J. Hawkins, Secretary, Dept.
Navy, Melbourne to Secretary, Defence Dept. - Advice received re
Centaur sinking from Mugford...Centaur proceeding to Cairns
03)Memorandum (ref. 031812) 15 May '43 from F. G. Cummins, Secretary,
Dept. Navy, Melbourne to Secretary, Defence Dept. - Ref. 031811
Mugford informs 54 men one woman - sunk by torpedoe
04)Memorandum (ref. 031814) 16 May '43 from F. G. Cummins, Secretary,
Dept. Navy, Melbourne to Secretary, Defence Dept. - Ref. 031812
report of sinking and rescue by Mugford including list of survivors -
a Col. English AAMC is mentioned
05)Outwards Teleprinter message (D 1402) 15h42 16 May '43 from
Secretary, Dept. Defence to Secretary, Prime Minister's Dept. - memo
from Navy relative sinking forwarded to PM who left Melbourne for
Canberra this a.m...
06)Inwards Teleprinter message (CS.1958) 15h55 16 May '43 from Mr.
Galbraith to Mr. Shedden - refers to BXC.384 Gen. MacArthur to P.M.
intent on announcing closs of Centaur Tuesday...delay to permit
notifcation next of kin.
07)Outwards Teleprinter message (M 2006) 16h13 16 May '43 from Mr.
Galbraith to Mr. Landau - refers to CS 1958 - two other memoranda
(D.1402) transmitted to P.M.'s Dept.
08)Memorandum 17 May '43 From F.G. Shedden to Seretary, Dept. Navy -
Acknowleges memo's 15 & 16 May re Centaur - re 031814 CinC SWPA
contemplating announcement...PM wants info re notification to
Japanese etc., ...re formation of a protest.
09)Memorandum 17 May '43 From F.G. Shedden to Seretary, Dept. Army -
Seeks observations of Dept. concerning...PM wants info re
notification to Japanese etc., ...re formation of a protest.
10)Teleprinter copy (M 2010) 17 May '43 From F.G. Shedden to Mr.
McLaughlin - Army may not be able to complete contacting all next of
kin by Tuesday...suggest to MacArthur to hold off making
announcement.
11)Inwards Teleprinter message (CS.1959) 14h14 17 May '43 to Mr.
Shedden from Prime Minister, Canberra - ...would like draft statement
for public release with communique.
12) Memorandum 17 May '43 From F.G. Shedden to Secretary, Dept. Navy
- After consultingwith Dept. of Army please forward draft statement
for communication to the PM.
13) Memorandum 17 May '43 From F.R. Sinclair, Secretary, Dept. of
Army, Melbourne to Secretary, Dept.of Defence - List of Army
personnel embarked and rescued according to Navy advice...personnel
statisticcs released for publication should state only that losses
totalled 226, including 11 nurses and 28 officers.
14)Memorandum (031922) 17 May '43 From Secretary, Dept. Navy,
Melborne to Secretary, Dept. of Defence - Response to memo 17 May '43
concerning notification of Centaur as HS to enemy powers in PM's
telegram No.24 25 Jan. '43...etc.,
15)Memorandum (031941) 17 May '43 From Mr. Hawkins, Secretary, Dept.
Navy, Melborne to Secretary, Dept. of Defence - copy of proposed
staement for the prime Minister
16)Inwards Teleprinter message (CS.1964) 10h13 17 May '43 to Mr.
Quealy from Mr. Galbraith - Defence secretartiat, Brisbane advises
notification by Col. Diller that Mr. Beasley mentioned the sinking in
a speach in Sydney today...hurry up with PM's release
17)Outwards Teleprinter message (MAB.247) 21h34 17 May '43 from
Secretary to Brisbane Secretariat - Message from PM to be transmitted
to McArthur re difficulty in notification of next off kin...as PM
proposes to make a statement concurrently with release of communique
advise when in a position to do so.
18) Outwards Teleprinter message (M. 2019) 21h46 17 May '43 from Mr.
Shedden to The Prime Minister - Refers to M 2010 no announcement
until notification next of kin finalized - re Protesting to Japanese
Govt...Navy info re notification to enemy powers ... all markings in
accordance with Geneva Convention...Delay announcement message for
MacArthur
19)Outwards Teleprinter message (M. 2020) 22h22 17 May '43 from Mr.
Shedden to The Prime Minister - Draft Press Statement prepared by
Naval authorities
20)Cablegram (No. 120) O.13256 17 May '43 to Secretary of State for
Dominion Affairs, London from Prime Minister - Refers to No.24 of 25
Jan '43 Ship sunk by torpedoe...furnish actual data of notification
to Japanese...
21)Cablegram (No. 109) No. 961/I.20556 17 May '43 recd 18 May '43
From Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, London to Prime
Minister - Refers to No.120 Berne, Switzerland informed 5 Feb '43 re
Centaur
22)Inwards Teleprinter message (BXM.363) 9h21 18 May '43 to The
Secretary from Brisbane Secretariat - Refers to MAB.247... Q.3877
received from MacArthur to Right Honorable John Curtin, Prime
Minister...Army will complete notification by 9 a.m. Tuesday...loss
of Centaur "will therefore wothout fail be carried in the official
communique releAsed by GHQ at 12 noon Tuesday
23)Inwards Teleprinter message (CS.1966 9h43 18 May '43 to Mr. Landau
from Mr. Galbraith - advise if O.K.to deliver to PM BXM.363 from
MacArthur...
24)Inwards Teleprinter message (No. 962) 10h10 18 May '43 to Mr.
Shedden from Col. Hodgson - ...preparing protest and amended press
statement for PM...refers to No. 109 from D.O. that Japan notified 5
Feb.
25)Outwards Teleprinter message (MAB - 250) 10h52 18 May '43 from
Secretary to Brisbane Secretariat - Messgae to be transmitted to Gen.
MacArthur refers to his Q.3877...Chiefs of Staff, Washington want
temporary suppression of publication re Centaur sinking
26)Letter (031994) from Secretary, Navy Dept. to Secretary, Defence
Dept. - paraphrase of emergency message addressed to Admiralty and
Aust. Comm. Naval Board by First Sea Lord at Washington for the
information of the Prime Minister
27)Outwards Teleprinter message (M-2026 ) 10h56 18 May '43 from Mr.
Shedden to The Prime Minister - Reference to BXM.363...PM informed of
Emergency message to Admiralty...info communicated to MacArthur
28)Outwards Teleprinter message (M-2027) 11h07 18 May '43 from Mr.
Shedden to Col. Hodgson - Reference to 962; BXM.363; MAB,250 &
M.2026 regarding postponment of announcement of loss of Centaur at
request of Chiefs of Staff Washington...army 257 embarkation, 31
rescued and 226 lost
29)Memorandum 18 May '43 from Mr. Shedden to Secretary, Dept. of Army
- copy of memorandum received from Dept. of Navy..paraphrase of
emergency message..
30)Inwards Teleprinter message (BXM.367) 11h40 18 May '43 to The
Secretary from Brisbane Secretariat - receipt of following from
MacArthur to The Right Honourable John Curtin, The Prime
Minister...as press have had news since its release by Mr. Beasley
yesterday p.m. in Sydney, it is impossible at this late hour to
suppress it
31)Inwards Teleprinter message (CS.1967) 11h50 18 May '43 to Mr.
Quealy fromMr. Galbraith - Advise delivery of BXM.367 to PM
32)Inwards Teleprinter message (M.2029) 11h57 18 May '43 from Mr.
Quealy to Mr. Galbraith - Convey BXM.367 to PM immediately. Telephone
him. Inform Hodgson.
33)Inwards Teleprinter message (BXM.368) 12h07 18 May '43 to The
Secretariat from Brisbane Secretariat - text of G.H.Q. SWPA
Communique No. 401, May 18, 1943...reports the sinking of Centaur
34)Inwards Teleprinter message (BXM.370) 17h14 18 May '43 to The
Secretary from Brisbane Secretariat - War correspondent Lee Van Atta
wants to know if the Aust. Govt. is considering a formal
protest...advise.
35)Teleprinter message (No. 967) 15h00 18 May '43 To Mr. Shedden from
Col. Hodgson - In view of BXM.367 from MacArthur, Prime Minister had
no option but to issue statement forthwith, as follows (text of
statement by PM 352 MacArthur used 363). PM approves terms of protest
but Hodgson holding unitl he is sure of the figure
36)Memorandum 18 May '43 From Mr. Shedden to The secretary, Dept. of
Navy - re sinking of Centaur immediate advice be furnished as to
correct figure of Naval and Army personnel
37)Teleprinter message (CS.1974) 17h57 18 May '43 for Secretary from
Defence Secretariat, Canberra - copy of message to Col. Diller from
Mr. Armstrong, Acting Press Secretary to PM...PM's 12h30 statement to
press and A.B.C. indicated 352 persons on board Centaur...figure in
communique was 363...kindly verify
38)Outwards Teleprinter message (D.1430) 18h05 18 May '43 to Col.
Hodgson from Mr. Shedden - Refers to No. 967...Naval authorities
advise 332 cirrect total...352 was error..no suggestion as to GHQ's
figure of 363.
39)Inwards Teleprinter message (CS.1975) 18h35 18 May '43 for The
Secretary from Defence Secretariat, Canberra - Reference to BXC.386
and Cable 161 verification of numbers being made...Figure in
Communique from Naval Officer in charge, Brisbane, who claims
accuracy
40)Outwards Teleprinter message (MAB,251) 18h45 18 May '43 to
Brisbane Secretariat from Secretary - text of PM's statement of today
forwarded to MacArthur...different figures noted...332 is figure
being used re protedt to Japanese
41)Cablegram (No. 73) 0.13401/13429 18 May '43 to Comm. Govt.
Accredited Rep., London from P.M. Curtin - text of protest to be made
to Japanese via Swiss
42)Letter (032303) 19 May '43 From A.R. Nankervis, Secretary,Dept of
the Navy to The Secretary, Defence Dept. - Explains how mix up in
figure count evolved...ammended figures are 65 Ship's Medical Staff;
192 Medical Unit;74 crew; and 1 Torres Strait pilot
43)Teleprinter message (BXM.374) 12h07 19 may '43 to The Secretary
from Brisbane Secretariat- message for PM recv'd from MacArthur re
MAB 251 figure of 332 " ...will be taken as the official record and
the communique of today will make the public correction."
44)Outwards Teleprinter message (M-2050) 12h25 19 May '43 to Mr.
Galbraith from Mr. Quealy - Reference to BXM 374 ... pass info to
Prime Minister and Col. Hodgson
45)Cablegram (No. 988/ I.29817) 19 May '43 from Aust. Govt. Trade
Commissioner, Wellington to PM's - Inquiry received regarding fate of
Charles LeBrun and Ron Isherwood. (attached note from Mr. Mulrooney
dated 5h31 19 May '43states Isherwood in hospital and LeBrun believed
drowned.)
46)Memorandum (S.M. 12353) 20 May '43 for The Secretary, Dept. of
Defence from Mr. F.R. Sinclair, Secretary, Dept. of the Army,
Melbourne - verification of surviving miltiary personnel 1 officer, 1
nurse, 32 other ranks, total 34...Dept. of the Navy concurs
47)Copy (MAB.254) 14h50 21 May '43 To Mr. T. P. Hoey, State Publicity
Censor, Melbourne - Copy of Murdoch article submitted at noon to
State Publicity Censor, title: Save the Hospital Ships. Important
Aspects of the "Centaur" Tragedy.
48)Cablegram (S.103) I.21189 SC.715 21 May '43 recd 22 May '43 from
Mr. Bruce, London for the Prime Minister - Refers to No. 73 18 May
'43 and No.302 ...Mr. Eden advises to leave out demand for punishment
of those responsible for attack in penultimate sentence of your
telegram
49)Cablegram (No. 77) I.13895 22 May '43 from PM's Dept. to Mr.
Bruce, London - Refers to No. S.103 and agrees in circumstances to
omission of the words mentioned
50)Inwards Teleprinter message (CS.2035) 11h33 24 May '43 for Mr.
Quealy from Mr. Landau - Draft list for discussions with Gen.
MacArthur ,1. message from First Sea Lord at Washington, 2. Inform
CinC of terms of protest lodged by Commonwealth, 3. Policy regarding
hospital ship "Manunda"
51)Letter 31 May "43 To Gen. MacArthur for his information the text
of the protest by Commonwealth Govt. to Japanese Gov't; agreement by
Gov't to deletion of demand for immediate punishment of those
responsible for the sinking of the Centaur.
52)Extract Advisory War Council Minute, Sydney 3 June '43 (1199)
Reports by the Chiefs of Staff of Operations (Navy) - In reply to Mr.
Spender A.A.S.C. personnel embarked Centaur as part of Field Amb.
Unit and carried rifles....drivers of Field Ambulances permitted to
carry arms..."Nr. Spender thought that false information may have
been sent to the enemy regarding the carriage of arms by personnel on
the "Centaur". The Prime Minister said his view was that the sinking
was due to the irresponsible action of the Commander of the enemy
submarine."
53)Advisory War Council Minute, Melbourne 16 June '43 (1203) Reports
by the Chiefs of Staff of Operations (Navy) - In reply to Mr. Fadden,
the Chief of the Naval Staff said there was no truth in the rumours
that Centaur had not ben notified to the enemy as a hospital
ship...
54)Letter 30 June '43 from P.C.Spender to P.M. Curtin - relates
contents of a communication forwarded by a constituent concerning a
rumour about Centaur...Brawl on a bus when a soldier stated the
Centaur was taking fighting troops to N.G. and deserved to be
sunk...a mother who lost 2 sons on Centaur took to the soldier with
"grief and rage". The constituent who reported this had an ill son
who returned on the Centaur the Saturday before she was sunk, with
another 160, all very bad.
55)Letter 2 July '43 from PM to Mr. Spender - acknowledges his 30
June letter...inquuiries being made.
56)Letter 2 July '43 from PM to Hon. F,M, Forde, Minister of the Army
- PM forwards Spender's letter and asks the Minister to examine and
report back ASAP.
57)Letter 14 Jan '44 from Mr. A.J. Wilson, Secretary, Dept. of
Defence to General MacArthur - Protest by Japanese over alleged
attcks on their hsopital ships...precise terms of the reply to the
Japanese Gov't are still under discussion with U.S. Gov't...a protest
regarding further attacks has been recv'd by UK Gov't via
Swiss...comments on further protests sought. (Text of protest by
Japanese attached)
58)Cablegram (No. 244) I.51612, SC.900 25 Dec. '43 15H08 recvd 26
Dec. '43 from Mr. Bruce, London to Prime Minister - Refers to
telegram No. 73 of 18 May '43 - Response of Japanese to Australian
protest over the sinking of the Centaur