RAAF STATION TOWNSVILLE
THEN OPERATIONAL BASE TOWNSVILLE
THEN 23 OPERATIONAL BASE
THEN 23 OPERATIONAL BASE UNIT
THEN RAAF STATION GARBUTT
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

Background

There are two ORBs for what one would believe covers RAAF Station Townsville and its descendants. However there is a gap between the end of July 1942 and December 1944 when it appears to become RAAF Station Garbutt.

RAAF Station Townsville Operations Record Book Apr 42 - Jul 42

RAAF Station Garbutt Operations Record Book Dec 44 - Feb 49

I investigated the North Eastern Area Headquarters ORB and found an entry on 3 July 1942 which read "Station Headquarters, Townsville renamed Operational Base Townsville. I then found an entry in North Eastern Area Headquarters ORB dated 31 October 1942 which stated that Operational Bases in North Eastern Area had been allocated numbers with Operational Base Townsville becoming 23 Operational Base. The ORB for 23 OBU in National Archives starts on 1 December 1942, even though the title for the document states it covers Jul 42 - Dec 44. Then 23 OBU became RAAF Station Garbutt from 15 December 1944.

RAAF Station Townsville

RAAF Station Townsville under Commanding Officer Wing Commander Frederick William Thomas (250097), was formed at Garbutt Airfield on the 23 February 1942 with a strength of:-

    35 Officers
    2 G.D.
    1 Dental
    3 Medical
    5 Nursing
    2 Equipment
    4 C.W.O.
    15 A.&S.D.
    3 Chaplains

497 airmen (109 attached)

Motor Transport Vehicles were:-

    16 Light Tenders
    20 Heavy Tenders
    1 Panel Van
    1 Heavy Dropside
    2 Tip Trucks
    1 Staff Car
    1 Fire Tender
    4 Utilities
    2 Ambulances (4 berth)
    4 Tractors

The Photographic Section was reorganised on 1 April 1942 and moved to 119 Francis Street, West End on 5 April 1942 to establish a dark room. Note:- It would appear that later on this became the Meteorological Residence as there is a file in NAA titled "Townsville Disposal of Bureau of Meteorology 143 Francis Street, West End".

Four light tenders were issued to Port Moresby, New Guinea on 2 April 1942.

Salvage operations on a crashed USAAF P-39 Airacobra on the airfield commenced on 6 April 1942. It was relocated to a dispersed workshop for packing.

Eight International Petrol Tankers were received on 6 April 1942 and two of them were issued to the USAAF.

On 7 April 1942, erection of a consumable store and tool store was completed at the dispersed area. All tools were moved from the RAAF Station and the dispersed store was put into operation.

Air Officer Commanding, Air Commodore Francis William Fellows Lukis (9), O.B.E. visited RAAF Station Townsville and the dispersed area on 8 April 1942. F/Lt Andrew Cowan Kerr was appointed officer in charge of the Sergeant's Mess on 9 April 1942.

33 Squadron RAAF ceased to be administered by RAAF Station Headquarters on 10 April 1942 and came under the direct administration of North Easter Area Headquarters.

Commanding Officer Wing Commander Frederick William Thomas (250097), left for Brisbane on duty on 12 April 1942 and Squadron Leader M.P. Lewis, the Commanding Officer of 24 Squadron RAAF was posted as the temporary C.O. of RAAF Station Townsville.

An F24 Camera and 14" lens were lost with a B-17 Flying Fortress in the Philippine Islands area on 12 April 1942.

76 Squadron RAAF came under the administrative control of RAAF Station Townsville on 13 April 1942.

Commanding Officer Wing Commander Frederick William Thomas (250097), returned from Brisbane on 15 April and resumed his duties as C.O.

On 15 April 1942, two Heavy Tenders and one USAAF Light Tender were issued to Coen. Four USAAF Light Tenders were received on the same day. New bomb dumps were laid down at Cluden on Charters Towers Road and a new Staff Car was received on the same day.

76 Squadron RAAF relocated to Weir Airfield at Aitkenvale on 16 April 1942, complete with their Stores, Messing and Equipment.

New cameras and accessories were received from 3 S.D. on 17 April 1942. On the same day an F24 Camera and 5" lens were lost with a B-26 Marauder crash.

On 18 April 1942, His Excellency, the Governor of Queensland, the Right Honourable Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, K.G.C., D.S.O., accompanied by the Air Officer Commanding, Air Commodore Francis William Fellows Lukis (9), O.B.E. visited 24 Squadron RAAF in the dispersed area.

On 22 April 1942, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Sir Charles Burnett, K.C.B.,C.B.E., D.S.O. visited RAAF Station Townsville

A salvage party was sent to Rockhampton on 24 April 1942, to carryout salvage operations on Kittyhawks A29-33 and A29-70 which both crashed during a 76 Squadron ferry flight to Townsville.

Two Massey Harris tractors were received at the Station on 27 April 1942. Two Ambulances (4 berth) were received at the Station on 30 April 1942.

Training was commenced on 30 April 1942, covering Unarmed Defence, Rifle Shooting, Bayonet Fighting, Riffle Drill and Vickers Machine Guns. Five Rifle Flights were formed for Anti-Paratroop work,

During April 1942, W/T communications had been very good, with no serious failures. As Teleprinter Communication was by then possible with Charters Towers and Cloncurry via North Eastern Area, signalling times to these locations had been greatly improved. It was therefore found possible to disperse with the services of the Cypher Officer, Flying Officer Edward Brooke-Evans Searle-Walker (252341). Plans to duplicate the Signals Office and Operations Room in a dispersed area were being put into operation, so that it would be possible to operate from either locations in the future. Two of the airfields occupied by 24 Squadron RAAF and 76 Squadron RAAF had been equipped with a field telephone network, with telephonic communication to RAAF Station Townsville and to 3 Fighter Sector Headquarters direct.

The volume of communications traffic had increased during April 1942 as follows:-

4,251 messages received totalling 144,619 Groups
3,931 messages transmitted totalling 155,955 Groups

An "Air Raid Alert" was issued in Townsville on 1 May 1942 at 0900 hours and the "All Clear" was given at 0930 hours. Signals personnel were dispersed and lived off Station. Work was underway on the duplication of the Signals Office but some delays had been caused by the shortage of lines available.

On 4 May 1942 the following items were issued:-

Groote Eylandt - 1 Light Tender, 1 Tractor and 2 Heavy Tenders
Horn Island - 3 Heavy Tenders, 1 Light Tender

On 5 May 1942, 2 Heavy Dropsides and 1 Tip Truck were received.

On 9 May 1942, 2 Fire Tenders and 1 Tractor were received. On the same date 2 members of the Photographic Section were posted to North Eastern Area and sent to Cloncurry to setup a Photographic Section.

On 11 May 1942, work commenced on deep covered trenches to existing gun pits.On the same day, 76 Squadron RAAF disembarked Port Moresby and occupied a camp site at Bohle River.

A Staff Car was received at RAAF Station Townsville on 12 May 1942 and 1 Heavy Tender was temporarily loaned to Headquarters North Eastern Area.

On 16 May 1942, a Detached flight from 32 Squadron RAAF occupied a camp site at Bohle River. On the same day a Panel Van was received at RAAF Station Townsville.

On 20 May 1942, North Eastern Area took over the Coen, and Horn Island point to point circuit, considerably reducing the volume of traffic handled by RAAF Station Townsville.

On 20 May 1942, six Vickers .303 machine guns were placed in position at RAAF Station Townsville bringing the total on site to ten.

On 23 May 1945, the gun positions on site at RAAF Station Townsville were reorganised in liaison with the US Army Officer, the Volunteer Defence Corps, AIF and local Militia.

On 23 May 1942, tests were conducted on a Meteorological Broadcast System which proved to be satisfactory. The broadcasts were to be made regularly at certain hours each day and were received as far afield as Noumea. On the same day, Group Captain Frederick Rudolph William Sherger (O38), the Director of Aerodrome Defence visited RAAF Station Townsville.

On 28 May 1942, work commenced on digging trenches for Rifle Flight's positions in front of Station Headquarters and on an old parade ground.

On 29 May 1942, all machine guns in posts were overhauled. 5 Gun posts were completed with covered trenches on 30 May 1942.

On 30 May 1942, the Gas N.C.O. commenced placing gas detector plates in suitable positions.

During May 1942, 374 personnel received instructions in the following:-

Chemical Warfare
Gas Detection Methods
Care and Use of Respirators
Bayonet and Rifle Drill
Musketry on Short Range

In May 1942, RAAF and USAAF Photographic Sections at operational Stations were amalgamated and were then operating as base combined photographic sections. The US Base Weather Station operating at Garbutt Airfield was amalgamated with the Meteorological Section during the third week in May 1942 under the supervision of the Senior Meteorological Officer, RAAF Station Townsville who was in charge of the combined unit. Extra equipment was thus made available on a pooling basis. The combined office was the office used by the RAAF Meteorological Section.

To allow for extra duties and accommodate extra personnel, the porch of the building (Civil Aviation building shared by Aeradio, Department of Civil Aviation) was enclosed and the wooden building next door was occupied and was being fitted with light and power. Keying lines to the Station Transmitter were installed by the Signals Officer as well as field telephones to the USAAF 19th Bombardment Group and the 22nd Bombardment Group operations, and a direct telephone line to North Eastern Area Headquarters.

The Townsville Collective Weather Broadcast for the benefit of Eastern Bases, Darwin, and AOBs in Queensland were being inaugurated. The extension of duties included:-

Routine weather advice and maps to USAAF unit operations
Routine Meteorological advice to 9th Australian Division R.A.A. and anti-aircraft units
Daily weather forecast to Headquarters 5th Australian Division

The Meteorological Section (RAAF Personnel) dispersed area was at the corner of Leigh Street, West End and the main road to RAAF Station Townsville (Ingham Road).

Gas spray detectors were erected on 5 June 1942.

Air Vice Marshal William Dowling Bostock (7), O.B.E., Chief of Staff, Allied Air Force visited RAAF Station Townsville on 6 June 1942. On the same day all dummy aircraft on the Airfield were moved to new locations.

A demonstration in 4 oz Incendiary Bombs was carried out at the airfield on 10 June 1942.

New slit trenches were completed for personnel against Japanese air raids on 12 June 1942.

4 Light Chevrolet Tenders, 1 Panel Van and 4 Indian Motor Cycles were received on 13 June 1942. 10 Chevrolet Light Tenders were received on 14 June 1942.

Two further machine guns around Garbutt Airfield were installed bringing the total to 12.

Wing Commander Frederick William Thomas (250097), left by air on a Tour of Inspection of Coen, Cooktown, Horn Island and Cairns on 17 June 1942.

On 18 June 1942, plans were completed for assembling all personnel in the event of a ground attack, and directions as to everyone's positions. All gun positions were now completed with covered trenches and camouflage erected. On the same day, Governor General, His Excellency General the Right Honorable Lord Gowrie VC, P.C., C.G.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., LL.D, visited dispersal area of 24 Squadron and 76 Squadron. He was accompanied by the AOC, Air Commodore Francis William Fellows Lukis (9) O.B.E.

On 22 June 1942, Squadron Leader Peter St George Bruce Turnbull (481), D.F.C., was appointed temporary Commanding Officer when Wing Commander Frederick William Thomas (250097) departed by air to attend a conference at Air Board in Melbourne.

The Governor General Lord Gowrie returned from Cairns on 23 June 1942.

5 Ford V8 Utilities were received on 23 June 1942.

AOC Air Commodore Francis William Fellows Lukis (9), O.B.E. visited RAAF Station Townsville on 24 June 1942.

76 Squadron RAAF received the following on 24 June 1942:-

4 Heavy Tenders
1 Fire Tender
1 Ambulance (4 berth)
1 Light Tip Truck
6 Chevrolet Utilities

2 Heavy Tenders were issued to North Eastern Area on 24 June 1942. RAAF Station Townsville took over fourteen 81mm mortars from the US Army along with ammunition on 25 June 1942.

3 Light Tenders were received on 27 June 1942. All guards were dispersed to the Aitkenvale area on 27 June 1942.

Gas Respirators were inspected at 33 Squadron and No. 1 B.P.S.O. (No. 1 Base Personnel Staff Office) on 29 June 1942.

All personnel received instructions in Bayonet, Rifle Drill, Musketry and Gas Defence by 30 June 1942.

During June 1942 salvage operations were carried out at Hinchinbrook and Mackay by the Mobile Salvage Section. Local salvage work was also carried out for 24 Squadron and 76 Squadrons by Workshop Section. Repair Operations were carried out at Rockhampton by Mobile Repair Section. Repairs to Kittyhawk, Moth Minor, Wirraway and Lockheed Vega aircraft were carried out at the dispersed workshop. During June 1942, arrangements were made with 12 R.S.U. to take over equipment held by Workshop Section so that the new Maintenance Scheme could be put into operation as early as possible.

Workshop Section was engaged in clearing up all outstanding work and arrangements with 12 R.S.U. (12 Repair and Salvage Unit) to take over all future repair and salvage work.

Functional co-ordination of the RAAF Meteorological Service and the USAAF weather organisation was commenced on 4 June 1942.

The Townsville Collective Weather Broadcast commenced on a permanent basis on 4 June 1942, primarily to serve the requirements of the Meteorological Stations at Port Moresby. Vila, Noumea, Charters Towers, Longreach, Mareeba, and Horn Island. A 2-way W/T channel was being worked directly between the Meteorological Officer at Townsville and Port Moresby, and this was commenced on 13 June 1942.

The duplicate Signals Office and Operations Room was now completed and available for use at a moment's notice. A telephone switchboard had been established in the dispersed area, and most of the dispersed sections and units were now served by that switchboard, instead of the normal Station switchboard. The two switchboards were tied together with six lines, and each had four exchange lines to the GPO.

Small 10 extension Switchboards, had also been installed on three of the dispersed landing airfields, with field telephones to the most important points surrounding the airfields. W/T Communications for the month of June 1942 had been generally good. No serious communication failures had occurred.

A considerable amount of training in D/F "ZZ" approaches had been completed during the month of June 1942 , and was continuing. A test "ZZ" blind approach was done in a B-26 Marauder, at 200 mph, and proved very successful. The American pilots were being urged to practice these approaches as much as possible. The volume of traffic handled by the Signal Section for the month of June was as follows:-

2,956 messages were received totalling 96,897 groups
2,934 messages were transmitted totalling 58,373 groups

The monthly parade of Station personnel wearing gas respirators was held on the 1 July 1942.

Sites were selected for the installation of mortars on the 2 July 1942. A practice shoot using the mortars was undertaken the following day. Gas Decontamination and Reconnaissance squads were formed on the 3 July 1942.

76 Squadron and 24 Squadron received instruction in the ranging and firing of mortars on the 9 July 1942.

Station Sick Quarters shifted from Currajong to West End on the 10 July 1942.

A practice shoot of the mortars was carried out on 11 July 1942.

A practical demonstration of Gas Decontamination, and Reconnaissance was held at RAAF Station Townsville Headquarters on 15 July 1942.

All gun positions were completed with duckboards on 19 July 1942.

Four Heavy Tenders, 2 Light Tenders, 1 Ambulance and 1 Chevrolet Utility were issued to North Eastern Area on 20 July 1942.

A new Enlarger (Type X5) was received by the Photographic Section on 21 July 1942.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal George Jones (O31), accompanied by D.P.S. Group Captain H. Winnicke and Air Member for Aircraft Manufacture, Group Captain Ellis Charles Wackett (O35) visited RAAF Station Townsville on 21 July 1942.

Squadron Leader, John Raymond Campbell (1322), was appointed temporary Commanding Officer while Group Captain Frederick William Thomas (250097) was attached to Fall River.

An Air Raid Warning was sounded at 1345Z/25 on 25 July 1942. Warning originated at 3 Fighter Sector Headquarters, which reported five (sic incorrect) unidentified aircraft, approaching Townsville, from the NNE. At 1435Z/25 the Air Raid was in progress. One aircraft passed directly over Garbutt Airfield, NE to SW, at 1434Z/25. No bombs were dropped on or near the airfield. Six bombs were dropped on the dock area resulting in nil damage or casualties. There was no fighter interception, or anti-aircraft fire. The All Clear was given at 1,500Z/25.

A Yellow Alert was received from 3 Fighters Sector Headquarters, at 1435Z/27. Unidentified aircraft approached from the NNE. Fighter aircraft were airborne at 1515Z/27. The enemy aircraft was then approximately 50 miles distant. The anti-aircraft guns aircraft opened fire at 1620Z/27 and the air raid was in progress at 1622Z/27. Enemy aircraft passed over Garbutt Airfield at 1628Z/27, and disappeared in a NNW direction. The duty pilot reported that three bombs were jettisoned approximately one mile from the airfield near Many Peaks Range. There was no damage or casualties. The All Clear was sounded, at 1709Z/27. The fighter aircraft landed at 1730Z/27. Substantial evidence of the bombs having been dropped was received from the Duty Pilot, Spotters on the tower, as well as several pilots who observed them fall from their positions on the ground. One fighter pilot also reported that bombs were dropped.

Another Yellow Warning was received from 3 Fighter Sector Headquarters at 1355Z/28, with a Red Warning being issued at 1402Z/28. The Air Raid was in progress at 1423Z/28. Four fighter aircraft were airborne at 1415Z/28. One large enemy aircraft was caught in searchlight beams, and travelled from north to south approximately three miles east of Garbutt Airfield. then turned west, then north, and was last sighted, heading NNW.

The All Clear was sounded at 1507Z/28. The enemy aircraft dropped bombs in the sea near Magnetic Island. No bombs were dropped in the area of the airfield. The enemy aircraft was identified as a four engine flying boat, serial P43. Two fighter aircraft made one pass at 21,000 feet. Pilots observed that the tail of the enemy aircraft was alight, but was later extinguished. One fighter made a further five passes, and hits were observed. The enemy aircraft lost height and combat was broken off due to ammunition being exhausted. One pilot observed enemy aircraft dropped six or seven bombs west of Magnetic Island in Cleveland Bay. Captains of the two fighter aircraft were Lieutenant Harriger, in P-400, W183, and Captain Mainwaring, in P-400, 63. All fighter aircraft returned to base at 1534Z/28.

A number of personnel were given instructions in rifle and machine gun shooting on the 29 July 1942. Further slit trenches were completed for use by Station personnel on 30 July 1942. Photographic Section, printed the 30,000th operational print, since being dispersed. They also made a record of 10,000 prints for the month of July 1942.

On 30 July 1942, an Air Raid Alert was sounded at 0230Z/30. The All Clear was eventually sounded without enemy aircraft being sighted.

During July 1942, the process of disbanding Station Workshop Section and handing over to 12 RSU took place. A Detachment of 30 men was sent from 12 RSU to assist in clearing up the work at hand, and to take over any new work which came to hand. All the work was cleaned up, and all new work was allotted to 12 RSU, who still kept their Detachment at the Station. All airmen, with the exception of personnel to man Headquarters aircraft and a Duty Crew, were posted from Headquarters to other units.

The duplicate Signals organisation had been completed, and automatically operated with the sounding of the Alert. At the Dispersed Signals Office, sufficient equipment was installed in a slit trench to enable the operational W/T watch to be carried out from that position. At the same time, keeping the operator was in telephonic communication with the Station Operations Room.

During July 1942, W/T communications were very good, with no major communication failures. Traffic totals for the month of July 1942 were as follows:-

3,975 messages were received, totalling 107,131 groups.
2,484 messages were transmitted, totalling 54,911 groups.

In addition to these totals, the Meteorological transmission carried out from the Meteorological Office compiled the following traffic totals:-

Messages received 209, totalling 7,055 groups

Messages transmitted 1,140, totalling 66,303? groups

I investigated the North Eastern Area Headquarters Operations Record Book and found an entry on 3 July 1942 which read "Station Headquarters, Townsville renamed Operational Base Townsville. I then found an entry in North Eastern Area Headquarters ORB dated 31 October 1942 which stated that Operational Bases in North Eastern Area had been allocated numbers with Operational Base Townsville becoming 23 Operational Base. The ORB for 23 Operational Base Unit in National Archives starts on 1 December 1942, even though the title for the document states it covers Jul 42 - Dec 44. The ORB for RAAF Station Garbutt Dec 44 - Feb 49 has an entry dated 15 December 1944 which states "As from this date No. 23 Operational Base Unit became known as RAAF Station Garbutt.

Note:- I have produced a separate web page for 23 Operational Base Unit. See link below.

23 Operational Base
Then 23 Operational Base Unit

RAAF Station Garbutt

From 15 December 1944, 23 Operational Base Unit became known as RAAF Station Garbutt which comprised the following Units:-

Headquarters RAAF Station Garbutt
5 Communication Unit
2 Air Ambulance Unit (Detachment)
13 A.R.D Forward Section (Detachment)
13 A.R.D. M.T.R.S. (Detachment
13 A.R.D. Industrial Gas handling Section - Oxygen Section (Detachment)

The Commanding Officer was Wing Commander George Campbell Matthews A.F.C. (250195). The C.O. went on annual leave from 17 Dec 1944 to 2 Jan 1945 and Squadron Leader Basil Bannister Daish (260426) took over as the temporary Commanding Officer.

36 Squadron RAAF was based on RAAF Station Garbutt as a lodger unit during December 1944.

During December 1944, conditions on the W/T circuits were fair to good. On the reconnaissance, convoy and standby D/F watches, the day frequencies have been good with slight atmospherics and interference. Night frequencies are only fair, especially in the early mornings, when atmospherics have been very bad. All aircraft on travel flights have been provided with essential two way communications and information on all signals facilities.

Traffic passed by RAAF Station Garbutt to Townsville W/T, was all by Teleprinter, with the exception of safe hand signals, or when the Teleprinter circuit was unserviceable, and traffic was passed by phone, or Tone line. The performance and condition of the Radio Range equipment over December 1944 was satisfactory. The equipment had been on the air continuously, except for a period of five hours, which was the time taken for monthly inspections and servicing.

No modifications were made to the H/F D/F station during December 1944. Usual weekly ground calibrations were carried out, and information was forwarded to Headquarters, North Eastern Area.

A Transport pool consisting of all motor transport on strength of units at Garbutt was formed on 15 December 1944 and placed under the control of RAAF Station Garbutt. .

Aircraft Movements for December 1944

	Arrivals	Departures
USAAF	1462	1458
RAAF	352	344
Civilian	244	246
Dutch (NEI-AF)	24	24

Accommodation for all ranks was acute, and officers were occupying Airmen's quarters. In order that this could be overcome, eight small prefabricated huts were erected and occupied by officers, and a further 24 small huts were in the course of construction. Total personnel accommodated permanently, as at 31 January 1945, was 103 officers, 618 airmen, 86 WAAAFs, for a total for a total of 807 personnel. Accommodation for transient personnel was restricted to crews of aircraft in transit only.

In January 1945, RAAF tactical and transport aircraft were serviced by a duty crew under the direct supervision of the Station Engineer Officer, who was also Officer in Charge of No. 13 A.R.D. (13 Aircraft Repair Depot) Forward Section. Refuelling of transient aircraft was the responsibility of the USAAF during January 1945. Four RAAF personnel were supplied permanently to assist the Americans in refuelling operations. No RAAF refuelling equipment was available, and the number of USAAF refuelling tankers had been considerably reduced during January 1945. With the shortage of equipment and personnel, delays were experienced at times by transient aircraft.

Flying control was in the hands of the USAAF, although three RAAF clerks were employed permanently in the control tower for the purpose of logging aircraft movements, and keeping Air Defence Headquarters advised of all such movements.

With a view to conserving manpower, a Central Clothing Store was formed at RAAF Station Garbutt, and commenced to operate on the 8 January 1945. All units based at Garbutt Airfield were supplied by the Central Clothing Store.

The advance party of 35 Squadron arrived early in February 1945, and moved into a campsite at the eastern end of No. 2 Runway, previously occupied by the Allied Works Council A.W.C. The remainder of 35 Squadron arrived later in the month. 35 Squadron was not a lodger unit on RAAF Station Garbutt, but came under RAAF Station Garbutt for operation and maintenance of aircraft, pay, and accounting.

Royal Air Force C-47s passed through Garbutt, on the 13 February 1945, for the first time, on a trip north for the purpose of familiarisation and general reconnaissance. During February 1945, several Royal Air Force aircraft remained overnight at Garbutt.

There was a marked evidence of decreasing activity in the main hangar. During February 1945 there were occasions on which no aircraft were receiving maintenance in the main hangar, which was still occupied exclusively by the USAAF.

During February 1945, a further reduction of USAAF refuelling equipment and personnel was experienced. The RAAF personnel supplied by RAAF Station Garbutt, and units based at Garbutt, were working solo satisfactorily. Some delays in refuelling had been reported. RAAF Station Garbutt establishment was amended during the month to provide for 10 refuelling tankers, and two oil tankers.

During March 1945, a further reduction of USAAF refuelling equipment and personnel was experienced. Two 750 gallon refuelling tankers were received against the establishment of RAAF Station Garbutt. These tankers were being overhauled and were to be put into service during April 1945. Complaints regarding delays and refuelling had been received during the month, and all possible steps were being taken to reduce delays to a minimum.

By mutual arrangement, a small servicing party of Royal Air Force personnel arrived at Garbutt in March 1945 to remain for the purpose of assisting the present RAAF Duty Crew.

During April 1945, two 750 gallon RAAF refuelling tankers were put into service, and priority was given to courier aircraft. No complaints were received, regarding delays in refuelling. Cooperation with the USAAF was excellent, and an improved service to transient aircraft was anticipated. Due to the introduction of RAAF tankers, and due to the appointment of one USAAF officer, exclusively for the supervision of refuelling. In the past, the Officer-in-Charge of refuelling, also had other duties, such as maintenance, and was not located on the airfield, whereas he would now be situated in the Base Operations Room.

Wing Commander Keith Ainsley Hopkinson (260421), was appointed to temporarily command RAAF Station Garbutt in the absence of Wing Commander George Campbell Matthews, A.F.C. (250195).

A dust haze lasting for four days occurred in the first half of April 1945.

Modifications were carried out to the H/F D/F Station by RAAF Headquarters Modification Party under Warrant Officer May. That work was completed on the 15 April 1945. However, the H/F D/F Station was unserviceable for approximately eight weeks due to the installation of an earth mat.

No. 2 Air Ambulance Unit (Detachment), moved from the transport hangar area to the main hangar on 30 April 1945. 75 foot of the main tarmac and stores, and office accommodation in the main hangar, was being made available by arrangement with the USAAF.

The H/F D/F station was still unserviceable in May 1945, due to the installation of an earth mat.

Seven refuelling tankers were in service during June 1945 and operated satisfactorily.

During June 1945, 36 Squadron Commanding Officer, and the Orderly Room vacated the accommodation occupied at Station Headquarters, and moved to their hangar area. Accounting Section vacated the area underneath Station Sick Quarters and moved to Station Headquarters. The accommodation vacated by the Accounting Section was converted by unit labour into accommodation for M.E.A.T.U. Sisters based at Garbutt. Additional accommodation was erected in the S.S.Q. area by unit labour for the benefit of the Sisters. Work commenced on the erection of a further building adjacent to Block 64 for use by the Education Officer. This work was carried out by unit labour.

During June 1945, the American Red Cross Canteen for transients was taken over by the Australian Comforts Fund A.C.F. on 30 June 1945. RAAF Station Garbutt was required to supply transport to convey employees to and from the Canteen, plus a driver for the mobile unit which operated on the airfield throughout the night. The H/F D/F station was still unserviceable due to the installation of an earth mat.

In June 1945, the Commanding Officer reported that barrack's accommodation at Garbutt was superior to any in the area, and the welfare of all ranks was well provided for. The erection of a hut for the Education Officer, was in hand, and should substantially improved general facilities for airmen. Cook's Assistants were still in short supply, and messing details continued during the month.

Orders for the move of 36 Squadron personnel from Garbutt to No. 2 Project were received during July 1945. The move was to be affected by 1 August 1945. The move commenced with Sergeants and Airmen moving from Blocks 59 and 108, and the Airman's compound on 31 July 1945. The object of the move was to provide accommodation at Garbutt for RAF personnel and squadrons from the north, required to carry out conversion from Kittyhawk to Mustang aircraft.

Authority from RAAF Headquarters through 3D.W.O. was received to occupy A.T.C. building at Garbutt, that had recently been vacated. The occupancy was to date from 1 August 1945. This was awaiting confirmation from N.E.A. headquarters.

The erection of a building for the Education Officer, and an Airman's Recreation Hut, adjacent to the Airman's Mess, were completed with unit labour during July 1945.

The Transient Canteen under the direction of A.C.F. operated satisfactorily during July 1945. Transport of personnel employed on the staff, plus assistance of RAAF general hands continued to be the responsibility of RAAF Station Garbutt. The mobile unit was also manned each night by a D.M.T. of RAAF Station Garbutt pool.

The H/F D/F Station became serviceable in July 1945 and operated continuously. Third class bearings were only available, pending the completion of air calibrations.

36 Squadron Sergeants and other ranks vacated their living accommodation at Garbutt on 1 August 1945, and continued to mess at RAAF Station Garbutt until 26 August, when facilities were available in their own camp at No. 2 Project. Officers of 36 Squadron were accommodated at Garbutt and fed at the Station mess throughout August 1945.

103 Royal Air Force personnel arrived at Garbutt on 1 August 1945, and formed 193 Staging Post (RAF), under the command of Squadron Leader, I.M.U. Galloway. 193 Staging Post functioned as an independent unit and was a lodger unit on RAAF Station Garbutt. 193 Staging Post (RAF) later moved to Camden in New South Wales on 1 March 1946.

The A.T.C. building was taken over by RAAF Station Garbutt, and was occupied by No. 6 T.M.O., the Australian Red Cross, and Customs and Commonwealth Security. The Station Commander was responsible for the allocation of space in this building. Authority was also received during the month to take over portion of No. 2 Project as a Transient Camp to be controlled by RAAF Station Garbutt.

No. 2 Project was inspected by the Station Commander, and Section No. 233 was selected for this purpose. The policy regarding the provision of meals and accommodation to transient personnel was clarified during the August 1945, and the responsibility for the provision of both meals and accommodation on a 24 hourly basis was placed on RAAF Station Garbutt. Australian Red Cross undertook to provide meals for all POWs. A new building was commenced at the rear of Sick Quarters for the purpose of accommodating medical air evacuees. P.M.O. North Eastern Area approved this building to be used for medically unfit POWs.

The Butler hangar and adjacent workshops were allocated for servicing transient RAF and RAAF aircraft. This area was allotted only subject to cancellation of the Mustang Conversion Course, which had not yet been definitely notified.

The A.C.F. canteen continued to operate during August 1945, and no change was made in the assistance given by the Station. Due to the move of 6T.M.O. Air Section to the A.T.C. building, a large proportion of the transient personnel were being serviced by the mobile canteen, which was parked in the A.T.C. area constantly, and was adequately catering for the present transient population of all services. Third class bearings were still only available from the H/F D/F Station, pending the completion of air calibrations.

Hostilities in the Pacific finished on 15 August 1945.

REFERENCES

RAAF Station Townsville Operations Record Book Apr 42 - Jul 42

23 Operational Base Unit Operations Record Book Jul 42 - Dec 44

RAAF Station Garbutt Operations Record Book Dec 44 - Feb 49

North Eastern Area Headquarters Operations Record Book Jan 42 - Dec 45

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products