Painting, Arunta Country', by Enos Namatjiraarunta country', enos namatjira

In early January 1945, Australian warships took part in their next big naval action of the campaign when American forces were landed at Lingayen Gulf for the invasion of Luzon Island. Their objective was the capital, Manila. The frigates Gascoyne and Warrego carried out survey tasks and escort duties, coming under artillery fire and also attacks from aircraft. The Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia again transported American troops for the landings and once again the escorts included the cruisers Shropshire and Australia – the latter had undergone repair – and the destroyers Arunta and Warramunga. Whist not confirmed, this large cane woven oval tray with The Philippines Coat of Arms in the centre above list of Royal Australian Navy ships that were involved in the liberation of the Philippines, is believed to have belonged to Robert Hamilton Hutchieson PM 4802 who served on HMAS Westralia as a landing craft coxswain in the Southwest Pacific Campaign 1942 to 1945. Large oval shaped cane woven basket tray The Invasion of the Philippines Image of Coat of Arms Commonwealth of the Philippines Kanimbla, Westralia, Manoura, Australia, Shropshire, Arunta, Warramunga, Gascoyne January 1945ww2, invasion of the philippines, 1945, hmas westralia, hmas kanimbla