Published on Thursday, 24 June 2021 at 4:25:10 PM
Visitors to the Princess Royal Fortress will be able to experience a unique naval exhibition this winter.
Opening on 3 July 2021, Guardians of Sunda Strait is an Australian National Maritime Museum travelling exhibition that explores the impact of war on two nations.
The exhibition documents the Battle of Sunda Strait, where in the late hours of Saturday 28 February 1942, HMAS Perth and USS Houston joined forces to battle Japanese warships.
The battle against the Japanese, which involved over 1000 men, is depicted on nine banners that will be displayed at the Princess Royal Fortress Married Quarters.
Princess Royal Fortress Curator David Theodore said the exhibition has travelled the world and was a welcome addition to the comprehensive exhibition offerings available at the Albany Heritage Park.
“The Battle of the Sunda Strait is a stark reminder of the impacts of World War II on our country, and the courage and bravery Australian soldiers displayed during impossible conditions,” he said.
“The devastation of HMAS Perth losing 375 men and USS Houston losing 696 men while defending their respective countries is not lost, and we continue to honour the memory of those who served through hosting exhibitions like Guardians of Sunda Strait.”
The exhibition also follows the stories of the men who survived the battle but were subsequently interned as prisoners of war.
Many were forced to work as slave labourers on the Burma-Thai Railway, in Japanese coal mines and at Sandakan.
Guardians of Sunda Strait is a free exhibition available to view in the West Wing of the Married Quarters of the Princess Royal Fortress from July 3 to October 10, between 9am and 4pm.
For more information, head to www.nationalanzaccentre.com.au/events
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