HMAS Potrero

HMAS Potrero was an auxiliary vessel operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during World War II. She was launched in 1937 by Lars Halvorsen, Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia.

Operational history
During the war, HMAS Potrero operated along the New Guinea coastline. On 29 August, MV Malaita was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine RO-33, while returning to Cairns after delivering troops and supplies to Port Moresby. Although listing 10 degrees to starboard, Malaita remained afloat, and was taken in tow by MV Matafele and HMAS Potrero. Their escort, the destroyer HMAS Arunta (I30), picked up an asdic contact on the RO-33, and delivered a series of depth charge attacks that sank it.