Wagga HMAS

HMAS Wagga was one of sixty Australian Minesweepers (commonly known as corvettes) built during World War II in Australian shipyards as part of the Commonwealth Government's wartime shipbuilding programme. Twenty were built on Admiralty order but manned and commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy. Thirty six (including Wagga) were built for the Royal Australian Navy and four for the Royal Indian Navy.
HMAS Wagga was laid down on 8 March 1942 at Morts Dock and Engineering Co Ltd, Sydney. She was launched on 25 July 1942 by Mrs HE Gissing, Mayoress of Wagga, and commissioned at Sydney on 18 December 1942 under the command of Lieutenant Donald K Cracknell RANR(S).
Wagga began her seagoing career in January 1943, escorting convoys on the east coast of Australia. In mid January she unsuccessfully searched for survivors of the steamer Kalingo which had been sunk by a Japanese submarine off the New South Wales coast on 18 January.
In March 1943 Wagga transferred to Queensland waters. Later that month she extended her escort duties to the forward areas in New Guinea. There she supported Operation LILLIPUT, which involved the transhipment of troops and supplies to Oro Bay for the reinforcement and development of the Buna-Gona area. Operation LILLIPUT began in December 1942 and concluded in June 1943.