About This Unit
At Melbourne on 10 October 1940, Warrego (II) assumed duty as Senior Officer, 20th Minesweeping Flotilla then comprising HMA Ships Warrego (II) (Leader), Swan (II), Orara (I), Durraween (I) and Doomba (I). Warrego (II) operated as a minesweeper until 3 December 1941. During this period she was engaged in the sweeping operations to clear the minefields laid by the German ships Pinguin and Passat in Victorian, Tasmanian, South Australian and New South Wales waters in October and November 1940.
In late December 1941 Warrego (II) proceeded to Port Moresby and thence to Darwin where she arrived on 9 January 1942. Operating from Darwin she was employed mainly on local anti-submarine and escort duties. She was also one of the escorts for four troop transports bound for Koepang, Timor, which left Darwin on 15 February 1942. The convoy was attacked by a Japanese flying boat that day giving Warrego (II) her first chance to open fire against the enemy. The following day, 16 February, the convoy was attacked by a flight of 54 enemy aircraft and was forced to return to Darwin but suffered only minor damage.
Read further details here (www.navy.gov.au)
Commissioned 22-8-1940: Decommissioned 15-8-1963: Battle Honours inherited plus PACIFIC 1941-45, DARWIN 1942-43, NEW GUINEA 1942-44, LINGAYEN GULF 1945, BORNEO 1945