Arunta sinks RO-33

29 August 1942, Gulf of Papua, off Port Moresby

Australian success; RO-33 sunk with all hands

While the Japanese fought their way over the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby, their submarines hunted the supply ships coming up from Australia; on 7 August RO-33 had sunk the small steamer Mamutu and machine-gunned the survivors; 114 people died. On 29 August the new Australian Tribal-class destroyer Arunta, escorting a convoy into Port Moresby, picked up a contact with her ASDIC and attacked with depth charges. RO-33 was sunk with all 42 of her crew.