3RD WATER TRANSPORT GROUP
CORPS OF ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

When the 3rd Water Transport Group was formed in 1943, there were very few personnel recruited or trained in small craft or barge handling. This led to the establishment of a number of separate Water Transport Training Schools.

The Victoria Point Training School operated for only a year and then it was merged in November 1944 with the Water Transport (Small Craft) Training Centre to form the First Water Transport Training Centre at Toorbul Point. Their Commanding Officer was Colonel A.S. "Gus" Gehrmann.

The functions of Water Transportation units such as the 43rd Landing Craft Company were:-

1.   The resupply of essential supplies from principal base ports to forward areas, where there were no roads yet where inshore sea transport was possible

2.   The carriage of troops, especially in amphibious assaults

3.   The evacuation of wounded.

4.   The local carriage of equipment, stores and salvage.

5.   Building of minor port facilities, such as jetties and landing stages, to facilitate the operation
      of inshore water craft.

 

Sign mentioning the Australian Army Water Transport
Centre in the Victoria Point Reserve during WWII

50th Anniversary of the end of WWII Sign at Victoria Point covering the existence
 of the Australian Army Water Transport Centre in the Victoria Point Reserve

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Watermen of War"
"A History of No. 43 Australian Water Transport Operating Company (Landing Craft) of the Royal Australian Engineers"
By Colonel John Pearn

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This page first produced 29 December 2001

This page last updated 23 January 2020