Metal fragment from Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter : Stoker W R R Burnett, HMAS Australia

Metal fragment from a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M naval Zero fighter manufactured by Nakajima, finished with green protective paint. The fragment is part of the aircraft's internal structure and has a hinge built into the upper edge. One side has traces of an external grey paint that was used in the early years of the war (circa 1942). The other side has Japanese text, which translated reads, 'Right', 'Zero style carrier based fighter Nakajima'.

Associated with S/6811 Stoker Walter Robert Reginald Burnett RAN. He enlisted on 27 July 1942 and was posted to HMAS Cerberus for training. He was subsequently posted to HMAS Platypus, in Sydney (1943-1944), and then the cruiser HMAS Australia (1944-1946). Whilst serving on board HMAS Australia he experienced several suicide attacks by Japanese pilots. The first was on 21 October 1944, in Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, when HMAS Australia was hit by a Japanese suicide plane. It is uncertain whether this was part of an official kamikaze attack, or a lone pilot.

29 men were killed and her Commanding Officer, Captain E F V Dechaineaux DSC, died of wounds later that day. 64 others were wounded. After this action HMAS Australia was escorted by HMAS Warramunga to Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides for repairs. On 5 January 1945 HMAS Australia was in Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, providing heavy bombardment in support of the invasion of Luzon Island when she was struck by a kamikaze aircraft. Twenty five of her crew were killed and 30 wounded.

She was attacked again on 6, 8 and 9 January. After this last attack she departed for repairs in Sydney. HMAS Australia then sailed for the United Kingdom via the United States in May 1945 for a major refit. She was still in the United Kingdom when the war ended.

This fragment from a Mitsubishi A6M was retrieved by Burnett from the deck of HMAS Australia after one of the January attacks. The grey paint traces on one side indicate the plane was an earlier model Zero - possibly from 1942. It may have come from a Mitsubishi A6M2 or A6M3 Zero fighter and may possibly be from the aircraft's cowling. Burnett was discharged on 25 February 1946.