K IX escaped to Fremantle in March 1942 after the Japanese advance through the Dutch East Indies. Because the old boat was no longer an ideal combat submarine, the Dutch transferred it to the Royal Australian Navy for anti-submarine warfare training. Battery explosions and other mechanical problems repeatedly limited availability, yet the submarine still provided a realistic underwater target when operable. The aging hull retained training value after its front-line usefulness had declined.
Notable Point · 39:24-41:18
K IX becomes an Australian anti-submarine training target
An elderly Dutch colonial boat found a second wartime role helping Australia train anti-submarine forces despite recurring mechanical trouble.