In their deadly assault on shipping off the NSW South Coast, did the Japanese secretly come ashore on lonely beaches to seek supplies? Was that possibly the only time that the enemy set foot on our mainland?

Perhaps Tathra painter Sarah Beamish knew the answer.

This new play performed by the Spectrum Theatre Group, directed by Bruce Waddell and written by David Burke, follows the contemporary investigations of a young writer as he tries to unravel the fatal mystery of what really happened on the South Coast during WWII.

But the play’s historical setting has prompted some local people to recall the dramatic events surrounding the sighting of Japanese subs in the area.

Roger Morgan-Bruce, who now lives in Merimbula contacted Spectrum after he saw the play advertised on the back of a previous program.

When the subs appeared along the Far South Coast, Roger was a 14-year-old boy who went to Eden with his family for a brief respite from the potential harm of being in Sydney during the war. In fact Roger could have been in greater danger on the Far South Coast. 

In a story that was written for the Bombala Times so time ago Roger talked about his close brush with the subs.

“My mother and father has saved enough petrol ration tickets to enable them to visit friends at Eden for a few days.”

One night after dinner Roger was given permission to walk down to sea along a cliff top road.

“The moon was low in the west and so a deep shadow was cast over the water. I could hear an engine running in the deep shadows and so I moved forward to try and see what it was. I heard some low mens’ voices speaking in a foreign language and realised they were coming from the cliff top bushes and further along the road,” Roger said as he told his story.

Running back to the house, he told everyone what he had seen and heard. Some months later they heard on the radio that subs had come in close and that some of the personnel had actually come ashore.

The play will be prefaced by The Spectrum WWII Revue – a nostalgic introduction of the era, through stories and songs.

Performances are at Twyford Hall, Merimbula on September 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18. Evening shows ($26) on September 9, 10, 16, 17 start at 7.30pm and are cabaret style; BYO drinks and snacks. Matinee shows ($23) on Sunday September 11, 18 start at 2pm and have theatre-style seating. Visit www.spectrumtheatregroup.com.au to book.