Was the Japanese navy a ally of Australia in WW1?

Answer 1

Yes, in 1914 Japan had the second largest modern navy in the world. Japan is one of the first countries to join Australia and the allies (triple-entente) against the triple-alliance. At Britain's request, Japan sank many German raiders in the Pacific and South China Sea. In February 1915, marines from Imperial Japanese Navy ships based in Singapore helped suppress a mutiny by Indian troops against the British government. On 18 December 1916, the British Admiralty again requested Japan for naval assistance. Two of the four cruisers of the First Special Squadron at Singapore were sent to Cape Town, South Africa, and four destroyers were sent to the Mediterranean Sea, and were based out of Malta. Rear-Admiral Sato Kozo on the cruiser Akashi and 10th and 11th destroyer units (eight destroyers) arrived in Malta on 13 April 1917 via Colombo and Port Said. Eventually this Second Special Squadron totaled 17 ships: 1 cruiser, 12 destroyers, 2 ex-British destroyers and 2 sloops. The Second Special Squadron carried out escort duties for troop transports and anti-submarine operations. The Japanese squadron made a total of 348 escort sorties from Malta, escorting 788 ships containing around 700,000 soldiers, thus contributing greatly to the war effort. A further 7,075 people were rescued from damaged and sinking ships. In return for this assistance, Great Britain recognized Japan's territorial gains including all former German Pacific colonies north of the equator. The Japanese also manufactured and supplied armaments for the British who were having extreme difficulties by this late stage of the war. Yes the Japanese were no small player in the victory of the allies. After the war however, signed agreements recognizing Japan's territorial gains were dishonoured and torn up: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9507EFDB103FEE3ABC4F53DFB266838A639EDE