This ITV coproduction with Australia’s Network Ten was a true World War II adventure starring Neighbours heartthrob Jason Donovan as the youngest of 14 Australian and British Commandos who sailed 5,000 miles from Cairns in Northern Australia across the Indian Ocean to Singapore harbour in a leaky captured Japanese fishing boat (the Krait) in 1943 to blow up the Japanese navy.
The attack – codenamed ‘Operation Jaywick’ – was successful, with seven Japanese ships being sunk or damaged.
The mission was inspired by Major Ivan Lyon (Paul Rhys), a British army officer who first fought for official approval for the plan and then made the hazardous journey with 12 hand-picked men and one 17-year-old “Happy” Huston (Jason Donovan).
The fishing boat used in the miniseries was an exact replica of the real Krait – the problem was it had to accommodate not only the 14 actors but a 30-strong film crew.
So the wooden-clad boat was mounted on a steel pontoon that became a floating set.
Major Ivan Lyon
Paul Rhys Lt. Ted Carse
John Hargreaves Lt. Donald Davidson
John Bach Leading Stoker Paddy McDowell
Bill Kerr Lt. Bob Page
Christopher Morsley Cpl. ‘Taffy’ Morris
Timothy Lyn Cpl. Andy Crilley
Gerry Skilton Able Seaman Andrew ‘Happy’ Huston
Jason Donovan Able Seaman Arthur ‘Joe’ Jones
Cameron Daddo Able Seaman Walter ‘Poppa’ Falls
Mark McAskill Able Seaman ‘Moss’ Berryman
Don Halbert Able Seaman ‘Boof’ Marsh
Wayne Scott Kermond Leading Seaman Kevin ‘Cobber’ Cain
Jeff Truman Leading Telegraphist Horrie Young
David Wenham Colonel Mott
Tim Robertson Bill Reynolds
John Ewart Captain Sam Carey
Tom Considine Pat Carse
Lorna Lesley Alice
Briony Behets Rear Admiral
John Bonney Brigadier
Anthony Ingersent Captain Hawes
Gus Mercurio Lord Gowrie
Basil Clarke Jane Morgan
Emily Simpson Stewart
Brian Meegan Brown
Paul Kelman Kanting
David Newman
The attack – codenamed ‘Operation Jaywick’ – was successful, with seven Japanese ships being sunk or damaged.
