E-mails regarding Mobile Operating Air Bases in Australia during WW2

Subject:     Airfields in Australia during WW 2
Date:             Tue, 25 Jan 2000 18:10:30 -0000
From:             "ANTHONY DRURY" <monabs@royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk>

I read with interest your collection of web sites on aviation in Australia and the western pacific area. I am an air historian in the U.K. my area of interest being the Fleet Air Arm 1939 onwards, my main passion is the mobile naval air stations which operated in Australia and SE Asia during 1945 – 47. Your information on Archerfield was most enlightening since this is one Australian location that I have no information about. The plaque at Archerfield to commemorate the men of Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard No.1 was a welcome sight. May I offer the following information wish to may wish to include:

The men at Archerfield included those of Mobile Naval Operating Air Base (MONAB) No.7, HMS NABREEKIE, which was based at Royal Australian Army Camp, Meeandah on the outskirts of Brisbane, commissioning there 9-8-45. The unit was employed in assisting TAMY I, HMS NABSFORD in aircraft erection duties until paying off 5-11-45.

PITYILU, satellite airfield to MONAB IV at Ponam, a US. Navy built coral airstrip, 22 Miles East of Ponam.

I am currently designing and building a web site giving the history of these mobile units and the reasons for their existence. I would be very grateful if you could be of assistance in any way, or suggest other web pages to look out for.

Subject:     HMS Nabrock. Singapore
Date:              Wed, 9 Aug 2000 11:44:39 +0100
From:           "DOUGLAS HEATH" <duggie_tammie@lineone.net>

From: Doug Heath ex LAME LFX 615653. Treasurer Tamworth Fleet Air Arm Association.
56 Moor Lane Bolehall TAMWORTH STAFFS B77 3LJ. Phone/fax 01827 707341.
E mail: duggie_tammie@lineone.net

I joined Nabrock at Middle Wallop and travelled to on the Dominion Monarch to Sydney and then on the Largs Bay up to Singapore.

We were on an overtime gang assembling Hellcats for dumping offshore. The Japs were still on base and their aircraft were lined up on the perimeter. I have photos somewhere and will be in touch in early Sept when I return from holiday.

Subject:    MONABS
Date:             Thu, 10 Aug 2000 21:29:47 +0100 (BST)
From:           duggie_tammie@lineone.net

BRILLIANT. downloaded aok. will show this at our fleet air arm meeting on aug 24th. We have a couple of ex-monabites in our group.

	It is an aerial view of Sembawang Airfield taken in 1945. It shows the start of the new runway by POW's using wheelbarrows. The hangers at top right were machine gunned by USAAF Flying Fortresses. First time with Japs in second time the Japs moved our boys (POW's) into the hangers. Douglas "Shorty" Heath was in charge of a couple of Jap POW's who were sticking on canvas over the holes in the midday sun. Doug's mess was bottom left. White building in centre was Chief’s and PO’s mess if Doug's memory serves him well.
	HMS Pioneer ditching aircraft in 1945 somewhere off the Australian coast. This was photo given to Doug by a Member of Tamworth RNA who was a Mech on the Pioneer.
	HMS Pioneer in Sydney harbour
	OVERTIME GANG AT SEMBAWANG. Assembling HELLCATS for ditching. Douglas Heath is standing up on mainplane with hand on fuselage.
	Standing beside the tail of a Japanese "Betty" bomber
	Standing under the mainplne of the "Betty" bomber. Left to Right. Johny from Bloxwich. Lofty Hewson (if Doug's memory is OK), Albert "brummie" Holmes from Blackheath (Midlands) and "Scouse"
	From L to R. Doug "shorty" Heath. Hewson? Johny with "scouse" in the crouch position.
	Sembawang swimming pool
	The "Overtime Gang" relaxing in the pool at Sembawang 1945. Doug Heath is at on the top left. Scouse top right and Brummie Holmes centre bottom.
	Swordfish torpedoe bomber, also used for spotting and reconnaissance
	Albacore - a later version than the Swordfish which was later replaced by the Barracuda
	Book on the Fleet Air Arm Prepared for the Admiralty by the Ministry of Information, 1943, His Majesty's Stationery Office, London

Subject:    Monab
Date:             Mon, 31 Jul 2000 23:06:42 +0100
From:           "Paul Griffith " <pgriffith2000@yahoo.com>

My father served on HMS Nabcatcher and was with MONAB 8 during the war. Could you please let me know of any websites where i could get some photos and information on this. I`m not getting much joy at the moment. would really appreciate it if you could help.

I need your help

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