27TH AIR DEPOT GROUP
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

Members of the 27th Air Depot Group boarded a ship in San Francisco on the evening of 1 September 1942 for the long journey to Australia. Their ship left the next day. They crossed the Equator on 11 September 1942 and held the usual ceremonies for crossing the Equator. 

On the 21 September anchored in Noumea Harbour in New Caledonia. They arrived a few hours after Noumea had been bombed by the Japanese. There were fires everywhere. To avoid another predicted Japanese air raid, the ship was ordered to leave immediately for Brisbane in southern Queensland.

Their ship docked in Brisbane on 24 September 1942. The 27th Air Depot Group set up their temporary headquarters at Amberley airfield west of Ipswich. Whilst at Amberley the 27th Air Depot Group undertook training and unloaded and sorted out their equipment in readiness for their departure for New Guinea. They obtained some heavy equipment to help them build their own warehouses, hangars and campsites in New Guinea.

The 27th Air Depot Group left Australia and arrived by ship after a 6 day voyage, at Port Moresby in New Guinea on the morning of 13 December 1942. Their new camp was located in a valley nicknamed "Death Valley" located between Ward Drome and Jackson Strip.

They started their major construction of roads, warehouses, hangars and camp sites on about 15 January 1943.

Many members of the 27th Air Depot Group spent some relaxing times at the Mackay Rest Leave Area. 

REFERENCES

"A History of the 27th Air Depot Group"

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 21 November 2002

This page last updated 24 January 2020