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[Interview with Vice Admiral Sir John Collins] [sound recording] / [interviewer : Mel Pratt]
Bib ID 728011
Format AudioAudio, OnlineOnline
Author Collins, John, Sir, 1899-1989
Online Versions http://nla.gov.au/nla.oh-vn728011
Access Conditions Access open for research, personal copies and public use. 
Description 1975 Aug. 27. 
1 tape reel : 15/16 ips, mono. ; 5 in. 
Series Mel Pratt collection. 
Summary

Sir John talks of his education; his experience at the Naval College, Geelong; the start of World War I; his experiences as midshipman on HMS Canada; kite-balloon training; HMS Spencer; Armistice Day on Whale Island; HMS Excellent; HMS Canada; the Australia; Captain Peter Chalmers; HMAS ANZAC; Captain J.D. Fitzgerald; War Planning Division; ten year rule; seafront defences in Singapore; the Admiralty; Pacific Islands; the Depression and the Australian Navy; coastwatchers; push-and-pull engines; Bathurst class; W. list; war telegram; "Total Germany"; Menzies; Ragnar Colvin; Mediterranean, 1940; Andrew Cunningham; Abysinnian Crisis; Singapore; the Zero fighter ; Brooke Popham; Gordon Bennett; Java; Geoffrey Layton; The Burnie; escape from Java; peacetime atmosphere in Australia; HMAS Shropshire; Lady Gulf; kamikazes; Japanese navy; Japan's surrender; the atomic bomb; MacArthur; replacement of Sir Louis Hamilton as Chief of the Naval Staff; civilian support for the Navy; Sir Frederick Sheddon; Joint Planning Committee; McMahon; Ben Chifley; prize money prize; Radford/Collins Agreement; national service; navy recruitment; changes in the Navy; US Navy discipline ; awards; diplomatic life in New Zealand.

Biography/History Sir John Collins served in the RAN from 1913-1955. He was a graduate of the first class of the Royal Australian Naval College and the first Australian to become Royal Australian Navy Chief of Naval Staff. He was a naval hero of World War II. 
Notes

Recorded at his home in Sydney.

Also available online via the internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.oh-vn728011

Subjects Collins, John, - Sir, - 1899- - Interviews.  |  Australia. - Royal Australian Navy - Officers - Interviews.  |  Retired military personnel - Australia - Interviews.  |  Retired military personnel - Australia - Biography.
Other Authors Pratt, Mel
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Details Collect From
ORAL TRC 121/63 Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
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