On the night of 31 May 1942 three Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour in an attempt to destroy allied shipping berthed in the Harbour.  The midget submarines were 24 metres long and weighed 46 tonnes.  They carried a crew of two men and two torpedoes.  Between 5.20 and 5.40 p.m. the subs were released (from larger "mother" submarines) eleven kilometres east of Sydney and proceeded towards the Heads.  One sub became entangled in submarine netting and was destroyed when the crew inside detonated charges.  The remaining two submarines successfully entered the Harbour but were both dispatched following skirmishes with Allied submarines and vessels.

Why is this story significant to Wagga Wagga?  After being defeated, the submarines were brought up from the Harbour bottom, and were exhibited in locations throughout Sydney (like the Domain) and then toured around the State. 

One submarine was brought to Wagga Wagga on a large low-loader truck and was exhibited in the New Moon Gardens, an entertainment area located on the northern side of the Wollundry Lagoon with an entrance from Fitzmaurice Street.  A number of Royal Australian Naval sailors in uniform accompanied the display. 

The submarine was later put on permanent display at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. 

This small souvenir submarine was made from lead taken from the midget submarine's ballast.  It was purchased by donor William Short in August 1942 during the exhibition in Wagga Wagga.  All proceeds raised by sales went to the R.A.N. Relief Fund and King George's Fund for Sailors.