_id Place code Year Date Description Level 1 1939 1939-01-01T00:00:00 Townsville City Council established an aerodrome on the Town Common near Garbutt rail siding. Regional 2 1939 1939-02-01T00:00:00 Australian scientists invited to London to be briefed on British radar technology. National 3 1939 1939-03-01T00:00:00 Women’s Voluntary National Register established through the department of Defence. National 4 164 1939 1939-04-01T00:00:00 Brisbane City Hall and King George Square—Brisbane City Council hosted a meeting to organise a women’s volunteer organisation to aid the coming war effort. Regional 5 1939 1939-04-26T00:00:00 Robert Menzies elected leader of the UAP and sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia after the death of Joseph Lyons on 7 April. National 6 1939 1939-05-01T00:00:00 Department of Defence began early development of Townsville aerodrome for RAAF use. Regional 7 1939 1939-06-01T00:00:00 RAAF began search for a suitable Advanced Operational Base site on Cape York Peninsula near Coen. Regional 8 1939 1939-08-01T00:00:00 Australian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research established the Radiophysics Laboratory at Sydney University with radar research a high priority. National 9 1939 1939-08-22T00:00:00 First written consideration for the importation of chemical war gases. National 10 1939 1939-08-31T00:00:00 Approval for construction of Horn Island airfields announced. Regional 11 35 1939 1939-08-31T00:00:00 Three days prior to war’s declaration, No. 23 Squadron (RAAF) flew into Archerfield. Regional 12 1939 1939-09-01T00:00:00 In Britain, general mobilisation declared. International 13 1939 1939-09-01T00:00:00 Germany invaded Poland. International 14 1939 1939-09-03T00:00:00 Germany rejects the Anglo-French ultimatum of 1st September, which called for the withdrawal of all German forces from Poland, France declares war on Germany. International 15 1939 1939-09-03T00:00:00 Britain declared war on Germany. Prime Minister Menzies broadcast that Australia was at war with Germany. National 16 579 1939 1939-09-03T00:00:00 Fort Cowan Cowan, on Moreton Island was occupied by Australian 2/2nd Garrison Battalion troops in defence of Moreton Bay. Regional 17 1939 1939-09-04T00:00:00 Troops of 26 Infantry Battalion, 11 Brigade CMF, entered Kissing Point camp Townsville for two months training. Regional 18 1939 1939-09-04T00:00:00 Far North Queensland Regiment (51 Infantry Battalion) and the Kennedy Regiment (31 Infantry Battalion) of 11 Brigade CMF entered camp at Townsville Showgrounds. Regional 19 1939 1939-09-06T00:00:00 South Africa declares war on Germany. International 20 1939 1939-09-09T00:00:00 Australian National Security Act passed. National 21 1939 1939-09-11T00:00:00 Arrival of first British troops in France officially announced. International 22 828 1939 1939-09-13T00:00:00 First units of the war began to mobilise at the Kelvin Grove Military (Defence) Reserve, Brisbane. Regional 23 1939 1939-09-15T00:00:00 Australian Federal government established a War Cabinet. National 24 1939 1939-09-15T00:00:00 Australian Government announces mobilisation of the militia and the establishment of the second AIF for service abroad. National 25 1939 1939-09-17T00:00:00 The Russian Army invades Poland from the East with a million troops on the pretext of “protecting Poland’s Byelorussian and Ukrainian population”. International 26 1939 1939-09-17T00:00:00 Australia, New Zealand and Canada signed the Empire Air Training Agreement in Ottawa to provide air pilots trainees for service with the RAF. National 27 1939 1939-09-21T00:00:00 RAAF No.11 Squadron formed at Richmond, NSW. The unit served at Cairns for most of the war. They flew Empire Flying Boats and Seagull V Amphibians. National 28 1939 1939-09-28T00:00:00 RAAF 11 Squadron flying boats moved base from Richmond to Port Moresby. Regional 29 1939 1939-10-01T00:00:00 German troops enter the devastated city of Warsaw. International 30 1939 1939-10-01T00:00:00 Australian Army restructures into four new regional commands—Northern (QLD), Eastern, Southern, Western. National 31 1939 1939-10-06T00:00:00 A converted Passenger Liner was commissioned as HMAS KANIMBLA and was manned by Australians. National 32 1939 1939-10-09T00:00:00 Hitler issues orders for the invasion of France and the Low Countries. International 33 1939 1939-10-13T00:00:00 Newly acquired HMAS Hobart and five RAN destroyers from World War l sailed for service overseas with the Royal Navy. National 34 1939 1939-10-20T00:00:00 Militia conscription began in Australia. National 35 174 1939 1939-11-06T00:00:00 The first 36 Brisbane recruits to join the RAAF in the Second World War had enlisted through the No.3 RAAF Recruiting Centre, Brisbane. Regional 36 1939 1939-11-11T00:00:00 Queen Elizabeth broadcasted a message to the women of the Empire, calling them to join the war effort. International 37 1939 1939-11-15T00:00:00 Building of Tribal class destroyer HMAS Arunta commenced in Sydney. National 38 1939 1939-11-21T00:00:00 British Prime Minister Chamberlain imposes an embargo on all German trade, with goods currently in Britain, but destined for shipment to Germany to be confiscated. International 39 1939 1939-11-27T00:00:00 Inauguration of the Empire Air Training Scheme—Over 37,000 Australian airmen trained under the scheme, in Australia, Canada and Rhodesia, one of the Commonwealth’s greatest achievements in wartime. National 40 1939 1939-11-28T00:00:00 Australian Federal government decided to send an expeditionary force overseas. National 41 126 1939 1939-12-01T00:00:00 The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland Exhibition (The Ekka) Grounds were requisitioned by the army for training, accommodation and embarkation of troops. Regional 42 1939 1939-12-01T00:00:00 Construction of Horn Island Airfield commenced. Regional 43 174 1939 1939-12-04T00:00:00 RAAF No.3 Recruiting Centre Unit established in Creek Street, Brisbane. Regional 44 1939 1939-12-05T00:00:00 First official RAAF operation of the Second World War—A Sunderland aircraft of No. 10 Squadron RAAF, flew as part of RAF Coastal Command against U-boats in the battle of the Atlantic. National 45 1939 1939-12-18T00:00:00 The first Canadian troops arrive in Britain. International 46 1939 1939-12-26T00:00:00 The first squadron of Australian airmen arrives in Britain. National 47 1940 1940-01-01T00:00:00 Conscription for all unmarried men aged 21 years or older into the AMF began. National 48 701 1940 1940-01-01T00:00:00 Gaythorne Internment and Prisoner of War Camp at the current Enoggera (Gallipoli) Army Barracks site was re-established. Regional 49 1940 1940-01-04T00:00:00 The 16th Australian Brigade marches through the streets of Sydney. National 50 1940 1940-01-10T00:00:00 First convoy of 2nd A.I.F. (6th Division) sails for Middle East. National 51 1940 1940-01-17T00:00:00 The Australian passenger ship WESTRALIA was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS WESTRALIA, an Armed Merchant Cruiser, AMC. National 52 1940 1940-02-01T00:00:00 Cairns City Council selected a civil aerodrome site on salt pans alongside Tom McDonald’s private strip at Aeroglen. Regional 53 1940 1940-02-03T00:00:00 A civilian was killed in Cairns, by a No.1 Garrison Battalion sentry, who was on duty as an oil tank guard, on the corner of Hartley and Sheridan Streets. Regional 54 1940 1940-02-10T00:00:00 Building of second Australian Tribal class destroyer HMAS Warramunga commenced in Sydney. National 55 1940 1940-02-12T00:00:00 First convoy of second AIF of the 6th Division reaches the Middle East—Australia’s first land campaign of the Second World War. National 56 1940 1940-02-28T00:00:00 Decision to form 7th Division of the AIF. National 57 1940 1940-03-11T00:00:00 A coal strike in New South Wales begins. National 58 1940 1940-03-14T00:00:00 United Australia Party-Country Party coalition formed. National 59 1940 1940-03-15T00:00:00 First two women from the Voluntary Aid Detachments organisation enlist in the AIF—Most Voluntary Aids transferred after August 1942 into the new Australian Army Women’s Medical Service. National 60 1940 1940-03-23T00:00:00 51 Battalion entered Miowera camp near Bowen, joining 26 and 31 Battalions of 11 Brigade. Regional 61 1940 1940-04-08T00:00:00 A cyclone hit the Bowen area, dumping 26 inches of rain in 24 hours on the 11th Brigade fully tented campsite at Miowera. A majority of the tents were blown down, and much of the camp flooded. Regional 62 1940 1940-04-09T00:00:00 Germans invade Denmark and Norway. International 63 1940 1940-04-10T00:00:00 Neville Chamberlain resigned as British Prime Minister; replaced by Winston Churchill. International 64 1940 1940-05-01T00:00:00 Australia Defence Committee sought advice on coastal battery sites for Torres Strait. Regional 65 1940 1940-05-09T00:00:00 First German bombing raids on Britain. International 66 1940 1940-05-10T00:00:00 At 5.35am, the Wehrmacht begins ‘Operation Yellow’, the invasion of France, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg. International 67 1940 1940-05-11T00:00:00 Allied troops land in Dutch West Indies. International 68 1940 1940-05-15T00:00:00 Holland surrenders. International 69 1940 1940-05-15T00:00:00 RAF Bomber Command (Peirse) begins a strategic air offensive against targets inside Germany by attacking industrial installations in the Ruhr. International 70 1940 1940-05-15T00:00:00 The Netherlands surrendered to Germany. International 71 1940 1940-05-17T00:00:00 7 Division AIF under Major General John Lavarack arrived in Middle East. National 72 1940 1940-05-22T00:00:00 British cipher experts at Bletchley Park break the Luftwaffe Enigma code. International 73 1940 1940-05-22T00:00:00 Australian 8th Division formed, but most of the division was lost in the fall of Singapore in February 1942. National 74 1940 1940-05-26T00:00:00 Operation ‘Dynamo’ the evacuation of British, French and Belgian troops from Dunkirk begins. International 75 1940 1940-05-28T00:00:00 Belgium formally surrenders to the Germans. International 76 1940 1940-06-03T00:00:00 Evacuation of 337,000 British, French and Belgium troops from Dunkirk completed. International 77 1940 1940-06-04T00:00:00 Churchill tells Commons “We shall fight on the beaches, in the fields, in the streets and in the hills. We shall never surrender”. International 78 1940 1940-06-05T00:00:00 The Germans begin ‘Operation Red’, the ‘Battle of France’ with 119 divisions, including 10 Panzer division’s. International 79 1940 1940-06-06T00:00:00 Air raids along many parts of East Coast of England. International 80 1940 1940-06-10T00:00:00 Italy declares war on Britain and France, effective from the 11th June 1940. International 81 1940 1940-06-11T00:00:00 Australia and New Zealand declare war on Italy. National 82 1940 1940-06-11T00:00:00 0900 hrs EST Australia’s war begins with Italy. Two Italian Merchant vessels were seized; the REMO at the port of Fremantle, and ROMOLO had sailed from Brisbane five days earlier, bound for Genoa. National 83 1940 1940-06-11T00:00:00 Commonwealth Department of Munitions established. National 84 1940 1940-06-12T00:00:00 H.M.A.S. “Manoora” intercepts Italian ship “Romolo”. Italian captain gave orders to scuttle her and all crew were rescued. National 85 1940 1940-06-13T00:00:00 The German raider Orion lays mines off Auckland, New Zealand. International 86 1940 1940-06-14T00:00:00 German forces entered Paris. International 87 1940 1940-06-15T00:00:00 The Communist Party of Australia is declared as illegal. National 88 1940 1940-06-16T00:00:00 The Red Army occupies Latvia. Estonia is also occupied by the Soviet Union. International 89 1940 1940-06-16T00:00:00 Second A.I.F. (portion of 6th Division) arrive in England National 90 1940 1940-06-21T00:00:00 Franco-German armistice negotiations begin at Compiegne, during which Hitler informs the French representatives of his terms in the same railway carriage as the German surrender was signed in 1918. International 91 1940 1940-06-26T00:00:00 Australian Federal government implemented special powers to take control of resources, production and manpower. National 92 1940 1940-06-27T00:00:00 Japanese troops occupy part of the Hong Kong peninsula. International 93 1940 1940-06-27T00:00:00 German troops reach Franco-Spanish border. International 94 1940 1940-06-28T00:00:00 British government recognises de Gaulle as leader of ‘Free French’. International 95 1940 1940-07-01T00:00:00 Cairns civil aerodrome under construction by Main Roads Council. Regional 96 1940 1940-07-04T00:00:00 Italian bombers raid Alexandria, Egypt. Italian forces attack from Abyssinia and Eritrea. International 97 1940 1940-07-09T00:00:00 RAF begins night bombing of Germany. International 98 1940 1940-07-10T00:00:00 Battle of Britain began. International 99 1940 1940-07-15T00:00:00 Volunteer Defence Force (VDC) formed. Composed mainly of First World War veterans, was formed for home defence by the Returned and Services League (RSL). National 100 1940 1940-07-16T00:00:00 HMA Ships Stuart and Waterhenwere on screen at the bombardment of Bardia. National 101 1940 1940-07-19T00:00:00 HMAS “Sydney” sinks Italian cruiser “Bartolomeo Colleoni” in Mediterranean. National 102 1940 1940-07-22T00:00:00 Special Operations Executive (SOE) is created in order to encourage resistance across occupied Europe. International 103 1940 1940-07-26T00:00:00 Formation of the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service (RAAFNS). National 104 1940 1940-08-01T00:00:00 Papua and Mandated Territory of New Guinea became incorporated in the Australian defence system as the 8th Military District. National 105 1940 1940-08-03T00:00:00 Churchill warns nation against believing rumours that invasion threat is over. International 106 1940 1940-08-04T00:00:00 The Italians begin their invasion of British Somaliland. International 107 1940 1940-08-06T00:00:00 Goering sets the 10th August 1940 as ‘Eagle day’, the start of the Luftwaffe major offensive against the RAF and its Airfields. International 108 515 1940 1940-08-07T00:00:00 The Commonwealth used its National Security Regulations to requisition Alanzo Sparkes’ paddock at Chermside for a militiary camp. Regional 109 1940 1940-08-11T00:00:00 The Battle of Britain begins in earnest with 400 German planes attacking channel convoys and the coastal areas of Britain including Dover, Weymouth and Portland. International 110 1940 1940-08-13T00:00:00 An air crash in Canberra kills three UAP ministers and Chief of the Australian General Staff. National 111 1940 1940-08-19T00:00:00 Mussolini orders Marshal Graziani to invade Egypt. International 112 1940 1940-08-20T00:00:00 Mao Tse-Tung launches ‘100 regiments’ guerrilla offensive against the Japanese in China. International 113 1940 1940-08-20T00:00:00 Churchill famous speech in Parliament, ‘Never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many, to so few’, refering to the aircrews of the Battle of Britain. International 114 1940 1940-08-20T00:00:00 British vessel Turakina (8,706 tons) sunk by Orion between Sydney and Wellington International 115 1940 1940-08-22T00:00:00 Churchill dispatches a heavily armed convoy with 150 tanks to reinforce the middle east. International 116 1940 1940-08-24T00:00:00 Start of the Blitz on London begins with a lost formation of German bombers mistakenly dropping their bombs over the capital, damaging St. Giles and Cripplegate. International 117 1940 1940-08-25T00:00:00 First night-attack by RAF on Berlins industrial targets is made by 43 aircraft from RAF Bomber Command in retaliation for the accidental attack on London the night before. International 118 1940 1940-09-01T00:00:00 RAAF officer posted to Britain to examine tactical use of radar. National 119 1940 1940-09-05T00:00:00 First draft of Australian Empire Air Tarining Scheme (E.A.T.S.) trainees leaves Sydney for Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada. National 120 1940 1940-09-06T00:00:00 The official start of the London Blitz is initiated by the Germans, as they intentionally bomb the capital. International 121 1940 1940-09-09T00:00:00 German guns shell Dover. International 122 1940 1940-09-13T00:00:00 5 Italian divisions and 200 tanks in cross the Libyan/Egyptian border. The British 7th Armoured and 4th Indian Divisions have orders to stand and fight. International 123 1940 1940-09-16T00:00:00 Italians halt their offensive into Egypt and begin to construct a number of fortified camps. International 124 1940 1940-09-21T00:00:00 The UAP, under Prime Minister Menzies, narrowly retained government in the federal election. National 125 1940 1940-09-23T00:00:00 HMAS Australia in action at Dakar, Senegal—HMAS Australia begins action against Vichy French at Dakar, West Africa. National 126 1940 1940-09-23T00:00:00 Decision to form 9 Division of the AIF. National 127 1940 1940-09-27T00:00:00 Japan signs the pact with Germany and Italy, hoping to deter the USA from interfering in its affairs. The US now saw Japan as siding with the aggressors. International 128 1940 1940-10-01T00:00:00 Petrol rationing introducing in Australia (in place until February 1950) National 129 515 1940 1940-10-01T00:00:00 Chermside Army Camp established. Regional 130 1940 1940-10-01T00:00:00 Construction of Goods Island coastal battery in Torres Strait commenced. Regional 131 515 1940 1940-10-07T00:00:00 The first 200 recruits enter Chermside Army Camp, Brisbane. Regional 132 1940 1940-10-10T00:00:00 31st Battalion moved into Miowera camp near Bowen for a nine week training period. The 26th Battalion had centred its activities to the Kissing Point Fortress area, whilst the 51st Battalion moved to Parramatta Park at Cairns. Regional 133 1940 1940-10-15T00:00:00 RAAF 24 Squadron moved from Amberley to Garbutt, Townsville. Regional 134 1940 1940-10-19T00:00:00 7 Division of the AIF sailed for the Middle East. National 135 1940 1940-10-19T00:00:00 7th Australian Division sails for the Middle East. National 136 1940 1940-10-28T00:00:00 Italy invaded Greece. International 137 1940 1940-10-28T00:00:00 Cameron is replaced by Fadden as leader of the Australian Country Party. National 138 1940 1940-10-30T00:00:00 German raider Pinguin lays mines off south and east coasts of Australia. Three vessels are sunk. National 139 1940 1940-10-31T00:00:00 The Battle of Britain is considered over by the British Air Ministry. International 140 1940 1940-11-08T00:00:00 Italians begin big offensive in Albania. International 141 1940 1940-11-12T00:00:00 Germany prepares to enter war in Greece. International 142 1940 1940-11-12T00:00:00 HMAS Sydney [II] in action at Strait of Otranto, Italy. National 143 1940 1940-11-15T00:00:00 Second A .I.F. in United Kingdom leave for Middle East National 144 1940 1940-11-29T00:00:00 British and New Zealand troops under General Freyberg occupy the whole of the Greek island of Crete in the Mediterranean. International 145 941 1940 1940-12-01T00:00:00 RAAF Station Maryborough, No.3 Wireless Air Gunners’ School and No.3 Air Navigation School were located at the present day Maryborough Airport. Regional 146 1940 1940-12-02T00:00:00 8 Division of the AIF sailed from Sydney to Malaya and Singapore. National 147 1940 1940-12-12T00:00:00 Garbutt aerodrome transferred from Townville City Council to Department of Defence for RAAF use. Regional 148 1940 1940-12-21T00:00:00 Bardia is surrounded by the 6th Australian Division. National 149 1941 1941-01-03T00:00:00 6th Division in action at Bardia, Libya. Australia’s first major ground campaign of the Second World War. National 150 1941 1941-01-05T00:00:00 Bardia captured—The Australian 6th Division captured 40,000 Italian prisoners, including four generals, at a cost of 130 killed and 326 wounded. National 151 1941 1941-01-10T00:00:00 ‘Lend Lease’ bill introduced. This allowed the fighting allies to pay the USA back in kind, but after the war. International 152 1941 1941-01-21T00:00:00 Battle of Tobruk. 6th Australian Division begins its attack. National 153 1941 1941-01-22T00:00:00 Tobruk surrenders to British and Australian troops. Combined British and Australian losses were about 450. National 154 1941 1941-01-27T00:00:00 Fighting at Derna, Libya, begins. Two brigades of the 6th Australian Division under Major General Iven Mackay pursued the Italians westwards and encountered an Italian rear guard at Derna. National 155 1941 1941-01-30T00:00:00 Australian troops capture Derna as the Italians begin to withdraw towards Benghazi. National 156 1941 1941-02-01T00:00:00 The US Navy is reorganised in to the Atlantic, Pacific and Asiatic fleets and ordered to gradually bring ship crews up to war establishment. International 157 135 1941 1941-02-01T00:00:00 Plans are implemented to upgrade facilities and defences at Fort Bribie, on the northern tip of Bribie Island. Regional 158 1941 1941-02-01T00:00:00 North-south runway on Horn Island completed as a gravel strip for RAAF units. Regional 159 1941 1941-02-05T00:00:00 Women’s Australian Auxiliary Air Force (WAAAF) established. National 160 1941 1941-02-06T00:00:00 Australian forces capture Benghazi along with six senior Italian Generals. Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel is appointed to command the German forces being sent to Africa. National 161 1941 1941-02-18T00:00:00 Australian 8th Division troops arrives at Singapore—Australia recognised that Singapore was vital to its own defence. National 162 1941 1941-02-20T00:00:00 The Australian Prime Minister, R.G. Menzies arrives in Britain for talks with Churchill. National 163 1941 1941-02-22T00:00:00 Athens Conference on British aid to Greece ; 6th Australian Division arrives during March-April National 164 1941 1941-02-23T00:00:00 Free French forces land in Eritrea. International 165 1941 1941-02-24T00:00:00 Army HQ call up half of the militia force for 90 days full-time duty and manning of all coastal and anti-aircraft defences. Infantry detachments sent to reinforce Thursday Island, Port Moresby and Rabaul. National 166 1941 1941-02-26T00:00:00 Depot Ship in Sydney’s Garden Island dockyard, formerly known as HMAS PENGUIN, was re-commissioned as HMAS PLATYPUS, for seagoing service as a training /depot ship. National 167 1941 1941-02-26T00:00:00 Establishment of first high frequency direction finding (HFDF) station at Garbutt aerodrome. Regional 168 1941 1941-03-05T00:00:00 The Royal Navy begins escorting British and Commonwealth troop convoys from Egypt to Greece. International 169 1941 1941-03-07T00:00:00 British and Commonwealth troops begin to arrive in Greece. International 170 1367 1941 1941-03-10T00:00:00 Queensland’s Public Works Department began cutting and filling the ground for the first large building of the Rocklea Small Arms Factory. The site later became the Rocklea Munitions Works, taking on larger projects. Regional 171 1941 1941-03-11T00:00:00 Lend-Lease Bill signed by US President Franklin Roosevelt. International 172 1941 1941-03-22T00:00:00 Militia troops of 49 Battalion reinforced Thursday Island and Port Moresby. Regional 173 1941 1941-03-24T00:00:00 Troops of 51 Battalion entered Cairns Showgrounds for 90-day training camp. Regional 174 1941 1941-03-25T00:00:00 Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) established. National 175 1941 1941-03-29T00:00:00 Battle of Matapan, Greece—HMA ships Perth, Vendetta and Stuart were among 13 Allied ships involved in the battle. National 176 445 1941 1941-03-30T00:00:00 Contruction of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Port War Signal Station 1 at Caloundra was commenced. The site of the signal tower was on the front lawn of the Sea Eagle Apartments at 38 Victoria Terrace, Wickham Point. Regional 177 1941 1941-04-01T00:00:00 Work commenced on survey and grading of the Mount Isa-Tennant Creek supply road to Darwin. Regional 178 2022 1941 1941-04-01T00:00:00 Lady Bowen Services Hostel, also known as the 12th Australian Defence Canteen Services Hostel was established in Spring Hill, Brisbane. Regional 179 2050 1941 1941-04-01T00:00:00 The Lady Bowen Club, No. 12 Service Club and Australian Army Canteens Service Recreation Centre were opened in Albert Park, Springhill, Brisbane. Regional 180 1941 1941-04-04T00:00:00 German and Italian troops enter Benghazi unopposed. International 181 1941 1941-04-06T00:00:00 Germany invaded Greece and Yugoslavia. International 182 1941 1941-04-06T00:00:00 6th Australian Division arrives in Greece National 183 1941 1941-04-07T00:00:00 British and Australian troops evacuate Derna; Generals O’Connor and Neame captured by Germans National 184 1941 1941-04-09T00:00:00 Rommel’s forces take Bardia. International 185 1941 1941-04-10T00:00:00 The 9th Australian Division withdraws into Tobruk. Siege of Tobruk, Libya, begins. National 186 1941 1941-04-10T00:00:00 6th Division engage the Germans in Greece with heavy losses. National 187 1941 1941-04-11T00:00:00 Rommel makes an attempt to capture Tobruk, however the 9th Australian Division repulses the attack. National 188 1941 1941-04-12T00:00:00 ANZAC Corps reformed in Greece by General Blamey, and conducted a skillful evacuation of the ANZAC Corps from southern Greece at the end of the campaign. National 189 1941 1941-04-13T00:00:00 Corporal J.H. Edmondson, VC—Corporal J.H. Edmondson, 2/17th Battalion,AIF, originally from Wagga Wagga, NSW, wins the Victoria Cross at Tobruk. It was a posthumous award. National 190 1941 1941-04-14T00:00:00 Second attack against Tobruk by Afrika Korps fails—The besieged town of Tobruk held out against German attacks until December 1941 when the siege was lifted. International 191 1941 1941-04-14T00:00:00 General Morshead appointed commander of Tobruk fortress. National 192 1941 1941-04-20T00:00:00 ANZAC Corps withdraw to Thermopylae Line, Greece. National 193 1941 1941-04-25T00:00:00 Australian and New Zealand units from Greece arrive in Crete National 194 1941 1941-04-25T00:00:00 Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) established National 195 1941 1941-04-30T00:00:00 Last evacuation ship leaves Greece, Australian and New Zealand troops. National 196 1941 1941-04-30T00:00:00 Lark Force 2/22 Battalion reinforced the Rabaul garrison. National 197 1941 1941-05-01T00:00:00 Army HQ took over control of the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC). National 198 1941 1941-05-03T00:00:00 Approval given for raising a company of Torres Strait Islander troops. Regional 199 1941 1941-05-05T00:00:00 Military upgrading of Cloncurry aerodrome commenced. Regional 200 1941 1941-05-08T00:00:00 RAAF Area Combined HQ moved from Port Moresby to Townsville (Commonwealth Building, 42 Sturt Street). Regional 201 1941 1941-05-20T00:00:00 Churchill announces the end of Ethiopian campaign. International 202 1941 1941-05-20T00:00:00 Germans Airborne forces invade Crete. International 203 1941 1941-05-24T00:00:00 The Australian Prime Minister, R.G. Menzies arrives back in Australia after his trip to Britain. National 204 726 1941 1941-05-24T00:00:00 The 112 General Military Hospital (Brisbane) was established at Greenslopes. It went on to become a Repatriation and veteran’s Hospital Regional 205 1941 1941-05-29T00:00:00 HMAS Perth damaged during the evacuation of Allied troops from Crete. Over 16,000 troops were successfully evacuated from the island over four successive nights. National 206 1941 1941-06-01T00:00:00 The evacuation of Crete is completed, with 17,000 British, Commonwealth and Greek troops being rescued, although the Australians lose more than half their contingent. International 207 1941 1941-06-01T00:00:00 RAAF 24 Squadron (Wirraways) arrived at Garbutt aerodrome, Townsville. Regional 208 2052 1941 1941-06-02T00:00:00 RAAF No.3 Base Stores Depot (BSD) established at Spring Hill. The site is now an Energex Depot. Regional 209 1941 1941-06-05T00:00:00 Cyprus reinforced by Australian troops—After their heavy losses during the invasion of Crete German plans to launch a similar attack against Cyprus were abandoned. National 210 1941 1941-06-08T00:00:00 Australians attack Vichy French in Syria—7th Division and Imperial forces attack Vichy French in Syria. National 211 1941 1941-06-13T00:00:00 No.24 Squadron RAAF took over the Garbutt H/F D/F Station. Its purpose was to assist aircrew in navigating by giving a course to steer to reach the area of the H/F D/F station and consisted of four vertical masts (aerials). National 212 1941 1941-06-13T00:00:00 HF/DF station Garbutt transferred to RAAF. Regional 213 1941 1941-06-22T00:00:00 Operation Barbarossa launched. Germany invades Russia. International 214 1941 1941-06-26T00:00:00 Federal Department of War Organisation of Industry established. National 215 1941 1941-06-30T00:00:00 H.M.A.S. Waterhen sunk by dive bomber on Tobruk shuttle service in the Mediterranean. National 216 1941 1941-06-30T00:00:00 RAAF No.24 Squadron Wirraway aircraft, A20/118 crashed at Townsville, killing both occupants. Regional 217 1941 1941-07-01T00:00:00 Proof firing of coast defence guns at Goods and Milman Batteries, Torres Strait. Regional 218 1941 1941-07-06T00:00:00 Construction of Coen Advanced Operastional Base completed by Queensland’s Main Roads Commission (MRC). Regional 219 1941 1941-07-11T00:00:00 Vichy French surrender in Syria, after a five-week long Syrian campaign represented the first occasion that the Australian 7th Division was committed to action. National 220 1941 1941-07-12T00:00:00 Main Roads Commission (MRC) upgraded and sealed Cairns airfield. Regional 221 1941 1941-07-24T00:00:00 Japanese troops landed in French Indo-China (Vietnam). International 222 1941 1941-07-25T00:00:00 United States, UK and Dominions freeze all Japanese assets. International 223 1941 1941-07-28T00:00:00 Japan freezes all US and UK assets in retaliation. International 224 1941 1941-07-28T00:00:00 40,000 Japanese troops land in Indo-China. International 225 1941 1941-07-31T00:00:00 The first Australians were trained as instructors for the Special Forces (guerrilla warfare) school at Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria. National 226 1941 1941-08-01T00:00:00 RAAF 20 Squadron formed at Port Moresby, New Guinea, utilising Catalina and Empire flying boats. National 227 1941 1941-08-05T00:00:00 Lieut-General Sir Iven Mackay appointed General Officer in Charge—Home Forces. National 228 1941 1941-08-13T00:00:00 Australian Women’s Army Service formed to release men from certain military duties for service with fighting units. National 229 1941 1941-08-17T00:00:00 The Federal Government approved the formation of Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS). National 230 1941 1941-08-19T00:00:00 Relief of Australian troops in Tobruk begins National 231 1941 1941-08-28T00:00:00 Menzies resigns as Prime Minister of Australia and is replaced McFadden. Under pressure from his political opposition he demands the relief of the 9th Australian Division from Tobruk in Libya. National 232 1941 1941-09-13T00:00:00 First Naval Member Vice Admiral Sir Guy C.C. Roy/e KCB, CMG, made a very brief inspection of A.C.H., Townsville, when on route to Rabaul by air. Regional 233 1941 1941-10-01T00:00:00 Australian Women’s Army service (AWAS) established. National 234 1941 1941-10-01T00:00:00 Horn Island airfield second runway completed as a gravel strip. Regional 235 1941 1941-10-03T00:00:00 Federal Budget defeated with the support of Independent members. Labor leader John Curtin appointed as prime minister-elect. National 236 1941 1941-10-15T00:00:00 US Army selected Garbutt aerodrome, Townsville, as a base for supply of the US garrison in the Philippines. Regional 237 1941 1941-10-17T00:00:00 General Hideki Tojo became Japan’s prime minister and war minister. International 238 1941 1941-10-19T00:00:00 Moscow under siege by German forces. International 239 1941 1941-10-30T00:00:00 RAAF selected Woodstock area near Townsville as a suitable site for an airfield. Regional 240 1367 1941 1941-11-01T00:00:00 Construction of the Rocklea Munitions Works concludes. Regional 241 1941 1941-11-03T00:00:00 RAAF selected Antil Plains area near Townsville as a suitable site for an airfield. Regional 242 1941 1941-11-03T00:00:00 Work began on upgrading Cooktown civil aerodrome for completion by end of December. Regional 243 1941 1941-11-03T00:00:00 Urgent upgrading and sealing of Garbutt aerodrome commenced with Main Roads Commission (MRC) teams working around the clock. Regional 244 1941 1941-11-11T00:00:00 Opening of the Australian War Memorial, Canberra National 245 1941 1941-11-17T00:00:00 Chiang Kai-shek urges the western democracies to take urgent action against Japan. International 246 1941 1941-11-19T00:00:00 The cruiser HMAS Sydney and German raider Kormoran sink each other off Western Australia. There are no survivors from HMAS Sydney. National 247 1941 1941-11-24T00:00:00 US Army commanders across the Pacific are warned of the possible imminence of war. International 248 1941 1941-11-27T00:00:00 Japan rejects the USA’s demand for their withdrawal of forces from China. International 249 1941 1941-11-27T00:00:00 H.M.A.S. Parramatta torpedoed by a submarine off Tobruk. National 250 480 1941 1941-11-30T00:00:00 The work of enlarging the existing civil aerodrome at Charleville was requested by the Department of Civil Aviation Regional 251 877 1941 1941-12-01T00:00:00 Fort Lytton Inner Examination Battery—The Lytton Heavy Battery moved to the fort at which time it came under the command of Brisbane Fixed Defences Regional 252 1941 1941-12-06T00:00:00 German assault on Moscow defeated. Soviet counter-offensive launched. International 253 1941 1941-12-06T00:00:00 The Australian 49th Battalion, a Militia unit from Queensland, and elements of the 13th Field Regiment, and base troops arrive in Port Moresby. National 254 1941 1941-12-07T00:00:00 Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; also attack the Philippines, Wake Island, Guam, Malaya, Thailand, Shanghai and Midway. International 255 1941 1941-12-08T00:00:00 US President Roosevelt states that December 7 is “a date that will live in infamy”. Roosevelt signs the declaration of war on Japan. International 256 1941 1941-12-08T00:00:00 Japanese aircraft bomb Singapore, resulting in 200 casualties, mostly civilians. International 257 1941 1941-12-08T00:00:00 Britain, Australia and the USA declare war on Japan. International 258 1941 1941-12-08T00:00:00 CMF Units were placed on full time duty. 51st Infantry Battalion, whose role was the defence of the Cairns Area. the coastal strip north to Port Douglas and south to Gordonvale, moved into Sellheim camp for training. Regional 259 1941 1941-12-08T00:00:00 All Japanese residents and nationals on Thursday Island detained behind barbed wire in the Japanese quarter. Regional 260 1941 1941-12-09T00:00:00 Japanese also continue to land troops in southern Thailand and north eastern Malaya. China declares war on Germany and Italy. International 261 1941 1941-12-09T00:00:00 First Japanese aircraft sighted over Rabaul, New Britain. International 262 1941 1941-12-10T00:00:00 British Battleships Prince of Wales and Repulse are attacked and sunk of the north eastern coast of Malaya by Japanese aircraft. International 263 1941 1941-12-10T00:00:00 Japanese invade the Philippines. International 264 1941 1941-12-11T00:00:00 Japanese invade Burma. International 265 1941 1941-12-11T00:00:00 The corvette HMAS GOULBURN captured the Japanese fish carrier, KOFUKU MARU off Singapore. The vessel was taken to Colombo and later renamed KRAIT. National 266 1941 1941-12-12T00:00:00 Australian Army “Sparrow Force” (2/40 Battalion. 23 Brigade, 8th division) arrive in Timor on the Australian former coastal steamer, ZEALANDIA, escorted from Darwin by HMAS WESTRALIA. National 267 1941 1941-12-12T00:00:00 First experimental air warning (AW) radar set installed at Dover Heights, Sydney. National 268 1941 1941-12-15T00:00:00 US confirmed that Australia would be developed as base to support American forces in the Philippines. National 269 1941 1941-12-15T00:00:00 ‘A’ Company, 16th Battalion VDC (Volunteer Defence Corps) Townsville, warned for duty at RAAF Station, Garbutt. HQ D Group VDC was located in the AMP Building in Townsville. National 270 1941 1941-12-16T00:00:00 Japanese troops land on Penang Island off the eastern coast of of Malaya. International 271 1941 1941-12-16T00:00:00 Japanese forces land in Sarawak and Brunei in Borneo. International 272 1941 1941-12-17T00:00:00 The Australian Army “Gull Force” (2/21st Battalion) arrives in Ambon from Darwin. Transported on Dutch merchant ships Both, Valentijn and Patras, and escorted by HMAS Adelaide. National 273 1941 1941-12-18T00:00:00 Japanese troops force landings on Hong Kong island. International 274 1941 1941-12-18T00:00:00 Australian and Dutch forces occupied Portuguese Timor. National 275 732 1941 1941-12-22T00:00:00 USS ‘Pensacola’ Convoy arrives at Brett’s Wharf at Hamilton in Brisbane. Regional 276 1941 1941-12-23T00:00:00 General Douglas MacArthur begins a withdrawal from Manila to Bataan. International 277 1941 1941-12-23T00:00:00 Queensland’s Premier William Forgan Smith, ordered the Brisbane City Council to construct 200 public surface shelters in the city area. Regional 278 1657 1941 1941-12-23T00:00:00 Preparation for the Toowoomba Railway Station Air Raid Shelters was announced. Regional 279 222 1941 1941-12-23T00:00:00 US headquarters was established at Lennon’s Hotel, with Colonel Alexander L.P. Johnson appointed supply officer. Regional 280 39 1941 1941-12-24T00:00:00 Camp Ascot (US Army), Eagle Farm Racecourse—the first US Army camp established in Australia. It was located in the Ascot Racecourse due to its close location to the major Brett’s Wharf at Hamilton. Regional 281 1941 1941-12-25T00:00:00 Hong Kong surrenders after a 7 day siege, with more than 2,000 killed or missing and 2,300 wounded. International 282 1941 1941-12-26T00:00:00 Australian civilians evacuated from Rabaul to Townsville. Regional 283 1941 1941-12-27T00:00:00 The Australian Prime Minister, Curtin, announces, “Australia looks to America”. National 284 1941 1941-12-28T00:00:00 Lieutenant General George Brett arrived in Australia to take command of all US forces in the region. National 285 1941 1941-12-28T00:00:00 39th Battalion, raised from volunteers and drafts from formations located in Victoria, embarked from Sydney, bound for Papua. They are accompanied by some 53rd Battalion, raised in NSW. National 286 1941 1941-12-31T00:00:00 War Cabinet approved the formation of the VAOC (Voluntary Air Observers’ Corps). National 287 135 1941 1941-12-31T00:00:00 The AIF Composite Company developed a number of machine gun positions north and south of Fort Bribie, plus two mortar positions and two timber pillboxes south of Fort Bribie. Regional 288 1941 1941-12-31T00:00:00 All Japanese on Thursday Island were shipped south to interment camps. Regional 289 1942 1942-01-01T00:00:00 0220 hrs, Clocks are advanced one hour to conform to Summer time. National 290 1942 1942-01-01T00:00:00 LGEN George H. Brett. Chief of US Air Corps (USAC), in Australia to command the American Troops. His command was designated United States Army Forces in Australia. National 291 2026 1942 1942-01-01T00:00:00 A Chemical Warfare Centre Impregnation Facility is established at Crosby Park. The centre is now known as Allan Border Field. Regional 292 2019 1942 1942-01-01T00:00:00 RAN Port War Signal Station commenced operation at Archer Point near Cooktown. Other naval signal stations were established at Goods, Booby and Wednesday Islands in the Torres Strait. Regional 293 1942 1942-01-02T00:00:00 Japanese take Manila, as MacArthur’s forces retire to Bataan Peninsular. International 294 1942 1942-01-03T00:00:00 Churchill and Roosevelt announce the unified ABDA (American, British, Dutch and Australian) Command in the Southwest Pacific, under General Wavell, with Lieutenant General Brett as his deputy. International 295 1942 1942-01-03T00:00:00 Port Moresby garrison boosted to Brigade strength, with two Militia battalions—the 39th and 53rd. National 296 1942 1942-01-04T00:00:00 Rabaul, in New Britain, bombed by Japanese for the first time. International 297 1942 1942-01-04T00:00:00 Two new RAAF Hudson Bombers (#A16-102 and 106) fitted with extra fuel tanks and two 20 inch cameras, took off from Townsville for Rabaul to perform photographic reconnaissance of Truk Lagoon. National 298 1942 1942-01-05T00:00:00 The Cooktown airstrip officially handed over to RAAF. The strip was built by the road construction firm, T & K Constructions, under tender, for the Department of Interior. Regional 299 1439 1942 1942-01-05T00:00:00 Camp Victoria Park is developed as the US Base Section 3 and US Army Service of Supply (USASOS) Headquarters. Regional 300 1942 1942-01-05T00:00:00 US group headed by Brigadier Clagett arrived in Townsville to arrange construction of airfields and establish US Base Section 2 of the US Army Services of Supply organisation (USASOS). Regional 301 1942 1942-01-06T00:00:00 RAAF took control of Cloncurry airfield. Regional 302 595 1942 1942-01-06T00:00:00 No.3 Base Stores Depot (RAAF) was located at the Ford Motor Factory at Eagle Farm. Regional 303 1942 1942-01-07T00:00:00 Ambon Island attacked by Japanese aircraft. International 304 1942 1942-01-08T00:00:00 19th Field Ambulance moved into Sellheim camp outside Charters Towers, to an allotted campsite between 26th Battalion and 11th Field Coy, RAE. Regional 305 1942 1942-01-09T00:00:00 Construction began on Project No. 2 Job 25, US Air Commend operations and signals building (3 Ramsay Street) Garbutt, Townsville. Regional 306 1942 1942-01-09T00:00:00 US Base Section 2 Engineers commenced operations from AML&F Building (Denham and Walker Street) Townsville. This became US Army HQ. Regional 307 526 1942 1942-01-10T00:00:00 A road convoy of roadmaking machinery and plant belonging to construction firm, T & K Constructions, left Yungaburra, via Mt. Garnet, for Cloncurry to continue the construction of an airfield. Regional 308 1942 1942-01-11T00:00:00 Dutch East Indies (now Indonesian) troops, surrender to Japanese on Tarakan Island off Borneo International 309 1942 1942-01-14T00:00:00 At the Arcadia Conference held in Washington, President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill agree to concentrate the Allied war effort on the European theatre. International 310 1942 1942-01-14T00:00:00 General Wavell arrives at Batavia in Java to setup ABDA headquarters. International 311 1942 1942-01-14T00:00:00 Australians (27th Brigade. 8th Division) in battle at Gemas, Malaya Peninsular. The first contact between Australian and Japanese ground troops. National 312 1942 1942-01-19T00:00:00 Churchill indicates that Singapore must be defended and that “no question of surrender be entertained until after protracted fighting among the ruins of Singapore city”. International 313 1942 1942-01-19T00:00:00 Australian and NEI governments reach agreement on the evacuation of Dutch civilians from Java with Australia only accepting white evacuees. National 314 1942 1942-01-20T00:00:00 Wirraways engage Japanese fighter and bomber formations over Rabaul. Three of 24 Squadron’s eight Wirraways were shot down, one crashed on take-off and two were damaged in crash-landings. National 315 1942 1942-01-21T00:00:00 The Japanese bomb New Guinea for the first time. National 316 1942 1942-01-22T00:00:00 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson, 2/19 Battalion, 8th Division, won the Victoria Cross during operations against the Japanese at the Muar River, Malaya. National 317 1942 1942-01-23T00:00:00 Japanese troops make landings at Rabaul on New Britain and at Kavieng on New Ireland, and Bougainville Island in the Solomons. Australia appeals to Britain and the US for immediate reinforcements. National 318 1942 1942-01-23T00:00:00 Cairns City Council urges internment of all enemy aliens and evacuation of women who wished to leave. Regional 319 1942 1942-01-24T00:00:00 Japanese captured Balikpapan oil installations. International 320 1942 1942-01-24T00:00:00 American British Dutch Australian (ABDA) Command Area extended to include Darwin and Broome in north-west Australia. National 321 1942 1942-01-27T00:00:00 116th Australian General Hospital established at Charters Towers racecourse. Regional 322 1942 1942-01-28T00:00:00 S.S. DESIKOKO (230 ton), arrived in Cairns from Samarai, off the tip of Papua, disembarking evacuees. Regional 323 1942 1942-01-29T00:00:00 Manpower Directorate established. National 324 1942 1942-01-30T00:00:00 The British withdraw into Singapore. The siege of Singapore then begins. International 325 1942 1942-01-30T00:00:00 Japanese forces capture the important naval base of Ambon between Celebes and New Guinea. National 326 1942 1942-01-31T00:00:00 Women and children evacuated from Thursday Island. Regional 327 1942 1942-02-01T00:00:00 Royal Australian Engineers mined the Gillies Highway for demolition in event of invasion. Regional 328 1942 1942-02-01T00:00:00 Construction started on 16 HAA Battery gun stations at Mount St John and Rowes Bay, Townsville. Regional 329 1942 1942-02-01T00:00:00 Branch of the Australian Army Hiring Service established at Townsville to compensate for requisition of private property. Regional 330 1942 1942-02-03T00:00:00 First Japanese air raid on Port Moresby. National 331 1942 1942-02-03T00:00:00 Australian 2/21 Battalion surrenders on Ambon, along with Dutch and Indonesian Forces. National 332 726 1942 1942-02-03T00:00:00 The first 40 patients accompanied by staff arrived at Greenslopes Military Hospital. The staff came from the forward elements of the Australian 112th Army General Hospital (AGH) unit then based at ‘Yungaba’, Kangaroo Point. Regional 333 1942 1942-02-04T00:00:00 Lieutenant General Iven Mackay, GOC Home Forces, recommended concentrating Australia’s forces between Melbourne and Brisbane, giving rise to the “Brisbane Line” controversy. Regional 334 1942 1942-02-05T00:00:00 Thirty one US P40 Kittyhawk aircraft are recorded as having landed at Cloncurry airfield. Regional 335 1942 1942-02-05T00:00:00 RAAF No.24 Squadron reformed at Townsville, with strength of ten Wirraways. Regional 336 865 1942 1942-02-09T00:00:00 Extension of the runways at the Longreach Airfield undertaken by the Main Roads Commission (MRC). Regional 337 1942 1942-02-10T00:00:00 Commonwealth Government ordered a full-black-out test on Wednesday 11 February 1942, along the whole Australian seaboard. National 338 1942 1942-02-13T00:00:00 The first train load of bombs arrived at Cloncurry, from Townsville. Regional 339 1942 1942-02-14T00:00:00 SS Vyner Brooke sunk, carrying 65 Australian nurses and other refugees from Singapore. One group of surviving nurses were massacred by their Japanese captors, and only Sister Vivian Bullwinkel survived the massacre. National 340 1942 1942-02-14T00:00:00 Australian civil government in Papua taken over by the Military. National 341 1942 1942-02-14T00:00:00 US ordered construction of an airfield at Charters Towers as a dispersal strip for Garbutt setting a deadline of 14 days to complete. Regional 342 1942 1942-02-15T00:00:00 Singapore surrenders to the Japanese. 9,000 British, Australian and Empire troops are killed and 130,000 captured, including 15,000 Australians, mainly 8th Division. International 343 1942 1942-02-15T00:00:00 HMAS WOLLONGONG was the last RAN ship to have left Singapore before capitulation. National 344 1942 1942-02-15T00:00:00 Main Roads Council began construction of Charters Towers airfield. Regional 345 1942 1942-02-15T00:00:00 31st Battalion arrived at Sellheim, in convoy, from Cairns. Regional 346 1942 1942-02-16T00:00:00 RAAF No.33 Squadron formed at Townsville, with four S23 ‘Short’ Empire Flying Boats, impressed from Qantas and Imperial Airways. The main role was Search & Rescue, and later Transport and Medivac. Regional 347 1942 1942-02-17T00:00:00 Prime Minister Curtin asked Britain for return of AIF troops from the Middle East for defence of Australia. National 348 1942 1942-02-17T00:00:00 Federal government created Allied Works Council (AWC) to organise defence and infrastructure works in Australia. National 349 1942 1942-02-17T00:00:00 19th Field Clearance Station moved from Parramatta Park School in Cairns to Wright’s Creek School near Yatee siding, outside Edmonton. Regional 350 1942 1942-02-19T00:00:00 First Japanese air raid on Darwin—The city was bombed 64 times between February 1942 and November 1943. National 351 1942 1942-02-19T00:00:00 Units of 7th Division, (2/3rd MG Bn, 2/2nd Pioneer Bn., 2/6th Field Company and 2/2nd CCS) land in Java and become part of Blackforce. National 352 1942 1942-02-19T00:00:00 Darwin heavily bombed in two raids by Japanese carrier-borne and land-based aircraft to isolate the NEI: first of 64 air raids on the Darwin-Katherine region. National 353 1942 1942-02-19T00:00:00 Arrival in Townsville of twelve B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 22nd Bombardment Squadron, that were specifically allocated for service in the South-West Pacific. Regional 354 1942 1942-02-19T00:00:00 Main Roads Commission (MRC) started construction of the Inland Defence Road from Ipswich to Charters Towers via Duaringa and Emerald. Regional 355 1942 1942-02-19T00:00:00 First nine USAAF B-175 of 22 BS arrived at Townsville. Regional 356 1942 1942-02-21T00:00:00 First USAAF B-17S landed at Cloncurry. Regional 357 1942 1942-02-21T00:00:00 Nine B-17, and five DC3 aircraft are recorded as having landed at Cloncurry airfield. Regional 358 1942 1942-02-22T00:00:00 First US heavy bombing mission out of Australia staged from Garbutt to attack Rabaul. Regional 359 1942 1942-02-23T00:00:00 Main Australian force on Timor—“Sparrow” Force (2/40th Battalion)—surrenders to the Japanese—Australians of 2/2 Independent Company who evaded capture waged a guerilla war against the Japanese. National 360 1942 1942-02-23T00:00:00 Against the wishes of Winston Churchill, the Australian Prime Minister, Curtin orders all Australian Divisions to return home. National 361 1942 1942-02-24T00:00:00 Evacuation of American British Dutch Australian (ABDA) Command troops from Java began with Qantas, KLM, RAAF and USAAF aircraft flying to Darwin and Broome. National 362 1942 1942-02-25T00:00:00 RAAF No.3 Fighter Sector HQ formed at Townsville Grammar School, and later moved to a Reinforced Concrete building (No.3 FS) built just south of Townsville, at Stuart. Regional 363 1942 1942-02-26T00:00:00 Formation of the Allied Works Council (AWC). Queensland Main Roads Commission and United States Army Engineer and construction units offer complete cooperation in this endeavour. National 364 1942 1942-02-28T00:00:00 Japanese land on Java (Netherlands East Indies) International 365 1942 1942-03-01T00:00:00 USS Houston and light cruiser HMAS Perth, along with 1 British, 1 Dutch and 2 US destroyers, fleeing from the Battle of Java Sea, surprise a Japanese force near the Sundra Strait, and are sunk by torpedoes and gunfire. International 366 511 1942 1942-03-01T00:00:00 Chelmer, Brisbane—‘Glenroma’ Homestead converted and utilised as a Australian Red Cross Convalescent Home. Regional 367 772 1942 1942-03-01T00:00:00 RAAF 36 Radar Station formed on Thursday Island. Regional 368 1942 1942-03-01T00:00:00 RAAF 1 Wireless Station at Townsville, monitor Japanese Kana code signals. Regional 369 1942 1942-03-02T00:00:00 Port Moresby bombed by Japanese. National 370 406 1942 1942-03-03T00:00:00 Construction of civil defence control room for Cairns approved (Scout Shop). Regional 371 1942 1942-03-04T00:00:00 RAAF No.75 Squadron (Kittyhawks) formed in Townsville. National 372 1942 1942-03-08T00:00:00 A-24 Dauntless and A-20 Boston aircraft of USAAF 3 BG, arrived at Charters Towers airfield which is operational by late March. Regional 373 1942 1942-03-08T00:00:00 US 46 Engineer GSR ordered from Melbourne to Townsville for airfield construction. Regional 374 1942 1942-03-09T00:00:00 7th Division AIF arrives in Adelaide. Elements of the Division had been sent to Java where they soon became prisoners of the Japanese. National 375 1942 1942-03-09T00:00:00 HAA gun station at Rowes Bay, Townsville became operational. Regional 376 1942 1942-03-12T00:00:00 An intensified “brown-out”—a partial blackout—was enforced in Queensland, from Mackay, north, and districts 100 miles inland. Regional 377 770 1942 1942-03-14T00:00:00 First of eight Japanese air raids on Horn Island. Three Zero fighters and a P-40 Kittyhawk lost in air combat. One Hudson bomber destroyed and another damaged. Regional 378 1942 1942-03-15T00:00:00 US 46 Engineer GSR arrived in Townsville for airfield construction and occupied a tent encampment at Armstrongs Paddock, Aitkenvale. Regional 379 1942 1942-03-15T00:00:00 The first of large bodies of United States Army personnel, 46th Engineers, arrived in Townsville, and these men were quartered in a vacant block of land, known as Armstrong’s Paddock, one of the largest staging camps in the area. Regional 380 1942 1942-03-17T00:00:00 General Douglas MacArthur lands at Batchelor Field, Adelaide River, south of Darwin, from the Philippines to take command of Allied forces in South West Pacific. National 381 1942 1942-03-17T00:00:00 116 Australian General Hospital moved into Mount Carmel College, Charters Towers. Regional 382 1942 1942-03-18T00:00:00 Japanese air raid on Horn Island. Merchant ship SS Canberra strafed. Regional 383 1942 1942-03-18T00:00:00 US 12 Station Hospital moved to Townsville from Brisbane. Regional 384 1942 1942-03-18T00:00:00 US 46th Engineers, plus men and equipment of the Queensland Main Roads Commission, commenced construction of airstrip at Woodstock, 20 miles southwest of Townsville. Regional 385 1942 1942-03-21T00:00:00 Charters Towers gravel airfield first used for dispersal by B-17s from Townsville. Regional 386 1942 1942-03-22T00:00:00 Japanese bombers raid Katherine, NT and Port Hedland, Western Australia National 387 1942 1942-03-22T00:00:00 The first of fifty one USAAF 8-26 Martin Marauder aircraft of the 22nd Light Bombardment Group arrived in Brisbane, en-route to Townsville. National 388 1942 1942-03-22T00:00:00 Two fighter strips cleared as gravel runways at Antil Plains siding near Townsville for immediate use. Regional 389 1942 1942-03-22T00:00:00 Japanese air raids caused the evacuation of all non-essential civilians from Thursday Island. Regional 390 1942 1942-03-22T00:00:00 Unidentified planes were reported over Townsville for two consecutive days. Single planes flew high over the city about mid-day on both days. Regional 391 854 1942 1942-03-23T00:00:00 Work on the Landsborough Railway Station Public Air Raid Shelter had commenced. Regional 392 1942 1942-03-25T00:00:00 Bohle River airstrip cleared as a gravel dispersal strip near Townsville. Regional 393 1942 1942-03-25T00:00:00 US 12 Station Hospital took over all houses in Chapman Street, Townsville. Regional 394 1942 1942-03-25T00:00:00 A whole street of private dwellings in Chapman Street, Mysterton Estate, Townsville were taken over by the US Army for the location of the 12th Station Hospital. Regional 395 1942 1942-03-26T00:00:00 Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Blarney becomes Commander-in-Chief, Australian Military Forces. National 396 1942 1942-03-28T00:00:00 Weir Airstrip (Aitkenvale) cleared as a gravel dispersal strip, near Townsville. Regional 397 1942 1942-03-28T00:00:00 B-26 Marauders of USAAF 19 BS, 22 BG(M) arrived at Stockroute Airstrip. Regional 398 1942 1942-03-28T00:00:00 51st Battalion moved out from Sellheim in convoy for Townsville. Regional 399 1942 1942-03-29T00:00:00 The Australian War Cabinet implements a ‘Total Denial’ policy in northern Australia should the Japanese invade. National 400 1942 1942-03-29T00:00:00 USAAF 93rd Squadron began arriving in Cloncurry. The Americans, who occupied the entire eight hotels in town, described Cloncurry as “…a hot dry place of a million flies per cubic foot of air…”. Regional 401 1942 1942-03-29T00:00:00 US 46 Engineer GSR shifted from the Woodstock airfields to commence construction of three gravel strips at Reid River between Townsville and Charters Towers. Regional 402 1942 1942-03-29T00:00:00 19th Field Ambulance move out from Seliheim, in convoy, with 26th Battalion, for Reid River. Regional 403 856 1942 1942-03-30T00:00:00 The United States 153rd Station Hospital was in residence at the University of Queensland Gatton Campus, Gatton, Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane. Regional 404 858 1942 1942-03-30T00:00:00 The development of Leyburn Airfield, Strathane was proposed. Regional 405 72 1942 1942-04-01T00:00:00 Balfes Creek RAAF Landing Ground, An aerodrome site west of Charters Towers, was requisitioned by the RAAF. It remained unsealed. Regional 406 1942 1942-04-01T00:00:00 Australian 1 Field Survey Corps began mapping the north Queensland coast and Cape York Peninsula. Regional 407 1942 1942-04-01T00:00:00 36 Radar Station installed experimental AW radar at Hammond Island; first RAAF radar station in north Queensland. Regional 408 1942 1942-04-01T00:00:00 Drawings completed for Project No.W142, RAAF No.1 Wireless Station, Stuart, Townsville. Regional 409 1942 1942-04-01T00:00:00 Department of Interior, Works and Service Branch, Townsville, completed drawings for Project No.81, the RAAF NEA Command communications centre, Green Street, Townsville. Regional 410 1942 1942-04-01T00:00:00 USAAF 8 Fighter Group squadrons equipped with P-39 Aircobras commenced operations from Townsville and Woodstock strips. Regional 411 1942 1942-04-03T00:00:00 General MacArthur appointed Supreme Commander, South West Pacific Area (S.W.P.A.). International 412 1942 1942-04-05T00:00:00 19th Field Ambulance Casualty Clearance Station site at Reid River became a Camp Hospital, with erection of ‘Ward’ marquees. Regional 413 887 1942 1942-04-06T00:00:00 Work on clearing and levelling the runways at Fanning RAAF Landing Ground, Macrossan, was commenced by the Main Roads Commission. Regional 414 1942 1942-04-06T00:00:00 70 patients and Six AANS Sisters arrived at the new Reid River Camp Hospital. Regional 415 1942 1942-04-09T00:00:00 Weir Airstrip, Townsville occupied by P-40 Kittyhawk fighters of RAAF 76 Squadron. Regional 416 1942 1942-04-09T00:00:00 19th Field Ambulance moved from Reid River to Roseneath. Regional 417 1942 1942-04-10T00:00:00 Construction of Breddan airfield commenced as dispersal strip for Charters Towers. Regional 418 1942 1942-04-10T00:00:00 US medical units arrived in Townsville. 33rd Surgical Regiment (500 bed unit) and ‘A’ & ‘B’ Companies of 135th Medical Regiment, staged at Armstrong Paddock. Regional 419 782 1942 1942-04-15T00:00:00 Camp Freeman, Inala—became one of the major camps for African-American troops based in Brisbane. Regional 420 1942 1942-04-17T00:00:00 US 91 Engineer GSR commenced construction of Giru Airfield extending an existing pre-war gravel strip. Regional 421 1942 1942-04-18T00:00:00 General Thomas Blamey appointed to command Allied land forces in the South-West Pacific Area National 422 1942 1942-04-18T00:00:00 RAAF 104 Radar Station established on Castle Hill, Townsville. Regional 423 1942 1942-04-18T00:00:00 WAAAF personnel were billeted at St. Annes Girl’s School, on the corner of Walker and Stokes Streets, Townsville. The present site of the City Council chambers. Regional 424 1942 1942-04-20T00:00:00 2/3rd Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment arrived in Townsville by train from Adelaide and being unexpected, were ‘dumped’ at a timbered paddock in the Garbutt area. Regional 425 526 1942 1942-04-21T00:00:00 All four runway extensions at Cloncurry had been gravelled and the temporary US camp at the airfield housed 3000 personnel of the USAAF 93rd Bombardment Squadron. The Airfield and QANTAS hangar are now part of the Cloncurry Airport. Regional 426 1942 1942-04-22T00:00:00 B-26 Marauders of US 408 Bomber Squadron staged strikes against Lae and Rabaul from Reid River. Regional 427 1942 1942-04-22T00:00:00 AMF Command No.1 L of C sub-Area, formed in Townsville, an administrative control formerly exercised by the Area Commandant, North Queensland. Regional 428 1942 1942-04-22T00:00:00 The Supply section of US Base 2 Engineers commenced operations in Townsville in two small shops, 380 and 381 Flinders Street west. Regional 429 1942 1942-04-23T00:00:00 Company ‘B’ US 135th Medical Regiment set up a Convalescent Hospital at Armstrong Paddock. Regional 430 1942 1942-04-23T00:00:00 US 91st Engineers GSR, an African-American unit, moved to Giru to commence construction of a new aerodrome. Without heavy equipment, work commenced with hand tools, including the use of a carpenters level. Regional 431 1942 1942-04-23T00:00:00 US Army Section Base Two Signal Section set up in an office building, ‘Beak House’, No. 336 Flinders St. Townsville. The Base Chemical Officer was set up in the same building a fortnight later. Regional 432 1942 1942-04-24T00:00:00 RAAF No.27 Operational Base Unit established at Cooktown. Regional 433 67 1942 1942-04-25T00:00:00 Augustus Downs RAAF Landing Ground and Camp Site proposed. The site was abandoned by Augsut 1943. Regional 434 1942 1942-04-25T00:00:00 RAAF No.32 Squadron (Hudson Bombers) commenced operations at Horn Island) Regional 435 1942 1942-04-25T00:00:00 Company ‘C’ US 135th Medical Regiment set up a Convalescent Hospital at Major’s Creek, 14 mile east of Woodstock. Regional 436 1942 1942-04-25T00:00:00 The “Central Bureau’s” extended its secretive signals intelligence unit at Pimlico in Townsville, with the requisitioning of three more houses; No’s 25 & 26 French St. and No.3 Sycamore. Regional 437 1942 1942-04-25T00:00:00 Japanese kana code intercept revealed plans for raid by carrier based aircraft against targets on east coast (Townsville). Regional 438 1942 1942-04-30T00:00:00 The A.W.C. (Allied Works Council) authorized Queensland Main Roads Commission to source all types of mechanical equipment for the purposes of building roads, airstrips and defence works. Regional 439 135 1942 1942-04-30T00:00:00 Construction of the new two storey gun emplacements, two storey searchlight emplacements, BOP, CP and Plotting Room at Fort Bribie was completed. Later that year two American 155mm guns were stationed at Skirmish Point, south Bribie Island. Regional 440 480 1942 1942-04-30T00:00:00 The first US B-17 bombers began arriving at Charleville Airfield. Regional 441 975 1942 1942-04-30T00:00:00 The Underground Hospital in Mount Isa had been constructed. The underground hospital occupied an area roughly 20 square metres in the southeast corner of the Mount Isa Base Hospital grounds. Regional 442 743 1942 1942-04-30T00:00:00 3 Advanced Ordnance Depot and 6 Advanced Workshop AEME, No 1 Sub Depot Group II were planned to be located at Harristown, south-west of the city centre. Regional 443 1942 1942-04-30T00:00:00 Australian 5th Division troops assumed defence of Townsville from 11 Brigade militia. Regional 444 1942 1942-05-01T00:00:00 Gravel airstrips cleared on Augustus Downs cattle station, Gulf country. Regional 445 472 1942 1942-05-01T00:00:00 The Gailes Airstrip or Wacol, A-9 Airstrip and RAAF Emergency Landing Ground was constructed in the Brisbane suburb of Carole Park. By April 1944, a US report renders the site unmaintainable and it is discarded. Regional 446 1942 1942-05-01T00:00:00 Gravel airstrips cleared on Carpentaria Downs cattle station, Gulf country. Regional 447 1942 1942-05-01T00:00:00 Drawings completed for US Command Post under Castle Hill Road, Townsville. Regional 448 593 1942 1942-05-01T00:00:00 USAAF Airfield, Camp Eagle Farm and RAAF Relief Landing Ground established. Regional 449 1942 1942-05-01T00:00:00 Townsville HAA batteries opened fire on Japanese reconnaissance aircraft. Regional 450 1942 1942-05-01T00:00:00 Gravel airstrips cleared on Wrotham Park cattle station, Gulf country. Regional 451 1942 1942-05-03T00:00:00 RAAF Catalina Squadrons No’s 11 & 20 moved their base from Port Moresby to Bowen NQ, with operations to be mounted out of Cairns, closer to the war zone. HQ in Bowen was upstairs in a building near the “Blue Bell” Milk Bar in the main street. Regional 452 1942 1942-05-04T00:00:00 The 101st Australian Anti-Tank Regiment arrived at Partington Siding, ten miles south of Townsville, after a train, journey from Brisbane. Regional 453 1942 1942-05-04T00:00:00 No.2 US Air Command was established at Townsville and headquarters was the Operations and Signals Building at Garbutt, recently constructed by the Townsville Harbour Board, for the Department of Interior. Regional 454 476 1942 1942-05-04T00:00:00 The first strip of Cecil Plains Airfield, at Tipton on the Darling Downs is completed. Regional 455 1942 1942-05-04T00:00:00 A reinforced concrete building, (Building No.81), was constructed for the Department of Interior, at Green Street, West End, in Townsville, for use as RAAF Operations and Signals. Regional 456 865 1942 1942-05-05T00:00:00 US B-17 bombers of the USAAF 19th Bombardment Group arrived at Longreach Airfield. Regional 457 1942 1942-05-06T00:00:00 B-17s from Australia spot the Port Moresby Invasion Fleet south of Bougainville. They attack the Japanese Carrier Shoho but miss. National 458 1942 1942-05-07T00:00:00 Japan suffers its first defeat of the war during the Battle of the Coral Sea. The first time in history that two opposing carrier forces fought only using aircraft without the opposing ships ever sighting each other. International 459 1942 1942-05-08T00:00:00 US 84 Station Hospital took over St Gabriel’s school, Charters Towers. Regional 460 1942 1942-05-08T00:00:00 USAFIA established 84th Station Hospital at St. Gabriel’s College, situated at what is now No.29 Gordon Street, Charters Towers. Regional 461 1942 1942-05-08T00:00:00 Regimental HQ, and No.1 Battery of the 101st Anti-Tank Regiment encamped at Cluden Racecourse, south of Townsville. Regional 462 1942 1942-05-10T00:00:00 9th Battalion, 61st Battalion and 25th Battalion, 7th Infantry Brigade arrived in Townsville, camping temporarily, at Antill Plains, before moving to Rollingstone area. Regional 463 1942 1942-05-10T00:00:00 Two RAAF Hudson crews operating to seaward of Townsville, each reported to have attacked a submarine. Regional 464 1942 1942-05-11T00:00:00 Japanese air raid on Horn Island. A Wirraway aircraft is damaged and huts destroyed. Regional 465 1461 1942 1942-05-11T00:00:00 Work began on the Stuart Ordnance Project, later known as Koala Ordnance Depot. Regional 466 1942 1942-05-11T00:00:00 The 127th Australian Army Transport Unit established in Townsville, being billeted at Queen’s Park. This unit was formerly the North Queensland 115th Reserve Transport Company. Regional 467 1942 1942-05-12T00:00:00 Main Roads Commission commenced construction of Mareeba airfield. Regional 468 1942 1942-05-13T00:00:00 Macrossan airfield under construction as a fighter strip between Townsville and Charters Towers. Regional 469 1942 1942-05-14T00:00:00 US 46th Engineer Regiment with an attached Queensland Main Roads Commission force, commenced construction of an Advanced Operational Base at Iron Range. Regional 470 1942 1942-05-14T00:00:00 US Army Base Two Intelligence Section commenced functioning in Townsville, located in the A.M.P. Building on the corner of Flinders and Stokes Streets. Regional 471 1942 1942-05-15T00:00:00 RAAF 12 Repair and Salvage Unit established at Breddan, near Charters Towers. Regional 472 1942 1942-05-15T00:00:00 RAAF No.28 Operational Base Unit established at Horn Island. Regional 473 1942 1942-05-15T00:00:00 No.4 Battery, 101st Anti-Tank Regiment, only recently arrived in Townsville, moved to Rollingstone, north of the town. Regional 474 1942 1942-05-16T00:00:00 19th Field Ambulance moved out from Roseneath, to Calcium, west of Townsville. Regional 475 1942 1942-05-18T00:00:00 Cape Bedford Lutheran Mission at Eight Mile, via Cooktown was evacuated under Military order and occupied by RAAF, US Army 94th Coastal Battery, detachment of AMF, and employees of AWC. Regional 476 1942 1942-05-18T00:00:00 USAAF 19th Bomb Group moved from Garbutt to Longreach, with intentions to move to Mareeba on completion and sealing of the Bomber strip. Regional 477 1942 1942-05-20T00:00:00 Mareeba airfield first gravel strip used by RAAF aircraft. Regional 478 1942 1942-05-20T00:00:00 North Australia Observer Unit (NAOU) formed. Known as Australia’s Secret Bush Commandos, or ‘Nackeroos’, this unit patrolled the vast north. Regional 479 1942 1942-05-22T00:00:00 RAAF No.100 Squadron (Beaufort Bombers) moved from Richmond to Mareeba, where construction of a strip had commenced only ten days earlier. Regional 480 1942 1942-05-25T00:00:00 RAAF No.25 Operational Base Unit established in Cairns. Regional 481 1942 1942-05-30T00:00:00 Ground survey of Iron Range undertaken for suitable airfield sites. Regional 482 1942 1942-05-30T00:00:00 The four Batteries of the 101st Anti-Tank Regiment, conducted range practice at Many Peaks Range. This was the first anti-tank practice in Townsville. Regional 483 1942 1942-05-31T00:00:00 Japanese midget submarines raid Sydney Harbour—21 sailors were killed when the depot ship HMAS Kuttabul was torpedoed. National 484 1942 1942-06-01T00:00:00 No 9 Inland Fuel Depot, consisting of four concrete reinforced 1,000,000 gallon capacity fuel storage tanks, and three smaller tanks, went into operation at Charters Towers. Regional 485 1942 1942-06-01T00:00:00 Construction of Cooktown Mission Strip began, using Allied Works Council labour. Regional 486 784 1942 1942-06-01T00:00:00 Camp Tasman, the US 172nd Station Hospital and WAAAF Training Depot. Regional 487 786 1942 1942-06-01T00:00:00 ‘Tighnabruaich’ and Witton Barracks established at Indooroopilly, Brisbane to facilitate POW interrogation and translation. Regional 488 1942 1942-06-01T00:00:00 US 46 Engineer GSR and Main Roads Commission commenced Iron Range airfield. Regional 489 1942 1942-06-01T00:00:00 RAAF 108 HFDF Station at Julia Creek became operational. Regional 490 1942 1942-06-01T00:00:00 It was decided to make Mareeba the main operational airfield in far north Queensland. Regional 491 2038 1942 1942-06-01T00:00:00 Camp Thompson’s Point—Rockhampton was home to US Army which trained in Queensland During World War II. Regional 492 1942 1942-06-04T00:00:00 A decisive victory for the U.S. against Japan in the Battle of Midway. Four Japanese carriers, a cruiser, and damage to another cruiser and two destroyers occurs, to the loss of the carrier USS Yorktown. International 493 1942 1942-06-04T00:00:00 First flight from Mareeba airstrip was a calibration flight to Townsville by RAAF Beaufort A9-42. Regional 494 1942 1942-06-06T00:00:00 RAAF No.24 Squadron moved from Aitkenvale strip to Ross River strip. Regional 495 1942 1942-06-07T00:00:00 Two RAAF No.24 Squadron Wirraway aircraft, A20-490 and A20-493, operating from Aitkenvale strip, collided in mid air over Woodstock. Regional 496 1942 1942-06-07T00:00:00 RAAF No.26 Operational Base Unit formed at Iron Range, primarily to maintain wireless communications for the US 46th Engineers. Regional 497 1942 1942-06-08T00:00:00 Sydney and Newcastle shelled—A week after they launched the midget submarines that attacked Sydney Harbour, four large Japanese submarines shell Sydney and Newcastle, but to little effect. National 498 1942 1942-06-08T00:00:00 AWA Coastal Radio Service in South Townsville, under control of the Royal Australian Navy, set up a High Frequency Service with ships at sea. Regional 499 1942 1942-06-09T00:00:00 B-26 Marauders of 19 and 33 Bombardment Squadron, 22 Bombardment Group departed Woodstock airfield for raid on Lae with US congressman Lyndon B Johnson as an observer. Regional 500 2025 1942 1942-06-10T00:00:00 Camp Darra and Ordnance Depot established Regional 501 864 1942 1942-06-12T00:00:00 Camp Cable, located at Logan Village, south of Brisbane was built as a training base for the US 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Division, which was sent to Australia in return for the Australian 9th Division remaining in the Middle East. Regional 502 1942 1942-06-14T00:00:00 US 13 Station Hospital established at Aitkenvale, Townsville. Regional 503 1942 1942-06-15T00:00:00 Clothing and footwear rationing introduced. National 504 49 1942 1942-06-15T00:00:00 The 2/1 Australian Chemical Warfare Laboratory, RAE was established in the St John’s Wood Hall, now Ashgrove CWS Hall, Brisbane. Regional 505 850 1942 1942-06-15T00:00:00 Cairns-Kuranda Road completed and opened to military traffic. Regional 506 574 1942 1942-06-15T00:00:00 The 101st Australian Convalescent Hospital (part of 10th Aust Camp Hospital) Loreto Convent Regional 507 1942 1942-06-15T00:00:00 US 360th Quartermaster Bakery Section started operations as a bakery in Townsville, and supplied all bread to the US Army, with an output of five thousand loaves daily. Regional 508 1942 1942-06-19T00:00:00 USAAF 94th Coastal Artillery Anti-Aircraft (A/A) batteries were located at Mareeba Aerodrome. Regional 509 1942 1942-06-21T00:00:00 Tobruk falls to the Germans, who capture 32,000 prisoners, 2,000 tons of fuel, 5,000 tons of food and 2,000 vehicles. International 510 1942 1942-06-22T00:00:00 RAAF No.29 Operational Base Unit established at Cloncurry. Regional 511 1942 1942-06-24T00:00:00 US Quartermaster was activated in Cairns, known as Sub Port Base Two. Regional 512 1942 1942-06-25T00:00:00 RAAF No.24 Operational Base Unit formed at Mareeba. Regional 513 1942 1942-06-26T00:00:00 RAAF requisitioned construction of a flying boat base at Bowen. Regional 514 1942 1942-06-29T00:00:00 Australian Army Malaria Research Unit took over five houses belonging to Walter Edward ‘Ted’ Tanner, in Sheridan St. Cairns, on the site of what is now, the BP Service Station. Regional 515 1942 1942-06-29T00:00:00 Survey of Cape York (Red Island Point) carried out to located a suitable dispersal airfield for Horn Island. Regional 516 1942 1942-06-30T00:00:00 By the middle of 1942, airfields in northern Queensland were urgently needed to facilitate the forward movement of Allied Air Forces from Australia to New Guinea. Regional 517 529 1942 1942-06-30T00:00:00 The US 33rd Surgical Hospital and 17th Station Hospital, which utilised the Cloncurry Shire Hall, arrived in the area. Regional 518 1373 1942 1942-06-30T00:00:00 A Combined (Operations) Training Centre was established at Toorbul Point, near Bribie Island, to house the 7th Amphibious Training Centre and 1st Water Transport Training Centre. Regional 519 1465 1942 1942-06-30T00:00:00 Camp Tabragalba, incorporating the 1 Australian A.A. Training Regiment Training Depot and Allied Intelligence Bureau Training Camp—Camp X. is operational. Regional 520 1942 1942-07-01T00:00:00 9th, 25th and 61st Battalions, 7th Infantry Brigade were camped at Rollingstone, north of Townsville. Regional 521 40 1942 1942-07-01T00:00:00 ‘Nyrambla’, a grand, hillside 1885 Ascot home, was requisitioned by the US Army as the headquarters of Central Intelligence Bureau Headquarters in Australia. Regional 522 1942 1942-07-01T00:00:00 Units of US 46 Engineer GSR began clearing Jacky Jacky airfield near Red Island Point, tip of Cape York. Later named Higgins Field. Regional 523 679 1942 1942-07-01T00:00:00 Establishment of the RAAF 25 Radar Station, Sandy Cape, Fraser Island approved by the Air Board. Regional 524 864 1942 1942-07-01T00:00:00 US 32nd "Red Arrow" Division (a National Guard unit) arrives at Camp Cable, south of Brisbane. Regional 525 1942 1942-07-01T00:00:00 USAFIA established the 2nd Station Hospital, (tented 250 beds), in the grounds of the Mareeba State School. Buildings used as Special Education Units, were previously the Morgue and Operating Theatre. Regional 526 1942 1942-07-01T00:00:00 US Army Shoe, Textile and Equipage Repair shop commenced operation in Townsville. Regional 527 1942 1942-07-03T00:00:00 RAAF No.23 Operational Base Unit established at Townsville. Regional 528 1942 1942-07-06T00:00:00 Tea rationing introduced in Australia. National 529 1942 1942-07-06T00:00:00 Heavy Japanese air raid on Horn Island. Four RAAF personnel slightly wounded, runways damaged and huts, stores, ammunition and fuel dumps destroyed. Regional 530 1804 1942 1942-07-06T00:00:00 2/2 Australian General Hospital established at Watten Siding near Hughenden. Regional 531 1942 1942-07-07T00:00:00 Horn Island attacked by sixteen Japanese ‘Nell’ Heavy bomber aircraft, dropping fragmentation bombs, causing extensive damage to the tent lines and buildings. Regional 532 2029 1942 1942-07-10T00:00:00 Chemical Warfare Service Training Centre and School Accommodation Quarters established at Clayfield, Brisbane. Regional 533 839 1942 1942-07-10T00:00:00 The pre-existing Kingaroy civil aerodrome was taken over by the RAAF in late 1941and the first 96 buildings were erected at the RAAF Station, Kingaroy, No. 3 Initial Training School. The surviving RAAF structures include a Bellman hangar at the Kingaroy A. Regional 534 870 1942 1942-07-10T00:00:00 RAAF takes over Lowood Airfield, Darling Downs/. Regional 535 1942 1942-07-11T00:00:00 Australian troops arrive in Milne Bay. They were the 7th Militia Brigade group and consisted of the 9th, 25th and 61st Battalions, all Queensland units from Townsville, under the command of Brigadier J. Field. National 536 2032 1942 1942-07-12T00:00:00 US Army 42nd Chemical Laboratory Company Mess Hall and Property Office, US Army Engineers established on the corner of Bonney Avenue and Victoria Road, Clayfield. Regional 537 1942 1942-07-14T00:00:00 Royal Australian Navy established a Wireless Station at Stanton Hill, Townsville. The Transmitter/Receiver Station with two 150ft Towers was situated at 121 Upper Blackwood Street, Stanton Terrace. Regional 538 585 1942 1942-07-15T00:00:00 Camp Wallaroo and Ordnance Dumps were located near the Duaringa State Forest Regional 539 1942 1942-07-15T00:00:00 The Macrossan Air strip is completed by Queensland Main Roads Commission, for the Allied Works Council, approximately 12 miles from Charters Towers east of the Burdekin River. Regional 540 1942 1942-07-15T00:00:00 The Townsville Steam Laundry was taken over by the US Army, complete with machinery, to cater for hospital and shipping needs. Regional 541 1786 1942 1942-07-15T00:00:00 Camp Columnbia is vacated by the US forces and taken over by the Dutch. After the war, the site was taken over by the Australian Army and used well into the latter part of the 20th century. Regional 542 861 1942 1942-07-17T00:00:00 US construction teams prepare the Kingston Airstrip A-11 at Logan Central—Berrinba, south of Brisbane, to be used as an emergency landing ground. It is one of three landing strips in the area. Regional 543 1942 1942-07-20T00:00:00 One Japanese long range Kawanisi ‘Emily’ Flying Boat, jettisoned eight bombs harmlessly in the foothills of Townsville’s ‘Many Peaks Range’, drawing 72 rounds of fire from anti-aircraft guns. Regional 544 35 1942 1942-07-20T00:00:00 Archerfield Airfield developed into a major United States Army Air Force (USAAF) repair and maintenance base, following US General Douglas MacArthur transfer of his headquarters from Melbourne to Brisbane. Regional 545 1231 1942 1942-07-20T00:00:00 US Radio Receiving Station established at Cotton’s Farm, Capalaba, south-east of Brisbane city by the US Army Signal Corps. Regional 546 152 1942 1942-07-20T00:00:00 The AMP Building, on the corner of Queens and Edward Streets, Brisbane was taken over by the military and became General MacArthur’s Supreme Allied HQ in the South-West Pacific. Regional 547 222 1942 1942-07-20T00:00:00 General MacArthur, family and 300 staff working at the SWPA headquarters move into the new Lennon’s Hotel, on the corner of Queen and George Streets, Brisbane, and nick-name it ‘Bataan’. Regional 548 1942 1942-07-22T00:00:00 US military cemetery in Townsville was officially opened at Belgian Gardens. The remains of deceased US servicemen, buried at Charters Towers, Mackay, Thursday Island and Marauke are re-buried. National 549 1942 1942-07-26T00:00:00 The first aircraft landed in the No.1 Giru runway. Construction had been delayed due to torrential rains earlier in the month. Regional 550 1942 1942-07-26T00:00:00 Three long-range Japanese flying boats operating from Rabaul dropped six bombs on Townsville outer harbour. Regional 551 1942 1942-07-27T00:00:00 Formation of the Australian Women’s Land Army. National 552 1942 1942-07-28T00:00:00 Townsville raided by a Japanese flying boat. Eight bombs dropped near Many Peaks Range. Regional 553 1942 1942-07-29T00:00:00 The 39th Battalion lose Kokoda village and are forced to retreat further, back over the Owen Stanley Range. Their commander, Lieutenant Colonel W.T. Owens, is killed. National 554 1942 1942-07-29T00:00:00 A single, four engined Japanese long range Kawanisi ‘Emily’ Flying Boat, dropped seven, bombs on Townsville. (six fell into the sea, and one exploded near the Animal Health Station at Oonoomba. Regional 555 1942 1942-07-29T00:00:00 Work had commenced on the construction by US troops, of an aerodrome at Iron Range on the east coast of Cape York Peninsular. Regional 556 1942 1942-07-30T00:00:00 Port Headland, Darwin and Horn Island bombed by Japanese aircraft. National 557 1314 1942 1942-07-30T00:00:00 Camp Rockhampton, the home of the US 41st Infantry Division, is established. Regional 558 946 1942 1942-07-31T00:00:00 Mossman area raided by a Japanese flying boat. Eight bombs dropped. Bomb fragments injured a child near Miallo. This was the last Japanese raid on Queensland mainland. Regional 559 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 General MacArthur appointed Major General George Kenney as Commander of Allied Air Forces in the SWPA and the newly-formed US Fifth Air Force. International 560 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 The red centre was removed from RAAF aircraft ‘rondle’ or ‘cockade’ markings, because of American forces in New Guinea, mistakenly identifying the aircraft as Japanese. National 561 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 One Japanese bomber attacked Horn Island, its bombs falling harmlessly into the sea. Regional 562 111 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 RAAF No.22 Operational Base Unit was established at Bowen Bowen RAAF Flying Boat Base. Regional 563 111 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 Bowen flying boat base became operational. RAAF 11 and 20 Catalina Squadron and 22 OBU took over the town’s hotels and houses for workshops and accommodation. Regional 564 537 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 Building of the Cairncross Naval Graving Dry Dock at Colmslie on the southern shore of the Brisbane River, is commenced. Regional 565 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 Horn Island raided by two Japanese flying boats. Eight bombs dropped into sea. Regional 566 964 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 Brisbane City Council lent the Mount Coot-tha Public Researve to the US Navy to establish Camp Cootha, a Mine and Torpedo Depot. The site is now part of the Mount Coot-tha Forest Park. Regional 567 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 The US I (1st) Corps Headquarters, under Major General Robert L. Eichelberger, arrived in Rockhampton. Regional 568 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 PMG linemen and Australian Army Signal Corps stated erecting an overland telephone carrier system from Townsville to Thursday Island. Regional 569 1443 1942 1942-08-01T00:00:00 General Blamey established his Advanced Land Headquarters (Adv LHQ) in the only two University of Queensland buildings constructed at its new St Lucia campus. Regional 570 1942 1942-08-03T00:00:00 Queensland Educational Authorities advised that the compulsory school attendance clause of the Education Act is now in operation. All children in Queensland between the ages of 6 and 14 must attend school. Regional 571 1942 1942-08-03T00:00:00 US 91 Engineers arrived at Red Island Point to begin work on Jacky Jacky Airfield. Regional 572 1942 1942-08-07T00:00:00 US forces land on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. International 573 1942 1942-08-07T00:00:00 21st Brigade, 7th. Division (2/14, 2/16, 2/27 Battalions), fresh from victories in Syria, embarked at Brisbane for Port Moresby. National 574 1942 1942-08-07T00:00:00 USAAF 403rd Bomb Squadron. 38th Bomb Group moved to Breddan from Eagle Farm. Regional 575 1942 1942-08-08T00:00:00 Major naval disaster off Savo Island, north of Guadalcanal, as eight Japanese warships wage a night attack and sink three U.S. heavy cruisers, an Australian cruiser HMAS Canberra, and one U.S. destroyer. Over 1,500 Allied crewmen are lost. International 576 1942 1942-08-08T00:00:00 The Australian Militia force in Milne Bay was reinforced by the A.I.F’s 18th Brigade, 7th. Division, (2/9th, 2/10th 2/12th Battalions), commanded by Brigadier George Wooten. National 577 733 1942 1942-08-10T00:00:00 Chemical Warfare Service Training Centre established at Hamilton, Brisbane. Regional 578 1942 1942-08-14T00:00:00 Australian 39th Battalion militia troops involved in fighting withdrawal from Kokoda. They were joined by 2/14th Battalion and later, the 2/16th Battalion. National 579 1942 1942-08-14T00:00:00 HMAS KATOOMBA landed crew of wrecked US Submarine, S-39, at Townsville. National 580 1942 1942-08-14T00:00:00 US 13th Station Hospital (250 bed unit) opened near Hatchett Street, Aitkenvale. Regional 581 1942 1942-08-15T00:00:00 Ross River airstrip complete. Regional 582 1942 1942-08-17T00:00:00 The ground echelon of the 89th Squadron, USAAF 3rd Bomb Group, (A-20s) having moved out from Charters Towers for Port Moresby, sailed from Townsville. Regional 583 1942 1942-08-19T00:00:00 RAAF 26 Radar Station established at Cape Cleveland near Townsville. Regional 584 1942 1942-08-21T00:00:00 RAAF took over Kurrajong House, Pimlico, Townsville, as a hospital. Regional 585 1942 1942-08-21T00:00:00 RAAF No.41 Squadron formed at Townsville, combining with No.33 Squadron, with three Empire lying Boats and four Dornier 24 Flying Boats. Regional 586 1942 1942-08-22T00:00:00 18th Australian Brigade land at Milne Bay, New Guinea. Allied troops in the Milne Bay area now numbered more than 8,800. National 587 132 1942 1942-08-22T00:00:00 The 71st and 405th squadrons of the USAF 38 Bombardment Group arrived at Breddan Airfield, east of Charters Towers. Regional 588 132 1942 1942-08-22T00:00:00 One dispersal strip completed at the RAAF Breddan Repair and Maintenance airfield, about 8 miles west of Charters Towers. Regional 589 1942 1942-08-22T00:00:00 US Services Club is established at Caledonian House in Charters Towers. Regional 590 1942 1942-08-23T00:00:00 RAAF No.6 Squadron (Hudsons), moved from Richmond to Horn Island. Regional 591 1942 1942-08-26T00:00:00 Japanese landed at Milne Bay in an attempt to capture RAAF airstrips. National 592 1942 1942-08-26T00:00:00 USAC B-17 aircraft, *41 2621, of the 19th Bombardment Group, crash landed at Mareeba. Regional 593 1942 1942-08-31T00:00:00 Sugar rationing introduced in Australia. National 594 1942 1942-08-31T00:00:00 US Army Anti-Aircraft H 208 CA AA CNG departed, the South Townsville State School, having been camped in the school grounds for five months. Regional 595 1942 1942-09-01T00:00:00 Naval Base HMAS MAGNETIC commissioned in Townsville. Regional 596 1942 1942-09-01T00:00:00 90° airstrip at Antill Plains Airfield completed Regional 597 123 1942 1942-09-01T00:00:00 Camp Luna Park and Cloudland Entertainment utilised by the US 837th Signal Service Detachment. Later it would be used as the 1st Australian Chief Engineers (1st CE) Camp. Regional 598 1942 1942-09-01T00:00:00 Cooktown Mission 7700ft bomber airstrip which had been hacked out of the jungle, was brought to all-weather operational standards. Regional 599 1942 1942-09-01T00:00:00 RAN shore station HMAS Magnetic commissioned at Townsville. Regional 600 1942 1942-09-01T00:00:00 ‘Gordon’ 120° strip at Iron Range complete. Regional 601 1942 1942-09-01T00:00:00 RAA officers inspected sites for additional coast defences in Torres Strait. Turtle Head on Hammond Island identified as a battery site. Regional 602 1942 1942-09-02T00:00:00 HMAS SWAN and HMAS CASTLEMAINE left Townsville escorting the convoy destined for Milne Bay. National 603 1942 1942-09-05T00:00:00 RAAF No.4 Airfield Construction Squadron (No.4 Works Maintenance Unit) Detachment commenced operations at Horn Island. Regional 604 1942 1942-09-06T00:00:00 Australians force total Japanese evacuation of Milne Bay, with just 1,000 troops surviving to be evacuated. National 605 1942 1942-09-07T00:00:00 Royal Australian Navy hires Gaiety Theatre in Cairns for Naval Stores, including DEMS Armament Stores. Regional 606 1942 1942-09-08T00:00:00 Japanese advance from Kokoda to the Owen Stanley Mountain Range in an overland drive for Port Moresby, New Guinea. National 607 1942 1942-09-09T00:00:00 USAAF 19 Bombardment Squadron arrived at Iron Range airfield and began operations from gravel-surfaced Gordon strip. Regional 608 1942 1942-09-10T00:00:00 Ten USAAF B-26 (Martin Marauder) aircraft of the 19th Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bomb Group arrived at Iron Range from Woodstock. Regional 609 785 1942 1942-09-11T00:00:00 Line of Communications HQ Signals Camp and AWAS Barracks established in Indooroopilly. The site is now St Peter’s Lutheran College. Regional 610 1942 1942-09-12T00:00:00 Battle of Bloody Ridge on Guadalcanal. International 611 1005 1942 1942-09-12T00:00:00 The USN Base 134 Receiving Station is established in New Farm Park, Brisbane. It became one of the major USN accommodation bases in Brisbane. Regional 612 1942 1942-09-15T00:00:00 Repairs to Horn Island airfield completed. Regional 613 1942 1942-09-16T00:00:00 Japanese advance in Owen Stanley Ranges stopped at Ioribaiwa, New Guinea. National 614 1942 1942-09-19T00:00:00 US 2nd Field Hospital arrived in Townsville, and set up at Woodstock, receiving its first patient at the end of the month. Woodstock was also used for training Portable Hospital staffs. Regional 615 1942 1942-09-20T00:00:00 0200 hrs, Daylight Saving came into operation. Clocks advanced one hour. National 616 1942 1942-09-21T00:00:00 British forces begin their first land counter-offensive against the Japanese in western Burma. International 617 1942 1942-09-22T00:00:00 RAAF No.100 (Beaufort) Squadron returned to the north from Laverton, operating from the Bohle River strip. Regional 618 1942 1942-09-23T00:00:00 General Blamey appointed Commander in Chief of Allied land forces in New Guinea. National 619 1942 1942-09-24T00:00:00 USASOS establish Sub Section 1 at Cairns, and Sub Section 2 at Horn Island. These points had previous been operating as a sub ports to Base Section 2, which had its main centre in Townsville. Regional 620 1942 1942-09-25T00:00:00 Australians begin counter-offensive in the Owen Stanleys National 621 1942 1942-09-25T00:00:00 HMAS Voyager grounded and destroyed at Betano Bay, Timor. It had brought the 2/4th Independent Company to Timor to reinforce Australian troops already on the island. National 622 1942 1942-09-25T00:00:00 RAAF installed No.36 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Hammond Island, near Horn Island off the tip of Cape York Peninsular. Regional 623 1942 1942-09-26T00:00:00 The ‘Final’ German offensive begins at Stalingrad. International 624 1942 1942-09-27T00:00:00 31st Australian Infantry Battalion (Kennedy Regiment) began the first part of its journey from Townsville, into the land of Kennedy, to take up defence duties at the vital Jacky Jacky airstrip, Cape York Peninsular. Regional 625 1942 1942-09-27T00:00:00 RAAF Intercept unit No.1WU in Townsville, moved its operations section from the houses at Pimlico to a newly completed building at Stuart Creek, just outside Townsville. Regional 626 1942 1942-09-27T00:00:00 RAAF 1 Wireless Station moved from houses at French and Sycamore Streets, Townsville, to reinforced concrete building at Strut, Project W142. Regional 627 1942 1942-09-28T00:00:00 Construction of the Magnetic Island Port War Signal Station (PWSS), in conjunction with two 155mm gun emplacements, magazine and Direction Range Finder station, overlooking Florence Bay, was commenced by the Main Roads Commission. Regional 628 1942 1942-09-28T00:00:00 Commander 11th Brigade Group, assumes command of Cairns Area with 26th Battalion at Kuranda, 31st Battalion at Jacky Jacky, and the 51st Battalion at Yatee. Regional 629 1942 1942-09-28T00:00:00 Magnetic Island Port War Signal Station and coastal battery constructed. Regional 630 1942 1942-09-28T00:00:00 Approval for RAAF Explosive Reserve at Talmoi wool scour, west of Richmond. Regional 631 1942 1942-09-30T00:00:00 No.2 Battery, 101st Anti-Tank Regiment moved from Townsville to Cairns, attached to 11 Brigade. Regional 632 1942 1942-09-30T00:00:00 USAAF 405th Bomb Squadron, 38th Bomb Group moved from Breddan to Townsville. Regional 633 1942 1942-10-01T00:00:00 The US 4th ADC (Air Depot Group) arrived in Townsville from Melbourne, to form Depot #2 of the Service Command of the American Fifth Air Force. National 634 1942 1942-10-01T00:00:00 RAAF No.75 squadron (P-40 Kittyhawks) commenced operations at Horn Island. Regional 635 1942 1942-10-01T00:00:00 USAAF 46th Air Service Group stationed at Mareeba. Regional 636 1942 1942-10-01T00:00:00 26th Militia Battalion, having moved from Alligator Creek, near Townsville, a few weeks earlier to Redlynch, outside Cairns, moved again, to a new site about 8 miles from Kuranda along the Black Mountain Road. Regional 637 1942 1942-10-01T00:00:00 Construction commenced on Horn Island gun stations 442 and 443 for 34 Australian HAA Battery. Regional 638 1942 1942-10-01T00:00:00 US Kangaroo ammunition depot established at Kurukan, near Townsville. Regional 639 1942 1942-10-02T00:00:00 General MacArthur visits Garbutt, stopping over on his first visit Port Moresby. Regional 640 1942 1942-10-05T00:00:00 19th Field Ambulance unit moved to Rocky Creek to prepare a camp area in readiness for 5 Australian Camp Hospital (5 ACH). Regional 641 1942 1942-10-06T00:00:00 An explosion occurred at the Australian Forces magazine at Queerah, south of Cairns, when damaged explosives were being discharged under military supervision, injuring several military personnel. Regional 642 1942 1942-10-08T00:00:00 RAAF installed No.43 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Portland Roads, east coast, Cape York Peninsular. Regional 643 1942 1942-10-09T00:00:00 RAAF No.6 Squadron moved from Horn Island to Port Moresby. National 644 1942 1942-10-09T00:00:00 RAAF No.9 Fighter Sector formed at Cairns. Regional 645 1942 1942-10-11T00:00:00 US 28th Service Squadron arrived at Iron Range. Regional 646 1942 1942-10-12T00:00:00 Many children between the ages 6 & 9 still unable to voluntarily attend school in Townsville and Cairns, due to some school buildings being used for ‘other’ purposes and the acute shortage of teachers. Regional 647 1942 1942-10-13T00:00:00 The first U.S. Army troops, the 164th Infantry Regiment, land on Guadalcanal. International 648 1942 1942-10-14T00:00:00 5th ACH (Australian Camp Hospital) arrived by train at Rocky Creek, Atherton Tablelands, from Redbank. 19th Field Ambulance assisted with the settling in. Regional 649 1942 1942-10-15T00:00:00 4,500 Japanese troops land as reinforcement for Guadalcanal as battle continues. International 650 1942 1942-10-15T00:00:00 Fighting at Templeton’s crossing—25th Brigade, 7th Division, drive Japanese attackers back from Templeton’s crossing National 651 1942 1942-10-15T00:00:00 RAAF HF/DF Station established near Kairi, Atherton Tablelands. The facility consisted of two buildings of 2ft. thick reinforced concrete, which still stand today. Regional 652 1942 1942-10-15T00:00:00 RAAF HF/DF station established on a farm between Tolga and Kairi. Regional 653 1942 1942-10-15T00:00:00 Mareeba airfield completed, sealed with bitumen. Regional 654 1942 1942-10-19T00:00:00 The Strand Hotel on the Esplanade in Cairns and the Yorkeys Knob Hotel at Yorkeys Knob, north of Cairns, were opened by the American Red Cross (AMCROSS), as United Services Organization Clubs. Regional 655 1942 1942-10-22T00:00:00 19th Field Ambulance opened R.A.P. and P.A.C. for use with 5th Division troops at 24 Spence Street, Cairns. Regional 656 1942 1942-10-23T00:00:00 The Second Battle of El Alamein begins with a 1,000-gun bombardment. The Eighth Army gains ground on a 6-mile front and repulses Axis counter-attacks. International 657 1942 1942-10-26T00:00:00 Battle of Santa Cruz, with US forces attacking the large Japanese supporting fleet near Guadalcanal. International 658 1942 1942-10-26T00:00:00 RAAF No.9 Fighter Settor in Cairns, took possession of the Edge Hill Progress Association Hall in Mayer Street, for Headquarters and accommodation for 50 personnel of No.33 Zone Filter Centre. Regional 659 1942 1942-10-26T00:00:00 RAAF 9 Filter Sector took over Edge Hill Hall, Cairns. Regional 660 1942 1942-10-28T00:00:00 Jacky Jacky airfield gravel runway became operational. Regional 661 572 1942 1942-10-28T00:00:00 USASOS Coopers Plains Depot, the US Army 1st Engineers Stores Base Depot (ESBD) and the 3rd Provisional Ordnance Service Centre established at Coopers Plains. Regional 662 807 1942 1942-10-30T00:00:00 The Julia Creek RAAF High Frequency Direction Finding Station was operational. Regional 663 1786 1942 1942-10-30T00:00:00 The United States occupy Camp Columbia (US Army 1943-44) Regional 664 1942 1942-10-31T00:00:00 State Parliament advised that due to milk shortage in Townsville, quantities were now being transferred from Malanda to meet Townsville’s requirement of 6,000 gallons per day. Queensland 665 1942 1942-10-31T00:00:00 A large US Ammunition facility, named ‘Kangaroo’ was situated and operated about 25 miles north of Townsville, near the Kurukan rail siding. Cosisting of 87 ammunition stores, 22 miles of internal roads and 2 camps. Regional 666 1942 1942-10-31T00:00:00 The US Base. Section Two, Q.M. Chicken Farm, established at Coconut Grove, Oonoomba providing fresh eggs and table birds to regional army hospitals. Regional 667 1942 1942-10-31T00:00:00 A large US Ordnance Service Centre, named ‘Koala’, established at Stuart, on the outskirts of Townsville, on the site of what is now the Stuart Cement Works. Regional 668 1942 1942-11-01T00:00:00 Woodstock, Reid River and Torrens Creek airfields completed. Regional 669 1942 1942-11-01T00:00:00 General Blamey ordered survey of Atherton Tableland for combined recuperation and jungle warfare training facilities for Australian troops of the 6 and 7 Divisions AIF, heading for New Guinea—known as the Atherton Project. Regional 670 1942 1942-11-01T00:00:00 RAAF Catalina Squadrons No’s 11 & 20 moved from Bowen to Cairns. Regional 671 1942 1942-11-01T00:00:00 First three tanks under construction at RAAF 9 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot, Charters Towers. Regional 672 1942 1942-11-01T00:00:00 RAAF 23 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot (IAFD), Cloncurry under construction. Regional 673 536 1942 1942-11-01T00:00:00 Fairmile Naval Base, encompassing HMAS Moreton was established at Colmslie, on the southern bank of the Brisbane River. Regional 674 1942 1942-11-01T00:00:00 65th Squadron, 43rd USAAF Bomb Group, stations at Mareeba. Regional 675 1942 1942-11-02T00:00:00 The capture of Kokoda, New Guinea, and its airstrip enabled the Australian advance across the Owen Stanley Range to continue. National 676 1942 1942-11-04T00:00:00 Allies broke through German-Italian lines at El Alamein in North Africa and forced an Axis retreat to Tunisia. International 677 1942 1942-11-04T00:00:00 The 1st AWTU (Australian Water Transport Unit), AIF, was formed. National 678 1942 1942-11-04T00:00:00 RAAF installed No. 45 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Stanley Island. Regional 679 1942 1942-11-06T00:00:00 RAAF No.7 Squadron moved from Nowra to Townsville, with detachments at Cooktown and Horn Island. Regional 680 1942 1942-11-06T00:00:00 General MacArthur visits Townsville. Regional 681 1942 1942-11-07T00:00:00 RAAF installed 27 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Dunk Island. Regional 682 129 1942 1942-11-07T00:00:00 US Navy Camp Perry Park, at Bowen Hills, Brisbane is established and utilised until 23 November 1945. Follwing the US departure, it was used by Royal Australian Navy. Regional 683 1942 1942-11-07T00:00:00 Airstrip constructed at Cooktown Mission, became RAAF Cooktown. Regional 684 1942 1942-11-08T00:00:00 Operation ‘Torch’ begins with Anglo-American forces under Lieutenant General Eisenhower landing in Morocco and Algeria. International 685 1942 1942-11-08T00:00:00 USAAF 15th Weather Squadron arrives in Townsville, from Melbourne, and became a component of the Fifth Air Force. Stations were detached to many North Queensland towns. National 686 1942 1942-11-08T00:00:00 64th Squadron, 43rd USAAF Bomb Group, stations at Mareeba. Regional 687 586 1942 1942-11-09T00:00:00 RAAF 27 Radar Station established on Dunk Island. Regional 688 1942 1942-11-12T00:00:00 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. International 689 1942 1942-11-12T00:00:00 The Adelaide Steam Ship Company’s NQ Sugar Lighter, M.V. WORTANNA was requisitioned into the US Army Small Ships Section. National 690 1942 1942-11-15T00:00:00 No.1 ACH (Army Camp Hospital) arrived at Thursday Island, from Atherton Showgrounds, en route to Horn Island. Regional 691 1942 1942-11-15T00:00:00 RAAF installed 44 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Cooktown. Regional 692 1991 1942 1942-11-15T00:00:00 RAN Station 4 and Fort Skirmish at Woorim was fully operational. Regional 693 1942 1942-11-16T00:00:00 Beginning of advance on Buna-Gona in New Guinea, by US 32nd Division and Australian 7th Division. Australians captured Gona on 9 December, but Buna not taken until January 1943. International 694 1942 1942-11-16T00:00:00 Army conducted chemical warfare trails near Townsville with 25pdr gas shells. Regional 695 1942 1942-11-18T00:00:00 RAAF No.1 TMU (Torpedo Maintenance Unit) established at Breddan. Regional 696 1942 1942-11-18T00:00:00 RAAF No.32 Squadron moved from Horn Island to Camden. Regional 697 1433 1942 1942-11-18T00:00:00 No.5 RAAF Transportation and Movements Office was established in Brisbane. The site after the war became the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company warehouse and Energex Depot. Regional 698 1942 1942-11-18T00:00:00 RAAF 45 Radar Station established on Stanley Island, off Cape York Peninsula. Regional 699 1942 1942-11-19T00:00:00 The Red Army opens its winter offensive with a pincer movement round Stalingrad with the aim of encircling and destroying the German forces. International 700 1942 1942-11-20T00:00:00 The Eighth Army reaches Benghazi. International 701 1942 1942-11-20T00:00:00 Mount Isa butchering yards and cold rooms were nearing completion with work delayed by non-arrival of essential machinery and fittings. Regional 702 1942 1942-11-22T00:00:00 No.4 Volunteer Air Observers Corps formed in Townsville. Regional 703 1942 1942-11-23T00:00:00 Japanese air raid on Darwin, Australia. National 704 1942 1942-11-23T00:00:00 Cape York telephone carrier system completed to improve communication between Townsville and Thursday Island with repeater stations at Mount Surprise, Fairview, Coen and Cape York. Regional 705 1942 1942-11-26T00:00:00 Battle of Brisbane between Australian and US troops. Regional 706 1942 1942-11-28T00:00:00 A detachment of the Mareeba US Army 2nd Station Hospital set up 150 bed hospital at Gordonvale, utilizing the Commercial Hotel and the Central Hotel. Regional 707 1942 1942-12-01T00:00:00 HMAS Armidale was sunk by Japanese aircraft near Timor. As the Armidale sank Able Seaman Teddy Sheean fired at attacking bombers until he was lost with his ship. National 708 1942 1942-12-01T00:00:00 Australian Army Medical Woman’s Service (AAMWS) formed from Voluntary Aid Detachments. National 709 1942 1942-12-01T00:00:00 Headquarters of the Australian Army in north Queensland transferred from Townsville to the Atherton Tableland. Major program of construction planned. Regional 710 2003 1942 1942-12-01T00:00:00 The RAAF 21 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot at Yarraman was operational. Regional 711 1942 1942-12-02T00:00:00 The Central Hotel in Gordonvale, became the American Red Cross. (Amcross). Regional 712 1942 1942-12-02T00:00:00 US 503 Parachute Infantry Regiment moved to Gordonvale. Regional 713 1942 1942-12-03T00:00:00 Women between 18 and 30 years called up for war work. National 714 1942 1942-12-06T00:00:00 US 46th Engineers scheduled to depart from Iron Range, with the arrival of Allied Works Council to complete topping and sealing of the 120° ‘Gordon’ and the 160° ‘Claudie’ airstrips. Regional 715 1019 1942 1942-12-07T00:00:00 Newstead wharf was acquired by the US Navy through the Australian Army Hiring Service. The Naval Supply Depot and USN Shipping Office operated on the site until September 1945. Regional 716 1942 1942-12-07T00:00:00 Rocky Springs US Remount Depot, known as Rodeo, established near Townsville to provide pack horses for New Guinea operations. Regional 717 1942 1942-12-08T00:00:00 School of Arts building in Atherton taken over by the Red Cross. Regional 718 1942 1942-12-08T00:00:00 Construction approved for tanks 1 and 2 at Edge Hill naval oil fuel installation, Cairns. Construction began mid-1943. Regional 719 124 1942 1942-12-10T00:00:00 Cintra House at Bowen Hills became the headquarters and laboratories of the US 832nd Signal Photographic Detachment. Regional 720 826 1942 1942-12-10T00:00:00 The United States War Graves Section is designated in the south-east corner of the Lutwyche Cemetery. All bodies are removed to Ipswich Cemetery, west of Brisbane and eventually repatriated to the US by the end of 1947. Regional 721 1942 1942-12-11T00:00:00 RAAF No.36 Squadron moved from Essendon to Townsville. National 722 1942 1942-12-12T00:00:00 Having staged overnight at Oonoomba, the 2/14th AGH (Australian General Hospital) arrived at its new site at Pallarenda, Townsville, which was at the time, used as a Quarantine Staging Camp. Regional 723 732 1942 1942-12-13T00:00:00 Brett’s Wharf—With the arrival of US Forces, the wharves became the main shipping facility for in-bound troops and those bound for New Guinea and other northern parts. Regional 724 1942 1942-12-14T00:00:00 Atherton Tablelands Base Area established. Regional 725 1942 1942-12-15T00:00:00 Antill Plains aerodrome completed. Regional 726 1942 1942-12-17T00:00:00 Cabinet approved expenditure on facilities for two AIF divisions and ancillary troops on the Atherton Tableland. Approval given for commencement of works. National 727 1942 1942-12-17T00:00:00 HMAS PLATYPUS, sailed from Darwin to take up Base Ship duties in Cairns. Regional 728 1942 1942-12-18T00:00:00 The AAMWS (Australian Army Medical Women’s Service) established within the Australian Army Medical Corps. VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachments) were absorbed into this new service. National 729 1942 1942-12-22T00:00:00 Chifley is appointed as Minister of Post-War Reconstruction in Australia. National 730 1942 1942-12-22T00:00:00 Rail services between Townsville and Brisbane, and all rail traffic west of Hughenden were suspended until 03 JAN 43, due to heavy rainfall resulting in flooding, washouts and track damage. Queensland 731 1942 1942-12-25T00:00:00 RAAF No.33 Squadron moved from Townsville to Port Moresby. (306) National 732 1942 1942-12-25T00:00:00 The largest Bread Contractor for supply to the Army in Townsville was burnt out. The baking of the additional bread required from other bakers was borne mostly by the 2/2 Field Bakery at Charters Towers. Regional 733 1942 1942-12-26T00:00:00 Construction of the Jacky Jacky strip was abandoned, incomplete. Regional 734 1942 1942-12-28T00:00:00 31st Infantry Battalion returned to Cairns by sea; from Red Island, having completed its tour of duty at Jacky Jacky airstrip. Regional 735 1942 1942-12-28T00:00:00 AWAS Recruit Training School opened at Central State School in Townsville, with 66 students. Regional 736 777 1942 1942-12-30T00:00:00 The US Motor Transport Fuel Depot, Alba Siding, near the Alba Wool Scour at Hughenden was operational. Regional 737 1942 1942-12-30T00:00:00 At Antill Plains southwest of Townsville, two runways were sealed for all weather use, and operations buildings and camp facilities for 800 men had been provided. Regional 738 2010 1942 1942-12-30T00:00:00 Land is acquired to develop Camp Yeppoon (US) Rehabilitation and Training facility. Regional 739 1943 1943-01-01T00:00:00 Work began on the Atherton Project. Construction contractors were required to plant vegetables to provide fresh produce for their workforce. Regional 740 619 1943 1943-01-01T00:00:00 Works on the Endeavour Coastal Battery, on Entrance (Zuna) Island was commenced. Regional 741 1943 1943-01-01T00:00:00 Bitumen sealing commenced on the Mount Isa- Tennant Creek road. Completed May 1944 as the Barkly Highway. Regional 742 1943 1943-01-01T00:00:00 Units of the 6 Division AIF encamped at Ravenshoe and Millstream. Regional 743 1943 1943-01-01T00:00:00 2/3rd. Battalion, 16th Brigade, 6th. Division encamped at Ravenshoe, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 744 1943 1943-01-01T00:00:00 Commonwealth Prices Commission officers visited Townsville to investigate profiteering by civilian traders. Regional 745 1943 1943-01-02T00:00:00 Allies take Buna in New Guinea. International 746 1943 1943-01-02T00:00:00 Horn Island heavy anti-aircraft (HAA) guns proof fired. Regional 747 1943 1943-01-03T00:00:00 Commencement was made on the construction of Ration Stores for the Australian Army at Golden Grove, Atherton. Regional 748 1943 1943-01-03T00:00:00 Commencement of Golden Grove ration stores, Atherton. Regional 749 1943 1943-01-04T00:00:00 First of 164 burials at Atherton War Cemetery. Regional 750 1943 1943-01-05T00:00:00 5 Australian Camp Hospital moved from Rocky Creek to North Cairns State School. 2/2 Australian General Hospital from Watten took over Rocky Creek hospital. Major development began. Regional 751 1943 1943-01-05T00:00:00 The Rocky Creek hospital area taken up by the 2/2nd AGH (Australian General Hospital), which had moved from it’s flooded-out site at Watten, near Hughenden. Regional 752 1943 1943-01-06T00:00:00 RAAF 3 Replenishing Centre moved Townsville to Towers Hill, Charters Towers. Regional 753 1943 1943-01-10T00:00:00 RAAF 44 Radar Station established on Grassy Hill, Cooktown. Regional 754 1943 1943-01-12T00:00:00 Beginning of allied attack on Sanananda, New Guinea. International 755 1943 1943-01-13T00:00:00 The remaining troops in North Queensland, after 5th Division had departed for New Guinea, were combined and formed into a defence unit called ‘Yorkforce’. National 756 1004 1943 1943-01-13T00:00:00 The US Navy Audio Visual Aids Training facility was located in New Farm, on the CSR Refinery site. The location is now home to Cutters Landing Residential Apartments. Regional 757 1943 1943-01-15T00:00:00 US forces launch their final offensive on Guadalcanal. International 758 1943 1943-01-15T00:00:00 US 411 Engineer Base Shop Battalion arrived at Cairns to build 600 plywood Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) Boats. Regional 759 1943 1943-01-15T00:00:00 Garbutt Air Depot completed. The nearby runway at Stock Route had been connected to the three runways at Garbutt by 11/4 mile taxiway. Regional 760 779 1943 1943-01-15T00:00:00 The 12 Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot had completed the move from the Hughenden golf links to the new site at Baronta, to be joined by 7 Australian Advanced Armament Depot. Regional 761 1943 1943-01-17T00:00:00 Australian 12 Advanced Ordnance Depot moved from Hughenden to Baronta Explosives Reserve; joined by 7 AAD. Regional 762 1943 1943-01-19T00:00:00 Australian Women’s Land Army established. National 763 1943 1943-01-21T00:00:00 RAAF No. 10 RSU moved from Breddan to Macrossan. Regional 764 1943 1943-01-22T00:00:00 Japanese defeated on Sanananda track: end of resistance in Papua New Guinea. The Australians lost over 2,000 dead and 3,500 wounded, while almost 30,000 had to be evacuated sick. International 765 1943 1943-01-22T00:00:00 RAAF 43 Radar Station established at Portland Roads near Iron Range. Regional 766 1943 1943-01-22T00:00:00 US 43rd Bombardment Group, moved out of Mareeba. Regional 767 1943 1943-01-23T00:00:00 M.V. MAUI arrived in Townsville from San Fransisco, en route to Sydney, disembarking 14 US Troop Entertainers. National 768 1943 1943-01-23T00:00:00 Cricket match at the Hambledon Sugar Mill oval, south of Cairns, between RAAF (Catalinas) and Navy (HMAS PLATYPUS). The RAAF conceded defeat. Regional 769 1943 1943-01-24T00:00:00 A Rest Home for AWAS was established temporarily in the house of Mr. F. Hayles, at Arcadia, Magnetic Island. Regional 770 1943 1943-01-24T00:00:00 The 2/27th battalion, 21st Brigade, 7th Division, encamped at Ravenshoe. Regional 771 855 1943 1943-01-25T00:00:00 The US Army Round Mountain Detention and Rehabilitation Camp, or colloquially known as the Round Mountain Prison Stockade was in existence at Laravale, south of Beaudesert. Regional 772 1943 1943-01-29T00:00:00 Battle of Wau, New Guinea, begins. International 773 1943 1943-01-29T00:00:00 Introduction of limited conscription for overseas service. National 774 1943 1943-01-31T00:00:00 German forces surrender at Stalingrad—90% of the German effort in the Second World War was directed against Russia. International 775 1943 1943-02-01T00:00:00 Twenty Japanese destroyers begin the evacuation of 13,000 troops from Guadalcanal. International 776 1943 1943-02-01T00:00:00 Last Australian forces sail for home from the Middle East. National 777 1943 1943-02-01T00:00:00 RAAF No.42 RDF Wing formed in Townsville, responsible for the operation and technical control of nine Air Warning RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Stations. Regional 778 1943 1943-02-01T00:00:00 USAAF units departed Iron Range for New Guinea. Regional 779 1943 1943-02-01T00:00:00 RAAF No.10 RSU moved from Macrossan to Milne Bay. Regional 780 1051 1943 1943-02-06T00:00:00 Nundah US Army Petroleum Store Depot, housing the US Base Section 3 Oil and Fuel Store was commenced. Regional 781 1943 1943-02-09T00:00:00 Japanese defeat on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. International 782 1943 1943-02-10T00:00:00 The train carrying the 10th Field Company, RAE, came to a halt at Edmonton, for departure up the tablelands to a campsite at Kairi, on the Barron River. Regional 783 1943 1943-02-10T00:00:00 RAE commenced a base camp at Kairi for occupation by 9 Division AIF. Regional 784 1943 1943-02-13T00:00:00 RAN store Depth Charges at the State Magazines at Queerah, outside Cairns. Regional 785 1943 1943-02-13T00:00:00 US 2nd Field Hospital took over total operations of the hospital at Woodstock, from 13th Station Hospital. Regional 786 1943 1943-02-15T00:00:00 US engineers and boat maintenance units arrived in Cairns to establish amphibious training facilities for 9 Division AIF. Regional 787 1943 1943-02-15T00:00:00 At Reid River, three sealed runways, camp accommodation for 900 men, and complete operational facilities had been established. Regional 788 1943 1943-02-15T00:00:00 Three runways were sealed at Woodstock and operations and camp accommodation for 1,300 men were available. Regional 789 1943 1943-02-17T00:00:00 In Norman Park at Gordonvale, south of Cairns, a specially constructed facility for packing of parachutes was built for the US 503rd Parachute Regiment. 24 local volunteer women were selected as ‘packers’, and underwent training at the Lyric Theatre. Regional 790 1943 1943-02-18T00:00:00 9th Australian Division arrives at Fremantle—Having served in North Africa the 9th Division was ordered back to help defend Australia against the Japanese. National 791 1943 1943-02-19T00:00:00 Federal Government passed a Bill, empowering the sending of the Militia anywhere in the South West Pacific zone. National 792 1943 1943-02-23T00:00:00 The Townsville Harbour Board constructed, for the Royal Australian Navy, a modern design saw-tooth roof Naval Workshop, on reclaimed land on the Western Breakwater. Regional 793 1943 1943-02-25T00:00:00 Optical Repair Section of the US 3rd Medical Supply Depot was opened for operation at 229 Flinders St. Townsville. Regional 794 1943 1943-03-01T00:00:00 2/2nd and 2/3rd Battalion, 16th Brigade, 6th. Division moved camp on the Atherton Tablelands from Ravenshoe to Wondecla, near the Herberton Racecourse. Regional 795 1943 1943-03-01T00:00:00 ‘Q’ Battery, RAA, moved to Turtle Head on Hammond Island for coastal defence of the Torres Strait—known as Turtle Battery. Regional 796 1943 1943-03-01T00:00:00 Gravel airfield constructed at Inverleigh station near the Gulf of Carpentaria. Regional 797 1068 1943 1943-03-01T00:00:00 Camp Oxley—Base Section 3 Engineers, 28th Chemical Warfare Coy, US Army is established. Regional 798 1943 1943-03-01T00:00:00 Units of 6 Division AIF moved camp to Ravenshoe and Wondecla. Regional 799 1943 1943-03-01T00:00:00 Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion formed on Thursday Island. Regional 800 1943 1943-03-02T00:00:00 The battle of the Bismarck Sea opens Northeast of New Guinea. A Japanese convoy is attacked by USAAF B25 bombers, which sink 12 ships. International 801 1943 1943-03-03T00:00:00 US Base Section 2 set up a ‘Leave Area’ in Mackay which included the Grand and Eimo Hotels. The area was used almost exclusively by the Air Corp, usually flown direct from Port Moresby. Regional 802 1943 1943-03-04T00:00:00 Units of 7 Division AIF moved camp to Ravenshoe and Millstream. Regional 803 1943 1943-03-04T00:00:00 2/33rd Battalion, 25th Brigade, 7th Division, AIF, after having taken leave on return from New Guinea, moved to a Ravenshoe camp site, the very last 7th Division camp, along the Palmerston Highway. Regional 804 1943 1943-03-05T00:00:00 RAAF installed 42 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Cape Edgecumbe, Bowen. Regional 805 1943 1943-03-05T00:00:00 RAAF 42 Radar Station established at Cape Edgecumbe, near Bowen. Regional 806 1943 1943-03-05T00:00:00 2/1st Battalion, 16th Brigade, 6th Division, AIF, arrived at a new campsite, designated “Q”, near Wondecla, Atherton Tablelands. “Q” Camp lines were nearest Herberton. Regional 807 1943 1943-03-06T00:00:00 55th/53rd Australian Infantry Battalion, returning home from the Gona Campaign, on S.S. DUNTROON berthed at Cairns, and entrained to the Ravenshoe camp area to disperse on leave. Regional 808 1943 1943-03-06T00:00:00 US 46th Air Service Group departs Mareeba. Regional 809 831 1943 1943-03-10T00:00:00 Camp Keppel Sands (US), east of Rockhampton is requisitioned for development of a new camp for US troops. Regional 810 1943 1943-03-12T00:00:00 RAAF No.25 Operational Base Unit in Cairns, took over two residences and surrounding property at Magee and Hamilton Streets, Aeroglen, as Officers Mess and Wireless Transmitter Station. Regional 811 1943 1943-03-13T00:00:00 Japanese reconnaissance flight over Darwin. National 812 1943 1943-03-14T00:00:00 39th and 49th Militia Battalions, disembarked from Port Morseby and entrained for Wondecla, near Herberton on the Atherton Tablelands. Regional 813 1943 1943-03-15T00:00:00 Queensland Main Roads Commission was called upon to convert the Jacky Jacky strip to a heavy bomber field. Regional 814 1943 1943-03-16T00:00:00 Battle of the Atlantic peaked as German U-Boats sank 27 merchant ships in five days. International 815 1943 1943-03-16T00:00:00 RAAF installed 311 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Archer Bay, western coast, Cape York Peninsular. Regional 816 181 1943 1943-03-17T00:00:00 Brisbane City Botanical Gardens kiosk is requisitioned by the RAN to house the HMAS Moreton Wardroom and Officers’ Mess. Regional 817 1943 1943-03-19T00:00:00 Units of the 6th Division A.I.F. established camp at Wondecla, Herberton District, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 818 1943 1943-03-20T00:00:00 Troops returning to Townsville from New Guinea entered Julago staging camp. Regional 819 1943 1943-03-22T00:00:00 General MacArthur’s GHQ produced the Moultrie Plan for defence of the Torres Strait area. National 820 591 1943 1943-03-23T00:00:00 Camp Seabee, the USN Advanced Base Construction Depot at Eagle Farm is established. Regional 821 1943 1943-03-24T00:00:00 Lieutenant General Walter Kreuger, C.O. US Sixth Army inspects US 503rd Parachute Regiment camp at Gordonvale, south of Cairns. Regional 822 1943 1943-03-25T00:00:00 RAAF installed *313 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Mornington Island. Regional 823 1943 1943-03-27T00:00:00 RAAF No.84 Squadron moved from Richmond to Cairns. Regional 824 1943 1943-03-29T00:00:00 RAAF installed 52 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Mutee Head, at the tip of Cape York Peninsular. Regional 825 1943 1943-03-30T00:00:00 RAAF requisitioned construction of buildings and services at Karumba flying boat base. Regional 826 1366 1943 1943-03-30T00:00:00 The Salisbury Civil Construction Corps (CCC) Staging and Transit Camp was constructed. The camp consisted of a uniform arrangement of sleeping huts, surrounding a kitchen and mess hall arrangement. Regional 827 1943 1943-03-31T00:00:00 ‘Anti-Tank Regiments’ had a name change to ‘Tank Attack Regiments’. National 828 1943 1943-03-31T00:00:00 The Australian 9th Division marches through Melbourne watched by more than half a million people. National 829 1808 1943 1943-03-31T00:00:00 A survey of Wellington Pont, on Moreton Bay, shows structures existing relating to the US Navy Gunnery and Anti-Aircraft Training School. A series of gun pits were also built along the north east shoreline. Regional 830 1943 1943-04-01T00:00:00 RAAF No.84 Squadron moved from Cairns to Horn Island. Regional 831 1943 1943-04-01T00:00:00 US Navy Fleet Post Office established South Townsville. Regional 832 109 1943 1943-04-01T00:00:00 RAAF 42 Radar Station at Bowen, north Queensland is redesignated the RAAF 55 Radar Station. It is set up at Cape Edgecumbe, overlooking Horseshoe and Murrays Bay. Regional 833 1943 1943-04-01T00:00:00 RAAF 15 Replenishing Centre commenced operation near Cairns. Regional 834 619 1943 1943-04-01T00:00:00 Endeavour Coastal Battery, on Entrance (Zuna) Island, Torres Strait was operational. Regional 835 1943 1943-04-01T00:00:00 Units of 9 Division AIF encamped at Kairi on return from Middle East. Other units camped near Danbulla and Tinaroo. Regional 836 1943 1943-04-01T00:00:00 Copper smelting began at Mount Isa Mines. Regional 837 1943 1943-04-02T00:00:00 RAAF requisitioned construction of two large igloo warehouses at 8 Stores depot, Macrossan airfield. Regional 838 1943 1943-04-03T00:00:00 2/2 Australian Machine Gun Battalion AIF encamped on the western slopes of Python Hill near Kairi, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 839 1943 1943-04-04T00:00:00 RAAF No.84 Squadron (Boomerangs) commenced operation. Regional 840 1943 1943-04-05T00:00:00 Sir Lesley Wilson, Governor of Queensland inspects the RAAF intelligence centre (No.1 Wireless Unit) at Stuart Creek, Townsville. Regional 841 1943 1943-04-06T00:00:00 2/43rd Battalion, 24 Brigade 9th Division AIF encamped at Camp G, Kairi, Atherton Tablelands, having staged the previous night at Redlynch, after a long train ride from Adelaide. National 842 1943 1943-04-07T00:00:00 The 2/7th Australian Field Regiment detrained in the dark, at Kairi, Atherton Tablelands, after the long train journey from Seymour in Victoria. National 843 1943 1943-04-07T00:00:00 2/24th and 2/48th Battalions, 26 Brigade, 9th Division, AIF, encamped within a couple of hundred yards of the Barron River near Kairi, Atherton Tablelands. The Kairi, or Danbulla District camp, was situated close by the present site of the Tinaroo Dam wall. Regional 844 1943 1943-04-07T00:00:00 The first LCVP was launched at the US 411th Engineer Base Shop Battalion assembly plant at Smiths Creek in Cairns. Regional 845 1943 1943-04-08T00:00:00 The 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, began arriving at 9th Divisional area at Kairi, on the Atherton Tablelands. Regional 846 1943 1943-04-09T00:00:00 Sir Lesley Wilson, Governor of Queensland inspects US 503rd Parachute Regiment camp at Gordonvale, south of Cairns. Regional 847 1943 1943-04-10T00:00:00 2/12th Australian Field Regiment arrived at Redlynch, Staging Camp, en route to their campsite close to the Barron river, at Python Hill, Kairi. Regional 848 340 1943 1943-04-12T00:00:00 The final survivor of the crashed USAAF B-24 Consolidated Liberator 41-23762, nick-named “Little Eva” is found north of Burketown, on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Regional 849 1943 1943-04-13T00:00:00 31st Infantry Battalion and 51st Infantry Battalion were linked, to form the composite 31/51st Battalion near Yatee rail siding, south of Cairns. Regional 850 1943 1943-04-14T00:00:00 The 12th Air Depot Group, of the US Army Fifth Air Force, comprising Headquarters, H.Q. Squadron and 1699th Ordnance arrived at Mount Louisa, Townsville, joining the 4th ADC. Regional 851 1943 1943-04-15T00:00:00 Special Operations Australia, (SOA) was established. National 852 1943 1943-04-15T00:00:00 Barron Valley Hotel requisitioned by the Australian Army as ‘3 ADCS Officer’s Club, Type A’. General Blamey made this hotel his HQ for a brief time. Regional 853 1943 1943-04-16T00:00:00 Townsville Ordnance Depot at Stuart designated Koala Ordnance Depot. Ten large igloo stores constructed during 1943. Regional 854 1943 1943-04-19T00:00:00 2/13th Battalion. 20th Infantry Brigade, arrived at Kairi, Atherton Tablelands, having staged at Redlynch for two days. Regional 855 1943 1943-04-20T00:00:00 2/3rd Australian Anti-Tank Regiment, 9th Division, arrived at Redlynch, entraining the following day for Kairi. Regional 856 1943 1943-04-20T00:00:00 Australian 2/6 Australian General Hospital moved to Rocky Creek from Middle East. Regional 857 1943 1943-04-21T00:00:00 Australian Army HQ Queensland Line of Command Area Signal Office, Cypher Section, established temporarily at Stuart State School, near Townsville. Regional 858 1943 1943-04-22T00:00:00 2/17th Battalion after a long train journey from Narrallan, NSW, having staged overnight at Redlynch, arrived at new camp site at Python Ridge near Kairi, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 859 1943 1943-04-23T00:00:00 Kanga Force dissolved and Headquarters 3rd Division takes over direction of Salamaua campaign National 860 1943 1943-04-26T00:00:00 2/1st Company, Australian Army Service Corps (AASC), responsible for Daily Issue Stores at Wondecla and Atherton. Regional 861 1943 1943-04-28T00:00:00 RAAF No.15 Replenishing Centre established at Cairns. Regional 862 1943 1943-04-28T00:00:00 RAAF No.33 Operational Base Unit established at Garbutt. Regional 863 1943 1943-04-30T00:00:00 A.I.F. II Corps, under Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, formed headquarters at Barrine, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 864 528 1943 1943-04-30T00:00:00 Work was completed on the facilities for the RAAF 23 Inland Aviation Fuel Depot at Cloncurry. Regional 865 1943 1943-04-30T00:00:00 2/2nd Battalion in camp at Wondecla. Regional 866 1943 1943-05-01T00:00:00 RAAF Catalina No. 43 Squadron formed at Bowen. The following month it moved to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Regional 867 1943 1943-05-01T00:00:00 Work began on degaussing testing range at Orpheus Island. Regional 868 1943 1943-05-03T00:00:00 Guns of Turtle Battery, Hammond Island, were proof fired. Regional 869 1943 1943-05-05T00:00:00 First Australian Army Commander, Lieutenant General John Lavarack, visited Kairi, inspecting 9th Division troops, with the 2/43rd Battalion provided the Guard. Regional 870 1943 1943-05-06T00:00:00 3 RAAF No.86 Squadron moved from Gawler to Townsville. Regional 871 1943 1943-05-08T00:00:00 10th Field Company, RAE, moved from Kairi to Wongabel, approximately six miles from Atherton. Regional 872 1943 1943-05-10T00:00:00 US Army Base Section 2 Engineers together with the Allied Works Council commenced preliminary work on the Cairns Transshipment Port Project. Regional 873 1943 1943-05-11T00:00:00 Criterion Hotel in Townsville hired for accommodation of WRANS. Regional 874 1943 1943-05-12T00:00:00 Surrender of all German and Italian forces in Tunisia. International 875 1943 1943-05-14T00:00:00 A Japanese submarine sinks the Australian hospital ship AHS CENTAUR resulting in 268 dead. National 876 1943 1943-05-15T00:00:00 Queensland Main Roads Commission constructed a Degaussing Station for the Allied Works Council, at Orpheus Island in the Palm Group. Regional 877 726 1943 1943-05-15T00:00:00 64 survivors of the AHS Centaur disaster were delivered to the Greenslopes Hospital. Regional 878 1943 1943-05-17T00:00:00 Top brass descended on 2/2nd Battalion at Wondecla, comprising C-in-C, General Blamey: the Corps Commander, General Morshead: and Divisional Commander, General Stevens, together with their staffs.? Regional 879 298 1943 1943-05-20T00:00:00 RAAF No.5 Postal Unit was established on the 1st Floor, Ryan House, Brisbane CBD. Regional 880 1943 1943-05-23T00:00:00 9th Division published its first tablelands army newspaper at Atherton called “Table Tops”. The Press Unit was in Joe Wilkinson’s house in Louise Street. Regional 881 1943 1943-05-23T00:00:00 6th Division held a Divisional Parade on the Herberton Racecourse. The following day the Governor-General of Australia, Lord Gowrie, inspected training, and expressed his satisfaction. Regional 882 1943 1943-05-24T00:00:00 10th Field Company, RAE, stayed at Wongabel until 24 MAY 43, when they moved by road convoy to Innisfail, to entrain to Townsville. Regional 883 1943 1943-05-24T00:00:00 The Governor-General, Lord Gowrie VC, visited the 7th Division at Ravenshoe. Regional 884 1943 1943-05-25T00:00:00 26th Militia Battalion marched from their camp at Kuranda, to Redlynch station, and entrained to Cairns wharf, sailing for Thursday Island, and Horn Island. Regional 885 1943 1943-05-25T00:00:00 The Governor-General. Lord Gowrie, visited the 9th. Division at Kairi. Regional 886 1943 1943-05-26T00:00:00 US 197th Coastal Artillery Battalion and Company “A” 387th Port Battalion departed Iron Range, via Portland Roads for advanced areas. Regional 887 1943 1943-05-27T00:00:00 2/24th Battalion, base camped at Kairi, Atherton Tablelands, enjoyed a bivouac at Lake Barrine, with a swimming carnival. Regional 888 1943 1943-05-28T00:00:00 RAAF 55 Radar Station established at Queens Beach, Bowen. Regional 889 1943 1943-05-29T00:00:00 9th Division troops attended a hack meeting at Kulara in the Kairi/Tinaroo area, the first of a popular fortnightly series. Regional 890 1943 1943-05-31T00:00:00 RAAF No.8 Squadron (Beaufort Torpedo Bombers), moved from Canberra to Bohle River Townsville. National 891 1943 1943-05-31T00:00:00 Armed Merchant Cruisers, HMAS WESTRALIA and HMAS KANIMBLA returned to service in the RAN, after conversion to LSIs (Landing Ship Infantry). National 892 1943 1943-06-01T00:00:00 The Air Board approved the extension of the Iron Range Heavy Bomber Base, including a dispersal area, upgrading ‘Gordon’ strip, and a new 160° strip to replace ‘Claudie’ strip, because its location in low country made it vulnerable to flooding. Regional 893 1943 1943-06-01T00:00:00 RAAF 28 Radar Station established on Fitzroy Island, near Cairns. Regional 894 1103 1943 1943-06-01T00:00:00 Construction of Camp Meeandah and the US Army General Depot at Pinkenba, Brisbane began. The site was taken over by the Australian Army after the war and maintained as Damascus Barracks. Regional 895 1943 1943-06-01T00:00:00 Work proceeded on construction of concrete warfare stores at RAAF Replenishing Centre, Talmoi, near Richmond. Regional 896 1470 1943 1943-06-01T00:00:00 The U.S. Army 156th Station Hospital and 102 Aust General Hospital are established at Ekibin, Brisbane. Regional 897 1943 1943-06-03T00:00:00 RAN hires Dr. Mansfield’s house, 249 Lake St. Cairns as Quarters for Naval Officers. Regional 898 1943 1943-06-06T00:00:00 2/6th Australian Independent Company arrived at Wondecla, after a three day train journey from Canungra. The unit soon moved to a basic bushland campsite at Wongabel. Regional 899 1943 1943-06-07T00:00:00 Butter rationing introduced in Australia. National 900 1943 1943-06-07T00:00:00 RAAF No.5 Squadron moved from Kingaroy to Mareeba and carried out Army co-operation training programmes using Wirraway, Tiger Moth, and Boomerang aircraft. Regional 901 1943 1943-06-07T00:00:00 RAAF installed 136 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Alligator Creek, Cape Cleveland, Townsville. This station, the only one of its type in North Queensland. Regional 902 1943 1943-06-09T00:00:00 RAAF installed 320 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Station at Mitchell River, western coast, Cape York Peninsular. Regional 903 1943 1943-06-09T00:00:00 US Base 2 Intelligence Section in Townsville, due to lack of secure office space, took over a dwelling at No.3 Landsborough St. North Ward. In the grounds at the rear of the house, two tents were erected for enlisted personnel. Regional 904 1943 1943-06-10T00:00:00 2/9th Australian Armoured (Tank) Regiment arrived a Tomoulin on the Atherton Tablelands for several weeks training with 7th Division Infantry Units. Regional 905 1943 1943-06-14T00:00:00 Jacky Jacky airfield at Red Island Point, Cape York Peninsula was renamed "Higgins Field" to commemorate FLLT Brian H. Higgins AFC., a noted deceased Catalina pilot of NO.11 Squadron RAAF. National 906 1943 1943-06-14T00:00:00 USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress, attached to the 46th Troop Carrier Squadron, crashed at Bakers Creek via Mackay, on the site now occupied by Thomas Borthwick’s abattoir, killing 39 of the 40 servicemen on board. Regional 907 1943 1943-06-15T00:00:00 The German raider Michel sinks 2 ships off the west coast of Australia. National 908 1943 1943-06-16T00:00:00 The first Australian troops to undertake amphibian exercises—the 2/43rd Battalion, 24th Brigade—arrived at Deadman’s Gully near Trinity Beach north of Cairns. Regional 909 1943 1943-06-17T00:00:00 Last air raid on Horn Island by a Japanese flying boat. Bombs jettisoned in sea. Regional 910 1943 1943-06-18T00:00:00 Australian government announces that Australia is no longer threatened with invasion, as the Japanese no longer had the capacity to threaten Australia. National 911 1943 1943-06-18T00:00:00 The 15th ADG (Air Depot Group), of the US Army Fifth Air Force, arrived in Townsville by train to join with the 4th and 12 ADC at Mount Louisa, Townsville, bringing the personnel total to 4,200. Regional 912 1943 1943-06-20T00:00:00 Darwin bombed again. National 913 1466 1943 1943-06-20T00:00:00 Construction of reinforced concrete storage igloos and other buildings at the RAAF 19 Replenishment Centre, Talmoi Chemical Warfare Store was underway. Regional 914 1943 1943-06-21T00:00:00 11 Battery, 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, began Amphibious Training at Trinity Beach, with the US 523rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, practicing the loading and unloading their Bofor guns on and off LCM’s. Regional 915 1943 1943-06-22T00:00:00 ‘Scorpion’ raid with dummy limpet mines placed on hulls of ships in Townsville Harbour by ‘Z’ Special Unit, led by Captain S.W. Carey, Australian Army. Regional 916 1011 1943 1943-06-23T00:00:00 The US navy ceased activities at the US Navy Commissioned Officers Club Mess and 7th Fleet Officers Club at New Farm, Brisbane. Regional 917 1943 1943-06-23T00:00:00 Land Headquarters Medical Research Unit engaged in malaria research, sharing North Cairns State School with 5 Australian Camp Hospital. Regional 918 1042 1943 1943-06-24T00:00:00 Northgate US Naval Stores Depot established and operational to service the naval expansion in Brisbane. Regional 919 1943 1943-06-25T00:00:00 General MacArthur and General Blarney visit Townsville, in the V.I.P. B-17 Flying Fortress, ‘Bataan’, en-route to visit Gordonvale, south of Cairns, where they witnessed US 503rd Parachute Regiment jump at Green Hill. Regional 920 1096 1943 1943-06-28T00:00:00 The RAAF 135th Radar Station is developed at Pinkenba. Regional 921 1943 1943-06-28T00:00:00 2/8th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division, advance party took over Camp B, Flaggy Creek, Wondecla, Atherton Tablelands. The remainder of the Battalion were on leave. Regional 922 1943 1943-06-29T00:00:00 US Marines land on Nassau beach near Lae in New Guinea during Operation ‘Cartwheel’. International 923 1943 1943-06-29T00:00:00 31/51st Battalion troops and stores were loaded on supply ship, VAN DER LYN, at Cairns, sailing for Horn Island, where the Battalion was staging. Regional 924 1943 1943-06-29T00:00:00 A LHQ NQ Security Conference was informed that, in NQ, there were 342 known enemy aliens, and 533 aliens, of whom 138 were noted for detention in the event of invasion. Regional 925 1943 1943-06-30T00:00:00 A US general hospital planned at Black River, near Townsville. Regional 926 474 1943 1943-06-30T00:00:00 Camp Strathpine, with access points at Petrie, Joyner, Cashmere, and Warner in Brisbane’s north, is occupied by the US 1st Cavalry Division. They departed in early 1944. Regional 927 1943 1943-07-01T00:00:00 Units of the 6, 7 and 9 Divisions embarked from Cairns for New Guinea. Regional 928 1943 1943-07-01T00:00:00 19th, 36th and 14/32nd Battalions, 6th Infantry Brigade were camped at Kuranda, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 929 1943 1943-07-02T00:00:00 US troops land on New Georgia in the Solomon’s. International 930 1943 1943-07-03T00:00:00 US troops from Nassau Beach link up with the Australians who are under heavy attack at Mubo in New Guinea. National 931 1943 1943-07-04T00:00:00 20th Brigade, AIF, underwent Amphibious Training. Regional 932 1943 1943-07-05T00:00:00 A convoy of 60 trucks of 131 General Transport Coy, transferred 2/17th Battalion, 20th Brigade, AIF, troops from Kairi to Deadman’s Gully on the coastal strip near Trinity Beach for Amphibious Training, with the US 523rd B & S Regiment. Regional 933 1943 1943-07-06T00:00:00 General Douglas MacArthur, Command Allied Forces, South-West Pacific Area, accompanied by Generals Morshead and Wootten, witnessed the-2/7th Field Regiment demonstrate gun-drill at the Herberton artillery range. Regional 934 1943 1943-07-09T00:00:00 Nos. 3 and 450 Squadrons, RAAF, and eight RAN corvettes involved in the allied invasion of Sicily, Italy. International 935 1943 1943-07-10T00:00:00 Magnetic Island Port War Signal Station (PWSS) completed. Regional 936 1943 1943-07-12T00:00:00 Troops of the 7th Division took part in a full divisional field exercise, marching from campsites at Ravenshoe. Regional 937 1943 1943-07-13T00:00:00 2/3rd LAA Battery marched into Kairi camp, from the Redlynch staging camp. Regional 938 1943 1943-07-13T00:00:00 US Army Paratroopers carried out invasion training with A.I.F. 6th and 7th Division. at Mount Garnet, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 939 1943 1943-07-15T00:00:00 US 63rd Station Hospital relieved the Detachment of the 2nd Station Hospital at Gordonvale, which then joined its parent organization at Mareeba. Regional 940 1943 1943-07-15T00:00:00 A Company, 2/33rd Battalion, 25th Brigade, began moving out from their Ravenshoe camp to the 13th Australian Army Personnel Staging Camp at Oonoomba ready for embarkation to Port Moresby. Regional 941 1943 1943-07-16T00:00:00 General Vasey reviewed his Division (7th) at the Mount Garnet Racecourse, in a prelude to an inspection by the Commander-in-Chief. Regional 942 1943 1943-07-17T00:00:00 Three vessels arrived in Townsville from Port Moresby, with approximately 2500 US personnel of the 163rd Infantry Regimental Combat Team, 41st Infantry Division. Seven trains railed these troops to Rockhampton. National 943 1943 1943-07-17T00:00:00 Mount Garnet Racecourse again presented a magnificent spectacle at the full strength 7th Division paraded before the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Thomas Blarney. Regional 944 1943 1943-07-20T00:00:00 HMAS Hobart torpedoed off San Cristobal, Solomon Islands. Seven officers and six ratings were killed in the attack. Though badly damaged the Hobart was able to reach Espirtu Santo the next day. National 945 1943 1943-07-20T00:00:00 Most of the Australian 20th Brigade sailed from Cairns on troopships S.S. CANBERRA, S.S. TAROONA and S.S. DUNTROON destined for Port Moresby. National 946 1027 1943 1943-07-20T00:00:00 The RAAF 29 Operational Base Unit was operational at Inverleigh Airfield, near Normanton. Regional 947 1943 1943-07-23T00:00:00 12 Battery, 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, marched into the Kairi camp, via the Redlynch staging camp. Regional 948 1943 1943-07-26T00:00:00 26th Brigade commenced Amphibious Training at Trinity Beach. Regional 949 1943 1943-07-30T00:00:00 HMAS WESTRALIA and HMAS MANOORA (Converted Armed Merchant Ships), together with escort USS DRAYTON, berthed at Cairns, embarked Australian Ninth Division troops for Milne Bay. National 950 1943 1943-07-30T00:00:00 2/12th Australian Field Regiment marched out of their 9th Division camp at Kairi, to Redlynch Staging Camp. Regional 951 468 1943 1943-07-30T00:00:00 The Cape River Meat Works, manned by the 2/1 Field Butchery Company was operational. Regional 952 839 1943 1943-07-30T00:00:00 The Kingaroy Airfield consisted of four strips: North-South (3300’); East-West (4800’); NW-SE (5280’); and SW-NE (4500’), but by July 1945 it became an emergency landing ground. Regional 953 1943 1943-07-31T00:00:00 2/2nd Australian Field Regiment arrived at a new campsite at Kairi. Regional 954 1943 1943-07-31T00:00:00 RAAF planned to store 40 per cent of North Eastern Area (NEA) chemical warfare stocks at Talmoi. Regional 955 1490 1943 1943-07-31T00:00:00 Camp Maryborough, south of Tinana was commenced to house the US Army’s 27th Infantry Division, which didn’t arrive in Queensland. The camp was utilised by the RAAF. Regional 956 1943 1943-08-01T00:00:00 RAAF 57 Radar Station established at Kissing Point, Townsville. Regional 957 1943 1943-08-02T00:00:00 US Transport Ship USS HENRY T ALLEN berthed at Cairns and began loading equipment of the 2/48th Battalion. Regional 958 1943 1943-08-02T00:00:00 Work commenced on the earth mat for the installation of RAAF HF/DF Station at Karumba. Regional 959 1943 1943-08-03T00:00:00 12 Battery, 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment moved from Kairi to Trinity Beach. Regional 960 1943 1943-08-04T00:00:00 RAAF Catalina on return from a ‘milk run’, landed alongside Ruby Reef out from Cairns where a Vultee Vengeance (A27-235) had made a forced landing. The crew were picked up in one of the Catalina’s dinghies. Regional 961 1943 1943-08-04T00:00:00 9/43rd Battalion, broke camp at Kairi and returned by convoy to Deadman’s Gully for a brush up on Amphibious Training. Regional 962 1943 1943-08-10T00:00:00 US Transport HENRY ALLEN sailed from Cairns with segments of the 2/2 Australian Machine Gun Battalion A.I.F. bound for Milne Bay. Regional 963 1943 1943-08-11T00:00:00 RAAF installed 53 RDF (Radio Direction Finding) Australian ‘low flying’ AW (Air Warning) Station at Mount Surprise. Regional 964 1943 1943-08-14T00:00:00 2/12th Battalion departed Ravenshoe in two road convoys, via the Palmerston Highway, through Millaa Millaa to Innisfail, where they entrained to 13th Personnel Staging Camp at Oonoomba. Regional 965 1943 1943-08-15T00:00:00 2/2nd Battalion, 16th Brigade, 6th Division moved to Deadman’s Gully near Trinity Beach to commence two weeks amphibious training with the US 523rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment. Regional 966 1943 1943-08-16T00:00:00 U.S. troops enter Messina in North eastern Sicily in a final push to clear the island. Axis evacuation of 100,000 troops has been completed. International 967 1943 1943-08-16T00:00:00 2/1 Australian Convalescent Depot established at Lake Barrine, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 968 1943 1943-08-16T00:00:00 Ten igloo stores built at Tolga for 13 AOD. Regional 969 1943 1943-08-16T00:00:00 54th Australian Deputy Commander, Royal Engineers (Works) erected ten 200′ x 100′ Igloo Storage Sheds for the 13th AAOD (Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot) at Tolga, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 970 1943 1943-08-18T00:00:00 RAAF No.13 Aircraft Repair Depot moved to Breddan, near Charters Towers. The function of this large base, which carried over 1200 people, was the overhaul of engines and airframes and motor vehicles. Regional 971 1943 1943-08-18T00:00:00 An RAAF stores depot was established at Macrossan, on the eastern side of the Burdekin River, eight miles east of Charters Towers. Regional 972 1943 1943-08-19T00:00:00 Convoy of nine ships departed Cairns for Milne Bay, escorted by HMAS KAPUNDA and HMAS PIRIE. National 973 1943 1943-08-19T00:00:00 RAAF No.13 ARD (Aircraft Repair Depot) move from Tocumwal to Breddan. (until 20 NOV 47). Regional 974 1943 1943-08-21T00:00:00 The Labour Party wins the Australian elections. National 975 1943 1943-08-23T00:00:00 Naval Magazine established at Brookhill, Flinders Highway, outside Townsville. Regional 976 824 1943 1943-08-24T00:00:00 Units are based at the RAAF Flying Boat Base and 43 Squadron RAAF Camp at Karumba. Regional 977 1943 1943-08-25T00:00:00 US forces complete the capture of New Georgia in the Pacific. International 978 1943 1943-08-27T00:00:00 RAAF RDF 36 station moved from Hammond Island to Horn Island. Regional 979 68 1943 1943-08-30T00:00:00 Augustus Downs Airfield, north Queensland, was disbanded. Regional 980 987 1943 1943-08-30T00:00:00 RAAF 53 Radar Station, at Mount Surprise, north Queensland became operational. Regional 981 1943 1943-08-30T00:00:00 2/2nd Battalion returned to Wondecla from amphibious training. Regional 982 1943 1943-09-01T00:00:00 RAAF adopted the American terminology, with RDF (Radio Direction Finding) now to be called “RADAR”, which is an acronym for “Radio Detection and Ranging”). National 983 1943 1943-09-01T00:00:00 Defence Committee approved the establishment of a chemical warfare field experimental station near Proserpine (Gunyarra siding). Regional 984 758 1943 1943-09-01T00:00:00 The first section of the Holland Park Military Hospital complex is completed. It contained the US Army 5th Station Hospital; 156th Station Hospital; 256th Station Hospital & 42nd General Hospital; No.2 Area 102nd Aust. General Hospital and 2nd Convalescen. Regional 985 1943 1943-09-01T00:00:00 Palm Island US Naval Air Station became operational. Regional 986 1943 1943-09-01T00:00:00 Jungara US Army hospital established near Cairns. Regional 987 1943 1943-09-01T00:00:00 RAAF 19 Replenishing Centre became operational at Talmoi siding for the storage of mustard gas and other chemical warfare agents. Regional 988 1943 1943-09-03T00:00:00 Allies invaded Italy. International 989 1943 1943-09-04T00:00:00 Allies recaptured Lae-Salamaua, New Guinea. International 990 1943 1943-09-05T00:00:00 Amphibious landings near Lae and parachute drops in the Markham Valley completed by Australian 7 and 9 Divisions AIF and US 503 Parachute Infantry Regiment. National 991 1943 1943-09-07T00:00:00 Liberator crash during take-off at Port Moresby kills 59 Australians. It hit five trucks carrying men of the 2/33rd Battalion; 15 were killed instantly, 44 died of their injuries, and 92 were injured but survived. National 992 1943 1943-09-08T00:00:00 Eisenhower announces the Italian unconditional surrender. International 993 1943 1943-09-08T00:00:00 USSAF 336 Service Squadron arrived in Townsville to start work on No. 2 Depot of 4 Air Depot Group, Mount Louisa. Regional 994 1943 1943-09-09T00:00:00 Mrs. Ellanore Roosevelt, wife of US President. Franklin D. Roosevelt arrived in Brisbane and visited a U.S. Combat Division Camp. Regional 995 1943 1943-09-10T00:00:00 RAAF No.80 Squadron formed at Townsville. Regional 996 1943 1943-09-11T00:00:00 Australian troops enter Salamaua National 997 1943 1943-09-12T00:00:00 Ellanore Roosevelt, as head of the American Red Cross (AMCROSS) visited Townsville. Regional 998 622 1943 1943-09-13T00:00:00 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary received world media coverage when US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited it during her visit to US troops in Brisbane Regional 999 1943 1943-09-15T00:00:00 The Australian 7th and 9th Divisions capture Lae in New Guinea after very heavy fighting. National 1000 1943 1943-09-15T00:00:00 Magnetic Island Examination Service discontinued. Regional 1001 1943 1943-09-19T00:00:00 2/6th Independent Company capture Kaiapit, New Guinea, which was needed for the airstrip and became a base for the 7th Division’s advance up the Markham Valley. National 1002 1943 1943-09-22T00:00:00 Australian Ninth Division troops landed at Scarlet Beach, near Finschhafen, New Guinea. National 1003 1943 1943-09-23T00:00:00 RAAF installed No.211 Radar Station at a site named Charlie’s Hill about, two miles from a railway siding at Iyah, outside Home Hill. Regional 1004 1943 1943-09-24T00:00:00 RAAF 220 Radar Station established at Bones Knob, Tolga. Regional 1005 1943 1943-09-24T00:00:00 A fire broke out in a shed at Concrete.Pier, Townsville Harbour, causing damage: to the extent several thousand pounds. Regional 1006 1943 1943-09-24T00:00:00 General MacArthur visits Townsville. Regional 1007 1943 1943-09-27T00:00:00 The first of two heavy air raids against Wewak are conducted by the 5th Air Force. International 1008 1943 1943-09-27T00:00:00 Operation ‘JAYWICK’, commando raid by ‘Z’ Special Unit on Singapore Harbour. destroying 40,000 tonnes of Japanese shipping in the harbour. M.V. Krait is the vessel utilised. National 1009 1943 1943-09-27T00:00:00 2/6th Battalion, 17th Brigade, 6th Division encamp Wondecla, Atherton Tablelands, returned from Wau and Salamaua in New Guinea, and were proceeding on leave from which there were many absentees. Regional 1010 1943 1943-09-29T00:00:00 RAAF installed *220 Radar Station at Bones Knob, Tolga, Atherton Tablelands. Regional 1011 1943 1943-10-01T00:00:00 The allies capture Naples, Italy. International 1012 1943 1943-10-01T00:00:00 The Australian Government releases men from the army and munitions industry for reallocation within the Australian war effort. National 1013 1943 1943-10-01T00:00:00 Italian POW’s began growing vegetables for the military under the Home Hill Vegetable Project. Regional 1014 1045 1943 1943-10-01T00:00:00 Nudgee US Army warehouses constructed. Regional 1015 1943 1943-10-01T00:00:00 US Navy Air Wing 17 consisted of five PBY-5A Catalina Patrol Squadrons, VP11, VP33, VP34, VP52 an VP101 established a Repair Base at Challenger Bay (Palm Island). Regional 1016 2039 1943 1943-10-01T00:00:00 Chemical Warfare Training Area set up to the east of Camp Thompson’s Point was a Chemical Warfare Training Area (Gas) of 659 acres at Broadmount. Regional 1017 1943 1943-10-01T00:00:00 232nd Australian Light Horse Anti-Aircraft Battery, arrived at Stuart rail siding in Townsville. Regional 1018 1943 1943-10-01T00:00:00 US Army HQ Company Base 2 moved out of the Empire Hotel and tent city in Park, South Townsville, and moved into newly constructed barracks at Cutheringa Park, West End. Regional 1019 678 1943 1943-10-01T00:00:00 Fraser Commando School is opened for training on Fraser island. Regional 1020 1943 1943-10-02T00:00:00 9th Division captures Finschhafen which becomes the base for the protracted Huon Peninsula campaign, 1943-44. National 1021 1943 1943-10-03T00:00:00 HMAS AUSTRALIA spent ten days carrying out firing practice, in the Palm Island area, awaiting arrival of other vessels to reform Task Force 74. Regional 1022 1943 1943-10-04T00:00:00 Elements of 7th Division capture Dumpu, New Guinea. National 1023 1943 1943-10-06T00:00:00 Convoy arrived in Townsville from Melbourne consisting of eight US Liberty Ships. National 1024 1943 1943-10-08T00:00:00 6th Division hold Divisional Sports and Drills meeting at Wondecla. Regional 1025 1943 1943-10-09T00:00:00 HMAS KAPUNDA departs Townsville for refit in Melbourne, having escorted MURADA from Port Moresby. (84:69) National 1026 111 1943 1943-10-10T00:00:00 RAAF No.1 Flying Boat Maintenance Unit formed at Bowen. Regional 1027 706 1943 1943-10-11T00:00:00 The US Army took possession of the site designated the US Army Ordnance Depot and Royal Navy (RN) Depot. Regional 1028 1943 1943-10-19T00:00:00 RAAF installed No.58 Australian ‘low flying’ AW (Air Warning) Radar Station at Mount Spec, Paluma. Regional 1029 1943 1943-10-22T00:00:00 Construction commenced on a United States Navy 120 bed Hospital at Rowes Bay, Townsville, the site of today’s Bush Children’s Home. Regional 1030 1943 1943-10-25T00:00:00 The Japanese open the infamous Burma to Siam railway, which was built with forced British, Australian and other Commonwealth POW labour. International 1031 1943 1943-10-28T00:00:00 No.52 AWAS Barracks established at Roseneath, outside Townsville. No.8 AWAS Barracks remained operating at Denham Street and Love Lane Townsville. Regional 1032 1943 1943-10-30T00:00:00 RAAF 53 Radar Station established at Mount Surprise. Regional 1033 1943 1943-10-30T00:00:00 RAAF 58 Radar Station established at Paluma. Regional 1034 1943 1943-11-01T00:00:00 The US 3rd Marine Division lands at Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville Island in the Solomon’s. International 1035 1943 1943-11-01T00:00:00 Construction of Australian Defence Canteen Services igloo store at Atherton showgrounds. Now Merriland Hall. Regional 1036 1943 1943-11-01T00:00:00 Chemical Warfare Research and Experimental Station operational at Gunyarra siding, near Proserpine. Regional 1037 1943 1943-11-01T00:00:00 Completion of Karumba flying boat slipway and workshop hangar. Regional 1038 1465 1943 1943-11-01T00:00:00 Camp Tabragalba was officially handed over to the US Army. Regional 1039 1943 1943-11-03T00:00:00 Heavy USAAF air attacks begin on Rabaul. International 1040 1011 1943 1943-11-04T00:00:00 US Navy Commissioned Officers Club Mess, 7th Fleet Officers Club was formed at New Farm, Brisbane. The site became the Returned Limbless Sailors and Soldiers Association HQ. Regional 1041 1943 1943-11-05T00:00:00 RAN acquires ‘Homeleigh’ on the Esplanade in Cairns for accommodation for WRANS. Regional 1042 1943 1943-11-05T00:00:00 6th Australian Division held a ceremonial divisional parade at Herberton Racecourse, dressed in Jungle Greens, and viewed by Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Blarney. Regional 1043 1943 1943-11-11T00:00:00 Landing Ships Infantry, HMAS WESTRALIA and HMAS MANOORA, escorted by HMAS WARREGO and Submarine Chaser USS PC1124 arrived in Cairns. National 1044 1465 1943 1943-11-11T00:00:00 Camp Tabragalba has approximately 38 buildings and is one of the larest camps in Queensland. Regional 1045 1943 1943-11-12T00:00:00 Last Japanese air raid on Darwin. This, the 64th raid since February 1942, was the last air raid made on Australia during the war. National 1046 1943 1943-11-12T00:00:00 New WRANS barracks established on the Strand. Townsville, on the Kissing Point side of the swimming pool, and extended to opposite Fryer Street. Regional 1047 1943 1943-11-13T00:00:00 RAAF 6 Convalescent Depot moved to Paluma from Werribee, Victoria. Regional 1048 1943 1943-11-15T00:00:00 Construction commenced on what was to be the US 44th General Hospital at Black River (North of Townsville). Regional 1049 1943 1943-11-17T00:00:00 The 9th Division begins its attack on Sattelberg, a high peak and the key to the Huon Peninsula. National 1050 1943 1943-11-21T00:00:00 Japanese surprise raid at Scarlet Beach, near Lae, Papua New Guinea, was narrowly held by Australian and American defenders. International 1051 1943 1943-11-22T00:00:00 Boom net constructed at Cairns. Regional 1052 1943 1943-11-23T00:00:00 HMAS WESTRALIA commenced a five day amphibious training exercise with the 19th Australian Infantry Brigade in Trinity Bay. Regional 1053 1943 1943-11-25T00:00:00 Sattelberg in New Guinea falls to the 9th Australian Division. National 1054 1943 1943-11-26T00:00:00 2/43rd Battalion repulses strong Japanese attacks on Pabu Hill, New Guinea. National 1055 1943 1943-11-26T00:00:00 Large “igloo” stores shed was under construction by the AWC, in the Atherton Showgrounds for use by the Australian Army Canteen Services as the “Daily Issue Department”. Regional 1056 1943 1943-11-26T00:00:00 HMAS WAGGA and S.S. WILLIAM S. LADD collide in Cairns, off Smith’s Landing. Regional 1057 1943 1943-11-27T00:00:00 An artillery competition was, held at the Kairi sports ground between three regiments attached to the Corps Artillery, 2/2nd, 2/7th and 2/8th Australian Field Regiments. Regional 1058 341 1943 1943-11-30T00:00:00 The Cabarlah Staff School, north of Toowoomba, utilised by the First Australian Army’s Military Tactics School, Administration (NCO) School, Gas School and Transport School is operational. Regional 1059 730 1943 1943-11-30T00:00:00 Australian Chemical Warfare Research Station at Gunyarra, near Proserpine was planned and by 1945 it formed a large complex of over 50 buildings including laboratories, quarters, stores and workshops. Regional 1060 1943 1943-12-04T00:00:00 Archer Point WSS (War Signal Station), near Cooktown closed down. Regional 1061 1943 1943-12-08T00:00:00 RAAF No.12 RSU moved from Breddan to Kiriwina. Regional 1062 1943 1943-12-15T00:00:00 US troops land on New Britain near Cape Gloucester, to the South West of Rabaul. International 1063 1943 1943-12-16T00:00:00 RAAF No.34 Operational Base Unit established at Karumba. Regional 1064 1943 1943-12-20T00:00:00 2/9th 2/10th Commando Squadrons of the 2/6th Australian Cavalry (Commando) Regiment arrive by rail at Wondecla, Atherton Tablelands, to undertake jungle training with 6th Division’s 16th Brigade. Regional 1065 1943 1943-12-20T00:00:00 120 Bed US Naval hospital completed by C Cov 55 Battalion at Rowes Bay, Townsville. Regional 1066 1943 1943-12-26T00:00:00 Full Allied assault on New Britain as 1st Division Marines invade Cape Gloucester. International 1067 1943 1943-12-27T00:00:00 7th Division capture ‘The Pimple’, Shaggy Ridge, New Guinea. National 1068 1943 1943-12-27T00:00:00 False Cape PWSS (Port War Signal Station) at Trinity Bay near Cairns, functional except for the Examination Battery 10″ signal projector and associated generator. Regional 1069 1002 1943 1943-12-30T00:00:00 St Christopher’s Chapel, Nerimbera, south-east of Rockhampton was utilised for non-denominational services. It was set up by the American 542 Engineers, Ship and Shore Battalion. Regional 1070 1799 1943 1943-12-30T00:00:00 Action was taken to court martial “certain warrant-officers, NCOs, and soldiers on charges of maltreatment” of prisoners at the 3rd Australian Detention Barracks at the Warwick Detention Camp, Darling Downs. Regional 1071 585 1944 1944-01-01T00:00:00 All areas vacated at Camp Wallaroo and the associated Ordnance Dumps, near the Duaringa State Forest. The 636 Ordnance Company, an African-American unit, The last unit in occupation. Regional 1072 1944 1944-01-01T00:00:00 19th Brigade, 6th Division held a sports meeting at the Herberton Racecourse. (2/8th, 2/11th and 2/4th Battalions). Regional 1073 1944 1944-01-01T00:00:00 Chemical warfare trials on North Brook Island: aircraft dropped bombs containing liquid mustard gas. Regional 1074 1944 1944-01-02T00:00:00 US Marines land at Saidor in northern New Guinea. International 1075 1944 1944-01-05T00:00:00 US 44th General Hospital unit arrived in Townsville by train from Cairns, and personnel divided amongst existing hospitals in the area. Regional 1076 1944 1944-01-08T00:00:00 RAAF installed No.341 Radar Station at Mulgrave Island (known locally as Badu Island), Torres Strait. Regional 1077 1944 1944-01-15T00:00:00 Capture of Sio by the 9th Australian Division represented the final destruction of the Japanese 20th Division in the protracted Huon Peninsula campaign of 1943-1944. National 1078 1944 1944-01-19T00:00:00 9th Australian Division’s Sports and Gymkhana were held at Wondecla. Regional 1079 1944 1944-01-22T00:00:00 The U.S. Fifth Army lands at Anzio, 30 miles South of Rome, Italy. International 1080 1944 1944-01-23T00:00:00 Troops of the Australian 7th Division clear Shaggy Ridge in New Guinea. National 1081 1944 1944-01-31T00:00:00 US forces landed in the Marshall Islands. International 1082 1944 1944-01-31T00:00:00 Within six months, the AWC had supplied the US Army services with hospitals of total bed capacity of 27,500. This included the US Hospitals at Black River, north of Townsville and at Jungara, outside Cairns. Regional 1083 1944 1944-01-31T00:00:00 US 83 Station Hospital at Woodstock closed. Regional 1084 1944 1944-02-01T00:00:00 Cape River Meat Works in operation with 2/1 Field Butchering Company. Regional 1085 1944 1944-02-03T00:00:00 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion encamped at Trinity Beach for one week amphibious training. Regional 1086 1944 1944-02-07T00:00:00 US Army 12th Station Hospital at Townsville, ceased to function, after two years of operation in the same location, with a final hospital register of 23,377. Regional 1087 1944 1944-02-08T00:00:00 The Australians complete the occupation of the Huon Peninsula in New Guinea. National 1088 1944 1944-02-08T00:00:00 US Army 44th General Hospital began functioning at Black River, north of Townsville, with the 12th Station Hospital attached for duty. Regional 1089 1944 1944-02-08T00:00:00 US Base Section 5, in Cairns, reverted to the centre of Base Area Command No.2 (previously known as Base Section 2) in Townsville. Regional 1090 1944 1944-02-10T00:00:00 Australian and Americans troops link at Saidor in New Guinea. National 1091 1944 1944-02-10T00:00:00 The 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion, feared by the Japanese as “Vasey’s Cut-Throats”, arrived at Townsville from Port Moresby on HMAS KANIMBLA. Regional 1092 1944 1944-02-11T00:00:00 Americans troops at Cassino are relieved by Indian and New Zealand forces. The allies are pushed back to final defence line at Anzio. International 1093 1944 1944-02-11T00:00:00 The Australians take Rooke Island between Huon and New Britain. National 1094 1944 1944-02-13T00:00:00 Advance party of a rail convoy of five trains, carrying the 2/1st Australian Field Regiment, complete with 25 pounder guns and motor transport, arrived at Innisfail from south. Regional 1095 1944 1944-02-15T00:00:00 A 750 bed prefabricated US hospital was completed on a 38 acre site at Jungara near Redlynch, Cairns. Regional 1096 1944 1944-02-15T00:00:00 2/8th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division AIF underwent further amphibious training at Trinity Beach. Regional 1097 1944 1944-02-16T00:00:00 RAAF 211 Radar Station established at Charlies Hill, near Home Hill. Regional 1098 1944 1944-02-16T00:00:00 The personnel train carrying the 2/1st Australian Field Regiment from south, arrived at Redlynch, and at noon began the final stage of their journey, arriving at Ravenshoe. Regional 1099 1944 1944-02-24T00:00:00 2/6th Battalion, 17th Brigade, 6th Division departed Wondecla camp by motor transport, for amphibious training at Trinity Beach. Regional 1100 1944 1944-02-27T00:00:00 About 60,000 Japanese are reported to be trapped in New Britain and New Ireland, in the South West Pacific. International 1101 1944 1944-03-01T00:00:00 Advance party of 2/7th Commando Squadron, of the 2/6th Australian Cavalry (Commando) Regiment, marched into the Wondecla camp. Regional 1102 730 1944 1944-03-01T00:00:00 US chemical warfare units began two months of experimental mustard gas bombing on North Brook Island, north Queenland, using Australian volunteers. Regional 1103 1944 1944-03-04T00:00:00 Mustard gas trials on Hinchinbrook Island and North Brook Island. Regional 1104 1613 1944 1944-03-04T00:00:00 The RAAF 210 Radar Station, at Toorbul became operational with a staff of 1 officer and 31 other ranks. Regional 1105 1944 1944-03-04T00:00:00 2/2nd Australian Field Regiment, moved from its Artillery Corps campsite at Kairi to the 6th Division camp at Wondecla. transporting with them, some of their ‘voluntarily built’ Mess buildings. Regional 1106 1944 1944-03-12T00:00:00 The first of a number of Sunderland Flying boats arrived in Sydney from Britain to serve with the RAAF. They were manned by Australians who served from two to four years abroad, many of them flew with the famous No.10 Squadron. National 1107 1944 1944-03-13T00:00:00 RAN hire dwelling of Mrs Mav Cahill on The Esplanade in Cairns, for accommodation of WRANS. Regional 1108 1944 1944-03-16T00:00:00 2/24th Battalion. 26th Brigade. 9th Division encamp at Ravenshoe, Atherton Tablelands, 30 miles from their previous camp at Kairi. Regional 1109 1944 1944-03-17T00:00:00 2/6th Battalion, 17th Brigade, 6th Division conducted an invasion exercise, “Exercise Douglas”, at Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas. Regional 1110 1944 1944-03-21T00:00:00 Command-post staffs and B.0 and F Troops of 2/1st Australian Field Regiment. moved from camp at Ravenshoe, to the Biboohra range, for the first shoot since arriving back in Australia from the Gona-Buna campaign. Regional 1111 1944 1944-03-24T00:00:00 Australian Army officially took over the new hospital site at Jungara, near Redlynch, outside Cairns, to become the new home for 116 AGH. Regional 1112 1944 1944-03-25T00:00:00 6th Division held Gymkhana at Herberton Racecourse. Regional 1113 1944 1944-03-26T00:00:00 RAAF No.7 Squadron (Beauforts & Ventura) moved from Townsville to Jacky Jacky Airfield. Regional 1114 1944 1944-03-27T00:00:00 Australian Government launches first Victory Loan aimed at raising £150 million for the war effort. National 1115 1944 1944-03-27T00:00:00 The 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion arrived in Townsville from south by troop trains, and left the same day for the Atherton Tablelands. Regional 1116 1944 1944-03-28T00:00:00 Cyclone hit Townsville, completely demolishing four of the Platypus Channel beacons (3,4,6 & 7), and devastated the 500 bed Australian 2/14th General (tent) Hospital at Pallarenda. Regional 1117 1944 1944-03-28T00:00:00 Rail traffic south of Townsville was disrupted due to flood waters over the single line rail bridges at Burdekin and Haughton Rivers. Regional 1118 1944 1944-03-29T00:00:00 US Chemical Warfare Forces commenced two months of experimental dropping of Mustard Gas bombs to the South of Hinchinbrook Island. Regional 1119 1944 1944-03-30T00:00:00 The siege of Imphal, Assam, India begins, as the Japanese cut the road to the North. International 1120 1471 1944 1944-03-30T00:00:00 Camp Caves, Rockhampton is disbanded by March 1944. Regional 1121 1944 1944-03-31T00:00:00 The number of patients at the US 84th Station Hospital at Charters Towers had dropped to only five. Regional 1122 1944 1944-03-31T00:00:00 RAAF No.40 Squadron (Sunderlands) formed at Townsville. Regional 1123 1944 1944-03-31T00:00:00 A high incidence of dengue fever occurred in the Townsville area during the previous three month period, affecting both civilian and allied military personnel. Regional 1124 1944 1944-04-09T00:00:00 RAAF No.43 Squadron moved from Karumba to Darwin. Regional 1125 1944 1944-04-10T00:00:00 The US 84th Station Hospital at Charters Towers closed. Remaining patients transferred to 13th Station Hospital at Aitkenvale. The staff moved to Townsville on 16th April 1944. Regional 1126 1944 1944-04-10T00:00:00 The 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion moved from its Wongabel camp, to a new campsite at Deadman’s Gully, 15 miles north of Cairns. Regional 1127 1944 1944-04-15T00:00:00 The 408 patients at US 12th Station Hospital at Chapman Street, (attached to the 44th General Hospital ), were transferred the 14 miles to that almost completed installation at Black River. Regional 1128 1944 1944-04-15T00:00:00 2/1st CCS (Casualty Clearance Station) AIF, established at Ravenshoe. Orderlies, Medical Staff and NCOs set up the unit, with AANS Sisters arriving approximately two weeks later. Regional 1129 1944 1944-04-22T00:00:00 10.000 American troops landed at Hollandia and Aitape, 164 ships in the invasion fleet having sailed from Finschhafen and elsewhere. International 1130 1944 1944-04-22T00:00:00 Koala Soldiers’ Club, at Kairi, Atherton Tablelands, built by 3rd Division’s 24th Field Company, opened by Lady Blamey. Regional 1131 1944 1944-04-24T00:00:00 Madang captured by Australian forces. National 1132 1944 1944-04-26T00:00:00 Australians troops occupy Alexishafen in New Guinea. National 1133 1944 1944-04-27T00:00:00 The U.S. Army complete their capture of Hollandia’s airfields and isolate 200,000 Japanese for the duration of war. International 1134 1944 1944-04-29T00:00:00 Australian Prime Minister John Curtin, arrives in London for a conference. National 1135 1944 1944-05-01T00:00:00 Australian 1 Parachute Battalion encamped at Mareeba airfield. Regional 1136 1944 1944-05-07T00:00:00 HMAS PLATYPUS ceased as Base Ship duties in Cairns. Regional 1137 1944 1944-05-08T00:00:00 Naval Base is established in Cairns, being Commissioned as HMAS KURANDA. The base stood on the site on which the Port Authority building presently stands. Regional 1138 1944 1944-05-09T00:00:00 116 Australian General Hospital began moving out from Charters Towers by train, for its new site at Jungara, outside Cairns. Regional 1139 1944 1944-05-09T00:00:00 2/1st Australian Field Regiment moved from Ravenshoe to a new campsite at Mapee. Regional 1140 1944 1944-05-10T00:00:00 2/13th Battalion and 20th Infantry Battalion arrived at Ravenshoe. Regional 1141 1944 1944-05-13T00:00:00 RAAF No.86 Squadron moved from Merauke to Bohle River. Regional 1142 1944 1944-05-13T00:00:00 B Company, 2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion arrived at Townsville from Merauke. All ranks immediately went on well-earned leave, before rejoining the Battalion at Wondecla. Regional 1143 1944 1944-05-14T00:00:00 RAAF No.14 RSU moved to Ross River from Livingstone. Regional 1144 1944 1944-05-15T00:00:00 116 Australian General Hospital move into new constructed hospital site at Jungara, outside Cairns. Regional 1145 1944 1944-05-15T00:00:00 2/6th Australian Commando Squadron, (formerly the 2/6th Australian Independent Company) was allocated plot of ground at Kairi/Mapee area. Regional 1146 1944 1944-05-15T00:00:00 RAAF No.41 Squadron moved from Townsville to Rathmines. Regional 1147 1944 1944-05-15T00:00:00 116 Australian General Hospital moved from Charters Towers to Jungara hospital, Cairns. Regional 1148 1944 1944-05-16T00:00:00 23rd, 24th and 62nd Batteries of the 2/12th Australian Field Regiment arrived at Ravenshoe at an old 6th Division campsite. Regional 1149 1944 1944-05-17T00:00:00 Malaria Research Unit moved from North Cairns State School to Jungara Hospital. Regional 1150 1944 1944-05-19T00:00:00 The ‘Deadman’s Gully’ based Beach Group carried out Amphibious Training combined field exercises, at Palm, Beach (Palm Cove) and Clifton Beach, involving all units of the Beach Group. Regional 1151 1944 1944-05-22T00:00:00 2/7th Field Regiment was allotted to 9th Division and moved from Kairi to Ravenshoe Camp. Regional 1152 1944 1944-05-23T00:00:00 Advance party of 5 Australian Camp Hospital departed Cairns for Charters Towers. Regional 1153 1944 1944-05-24T00:00:00 US 63 Station Hospital at Gordonvale closed: patients transferred to Black River hospital. Regional 1154 1944 1944-05-26T00:00:00 RAAF No.86 Squadron disbanded at Bohle River. Regional 1155 1944 1944-05-26T00:00:00 RAAF No.84 Squadron disbanded at Horn Island. Regional 1156 1065 1944 1944-05-30T00:00:00 The bitumen surfacing of the Mount Isa-Camooweal-Tennant Creek Road, in western Queensland was completed, to support the war effort with clear transport route from the north. Regional 1157 954 1944 1944-05-30T00:00:00 Camp Moorooka, the USASOS Base 3 Office and Staging Camp is operational. Regional 1158 1944 1944-06-01T00:00:00 RAAF No.8 Stores Depot moves from Townsville to Macrossan. Regional 1159 1944 1944-06-01T00:00:00 2/48th Battalion having taken leave on return to Australia from action at Sattelberg, re-grouped, and encamped at Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tablelands. Regional 1160 1944 1944-06-01T00:00:00 Amphibious landing exercises carried out at Cairns’ Trinity and Clifton Beaches for assaults on Tarakan, Labuan and Balikpapan in Borneo. Regional 1161 1944 1944-06-03T00:00:00 Last major air combat by RAAF in the Second World War—South of Biak Isand. National 1162 1944 1944-06-04T00:00:00 Allied forces captured Rome, Italy. International 1163 1944 1944-06-05T00:00:00 The first mission by B-29 Superfortress bombers occurs as 77 planes bomb Japanese railway facilities at Bangkok, Thailand. International 1164 1944 1944-06-06T00:00:00 D-Day—Allied Expeditionary Force of British, American, Canadian, Polish, and Free French troops begins Operation Overlord International 1165 1944 1944-06-06T00:00:00 US Army Base 2 Intelligence Section re-located from No.3 Landsborough Street, North Ward to the first floor at Base Headquarters building, on the corner of Walker and Denham Streets, Townsville. Regional 1166 1944 1944-06-10T00:00:00 Last Japanese aircraft shot down shot down in New Guinea campaign. International 1167 1944 1944-06-15T00:00:00 U.S. Marines invade Saipan in the Mariana Islands. International 1168 1944 1944-06-15T00:00:00 RAAF No.6 CRD (Central Recovery Depot) established at Breddan. Regional 1169 1944 1944-06-16T00:00:00 The real flying bomb offensive on Britain began as 95 V1s cross the coast before 6am and a total of 244 reaching England that day. International 1170 1944 1944-06-16T00:00:00 2/1st Australian Field Regiment moved to MacAlister Range to carry out a calibration shoot of every gun. Two days later, three batteries of the Regiment carried out shoots at the Kimalo range. Regional 1171 1944 1944-06-16T00:00:00 24th Brigade troops arrived at ‘Deadman’s Gully’ Trinity Beach, Cairns for amphibious training. Regional 1172 1944 1944-06-18T00:00:00 The US 13th Station Hospital at Aitkenvale was closed. The remaining 127 patients were transferred by ambulance to the only remaining US hospital, 44th General Hospital, Black River. Regional 1173 1944 1944-06-18T00:00:00 US 13 Station Hospital at Aitkenvale, Townsville, closed: patients transferred to Black River. Regional 1174 1944 1944-06-19T00:00:00 Battle of the Philippines Sea: Japanese naval and air defeat. International 1175 307 1944 1944-06-19T00:00:00 Statham House service lane beside McLeod’s Bookshop is designated a crime scene after prostitute Doris May Roberts is murdered by a US serviceman. Regional 1176 1944 1944-06-22T00:00:00 RAAF No.84 Squadron moved from Aitkenvale to Macrossan. Regional 1177 1944 1944-06-23T00:00:00 US 12th Station Hospital personnel staged at Armstrong Paddock, Townsville. Regional 1178 1944 1944-06-25T00:00:00 The British Second Army begins a major offensive in the area of Caen, France. International 1179 1944 1944-06-25T00:00:00 RAAF No.86 Squadron reformed at Macrossan. Regional 1180 1944 1944-06-29T00:00:00 RAAF No.6 CRD (Central Recovery Depot) moved from Breddan to Stuart. Regional 1181 1944 1944-07-01T00:00:00 RAAF No.23 Squadron, moved from Horn Island to Menangle. Regional 1182 1103 1944 1944-07-01T00:00:00 US Army gradually vacated the Depot at Meeandah, Pinkenba and moved its supply depot to Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea. Regional 1183 1944 1944-07-02T00:00:00 RAAF No. 41Squadron (Martin Mariner Transport Seaplanes) moved from Rathmines to Cairns. Regional 1184 1944 1944-07-03T00:00:00 Prime Minister Curtin returns to Australia after the Commonwealth conference in Britain. National 1185 1944 1944-07-07T00:00:00 HMAS WESTRALIA arrived Townsville. Embarked 70 Officers and 980 men of the Australian Army for Lae. Regional 1186 1944 1944-07-09T00:00:00 U.S. Marines defeat the Japanese on Saipan. International 1187 1944 1944-07-10T00:00:00 9th Division marched as a whole, across country, from their camp at Ravenshoe to a bivouac site near the small tablelands town of Mount Garnet. Regional 1188 1787 1944 1944-07-15T00:00:00 Camp Columbia is taken over by Dutch Forces. Regional 1189 1944 1944-07-17T00:00:00 44th, 54th, and 56th Battalions, 5th Infantry Brigade, having been camped at Kairi disbanded, and were absorbed into 6th and 9th Divisions’ 1st and 2nd Beach Groups. Regional 1190 1944 1944-07-19T00:00:00 U.S. Marines invade Guam in the Marianas. International 1191 1944 1944-07-23T00:00:00 The U.S. 34th Division takes Pisa, Italy. International 1192 1944 1944-07-23T00:00:00 The Russians take Pskov, 150 miles to the South West of Leningrad on Estonian border. Heavy street fighting is reported from Lublin in Poland. International 1193 1944 1944-07-24T00:00:00 31st/51st Battalion becomes a unit of the A.I.F National 1194 1944 1944-07-25T00:00:00 The US VII Corps launches ‘Operation Cobra’, the Normandy Breakout. International 1195 856 1944 1944-07-30T00:00:00 The 105th US General Hospital, which was in residence at the University of Queensland Gatton Campus, Gatton, Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, vacated the site. Regional 1196 1944 1944-08-01T00:00:00 U.S. Marines complete the capture of Tinian Island losing 389 killed for 9,000 Japanese. International 1197 1944 1944-08-01T00:00:00 2/4th Field Regiment arrived at Kairi at what was an old camp of the Ninth Division. Regional 1198 1944 1944-08-01T00:00:00 Australian Women’s Land Army involved in vegetable growing at Home Hill and Ayr. Regional 1199 830 1944 1944-08-01T00:00:00 The Kenmore Repatriation Hospital is completed and official opened in 1945. Regional 1200 1944 1944-08-05T00:00:00 Mass breakout of Japanese prisoners at Cowra prisoner-of-war camp, NSW. 234 were killed and 108 were wounded. Four Australian guards died in the escape attempt. National 1201 164 1944 1944-08-08T00:00:00 The Australian 7th Division marched through King George Square. Regional 1202 1944 1944-08-09T00:00:00 British Mk.XIV mine washed ashore at Cape Tribulation rendered safe. Regional 1203 1944 1944-08-11T00:00:00 Jack Benny and Larry Adler entertained the USAAFIA Depot 2 at Mount Louisa in one of the repair hangars. Regional 1204 1944 1944-08-12T00:00:00 RAAF Mobile Parachute Maintenance Unit relocates at Mareeba Aerodrome into a disused hangar. Regional 1205 730 1944 1944-08-15T00:00:00 The Chemical Warfare and Research Section at Gunyarra, near Proserpine was renamed 1 Australian Field Experimental Station, Royal Australian Engineers. Regional 1206 108 1944 1944-08-15T00:00:00 Bowen Chemical Research Unit, Bowen Aerodrome is established. The RAAF Special Duties Flight Detachment and No.1 Aircraft Performance Unit were located within. Regional 1207 1944 1944-08-17T00:00:00 British mine washed ashore at Look Out Point, Cairns. Destroyed by detonation. Regional 1208 1944 1944-08-23T00:00:00 The 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion moved out of Deadman’s Gully to Trinity Beach, to take part in Exercise “Galah”, in conjunction with the 24th Infantry Brigade. Regional 1209 1944 1944-08-23T00:00:00 2/14th Battalion, 21st Brigade, 7th Division, arrived by train at Kairi, on the Barron River, a few miles out from Atherton. Regional 1210 1944 1944-08-24T00:00:00 General MacArthur established advance headquarters at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea. International 1211 1944 1944-08-25T00:00:00 Paris, the capital of France was liberated by the Allies. International 1212 1944 1944-08-26T00:00:00 Hitler orders a withdrawal from Greece. Bulgaria, Germany’s ally, withdraws from the war against Russia and declares its neutrality. International 1213 1944 1944-08-28T00:00:00 Allied Works Council work force withdrawn from Iron Range. Regional 1214 1944 1944-08-30T00:00:00 Townsville Naval Headquarters moved from Australian Camp Hospital into new premises on the northern corner of King Street and Flinders Street East, Townsville. Regional 1215 1944 1944-08-31T00:00:00 The U.S. Fifth Army crosses the Arno while the Eighth Army attacks the Gothic Line in Italy. International 1216 1944 1944-09-01T00:00:00 US forces captured Morotai Island: it became a staging point for Australian and US landings on Borneo and the Philippines. International 1217 1944 1944-09-01T00:00:00 2/5th Australian Field Regiment arrived at Kairi, from Warrick. The Regiment was soon engaged in a long series of field exercises and firing practice, often in conjunction with infantry and other arms. Regional 1218 1944 1944-09-01T00:00:00 9 Division AIF began amphibious training at Cairns. Regional 1219 563 1944 1944-09-01T00:00:00 The United States Navy develops Rest Camps at Coolangatta Regional 1220 1944 1944-09-01T00:00:00 2/24th Battalion troops, 9th Division, commence a fortnights Amphibious Training at Trinity Beach, north of Cairns. Regional 1221 1944 1944-09-03T00:00:00 The British Second Army liberates Brussels, Belgium. International 1222 1944 1944-09-03T00:00:00 2/10th Battalion, arrived by train at Cairns, and then travelled by MT convoy to the Redlynch staging camp, before moving to it’s new campsite at Kairi. Regional 1223 1944 1944-09-08T00:00:00 Major brawl in Cairns between US and Australian troops. All leave cancelled. Regional 1224 1944 1944-09-10T00:00:00 2/23rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Brigade made a landing at Trinity Beach in an exercise known as Exercise ‘Parrot’, establishing a close affiliation with the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion. Regional 1225 1944 1944-09-11T00:00:00 “Z” Special Unit departed Careering Bay on Garden Island, Western Australia on operation code-named ‘RIMAU’. The mission failed and most of the mission unit were executed. National 1226 1944 1944-09-15T00:00:00 The U.S. First Army reaches the Siegfried Line, Holland. International 1227 1944 1944-09-15T00:00:00 US Marines land on Peleliu Island in the Pacific, but suffer 1,100 casualties trying to establish a shallow beach-head. International 1228 1944 1944-09-17T00:00:00 Operation ‘Market Garden’ began with First Allied Airborne Army drops at Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem in Holland to secure important bridgeheads. International 1229 1944 1944-09-17T00:00:00 Academy award-winning, Australian cameraman Damien Parer killed while filming American troops on Peleliu in the Pacific. Parer’s documentary, Front line Kokoda, won an Oscar for best documentary in 1943. National 1230 1944 1944-09-19T00:00:00 The Eighth Army occupies the Republic of San Marino, in Italy. International 1231 1944 1944-09-19T00:00:00 9th Division held it’s grand final in the Australian Rules football competition at Ravenshoe. Regional 1232 1944 1944-09-24T00:00:00 The British Second Army reaches the Lower Rhine in force. International 1233 1944 1944-09-24T00:00:00 The 2/1st Australian Field Regiment, once again changed Atherton Tablelands campsites from Mapee to Wondecla. Regional 1234 1944 1944-09-26T00:00:00 In Cairns, the pipeline from R.A.N. distillate fuel installation at Edge Hill, to Wharf and Army Depot at Kenny Street completed. Regional 1235 1944 1944-09-28T00:00:00 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st and 2/33rd Battalion paraded on the Royal Artillery Sports Ground at Kairi. Regional 1236 1944 1944-10-01T00:00:00 The Russian Red Army crosses the Danube into Yugoslavia. International 1237 1944 1944-10-01T00:00:00 131 Australian HAA Battery withdrawn from Horn Island. Regional 1238 1944 1944-10-03T00:00:00 2/14th Bn. underwent a fortnight’s training in amphibious training at Trinity Beach near Cairns. Regional 1239 1944 1944-10-05T00:00:00 The Canadians enter Holland. International 1240 1944 1944-10-05T00:00:00 All 2/14 Australian General Hospital patients moved from Pallarenda to an site on the Ross River, at Riverside Park. Regional 1241 1944 1944-10-06T00:00:00 Australian forces relieved Americans on Bougainville. National 1242 1944 1944-10-06T00:00:00 2/9th Australian Armoured(Tank) Regiment ‘A’ Squadron moved from Wondecla to Ravenshoe, to train with 9th Division Infantry troops. Regional 1243 1944 1944-10-08T00:00:00 Troopship S.S. KATOOMBA caught fire whilst berthed: No.2 Berth, Townsville Harbour, which was subdued the Harbour Board volunteer firefighters. Regional 1244 1944 1944-10-09T00:00:00 No.1 Australian Paratroop Battalion held a parade Mareeba Aerodrome’s Fighter Strip. The training of Australian Army parachutists was begun in December 1942. Regional 1245 1944 1944-10-09T00:00:00 6 Division AIF moved from Tableland to Cairns in preparation for departure to Aitape, New Guinea. Regional 1246 1944 1944-10-10T00:00:00 2/9th Australian Armoured (Tank) Regiment ‘B’ Squadron moved from Wondecla to Kairi, and ‘C’ Squadron moved to Trinity Beach for Amphibious training with 7th Division. Regional 1247 1944 1944-10-11T00:00:00 Australian troops landed on New Britain. National 1248 1944 1944-10-13T00:00:00 Russian troops capture Riga, the capital of Latvia. International 1249 1944 1944-10-13T00:00:00 The Australian Liberal Party is formed. National 1250 1944 1944-10-14T00:00:00 The British liberate Athens and Piraeus and also land on Corfu. International 1251 1944 1944-10-15T00:00:00 The Coastwatcher functions concluded. Members continued to control guerilla operations against the Japanese and ‘M’ Special Unit, Native Independent Battalion was formed. National 1252 1944 1944-10-15T00:00:00 The 2/6th Australian Cavalry (Commando) Regiment had moved from Wondecla to Townsville, and sailed on S.S. KATOOMBA for Milne Bay. Regional 1253 1944 1944-10-18T00:00:00 HMAS Geelong was one of four corvettes lost during the Second World War. It collided with an American merchant ship off New Guinea. National 1254 1944 1944-10-19T00:00:00 Hitler orders the total destruction of Warsaw. International 1255 1944 1944-10-20T00:00:00 The Red Army captures Belgrade, while Yugoslav partisans capture Dubrovnik. International 1256 1944 1944-10-20T00:00:00 General MacArthur and 80,000 troops of US 6 Army landed on Leyte, Philippines. Battle of Leyte Gulf began. RAN vessels are involved. International 1257 1944 1944-10-20T00:00:00 The main body of 58th/59th Militia Battalion having re-grouped after leave, began the task of constructing a comfortable camp on the banks of the Barron River, at Mapee on the Atherton Tablelands. Regional 1258 1944 1944-10-21T00:00:00 HMAS Australia damaged by Kamikaze aircraft in the Philippines. National 1259 1944 1944-10-23T00:00:00 Battle of Leyte Gulf results in a decisive U.S. Naval victory. International 1260 1944 1944-10-23T00:00:00 Training for 2/14th Bn. included Company exercises were held at Danbulla, followed by a “free for all” exercise for all platoons over a five-day course through the Bartle Frere Ranges. Regional 1261 1944 1944-10-24T00:00:00 2/6th Australian Commando Squadron moved from Kairi to Trinity Beach, for two weeks amphibious training. Regional 1262 726 1944 1944-10-24T00:00:00 86 Australian former POWS, survivors of the sinking of the Japanese prison ship Rakuyo Maru (on 12 September 1944) were brought from Newstead Wharf No.3 to the Greenslopes Hospital, Brisbane. Regional 1263 1944 1944-10-25T00:00:00 The first suicide air (Kamikaze) attacks occur against U.S. warships in Leyte Gulf. Japan sent an estimated 2,257 aircraft by the end of the war. International 1264 1944 1944-10-25T00:00:00 2/8th Battalion, 19th Brigade, broke its long association with Wondecla camp; by road and train the unit moved to the 6th Australian Division Staging Camp at Redlynch, a few miles from Cairns. Regional 1265 1944 1944-10-27T00:00:00 2/6 Australian General Hospital at Rocky Creek closed. Regional 1266 1944 1944-10-28T00:00:00 The Germans begin to evacuate Albania. International 1267 959 1944 1944-10-30T00:00:00 The first stage of 100 houses on the Moorooka War Workers Housing Estate, commonly called The ‘Cottage’ project, are completed. Regional 1268 1944 1944-11-04T00:00:00 Australian forces landed at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain. National 1269 1944 1944-11-05T00:00:00 2/12th Battalion commenced Amphibious Training at Trinity Beach. Regional 1270 1944 1944-11-07T00:00:00 6 Division AIF embarked at Cairns for Aitape and Wewak to relieve US forces. National 1271 1944 1944-11-07T00:00:00 A motor cycle accident at Stratford claimed the lives of two soldiers from the 2/12th Battalion who were returning from leave to the Trinity Beach camp. Regional 1272 1944 1944-11-08T00:00:00 G for George arrives at Amberley—This Lancaster bomber survived 89 operations with No. 460 Squadron RAAF. “George” is now on display at the Memorial in ANZAC Hall. National 1273 1944 1944-11-09T00:00:00 2/5th Australian Field Regiment arrived at Biboohra Artillery Range, and fired a barrage to support an “attack” by the 2/16th Battalion. A shell fell on a group of 2/16th Battalion men, killing five and injuring 27 others. Regional 1274 1944 1944-11-10T00:00:00 The main body of the 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion, moved from Wondecla to Redlynch, for embarkation. Regional 1275 1944 1944-11-10T00:00:00 US Base Depot troops left Townsville for Leyte. Regional 1276 1944 1944-11-10T00:00:00 18th Brigade amphibious training exercise, code-name ‘Octupus’ commenced at Trinity Beach. Regional 1277 1944 1944-11-11T00:00:00 Iwo Jima bombarded by the U.S. Navy. International 1278 1944 1944-11-12T00:00:00 2/10th Battalion returned to Kairi from amphibious training at Trinity Beach, to continue routine training. Regional 1279 1944 1944-11-14T00:00:00 2/48th Battalion and 2/7th Field Regiment struck tents at Ravenshoe and moved to Cairns. Regional 1280 1944 1944-11-15T00:00:00 Australian government approves sending of Australian Women’s Army Service members overseas. National 1281 1944 1944-11-15T00:00:00 RAAF No.84 Squadron moved from Macrossan to Ross River. Regional 1282 1944 1944-11-17T00:00:00 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion, having entrained from Innisfail, embarked at Townsville for Aitape, New Guinea. Regional 1283 1944 1944-11-18T00:00:00 The U.S. Third Army crosses the German frontier. International 1284 1944 1944-11-18T00:00:00 2/6th Battalion, 17th Brigade, 6th Division Left Wondecla for Redlynch, where final preparations were made for movement to New Guinea. Regional 1285 1944 1944-11-24T00:00:00 USAAF B29s from Saipan Island in Pacific, bombed Tokyo for first time. International 1286 1944 1944-11-25T00:00:00 The last Japanese resistance in Peleliu ends. 14,000 Japanese are killed or captured for 9,300 U.S. casualties. International 1287 1944 1944-12-01T00:00:00 2/6th Battalion embarked on the US Transport THOMAS CORWIN at Cairns, destination Aitape. Regional 1288 1944 1944-12-01T00:00:00 Iron Range airfield placed on care and maintenance. Regional 1289 1944 1944-12-03T00:00:00 2/2nd Australian Field Regiment moved from the 6th Division area at Wondecla, down to Cairns, to embark on the US Army Transport EVANGELINE, bound for Aitape, New Guinea. Regional 1290 1944 1944-12-09T00:00:00 2/2nd Battalion, 16th Brigade, moved out from Wondecla camp for Redlynch Staging camp, where they remained for nine days, due to shipping shortages. Regional 1291 1944 1944-12-10T00:00:00 2/1st Battalion embarked at Cairns on M.V. VAN HEUTSZ, bound for Aitape, New Guinea. Regional 1292 1351 1944 1944-12-12T00:00:00 The Commonwealth War Workers Housing Trust established hostels at Salisbury to service the Rocklea Munitions Works. Regional 1293 1944 1944-12-14T00:00:00 RAAF No.5 Squadron moved from Mareeba to Bougainville. Regional 1294 1944 1944-12-15T00:00:00 Australian troops landed at Bougainville to relieve US forces. National 1295 474 1944 1944-12-15T00:00:00 31st/51st Infantry Battalion (AIF), having trained at Strathpine in southern Queensland, disembarked at Torokina, Bougainville. National 1296 1944 1944-12-15T00:00:00 Horn Island airfield placed on care and maintenance. Regional 1297 1944 1944-12-18T00:00:00 Arty Hill, Bougainville captured by the Queensland 9th Battalion, and was a major Japanese position on the Numa Numa Trail leading across Bougainville. National 1298 476 1944 1944-12-19T00:00:00 RAAF 12 Squadron was located at Cecil Plains. Regional 1299 1944 1944-12-20T00:00:00 58th/59th Militia Battalion moved by rail in three drafts from Tolga to Redlynch Staging camp near Cairns, thence on 22DEC44 to Julago Staging camp near Townsville. Regional 1300 1944 1944-12-21T00:00:00 16th Brigade troops embarked on the Dutch ship BONTEKOE at Cairns, for Aitape, New Guinea. Regional 1301 1944 1944-12-25T00:00:00 The last Japanese port on Leyte is captured and General MacArthur proclaims that Leyte, in the Phillipines is secure. International 1302 1944 1944-12-28T00:00:00 U.S. troops gain ground against the Ardennes salient. International 1303 1944 1944-12-30T00:00:00 The Germans launch a heavy attack on the Bastogne corridor in the Ardennes. International 1304 1944 1944-12-30T00:00:00 Australians of the 25th Battalion occupy Pearl Ridge, Bougainville. National 1305 1945 1945-01-01T00:00:00 RAAF No.86 Squadron moved from Macrossan to Bohle River. Regional 1306 1945 1945-01-01T00:00:00 RAAF ASR (Air Sea Rescue) Flight No. 113 formed in Cairns. Regional 1307 703 1945 1945-01-01T00:00:00 Chermside Army Camp ‘I Block’ is designated the Civil Construction Corps camp. Regional 1308 1945 1945-01-01T00:00:00 9th Australian Division’s Sports and Gymkhana were held at Wondecla. Regional 1309 1945 1945-01-03T00:00:00 General MacArthur is placed in command of all U.S. ground forces and Admiral Chester Nimitz in command of all naval forces in preparation for planned assaults against Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Japan. International 1310 1945 1945-01-04T00:00:00 2/1st Australian Field Regiment sailed from Cairns on US Liberty Ship LINDLEY M. GARRISON headed for Aitape, New Guinea. National 1311 1945 1945-01-05T00:00:00 HMAS Australia repeatedly hit by Japanese suicide aircraft in Lingayen Gulf, Philippines. National 1312 1945 1945-01-09T00:00:00 80.000 US troops land at Lingaven, Philippines. The 955 ships in the invasion fleet sailed from Bougainville, Noumea and elsewhere. International 1313 1945 1945-01-14T00:00:00 Cairns naval base HMAS Kuranda decommissioned. Regional 1314 1945 1945-01-26T00:00:00 Beginning of Sandakan death march, Borneo. National 1315 1945 1945-02-01T00:00:00 Mustard gas trials at Mission Beach, near Innisfail. Regional 1316 1945 1945-02-05T00:00:00 Australian troops land on the Japanese stronghold of New Britain, East of New Guinea. National 1317 1945 1945-02-07T00:00:00 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion moved from its Deadman’s Gully campsite, to Wondecla. Regional 1318 1945 1945-02-13T00:00:00 Governor General, H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester commences a visit to the Atherton Tablelands, with an inspection of the 2/4th Field Regiment at the 7th Division Camp at Kairi. Regional 1319 35 1945 1945-02-15T00:00:00 Duke of Gloucester visited Archerfield Areodrome. Regional 1320 1945 1945-02-15T00:00:00 Governor General, H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester inspected a guard of No.1 Parachute Battalion at Mareeba aerodrome. and the following day inspected the 9th Division Guard of Honour at Ravenshoe. Regional 1321 1945 1945-02-17T00:00:00 U.S. troops capture the whole of the Bataan Peninsula, which commands Manila Bay in Philippines. International 1322 1945 1945-02-19T00:00:00 After a heavy bombardment, 30,000 US Marines land on Iwo Jima, but suffer 2,420 casualties on the first day. International 1323 1043 1945 1945-02-25T00:00:00 Excavation work was commenced at the Allied Works Council Nudgee Quarry and Royal Navy Borrow Pit. The materials taken from the pits were used in preparation of other military sites. Regional 1324 1945 1945-02-28T00:00:00 US Naval base at Cairns decommissioned. Regional 1325 164 1945 1945-02-28T00:00:00 Brisbane City Hall hosted an ‘Exhibition of Civil Construction in Australia’ art display featuring works by painters William Dobell, Herbert McClintock and others plus 500 photographs. The display was sponsored by the Allied Works Council and featured Aus. Regional 1326 1945 1945-03-03T00:00:00 US forces captured Manilla, Philipines. International 1327 1945 1945-03-05T00:00:00 Major-General George Vasey killed in RAAF aircraft crash off Machans Beach, Cairns. Regional 1328 1945 1945-03-06T00:00:00 The U.S. Third Army reaches the Rhine Northwest of Koblenz, as Cologne falls to U.S. First Army. International 1329 1945 1945-03-09T00:00:00 USAAF begins the firebombing of Japan’s major cities. International 1330 1945 1945-03-09T00:00:00 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion commenced moving out from its Wondecla campsite, to the 16th Australian Personnel Staging Camp at Redlynch. Regional 1331 329 1945 1945-03-15T00:00:00 The site of Camp Bulimba and the Apollo Barge Assembly Depot at Bulimba on the south banks of the Brisbane River is acquired by the Commonwealth Government. It remains a Naval site today. Regional 1332 1945 1945-03-16T00:00:00 Australian troops left Cairns for Morotai, for assault on Borneo. Regional 1333 1945 1945-03-16T00:00:00 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion embarked on US Transport Ship SEA BARB at Cairns. The ship spent two days in Trinity Bay, riding out a storm, before heading for Morotai. Regional 1334 706 1945 1945-03-21T00:00:00 US Army vacated the ordnance depot at Geebung. With Brisbane designated as a forward supply base for the new British Pacific Fleet, the Royal Navy took control of the Depot and remained until 20 August 1948. Regional 1335 1945 1945-03-23T00:00:00 Waitavolo and Tol plantations captured by Australians, New Britain—In 1942 the Tol plantation was the scene of the massacre of some 150 Australians as they attempted to flee Rabaul. National 1336 1945 1945-03-24T00:00:00 Montgomery’s 21st Army Group attacks across the Rhine after 3,500-gun barrage. 16,870 paratroops land across the river Rhine in Operation ‘Plunder’. International 1337 1945 1945-03-30T00:00:00 Russians troops finally capture Danzig, Germany along with 45 U-boats and 10,000 prisoners. International 1338 1945 1945-03-30T00:00:00 2/7th Field Regiment moved out from Ravenshoe travelled by motor transport to Innisfail and entraining for Julago staging camp, south of Townsville. Regional 1339 958 1945 1945-03-30T00:00:00 Australian Army Leave and Transit Depot, Tonks Paddock, Moorook, Brisbane. Regional 1340 1945 1945-03-31T00:00:00 9 Division AIF left Ravenshoe for Cairns to embark for Tarakan Island, Borneo. Regional 1341 1945 1945-04-01T00:00:00 The amphibious landing occurs as the U.S. Tenth Army invades Okinawa, Southern Japan. International 1342 1945 1945-04-01T00:00:00 Cairns waterside workers went on strike, demanding danger money. They were replaced by troops of 6 Division AIF. Regional 1343 1945 1945-04-03T00:00:00 General MacArthur is appointed as Commander-in-Cheif of Land Forces in the Pacific. International 1344 1945 1945-04-08T00:00:00 2/24 Battalion, and the 2/7th Field Regiment embark on US Troopship, GENERAL H.M. BUTTNER, at Townsville bound for Morotai. Regional 1345 1945 1945-04-09T00:00:00 2/28th Battalion, began moving out from their Ravenshoe camp, for embarkation at Townsville for Moratai. Regional 1346 1945 1945-04-12T00:00:00 US President Roosevelt dies, aged 63. Harry Truman is sworn in as 32nd President of the United States. International 1347 1945 1945-04-12T00:00:00 HQ, 2/2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion boarded US Army Transport, SEA BARB in Cairns Harbour. Regional 1348 1945 1945-04-15T00:00:00 2/1st CCS, (Casualty Clearance Station), departed its Ravenshoe campsite. Regional 1349 1945 1945-04-16T00:00:00 Soviet assault on Berlin began. International 1350 1945 1945-04-18T00:00:00 ‘C’ Company, 2/2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion and the main body of the 2/12th Australian Field Regiment departed Ravenshoe for Julago Staging Camp outside Townsville. Regional 1351 1945 1945-04-25T00:00:00 Russian and U.S. troops meet at Torgau on Elbe, 60 miles West of Berlin. International 1352 1945 1945-04-25T00:00:00 1 Australian Camp Hospital at Thursday Island closed. Regional 1353 1945 1945-04-27T00:00:00 The U.S. Fifth Army enters Genoa, Italy. International 1354 1945 1945-04-30T00:00:00 Hitler commits suicide with Eva Braun. The U.S. Third Army liberates 110,000 POWs, Northeast of Munich. The British Second Army liberates 20,000 prisoners in northern Germany. International 1355 1945 1945-05-01T00:00:00 The cessation of hostilities and surrender of all German forces in Italy is announced. International 1356 1945 1945-05-01T00:00:00 The Australians land on Tarakan Island off Borneo. National 1357 1945 1945-05-01T00:00:00 19.000 troops of the 2nd AIF including 26th Brigade, Ninth Division landed at Tarakan. Borneo. The 151 ships of the invasion fleet having sailed from Morotai. National 1358 1945 1945-05-03T00:00:00 Liberation of Rangoon in Burma. International 1359 572 1945 1945-05-03T00:00:00 Commonwealth of Australia purchased land that held the USASOS Coopers Plains Depot, to establish a post war Australian military depot. Regional 1360 1945 1945-05-04T00:00:00 Kamikaze flyers sink 17 U.S. ships in 24 hours off Okinawa. International 1361 1945 1945-05-08T00:00:00 Victory in Europe (VE) Day. International 1362 1945 1945-05-11T00:00:00 6 Division AIF captured Wewak, formerly the largest Japanese air base in New Guinea. National 1363 1945 1945-05-20T00:00:00 Japanese begin withdrawal from China. International 1364 1945 1945-05-25T00:00:00 U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff approve Operation Olympic, the invasion of Japan, scheduled for November 1. International 1365 1945 1945-05-25T00:00:00 The main body of the 2/4th Field Regiment moved out of its Kairi camp, by truck to Innisfail, to entrain to Townsville. Regional 1366 1945 1945-05-28T00:00:00 2/12th Battalion embarked at Townsville, on Liberty Ship PONTUS H. ROSS, bound for Moratai. Regional 1367 1945 1945-05-28T00:00:00 The main body of the 2/14th Bn. moved from Kairi, via Innisfail to the 19th Australian Army Personnel Staging Camp at Julago, near Townsville, ready for yet another embarkation. Regional 1368 1945 1945-05-29T00:00:00 2/10th Battalion was transported from it’s Kairi camp to Tolga, where it entrained for Redlynch staging camp for an overnight stay. Regional 1369 1945 1945-05-30T00:00:00 2/10th Battalion embarked on LSTs at Cairns, anchoring out overnight, and the convoy proceeding to sea the following day. Regional 1370 1945 1945-06-03T00:00:00 US Troopship GENERAL ANDERSON, sailed from Townsville for Morotai, with 7th Division’s 2/14th and 2/27th Battalions, and the 2/4th and the 2/5th Field Regiments embarked. Regional 1371 1945 1945-06-06T00:00:00 Naha airbase on Okinawa is now being used to hit Japan. International 1372 1945 1945-06-06T00:00:00 US Air Force B-29 Superfortress bomber flew low over Townsville. Regional 1373 1945 1945-06-07T00:00:00 The first allied cargo ship for three years enters Wewak harbour, in New Guinea. National 1374 1945 1945-06-10T00:00:00 31,294 2nd AIF troops of the Australian Ninth Division, 20th & 24th Brigades landed at Brunei Bay, Labuan. Borneo. National 1375 1945 1945-06-11T00:00:00 Troops of 31/51 Far North Queensland Regiment suffered heavy casualties in fighting at Porton plantation, Bougainville. National 1376 1945 1945-06-13T00:00:00 Australians capture Brunei. National 1377 1945 1945-06-20T00:00:00 Australians troops land at Lutong on Sarawak and gain 25 miles to the Seria oilfields. National 1378 1945 1945-06-20T00:00:00 US Army Unit Base 2, APO922, Townsville ceased to function and reverted to U.S. Army Representative. Regional 1379 1945 1945-06-20T00:00:00 US Army Base Section 2 Townsville closed down. Remaining personnel transferred to Philippines. Regional 1380 1945 1945-06-21T00:00:00 Organised resistance on Okinawa ends after 82 days of the bloodiest fighting in the Pacific, during which 98,654 Japanese have been killed and 6,922 captured. U.S. loses were 6,990 killed and 29,598 wounded. International 1381 1945 1945-06-26T00:00:00 United Nations Charter signed at San Francisco. International 1382 1945 1945-06-28T00:00:00 MacArthur’s headquarters announces the end of all Japanese resistance in the Philippines. International 1383 1945 1945-07-01T00:00:00 7th Division landed at Balikpapan, Borneo, the largest and final Australian amphibious landing of the Second World War, after a 15-day bombardment. National 1384 1945 1945-07-02T00:00:00 Brisbane City Council demanded that the Commonwealth cover the cost of the local road repairs. Regional 1385 1945 1945-07-05T00:00:00 Australia’s Prime Minister, John Joseph Curtin died. Frank Forde was appointed caretaker Prime Minister. Ingham born Frank Forde was Australia’s shortest serving Prime Minister. National 1386 1945 1945-07-12T00:00:00 Joseph Benedict Chifley was chosen by the Labour Party as the successor to John Curtin, as Prime Minister of Australia. National 1387 1945 1945-07-14T00:00:00 The first U.S. Naval bombardment of Japanese home islands. International 1388 1945 1945-07-15T00:00:00 The Australians take Prince Alexander Range in Borneo after an eight-week struggle. National 1389 1945 1945-07-18T00:00:00 RAAF ASR (Air Sea Rescue) Flight No.114 moved to Cairns. Regional 1390 164 1945 1945-07-18T00:00:00 The Dutch held an Indonesian Night at the City Hall Brisbane fundraiser for the Red Cross. Regional 1391 1945 1945-07-26T00:00:00 Clement Attlee is elected as Prime Minister of Great Britain. International 1392 39 1945 1945-08-01T00:00:00 Special Intelligence Service (SIS) commanded by Colonel Harold Doud left Camp Ascot Park and the unit was concentrated at San Miguel in the Philippines Regional 1393 1945 1945-08-06T00:00:00 U.S. B-29 “Enola Gay” drops a 3 metre long atomic bomb “Little Boy” on Hiroshima, Japan, killing an estimated 140,000 people in the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare. International 1394 591 1945 1945-08-07T00:00:00 Camp Seabee , the USN Advanced Base Construction Depot at Eagle Farm is taken over by the Royal Navy. Regional 1395 1945 1945-08-08T00:00:00 U.S.S.R. declares war on Japan then invades Manchuria. International 1396 473 1945 1945-08-08T00:00:00 Holy Spirit Convent and Rest Centre established as a retreat for the 38 Holy Spirit nuns who had survived two years of imprisonment in New Guinea by the Japanese forces. Regional 1397 1945 1945-08-09T00:00:00 U.S. B-29 “Bocks Car” drops atomic bomb “Fat Man” on Nagasaki, Japan. 113,000 people die. International 1398 1945 1945-08-09T00:00:00 Emperor Hirohito and Japanese Prime Minister Suzuki decide to seek an immediate peace with the Allies. International 1399 1945 1945-08-09T00:00:00 HRH The Governor General, The Duke of Gloucester commenced three day visit to Townsville. Regional 1400 1945 1945-08-12T00:00:00 2/14 Australian General Hospital at Love Lane, Townsville, closed down, and handed over to RAAF 3 MRS (Medical Receiving Station). Regional 1401 1945 1945-08-12T00:00:00 Townsville Harbour Board took over the Naval Workshop on the western breakwater as their mechanical workshop. Regional 1402 1945 1945-08-14T00:00:00 Japanese accept unconditional surrender; General MacArthur is appointed to head the occupation forces in Japan. International 1403 1945 1945-08-15T00:00:00 Japan surrendered. VJ Day: end of the war in the Pacific. International 1404 164 1945 1945-08-15T00:00:00 City Hall was decorated with festive lights to celebrate VJ (Victory over Japan) Day. Regional 1405 1945 1945-08-17T00:00:00 Indonesia (Dutch East Indies) declares independence. International 1406 1945 1945-08-27T00:00:00 B-29s dropped supplies to Allied POWs in China. International 1407 1945 1945-08-28T00:00:00 Ships of the Royal Australian Navy joined Royal Navy and United States Navy ships in Tokyo Bay to receive the main Japanese surrender on 2 September. International 1408 1945 1945-08-29T00:00:00 U.S. Marines and troops of 11th Airborne Division land in Tokyo Bay to begin the occupation of Japan. International 1409 1945 1945-08-30T00:00:00 A Royal Naval force takes Hong Kong as marines clash with Japanese suicide detachments. International 1410 2033 1945 1945-08-30T00:00:00 All Heavey Anti-aircraft batteries in Brisbane are disbanded, including the 6 (385th) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery at Fort Lytton. The site is now the Caltex Oil Refinery. Regional 1411 960 1945 1945-08-30T00:00:00 The 6-387th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, located on a hill overlooking the Bulimba/Balmoral Cemetery, Morningside was disbanded, along with all other HAA Units in Queensland. Regional 1412 964 1945 1945-09-01T00:00:00 The Royal Australian Navy took over the control of the Camp Cootha US Navy Mine and Torpedo Depot from the US forces. A two week clean up of the site is instigated. Regional 1413 1945 1945-09-02T00:00:00 The formal Japanese surrender takes place aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. International 1414 725 1945 1945-09-02T00:00:00 The Greenslopes Red Cross Hall and Hostel continued to support returned service men and women after the war’s end. Regional 1415 1945 1945-09-12T00:00:00 Lord Mountbatten accepts the surrender of all Japanese troops in Southeast Asia. International 1416 1945 1945-09-27T00:00:00 RAAF No.41 Squadron disbanded at Cairns. Regional 1417 1354 1945 1945-09-30T00:00:00 2/2nd AGH closed at Rocky Creek, and moved to Darley in Victoria, where it disbanded in April 1946. National 1418 1945 1945-09-30T00:00:00 2/2 Australian General Hospital at Rocky Creek closed. Regional 1419 761 1945 1945-10-01T00:00:00 The RAAF 211 Radar Station, built on Charlie’s Hill, near Home Hill, north Queensland ceased to be operational. Regional 1420 1945 1945-10-10T00:00:00 RAAF 28 Radar Station on Fitzroy Island, disbanded. Regional 1421 79 1945 1945-10-17T00:00:00 The largest US Army vehicle storage and repair facility established in Australia during the World War 2, the Banyo US Army General, Transport and Stores Depot was transferred to the Australian Army. Regional 1422 1945 1945-10-18T00:00:00 Disposal by burning of chemical warfare stocks at 1 Field Experimental Station, Gunyarra. Regional 1423 1945 1945-10-19T00:00:00 War Widow’s Guild of Australia founded—The guild’s first president was Mrs Jessie Vasey, widow of Major General G.A. Vasey, who was was killed in an aircraft accident near Cairns while returning to operational service. National 1424 1945 1945-10-24T00:00:00 The United Nations formally comes into being with twenty-nine ratifications having been received. International 1425 1945 1945-10-30T00:00:00 RAAF No.1 Mobile Paratroop Maintenance Unit at Mareeba disbanded. Regional 1426 1945 1945-11-01T00:00:00 Australia ratifies United Nations Charter, playing a leading role in the formation of the United Nations. National 1427 1945 1945-11-22T00:00:00 First of many disposal auctions advertised: sale and removal of buildings from former US camp at Armstrong’s Paddock, Townsville. Regional 1428 941 1945 1945-11-25T00:00:00 RAAF Station Maryborough was closed. Regional 1429 1042 1945 1945-11-26T00:00:00 The US Navy began vacating the Northgate US Naval Stores Depot warehouses. Regional 1430 583 1945 1945-11-30T00:00:00 The US forces vacated Camp Darra—USAAF and RAN Ordnance Ammunition Depot, south-west of Brisbane. Regional 1431 1945 1945-11-30T00:00:00 RAAF No.42 Catalina Squadron disbanded. Regional 1432 1945 1945-12-12T00:00:00 Disposal by burning of chemical warfare stocks at RAAF 19 Replenishing Centre, Talmoi. Regional 1433 1945 1945-12-20T00:00:00 RAAF No.86 Squadron disbanded at Bohle River. Regional 1434 730 1945 1945-12-24T00:00:00 The 1st Australian Field Experimental Station at Gunyarra, Proserpine, was officially disbanded. Mass burning and disposal of chemical weapons took place in preparation. Regional 1435 858 1945 1945-12-30T00:00:00 The Leyburn Airfield, Strathane was disbanded. Regional 1436 1005 1946 1946-01-12T00:00:00 The USN Base 134 Receiving Station, New Farm Park, is closed. Regional 1437 1004 1946 1946-01-18T00:00:00 The US Navy Audio Visual Aids Training facility was located in New Farm. After the war it was used by the Royal Navy and closed down in 1946. The location is now home to Cutters Landing Residential Apartments. Regional 1438 1946 1946-01-29T00:00:00 RAAF No.84 Squadron disbanded at Ross River. Regional 1439 1946 1946-02-13T00:00:00 Main Australian contingent of British Commonwealth Occupation Force sailed for Japan from Morotai. They were allotted the devastated Hiroshima Prefecture on the island of Honshu. National 1440 1946 1946-02-15T00:00:00 RAAF No.11 Catalina Squadron disbanded. National 1441 1466 1946 1946-02-19T00:00:00 RAAF 19 Replenishment Centre was formally disbanded at Townsville. Regional 1442 1946 1946-03-27T00:00:00 RAAF No.20 Catalina Squadron disbanded. Regional 1443 516 1946 1946-04-01T00:00:00 Chermside Army Camp dissolved. It was the largest AMF camp built in Brisbane during the war. Regional 1444 1946 1946-04-25T00:00:00 The Australian Camp Hospital on Thursday Island ceased to function and was handed back to civilian authorities. Regional 1445 1946 1946-04-30T00:00:00 RAAF No.27 OBU disbanded at Iron Range. Regional 1446 1946 1946-07-26T00:00:00 HMAS MAGNETIC de-commissioned. National