No. 104 Radar Station RAAF began operations on 18 April 1942 as a Detachment of North Eastern Area Headquarters under the command of Pilot Officer Bennett. It was then formed as a separate Force Unit on 1 June 1942 for the purpose of supplying information within the Air Warning organisation.

No. 104 Radar Station was initially located on Castle Hill in Townsville in north Queensland but due to technical difficulties, the site was moved to nearby Fort Kissing Point. Between 1 June and 1 July 1942 the following personnel essential for the operation of the unit were posted:-

5 Radio Mechanics
11 Radio Operators
1 Fitter D.M.T.
2 D.M.T.s
2 Messmen
2 Cooks
1 Clerk General
1 Clerk Store
1 Labourer

On 9 July 1942, Pilot Officer Edwin Bennett (264205) was posted from Station Headquarters, Townsville for duties as the Commanding Officer of 104 Radar Station.

Between 25 July and 28 July 1942, hostile aircraft were detected on three separate occasions, with a warning of more than one hour being given on each occasion. These were the three Japanese bombing raids on Townsville in July 1942.

Pilot Officer Howard Thomas Jasper (254734) took over as Commanding Officer on 17 August 1942.

As the radar location at Kissing Point was only 75 feet above sea level, the vertical angle of radiation was rather high and consequently low flying aircraft were usually not detected, although reasonably accurate estimations of height could be calculated from the pattern of the aerial lobes.

The spares situation during January and February 1943 was rather critical. There were no spares at all for some main valves being held, but with the formation of No. 42 R.D.F. Wing, the situation seemed to be improving.

No hostile aircraft were detected from 31 December 1942 to 31 March 1943 and none were reported in that period.

Some severe intermittent interference from American SCR-268 sets were being experienced and steps were undertaken to remedy that issue. There was also some other severe electrical interference from an unknown source.

Command of the Radar Station passed to the Administrative Officer, Flying Officer Walter Brindy Worboys (265239) on 15 March 1943, as Flying Officer H. T. Jasper had been posted elsewhere after he returned from leave.

From 28 March 1943, 104 Radar Station acquired its own kitchen and mess. Prior to that date they had been attached to Fort Kissing Point for messing purposes. As at 31 March 1943, the unit strength was as follows:-

8 R.D.F. Mechanics
9 R.D.F. Operators
1 Fitter D.M.T.
1 D.M.T.
1 Cook
2 Messmen
1 General Hand
1 Clerk Stores
1 Clerk General
25

A record number of targets were identified in April 1943. This was due to a modification to the oscilloscope, which had reduced the effects of both electrical and R.D.F. interference to such an extent that it was not serious, and also due to the increased keenness of the operators in consequence of a competition which had been instituted for them.

Some difficulties were experienced obtaining adequate spares for belts for the Le Roi Power Unit. The fan belts were a source of trouble as their life was very short. No hostile aircraft were detected in April 1943 and none were reported.

The number of Operators in the Unit was low for the month of April 1943 and some difficulties were experienced, as the majority of the Operators were due to go on leave.

Height estimations were given to 3 Fighter Sector Headquarters 3 FSHQ during May 1943 and in all cases fair accuracy was notified by the Filter Officer on duty at 3 FSHQ during the testing. No hostile aircraft were detected in May 1943 and none were reported.

During May 1943, the valves on the Le Roi Power Unit were ground, and the V8 Auxiliary Power Unit was inoperative awaiting the arrival of 1 exhaust valve and 1 piston. In the meantime the Le Roi Power Unit was operating 24 hours per day.

On 17 June 1943, during the afternoon an "X" plot was picked up, which had been reported by No. 3 FSHQ, to have been a hostile aircraft. The aircraft had come to within a range of 24 miles, circled and then went out to sea again.

The Ford V8 was still inoperative in June 1943 due to the non arrival of spare parts which had been on order through No. 42 R.D.F. Wing for the previous five weeks. The Le Roi Power Plant continued to operate 24 hours per day.

On 20 June 1943, Flying Officer Worboys was posted to No. 136 R.D.F. and Pilot Officer Michael William Robson (63107) arrived on 19 June 1943 to take over as the Commanding Officer.

During July 1943, an L.W./A.W. Mark 2 Apparatus (Radar) was installed and it was operated to test the site for this type of radar. Four WAAAF personnel from No. 42 R.D.F. Wing Headquarters visited the station daily to gain experience in operating S.C.R. 268 and A.W. type radars.

On 3 July 1943, Flying Officer Robson was posted to No. 323 R.D.F. Station and Pilot Officer Douglas Hardie Stuart (63703) arrived on the same day from No. 323 R.D.F. to take over as the Commanding Officer of 104 Radar Station.

Pilot Officer Stuart departed on posting to No. 53 R.D.F. Station on 7 August 1943 and Flying Officer Lester Vincent Dickson (265208) arrived on posting from No. 3 Replenishing Centre to take over as Commanding Officer.

Air Board instruction as per Signal QY111 dated 12 July 1943, stated that a permanent site had been selected for No. 104 R.D.F. Station at the 396 feet level shown on the Recreation Reserve on the lower reaches of Castle Hill (at Belgian Gardens), in Townsville. Two power supply igloos were installed and a camp site was built similar to the one being constructed at that time at Nome (Alligator River) for No. 136 R.D.F. Construction and installation of technical equipment was the responsibility of 42 R.D.F. Wing. WAAAFs were also located at 104 R.D.F. Station.

Civilian contractor A.W. Tyee was responsible to "Provide preliminary building and engineering services in connection with the operation of the station pending provision of permanent installation." Costs were not to exceed £500.

A total of 970 targets had been detected in July 1943 at the Belgian Gardens site which was a record. The radar unit at Belgian Gardens had a greatly increased range over the unit as Kissing Point.

The name change from 104 Radar Station to 57 Radar Station appears to have happened in about August 1943 based on entries in the Operations Record Book ORB. There is a page in the ORB dated 1 August 1943 for 104 Radar and another page for 57 Radar also dated 1 August 1943. The first Personnel Occurrence Report POR for 57 Radar was dated 5 September and it has a comment "Final P.O.R. for 104 Radar Station - 19/4".

An LW/AW Mark 2 Radar was installed on a hill at Belgian Gardens which commenced experimental operations on 13 August 1943. This was today's hill at Yarrawonga as shown on the site plan below though this is probably closer to North Ward than Belgian Gardens. The experimental operation at the new site was interrupted due to a breakdown of the LW/AW Mark 2 Radar. Operations continued at Fort Kissing Point on the SCR268 Radar equipment. At 1650 hours on 7 September 1943, the personnel at the radar station witnessed a Catalina traveling from Merauke crash land on Cleveland Bay. No. 41 Squadron and the RAN were notified. Rescue operations proceed throughout the night, There were 6 survivors out of 18 or 19 who were on the Catalina.

NAA File:- see Page 51 of file in References below

57 Radar Station was located on today's Yarrawonga Hill

NAA File:- see Page 51 of file in References below

Site Plan for 57 Radar Station on Castle Hill

Legend for buildings on the above Site Plan

NAA File:- see Page 65 of file in References below

Hut No. 2 Steel Frame Tower - Operations Room

NAA File:- see Page 65 of file in References below

Hut No. 2 Steel Frame Tower - Operations Room

Yarrawonga Park - One of Townsville's not that well-known parks. The
radar site was most likely where the large white apartments are located.

Photo:- Mel Dundas-Taylor

A plaque in Yarrawonga Park commemorating the
presence of 57 Radar RAAF on this hill during WWII

Photo:- Mel Dundas-Taylor

A close-up view of the plaque

Photo:- Mel Dundas-Taylor

View of Magnetic Island from Yarrawonga Park

For several hours during the evening of 17 September 1943 and the morning of 18 September 1943, some unusual radar plots were detected up to 30 to 40 miles east of Hinchinbrook Island. There were about 100 plots and the targets appeared to circle over an extended area. All attempts to identify the targets failed. Under instructions from G.O.R., a Catalina flew up to Cairns but there were nil sightings. Reports were made to Air Intelligence and to the Radar Wing. A subsequent report from the Radar Wing suggested that the plots were due to a peculiar atmospheric condition which mislocated the movements of aircraft over a convoy much further east.

During September 1943, the radar station was operational for a total of 698 hours, 15 minutes using the SCR268 radar at Kissing Point. A total of 2,132 targets were detected.

The Unit ceased operations at Kissing Point on the SCR268 unit on 20 October 1943 and the station moved to the new site at Belgian Gardens using the AW equipment. The unit was operational for a total of 708 hours 34 minutes during October 1943 and detected 1,728 targets.

I.F.F. Interrogator BL4 Equipment was being installed at the site on 15 November 1943. Seven calibration test flights were carried out in conjunction with the Calibration Section of 42 Radar Wing on 15, 20, 22 and 23 November 1943. The Station was operational for 679 hours, 18 minutes during November 1943 and detected 1,618 targets and 60 surface vessels.

2,569 targets and 141 surface vessels were detected in December 1943. The station was operational for a total of 723 hours, 15 minutes during December 1943.

The Radar Station was calibrated by a Radio Installation and Maintenance Unit (R.I.M.U.) party on 27 January 1944. A total of 2,633 targets and 150 surface vessels were detected during January 1944. 60 targets were detected at ranges in excess of 100 miles. The Station was operational for a total of 709 hours and 45 minutes.

The Mark III I.F.F. equipment was commissioned at the site on 10 February 1944. A total of 2,488 targets and 131 surface vessels were detected in February 1944. The Station was operational for a total of 654 hours and 9 minutes in February 1944.

No. 2 Diesel was returned to service on 3 March 1944. Flying Officer Ronald Leon Oliver Trainor (67805) arrived on 21 March 1944 and took over as the temporary Commanding Officer. 1,731 targets and 115 surface vessels were detected during March 1944. 503 targets were showing I.F.F. The Unit strength at the end of March 1944 was 1 Officer and 27 other ranks.

Due to bad weather conditions in Townsville on the 27 and 28 March 1944, the tents accommodating personnel of No. 57 Radar on Castle Hill were severely damaged and the personnel from those tents were quartered at No. 103 Fight Control Unit (previously 3 FSHQ) on the night of 27 March 1944. Suitable repairs were carried out on 28 March and the airmen returned to their own unit.

The 1,000 hour inspection was carried out on No. 1 Diesel on 7 April 1944. Flying Officer Ronald Leon Oliver Trainor (67805) took over from Flight Lieutenant Dickson as Commanding Officer of 57 Radar. Flight Lieutenant Flynn inspected the power plants on 10 April 1944, with a view to improving voltage regulation. No. 42 Radar Wing personnel arrived on 20 April 1944 to calibrate some equipment using local gear. There were 1,847 targets and 47 surface vessels detected during April 1944. 471 of the targets were showing I.F.F.

The 250 hour inspection of No. 2 Diesel Unit was carried out on 7 May 1944. Flight Lieutenant D. Newton, T/Commanding Officer of No. 42 Radar Wing inspected the unit on 17 May 1944 in company with Flight Lieutenant K. Pearson, T/Senior Technical Officer and Flight Lieutenant T. J. Fennell, Medical Officer. The 1,000 hour inspection was carried out on No. 2 Diesel Unit on 21 May 1944 and the 250 hour inspection on No. 1 Diesel Unit was completed on 23 May 1944. Flying Officer Trainor was admitted to No. 3 M.R.S. with an infected finger on 26 May 1944 and Flying Officer James Douglas Haig Muir (63101), O/C of No. 343 Radar Station, assumed temporary Command of 57 Radar Station.

Flying Officer Trainor was discharged from hospital on 3 June 1944 and resumed duties as the Commanding Officer of the Unit. Flying Officer Sydney Abbotson  Keighley (63110) arrived on posting on 19 June 1944 to take over as the Commanding Officer of 57 Radar Station. Their handover was completed on 26 June 1944. The Radar Wing Maintenance Party completed their overhaul of the equipment on 21 June 1944. The 250  hour Inspections on No. 1 and No 2 Diesel Units took place on the 28 and 29 June 1944 respectively.

An Avro Anson flew test flights at 5,000 and 8,000 feet to calibrate the radar equipment on 16 July 1944. Nil plots were detected when the Anson was flying at 8,000 feet. Flight Lieutenant Alan John Durre (63090) from 42 Radar Wing examined the transmitter on 18 July 1944 to try to achieve more stable operation. Flight Lieutenant Eric Rodger Morgan (51259) and party from No. 112 M.F.S inspected the Unit on 20 July 1944. The 1,000 hour inspection was carried out on No. 1 Diesel Unit on 21 July 1944. The radar array, Operations Hut and other unit buildings were painted during July 1944.

Major J. Greet and party from HQ Coastal Artillery visited the radar site on 1 August 1944, to inspect Jimmy's Lookout from their hill with a view to it becoming a possible battery site. The Allied Works Council examined the radar site on 2 August 1944 for future town power installation. Major J. Greet, Colonel Roydon Arthur Milledge (TX2058), of Department of Armament L.H.Q., and Captain John Patrick McKenna (SX1460), of HQs 1st Australian Army arrived at the radar site on 11 August 1944 for another reconnaissance of the area. Major Greet and his party carried out another inspection on 16 August 1944.

A radar jamming test was conducted by U.S. Signal Corps personnel on 16 August 1944. They used a Lockheed Hudson for the test. Noise, C.W. and railings jamming methods were used. The first two types made operation of the radar impossible except when well off the bearing of the jammer. A lecture at Fortress HQs was delivered that afternoon by Lieutenant Weeks of the U.S. Army, the Director of Operations. Methods of minimising interference were discussed with operators and mechanics. Flight Lieutenant Hull, the C.O. of 42 Radar Wing, and Flight Lieutenant Scott, the Senior Technical Officer, visited the Unit for these jamming tests.

A further jamming test was conducted on 17 August 1944, and operators were able to pass some plots, using methods discussed the previous day. A demonstration of Window was very effective, with the trace being saturated for approximately 20 miles. Visitors were Flight Lieutenant Tilbrook, Air Technical Officer of 42 Radar Wing and Flying Officer Louis Adolph Kloeden (68940), Technical Officer.

Another reconnaissance of the surround hillside was carried out by Major K. V. Kestever, of HQ Townsville Fortress and party on 18 August 1944. Another reconnaissance of the surrounding hillside by Brigadier Lewis Ernest Stephen Barker (VX12777), B.R.A., 1st Australian Army and party was carried out on 21 August 1944.

On 23 August 1944, Lieutenant Davis, Army Radar Officer, visited looking for sites for Army Radar. Flight Lieutenant Scott of 42 Radar Wing, Senior Technical Officer and Flight Lieutenant Alan John Durre (63090) visited regarding installation of town power supply.

A test was conducted on 24 August 1944, on an adjacent site by Lieutenant Davis and party with an Army S.L.C. set. P.E.s were found to be very troublesome.

Temperature inversion effects commenced 0730 to 1130K hours on 31 August 1944. Operation of the radar was rendered very difficult for tracks along the coast.

During August 1944, a 12 ft. x 16 ft. diesel hut was constructed by unit personnel. The diesels were previously housed in tin mia-mias. (What is a mia-mia?)

Extensive temperate inversion effects to the end of the trace were present for the duration of the shift on 2 September 1944. Maximum range was 148 miles with a Signal to Noise ratio of 3:1.

Heavy C.W. interference commenced at 0925 hours on 4 September 1944, centered on approximately 85 degrees. The interference was still present when the station closed down at 1130K hours. A similar problem occurred on 6 September 1944.

No. 1 Southern Cross Diesel 14015, broke down on 7 September 1944. Due to lack of spare parts, the diesel was still unserviceable as at 30 September 1944.

On 13 September 1944, an aircraft left Garbutt Airfield showing its Distress I.F.F.. It was tracked out to 101 miles. A continuous track was obtained and a height of 8,000 feet was indicated from the Station polar diagram.

Further C.W. interference occurred at 85 degrees on 23 September 1944. 87 tracks were plotted during the four hour shift on 28 September 1944, which was a record for the month.

Heavy abnormal permanent echoes were present from 0730 to 0900 hours on 3 October 1944. They reappeared again at 1000 hours and remained for the duration of the operational period.

Heavy C.W. interference was detected at 85 degrees on 5 October 1944. This interference was caused by the Navy and was similar to the interference during September 1944.

Warrant Officer Wilkins, the Area Cooking Supervisor visited the Station on 6 October 1944 and arrangements were made for an improvement of the rations provided.

Similar interference was encountered again on 12 October 1944. Operations were not seriously interrupted.

Wing Commander Simmons, the Area Signals Officer and Squadron Leader Tyler, the Area Radar Officer visited the Station on 17 October 1944 and inspected the equipment, the site and the power installations.

The Direct plotting line to 103 Fighter Control Unit was inspected by PMG mechanics on 18 October 1944 and a ringing facilities mode was made available. R/T backing to the Filter Room was installed and one ATR2B transceiver was made available.

Squadron Leader Arthur Edgar Walz (272599), the Commanding Officer of No. 2 Radio Installation and Maintenance Unit (2 R.I.M.U.) and Flight Lieutenant Frederick Atherley Hull, the Senior Technical Officer visited the Station on 3 November 1944 and inspected the radar equipment and power plants. A "D" inspection was commenced on No. 2 Diesel on 3 November 1944. No. 1 Diesel was still unserviceable due to a pending supply of parts. The Station was not operational due to the service on No. 2 Diesel.

Flight Lieutenant Jenkins, the Adjutant of 103 Fighter Control Unit and Flight Lieutenant Morrison, the Radar Officer at 103 F.C.U. inspected the radar equipment during November 1944. Flight Lieutenant Morrison suggested some improvements to the radar equipment.

Flight Lieutenant H. C. Harrison, Radar Officer of N.E.A. Headquarters inspected the radar equipment during November 1944. Flying Officer Bouch, Filter Officer of 103 F.C.U. and a party of WAAAF Radar personnel visited the Station in November 1944 and inspected the Telling and Plotting arrangements.

Heavy abnormal permanent echoes out to 150 miles were experienced on 7 and 8 December 1944. A diesel unit broke down at 0904 hours on 10 December 1944 and the Station was off the air for the remainder of the shift.

An R/T Telling Test was carried out successfully on 15 December 1944 with less than 2 minute delays on plots. An extra night shift was worked from 2000 to 2300 hours on 20 December 1944, during the 103 F.C.U. telephone changeover from Townsville to Stuart.

57 Radar Station ceased active operations and reverted to a Care and Maintenance basis on 8 January 1945.

Flight Lieutenant D'Arcy Leigh Mau (264480), C.O. and Flight Lieutenant Jenkins, Adjutant and Flight Lieutenant Morrison, Radar Officer of 103 F.C.U. visited the Radar Station on 13? January 1945.

Mr. J. W. Reed, Radio Physic Laboratory, Sydney, conducted an investigation of anomalous propagation on 25 January 1945.