Chief of a local spy web in Brisbane, Australia.
Possibly linked to Pedro de Ygual, Spanish Consul in Australia and a known General Franco supporter.
58-year-old Professor Ryonosuke Seita was appointed Professor of Japanese at the University of Queensland in Brisbane in 1938. He was a highly placed and very influential Japanese secret agent. He had been nominated for the position by the Japanese Foreign Office, which was heavily involved in espionage operations. He was a man of sharp analytical mind and yet of much heart. Everyone knows individuals with one or the other of these characteristics but they are seldom combined in the level of quality Seita personified.
Australian counter-intelligence agents started to monitor Seita soon after he arrived in Brisbane with his daughter. Seita became the nominal leader of the Japanese community in Brisbane after his arrival in the country. Seita had previously been a senior diplomat in Germany and spoke fluent German. He was often observed in the company of known Japanese espionage agents. He would become involved in the distribution of pro-Axis propaganda leaflets. A Japanese company in Sydney paid Seita for his espionage work.
Unbelievably he was later appointed as translator in the high security Brisbane Censor's Office. This gave him access to every Japanese communication in and out of Queensland. Despite pleas to remove Seita from this role, the bureaucracy would not believe that he could possibly be a Japanese Secret Agent.
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on 7 December 1941, Seita was arrested as an alien. Australia security agents searched Seita's house, and found a visiting card of Mitsuru Toyama. Mitsuru Toyama was the head of the feared Black Dragon Society. Other documents linked Seita with Marcelle Tao Kitazawa, another well known Japanese secret agent.They had both travelled to Australia on board the Japanese ship "Canberra Maru".
The preponderance of firepower, including aircraft & unmanned drones, unquestionably lies with the Japanese and North American forces deployed. However, the terrain and grasp that a ruthless terrorist faction can exert over a largely pastoral local population weighs heavily in the balance. New Caledonia believed that ground may be dominated and villages cleared, but unless continuous protection was provided, the Japanese will return to exact vengeance.
Consequently, it was not so much a matter of winning the hearts and minds of a notoriously xenophobic population, but rather to provide both security and material advantage - to an extent that the Japanese would eschew violence and seek to share in the benefits. This was the longer-term objective in which Seita firmly believed.
More than a year after Seita's arrest, a Brisbane Security Agency issued a secret report, which confirmed that Seita was a Japanese agent. The Japanese Foreign Office later tried to arrange an exchange of Seita for several Australian internees being held in Japan. Australian Intelligence directed that Seita be held in Australia. Unfortunately their request was ignored and Seita was repatriated to Japan in August 1942.
On return to Japan in August 1942, he was promoted to take up the MoD appointment of military assistant to the Assistant Chief of Defence staff (policy), Tanmatsu Kaneko. This was a demanding and sensitive post at the centre of ministerial policymaking and consequently a sound apprenticeship for the similar post to the secretary of state. His selection for that and his performance in support of two ministers of significantly different experience and personality indicated his intellectual ability, charm of manner and complete reliability.
The post called for sensitive antennae for anything the minister should know and tact in advising whom might be heeded and whom better ignored.Kaneko, more respected in the MoD than is generally understood, said it had been a privilege to know Seika and thought him one of the most exceptional officers of his generation.
His daughter, Sumiko Seita, whom according to correspondence files in the National Archives of Australia: “Class 2 Restricted Immigration (1919–50)”, has been denied access to study in Australia, and she is his sole descendant.
REFERENCES
"Shadows Dancing - Japanese Espionage against the West 1939 - 1945"
by Tony Matthews
“Allies, Enemies and Trading Partners: Records on Australia and the Japanese”
by Pam Oliver
| Additional Information | |
| September 23, 1935 | Enlisted in RAN, Williamtown, VIC. |
| | Training, HMAS Rushcutter (RAN depot, Sydney, NSW) [11 days] |
| | Training, HMAS Canberra (cruiser) [14 days alongside Garden Island] |
| | Training, HMAS Penguin (depot ship, Sydney, NSW) [7 days alongside Garden Island] |
| | Training, HMAS Albatross (seaplane carrier) [7 days at buoy near Garden Island] |
| | Training, HMAS Voyager (destroyer) [14 days exercises at Jervis Bay] |
| March 03 1942 | HMAS Lonsdale (additional) |
| April 01 1942 | Promoted to 1st. Lt. |
| April 04 1942 | HMAS Cerberus (additional; for course) |
| May 01 1942 | HMAS Lonsdale (additional) [HMAS Korowa 23.05.1942, HMAS Vendetta 24-30.05.1942] |
| September 19, 1942 | Promoted to Lieutenant Commander. |
| September 21, 1942 | Transferred to Williamstown Base VIC, Fort Gellibrand. |
Hey Kristian, here is the last part.
At the bottom of William's pr?ofile page, where is says "Operation Foxed Den" can u link it to one last page with the following information on it!!!
CHEERIOS~
The login is also very sweet. One query are we able to have seperate logins for separate pages??
Operation Foxes Den- Outcome Report
Operation Foxes Den : Initiated by Japanese Imperial Headquarters on 23 January, was designed to isolate and neutralize Australian territory.
Takeover point : Victorian Naval Base at Williamstown Dockyard
Mission date : 26th Sep 1943
Assets : IJN 6th Fleet
Submarine I-24, I-25, I-26
Submarine Flotilla 4
Outcome : Williamstown incursion team deployed on 26 April 1943. Target reached but completion of mission was implicated by RAN ground forces. All japanese naval and military staff were killed in action.
personnel :
Kanyei Chuyo:
Commander in Japanese Navy Secret services. Directed the 8th Section "Yashika". Between this unit stay the "Tokyo Gimusho" office (the "Australian Section") linked with Japanese Naval Intelligence Staff under command of Imperial Navy General Staff.
Sadatoshi Tomioka:
Chief in Plans Division Office of Operation Section in Naval General Staff; key instigator in proposal and plans for Australian Invasion.
Ryonosuke Seita:
Japanese Diplomatic Officer in Brisbane, Australia.
Gen Debuchi
Special Envoy to diplomatic mission to Australia
Ryonosuke Seita
Chief of local spy web in Brisbane, Australia. Linked to Pedro de Ygual, Spanish Consul in Australia and a known General Franco supporter.
Marcelle Tao Kitazawa
Australian agent, linked with Seita, who led spy web in New Caledonia.
Leahey, William Alexander, Jr
Lieutenant Commander in Williamstown Dockyards Naval base.
LtCdr E, Amott, Oswald Thomas.
Lieutenant Commander.
timeline :
15 January 1942-
Japanese 19th Army headquarters at Ambon initiated Operations to to isolate and neutralize Australia and India.
Cdr Kanyei Chuyo receives vital information regarding Australian mine sweeper fleets locations of Australian borderline defenses.
Operation Foxed Den put into action.
Leahey, William Alexander, Jr
Lieutenant Commander under Japanese surveillance, Transfers to Williamstown Dockyards Naval base. Officer in charge 5th division. Surveilance and
It is noted LtCdr Leahey as having financial hardships and was recently turned down a position to lead the Mine sweeper fleet.
4 February 1942-
02.13hrs
SS Iron Crown a freighter ship contracted to BHP as a charter vessel of iron ore, 35 nautical miles south of Gabo, ventured 11km off her projected course by Capt. A. McLellan.
It was noted unusual radio activity in the log.
03:45hrs
The Iron Crown takes a torpedo to the Port side causing a large explosion and sinks immediately within 60 seconds. Most of the 43 crew were trapped in the forecastle or sucked down by the rapidly sinking vessel with only 5 survivors managing to jump clear of the ship.
Survivors:
George Fisher (18, deck boy),
N. McKelvie (trimmer, Port Adelaide),
A.A. Sabiston (57, able seaman, Newcastle),
Bruce Miel (4th Engineer, Keswick),
James Reach (greaser, Wickham NSW)
03:50hrs
SS Barwon another steamship and interstate freighter, en route from Melbourne to Port Kembla was 40 nautical miles south east of Gabo Island N.S.W.
Captain JAMES LOWIN
Received a final radio transmission from SS Iron Crown
Unknown assailant. Small targets unseen. Hard to lock fixed position. Sonar frequencies unable to pinpoint the craft. Suspected submarine.
05.35hrs
SS Barwon proceeding independent without escort, when the Officer of the watch, WESTERHOLM, FREDERICK, noticed a strange vibration and a rumbling sound under number three hatch, turning to investigate this, there was suddenly a violent explosion, that rocked the ship abeam and on the starboard side.
The Chief Officer Capt Lowin, quickly altered course to port thinking Barwon was being shelled, the blast shook the ship violently, that some hatches became dislodged, it was later discovered these were struck by jagged pieces of metal from a Japanese torpedo. Course was again altered to the North West, and then to the north east, but no further attack was made and there was no sighting of the submarine.
Crew member GRAY, WILLIAM reported sighting the wake of the torpedo just before the explosion, and in altering course probably turned the ship directly at the enemy.
06.00hrs
Barwon identifies the attacker as the HIJMS Submarine I-24
I-24 under Captain: Sasaki Hankyu deliberately reveals the submarines presence and moves to intercept the Barwon.
Captain: Sasaki Hankyu lying at periscope depth to observe the effects of the attack, and seeing Barwon on collision course, a seemingly inoffensive merchant ship turning to attack, crash dives to avert a disaster. This action possibly saved Barwon from further torpedoes, as her rapid alteration of courses soon took her out of I-24s range of vision.
HIJMS Submarine I-27 under LtCdr Fukumura Toshiaki (former CO of RO-34 and I-159) continues to Melbourne.
18 February 1942-
Task force created under Vice Admiral Mizumi Shimizu, Commander of the IJN 6th Fleet to hamper Australia’s defense and pave the way for Japanese invasion force. The IJN 6th Fleet, Submarine Flotilla 4 : Submarine I-24, I-25, I-26 Auxiliary submarine tender Yasukuni-maru was formed, and was assigned Japanese submarine operations off the coast of Australia.
Chief of staff Vice Admiral Hisashi Mito contacts Japanese Special Weapons Division and attaches Kairyu-class Midget Submarine fleet to Yasukuni-maru fleet in topmost secrecy.
16 March 1942
Vice Admiral Marquis Teruhisa Komatsu
Takes over as Commander of the IJN 6th Fleet
15 August 1942-
The HMAS Shepparton is launched under Lieutenant Commander L.N. Morison.
21 September 1942-
Ryonosuke Seita increases the level of surveillance on LtCdr Leahey. Direct contact is established. LtCdr William Leaheyis recruited by Japanese Secret Services as Operation Foxes Den informant and agent.
Lt Syme, Hugh Randall. Mine clearing section comes under Japanese surveillance.
19 December 1942
The HMAS Benalla (I) is launched.
04 January 1943
Commanding Officer T/A/Lt.Cdr. Leslie Norman Morison, RANR(S) takes command of HMAS Shepparton. Completed ahead of schedule the HMAS Shepparton is ordered to engage in seafaring and training exercises off the coast. LtCdr Peter Leahey is thought to be responsible.
20 January 1943
HMAS Cerebus BASE
LtCdr William Leahey establishes key contacts and informants in Fort Gellibrand, HMAS Cerberus, and Williamstown Dockyards allowing him to maneuver his own, loyal, special operatives to locations in control of the defensive assets of Williamstown Dockyards and its commanding staff.
11 February 1943
LtCdr E, Amott, Oswald Thomas.
Under Japanese Surveillance, transfers to the Naval Base Cerebus, Crib Point, the Navy's premier training establishment.
LtCdr Armitage, George William Thomas.
Under Japanese Surveillance, transfers to the Naval Base Cerebus, Crib Point, the Navy's premier training establishment.
Both known associates with LtCdr William Leahey.
I-27 secret weapons submarine enters Melbourne’s local waters.
In contact with LtCdr William Leahey members of the strike force communicate a plan for a sea bound attack on the naval base and the HMAS Benalla (I) in the dock.
29 March 1943
LtCdr Peter Leahey suspicious of Lt Syme’s sudden appearance travels to Williamstown Dockyards to keep a closer eye on the Lieutenants movements.
12 April 1943
Lt Syme, Hugh Randall. Mine clearing section, Officer training.
Is assigned to LtCdr William Leahey’s special task force, and transferred to the Williamstown Dockyards to oversee operations on ocean mine laying equipment and construction.
26 April 1943
17:00hrs
LtCdr Denovan, Ronald Alexander. Following orders from LtCdr William Leahey, the defensive assets below are removed and redeployed inland to Fort Gellibrand.
4 x 20mm Oerlikons
8 x .5-inch machine guns
6 x .303 Lewis machine guns
Also:
6 x 4.7-inch guns
3 x 2-pounder 4 barrel Pom Poms
2 x 40mm Bofors
are scheduled for a heavy maintenance drill and taken apart.
17:24hrs
LtCdr Peter Leahey confronts LtCdr Denovan on the sudden need to refit vital base defense all at the same time, Lt Syme enters with several men and they apprehend LtCdr Peter Leahey.
19:00hrs
HIJMS Submarine I-27 under LtCdr Fukumura Toshiaki
Moves into position closer to the coastal region to begin the invasion of Australia
The infiltration team headed by LtCdr William Leahey successfully disengages the electronic detection systems at Point Lonsdale, St Leonards, Cape Schnak, Portsea, Mornington and the communications relay at Williamstown Fort Gellibrand. The base staff of Williamstown Naval Base are taken by surprise with little resistance.
21:18hrs
LtCdr Peter Leahey manages to escape and free a small group of Navy crewmen.
George Michaels (24, Sgt),
B. McKay (31, trimmer),
S.D. Sabtals (57, able seaman),
Mence Miuruls (4th Engineer),
James Peach (greaser)
--Runs to ammo dump inside fort Gellibrand as Japanese ground force sets ashore. Detonates --munitions killing himself ans the incursion ground forces.
--Using cannons in wrong position fires at incoming Japanese.
26 April 1943
HMAS Benalla (I) under LCDR Leslie N. Morison RANR(S) moves off the dock out to open sea.
I-27 suspects failure moves to engage HMAS Benalla (I).
I-27 releases special weapons mini subs on kamikaze missions and torpedo missions.
Kairyu-class Midget Submarine
Type 4 and Type 10 mini subs
HMAS Shepparton (I) running routine training exercises receives distress signal from Williamstown Dockyards.
Maritime Services Board watchman spotted an object caught in an anti-submarine net. After investigation, naval patrol boats reported it was a submarine and the general alarm was raised just before 10.30 pm. Soon afterwards, the midget submarine’s crew, Lieutenant Kenshi Chuma and Petty Officer Takeshi Ohmori, realising they were trapped, blew up their craft and themselves.
The second midget submarine from I-22 failed to make it far into the harbour. Spotted in Ocean Grove and attacked with depth charges by naval harbour patrol vessels, Lieutenant Keiu Matsuo and Petty Officer Masao Tsuzuku, shoot themselves.
The I-27 hides beneath the survivors floundering in the water. The destroyer PALADIN has boats over her side attempting rescue when the HMS PETARD, under Cdr Rupert Egan, oblivious to the survivors, races in and drops Mark 7 depth charges killing many men in the water. On the third run, the I-27 is forced to the surface. She goes ahead at 6 knots.
Cdr Fukumura's crew runs to man their 5-inch deck gun, but British machine guns cut them down. The PALADIN rams the submarine's port hydoplane, but in doing so inflicts a serious gash in her own hull starboard aft. The PALADIN's engine room floods and she goes dead in the water. The PETARD dashes in to cover the helpless destroyer with gunfire and depth charges, but after several runs fails to sink the submarine. Cdr Egan then decides to torpedo the submarine. An hour later, his seventh torpedo finally destroys the I-27. She goes down with with 99 hands 60 miles NW of Addu Atoll at 01-25N, 72-22E. One survivor is picked up by the British.
HMAS Benalla (I) – minor damage.
21 June 1943
Vice-Admiral Takeo Takagi
Takes over as Commander in chief of the IJN 6th Fleet.
