110TH OBSERVATION SQUADRON
71ST TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE GROUP
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

Major Tom A. Montgomery O-397050 was interviewed whilst he was in the 42nd General Hospital in Brisbane on 19 May 1944. He stated he had been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery, National Guards in June 1940. He first entered active service as a 2nd Lieutenant in Battery "E" in the 1030th Field Artillery Regiment, 35th Division. He later transferred to Battery "F".

He attended the Observation School at Brooksfield, Texas in August 1941 and became a member of the 110th Observation Squadron at Adams Field. He was ordered to report to the Army Air Base, Salinas, California on 17 December 1941 arriving there on 22 December 1941. The 110th Observation Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, began flying ASW patrols from Salinas AAB, with O-46's and O-47's.

The 110th Observation Squadron (minus Maj. Montgomery - see below) remained at Salinas AAB until August 1942 carrying out Antisubmarine Patrols. The 110th Observation Squadron was the last squadron of the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group to leave for overseas duty, boarding the ship on 14 November 1943 and arriving at Brisbane in south east Queensland on 5 December 1943. They boarded the Dutch ship, "Van Outhooren" for Port Moresby soon after arriving in Brisbane.

Prior to this, Major Montgomery was on detached service (from the 110th Observation Squadron) at Hamilton Field until 10 January 1942. Special Order No. 11, Headquarters McClelland Field, California dated 11 January 1942 ordered Major Montgomery and 20 other officers and enlisted men to proceed immediately via Government Motor Transportation from Sacramento Air Depot, McClelland Field, California to San Francisco, California and report on arrival to the Commanding General, Port of Embarkation for further assignment.

On about 10 January 1942, 2nd Lt. Montgomery left by ship for Australia as a member of Observation Team "B". The team comprised ten officers and three enlisted men and five O-47 aircraft. They arrived in Melbourne on 1 February 1942 and left there for Brisbane on 13 February 1942. Using meagre tools Observation Team "B" assembled their O-47 aircraft at Eagle Farm Airfield. They flew no combat missions in the O-47s, which were shortly handed over to high ranking officers in other units for use as their personal aircraft.

It is interesting to note that ten O-47 aircraft arrived in Melbourne and were unloaded from the Hammonds Port on 4 February 1942. It is in the time frame that Observation Team "B" arrived in Melbourne and if they travelled to Australia with Team "A" that would make ten O-47 aircraft.

The December 1942 Military Telephone Directory for Brisbane shows Captain T.A. Montgomery as follows:-

    AIR SERVICE COMMAND
        Purchasing and Contracting
            Fiscal
                Capt T.A. Montgomery     McIntosh Building

The October 1943 Military Telephone Directory for Brisbane shows Major T.A. Montgomery as follows:-

    FIFTH AIR FORCE SERVICE COMMAND
        Supply Division
            Purchasing and Contracting Section
                Major Montgomery T.A.     McIntosh Building

The May 1944 Military Telephone Directory for Brisbane shows Major T.A. Montgomery as follows:-

    FIFTH AIR FORCE SERVICE COMMAND
        Supply Division
            Purchasing and Contracting Section
                Chief of Purchasing & Contracting Section
                    Major Montgomery T.A.     Extons Blng.

Major Tom Montgomery does not appear in the February 1945 Military Telephone Directory for Brisbane.

REFERENCES

Record of Interview with Major Tom A. Montgomery, at 42nd General Hospital, Brisbane, 19 May 1944 (provided by Edward Rogers)
Note:- this document incorrectly refers to Major Montgomery being in the 1010th Observation Squadron.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I've like to thank Yvonne Kinkaid, Edward Rogers and Gordon Birkett for their assistance with this web page,

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 21 January 2019

This page last updated 24 January 2020