Commander Geoffrey Haggard in Fiji

DateOctober 1914

Object number00015804

NamePhotograph

MediumBlack and white photographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 48 x 70 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Jennifer Smyth

Terms

DescriptionPhotograph of Commander Geoffrey Haggard after a morning swim, Fiji, October 1914. A handwritten inscription on the reverse side reads `self after morning/ dip. Fiji oct 1914'. AE2 patrolled the waters around Fiji for three weeks during October 1914 before returning to Sydney in November of that year. They had taken part in the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force campaign to to capture German New Guinea and remove the German presence there. It was the first Australian military action in WW1 and although succesful, resulted in the disappearence of Australia's other submarine, AE1. HistoryLaunched in February 1914, the AE2 was involved in naval operations in the Dardanelles campaign during the First World War. In April 1915, the AE2 became the first Allied vessel to penetrate the straits. After 'running amok' for several days, the AE2 was torpedoed. All hands survived and were held as POWs by the Turkish. Geoffrey Arthur Gordon Haggard was born in London on 4th May, 1888. He was transferred from the Royal Navy to the RAN in 1913 with the rank of Lieutenant. He was awarded 'Submarine Pay' from this date. He was based at the PENGUIN from this date before being posted to the AE2. Haggard was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery during the action and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1918 and discharged in 1919. In 1928 he was promoted to Commander on the Emergency List. Haggard was said to have planned to re-enlist when the Second World War broke out in 1939, but was killed in an accident before he could assume his post.SignificanceThe story of the AE2 and her infiltration of the Dardanelles in World War I is a highly significant Allied military and Australian naval episode. Although the event did not ultimately alter the course of the war it did demonstrate to Britain that Turkish waters could be breached. Subsequent submarine activity there by E11 and E14 severely hampered Turkish efforts to reinforce and supply their troops engaged at Gallipoli by forcing them to take the more arduous overland route.