Veterans bring a secret wartime mission back to life

On a warm North Queensland night in June 2026, three kayaks slipped quietly across the waters of Cleveland Bay, following a path known only to a few.

The small group of veterans paddling into Townsville Harbour were recreating the Scorpion Raid, a daring covert operation undertaken by Australia's elite Z Special Unit during World War II.

More than 80 years after the original raid, the modern re-enactment served as both a powerful act of commemoration, and a meaningful way for veterans to connect.

The operation that shaped Australia’s commandos

Launching from Magnetic Island under the cover of darkness in 1943, the original team of 10 raiders led by Lieutenant Sam Carey, navigated past mines, harbour defences and naval security patrols before entering Ross Creek completely undetected. Their objective: to demonstrate that a small seaborne commando force could infiltrate a protected harbour and successfully attack enemy shipping.

After infiltrating the harbour, the commandos attached dummy limpet mines to 15 Allied vessels before withdrawing undetected. The following morning, the discovery triggered widespread alarm among military authorities and exposed vulnerabilities in the security of Townsville Harbour.

Although it was only a training and proof-of-concept mission, the raid proved to be a decisive success and paved the way for Operation Jaywick later that year, one of Australia's most celebrated special operations missions.

The original Scorpion Raid, June 1943. Credit: Naval Association Australia

Turning curiosity into commemoration

For organiser Jared Martin, the story of the Scorpion Raid has held a personal significance since childhood.

Growing up in Townsville, he was tasked with researching a local World War II topic for a school presentation. While many of his classmates focused on the more familiar military landmarks around the city, his attention was drawn to a little-known article about the Scorpion Raid.

"Most people went with the things they already knew," Jared explains. "I found this story about the Scorpion Raid, and it intrigued me because it was something completely different."

That early curiosity eventually grew into a passion project more than two decades later. Now serving with the Royal Australian Air Force after 13 years with the Australian Army, Jared is now undertaking a master’s degree in project management through UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).

As part of his thesis, Jared saw an opportunity to combine his study and love of local history, whilst also engaging the veteran community, into a single meaningful activity.

Honouring their legacy

With an aim to honour the original Z Special Unit members, and foster a spirit of camaraderie, Jared reached out to his fellow members at Rollingstone RSL Sub Branch as well as Thuringowa, Magnetic Island and Townsville RSL Sub Branches and a number of other community organisations about taking part in a modern re-enactment.

“It was a privilege to be supported with supplies from Rollingstone and Thuringowa RSL Sub Branches, a camping area by Magnetic Island RSL Sub Branch and the willingness from Townsville RSL Sub Branch to potentially take the activity on in the future,” Jared says.

Among those who volunteered were locals, descendants of the wartime raiders and former members of the current Special Operations community.  

Members of the re-enactment and support crew, including organiser Jared Martin (fourth from the right) outside Magnetic Island RSL Sub Branch

Danielle Sisson’s great-uncle, Captain Robert Page, was one of the original raiders, so she jumped at the opportunity to take part when Jared approached her in 2025.

“It was an opportunity to learn about history, pay my respects to those who went before, and take part in a moment of reflection," Danielle remembers.

Experiencing history firsthand

For the five participants, paddling through the harbour at night offered more than a history lesson – it provided a small glimpse into the uncertainty and pressure faced by the original commandos.

"At night it was eerie," Jared says. "We were fighting the current and trying to navigate through the water. It gives you an appreciation for what those men achieved. If they'd been spotted, they would have been putting themselves at incredible risk."

That connection to the past is one of the reasons veteran-focused activities such as the Scorpion Raid re-enactment can be so valuable. Beyond the physical challenge, they provide an opportunity to reconnect with others who share similar experiences, build new friendships and develop a sense of purpose.

Jared believes that sense of purpose is one of the most important factors in supporting veteran wellbeing.

"Purpose is what gets people out of bed and drives them. Activities like these give veterans the opportunity to get involved, connect with people and remember the stories that came before us," he says. 

The re-enactors paddling across Cleveland Bay, following the route of the original raiders

A story deserving of greater recognition

The event also demonstrated the power of preserving military history through lived experience. While museums, books and memorials play an important role, physically retracing the footsteps of those who served creates a different level of understanding and appreciation. Participants weren't simply hearing the story of the Scorpion Raid; they were experiencing elements of it themselves.

That is what makes the operation worthy of greater recognition, Jared believes.

While little is known outside military history circles, the Scorpion Raid played a vital role in shaping Australia's special operations capability. Rob Graham, who took part in the re-enactment, believes its story deserves broader recognition.

"The re-enactment provides an effective means of increasing public awareness of Operation Scorpion and its relationship to Operations Jaywick and Rimau and their impact on Australia's military history," Rob says.

Inspiring future generations

As the final kayaks emerged from the darkness and into Ross Creek, the men behind the original mission were once again remembered, not simply as names in a history book, but as pioneers whose story still resonates today.

More than eight decades later, the raid continues to offer lessons in courage, innovation and determination.

By bringing veterans together to retrace that historic journey, organisers have done more than commemorate a remarkable wartime achievement. They have created an opportunity for connection, reflection and wellbeing while ensuring the legacy of Lieutenant Sam Carey and his fellow commandos continue to inspire future generations.