Description

Title: AE1 Entombed But Not Forgotten

Author: Foster, John

Condition: Mint

Edition: 1st Edition

Publication Date: 2006

ISBN: 187643953X

Cover: Hard Cover without Dust Jacket (Laminated Boards) – 121 pages

Comments: The detailed history of Submarine AE1 in World War 1.

HMAS AE1 (originally known as just AE1) was an E-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was the first submarine to serve in the RAN, and was lost at sea with all hands near East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, on 14 September 1914, after less than seven months in service. The wreck of the submarine has never been found.

At the outbreak of World War I, AE1, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Thomas Besant, RN, was sent to capture German New Guinea as part of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force. With her sister ship AE2, she took part in the operations leading to the occupation of the German territory, including the surrender of Rabaul on 13 September 1914. The submarine’s involvement was recognised following an overhaul of the RAN battle honours system in 2010: AE1 retroactively received the honour “Rabaul 1914”.

At 07:00 on 14 September, AE1 departed Blanche Bay, Rabaul, to patrol off Cape Gazelle with HMAS Parramatta. When she had not returned by 20:00, several ships were dispatched to search for her. No trace of the submarine was ever found, and she was listed as lost with all hands. It is probable that she was wrecked on a reef or other submerged object. As well as LCDR Besant, 2 other officers and 32 sailors were lost in this disaster. The disappearance was Australia’s first major loss of World War I.

Includes the profiles of the men of AE1 who paid the supreme sacrifice in World War One.