MV Krait

MV ''Krait'' is a wooden-hulled vessel famous for its use in World War II by the Z Special Unit (Z Force) of Australia in the raid against Japanese ships anchored in Singapore Harbour. The raid was known as Operation Jaywick.

''Krait'' is on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) in Sydney.

History

''Krait'' was originally a Japanese fishing vessel based in Singapore named ''Kofuku Maru''. Following the outbreak of war, the ship was captured by the American destroyer USS ''Edsall'' and used to evacuate over 1,100 people from ships sunk along the east coast of Sumatra. The ship eventually reached Australia via Ceylon and India in 1942, and was handed over to the Australian military. In Australian service, she was renamed ''Krait'' after the small but deadly snake.

In September 1943, ''Krait'' transported members of Z Special Unit to Singapore, where they successfully raided the city's harbour, sinking seven ships, in what became known as Operation Jaywick. She returned to Australia in October. ''Krait'' was used by the Australian military throughout the war, and was present at the surrender of the Japanese forces on Ambon in September 1945.

''Krait'' was later used as transport for intelligence-gathering missions to islands in the area, including Buru, Aru, Ceram, Banda, and Saparua. During this period, she carried several Japanese prisoners, army survey teams, and a naval intelligence officer.

At Ambon, the boat acquired a monkey as a mascot. He was named Peter and had lost his tail. Peter remained with the crew until ''Krait'' finished her service and was towed to Morotai. She was then sailed to Labuan, where she was sold and handed over to the British Borneo Company and where Able Seaman Robert Harry Easom of Perth kept its ensign as a souvenir. That ensign is now on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

After its sale, ''Krait'' was operated off Borneo until she was purchased for use as an Australian Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol vessel in 1964. On Anzac Day 1964, ''Krait'' was formally dedicated as a war memorial by the governor of NSW. A plaque was affixed to the wheelhouse and is shown below. She was then acquired by the Australian War Memorial in 1985 and was lent to the Australian National Maritime Museum, where she has been displayed to the public since 1988.

From 2015, plans for restoration had been made, and as of 2017, this work has begun.Denyer, Winsom
MV Krait: Top-secret WWII vessel under restoration for Maritime Museum memorial April 24, 2017
'' abc.net.au''

Since the success of ''Krait'' at Singapore, Australian Commando Unit vessels have traditionally used the names of venomous snakes. This tradition continues with ''Red Viper'' and ''Coral Snake'' as current examples.

File:Krait rear shot 2008.jpg, ''Krait'' on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum in 2008
File:Krait plaque.jpg, The plaque affixed to the wheelhouse in 1964 dedicating ''Krait'' as a war memorial
File:Krait at Noakes Boatyard 11 June 2022.jpg, Krait undergoing restoration 2022

Affiliations

*TS ''Krait'', Australian Navy Cadets

See also

* Australian commandos

References

Australian Department of Veteran's Affairs OP Jaywick website, background and photosIncludes map of route taken and detail of raid

External links

*

Krait
– vessel page at the Australian National Maritime Museum

{{DEFAULTSORT:Krait
Military history of Australia during World War II
Museum ships in Australia
Special forces of Australia
Ships of Australia
Australian National Maritime Museum
Naval trawlers
Captured ships
World War II raids