Story: War History
Episode: 6
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Air Date: 20th December 2020

The idyllic Cocos Islands are abundant with reminders of the significant role that they played during the war.

• The Cocos Keeling Islands’ position in the Indian Ocean made them strategically important during WWI and WWII.
• The islands were connected by cable and played a significant role in communications from Fremantle to Mauritius and Java.
• The German cruiser, SMS Emden, sent a raiding party onto Direction Island to dismantle communications in 1914.
• A distress call was received by the allies, who sent the HMAS Sydney to attack the Emden. The Sydney won, making that battle the Australian Navy’s first-ever victory.
• The Japanese sent a plane to attack Home Island in WWII in their attempt to seize control of the Indian Ocean Territories.
• The Malay population was caught unaware and 3 people were killed in the subsequent bombing and machine-gun attack.
• Guns were set up at Horsburgh Island because it was the entry point to the lagoon and provided access to all of the other islands.
• In 1942, 15 members of the garrison from the Ceylon Defence Force mutinied under the leadership of Gratien Fernando and attempted to take control of the guns.
• Three of the men were executed for treason, including Fernando. These were the only British Commonwealth soldiers executed for mutiny during WWII.

For more information, head to
www.cocoskeelingislands.com.au