Fragment from Imperial Japanese kamikaze aircraft : HMAS Australia (II)

Cast alloy fragment of an aircraft rudder pedal, showing part of a ribbed footplate within a plain edge. Remnants of the original interior primer finish are still attached to the relic.

This fragment of a Japanese kamikaze aircraft was retained as a souvenir by Midshipman (later Lieutenant) Peter Hamilton Wilson while he was serving in the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia in support of the American landings in the Philippines in January 1945, when the ship was attacked four times by Imperial Japanese kamikaze suicide attack aircraft.