No. 52 Radar Station RAAF, Mascot, NSW, Townsville, QLD, Muttee Head, QLD during WW2

NO. 52 RADAR STATION RAAF
MASCOT, NSW
TOWNSVILLE, QLD
MUTTEE HEAD, QLD
DURING WW2

No 52 Radar Station moved from Mascot in New South Wales to Townsville in north Queensland and finally to Muttee Head on Cape York in far north Queensland. Muttee Head is at Latitude/Longitude: 10 54.00 S [Decimal Degrees -10.91667º], 142 15.00 E [Decimal Degrees 142.25000º]. No. 52 Radar Station was based at Muttee Head from 29 March 1943 until 29 September 1945.

The Injinoo people in the Muttee Head area actively assisted with the war effort. They helped with the construction of facilities and in the water transport unit to New Guinea.

The establishment of the large airfield at Higgins Field impacted greatly on the aboriginal community. Many of the community moved to bush camps to escape the soldiers who they were suspicious of, particularly the young women. Only the older people remained in the village. Many children worked as runners carrying messages from Muttee Head to the wharf at Muttee Head (Ukumba), to Higgins Field airfield, the hospital, and the communications base close to the tip.

On 26 April 1943, PT 135 of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Seven, MTB Ron 7, at Thursday Island was ordered to RAAF No. 52 Radar Station at Muttee Head, with batteries and equipment and return. On 29 April 1943, PT 137 of MTB Ron 7 at Thursday Island was ordered to RAAF No. 52 Radar Station at Muttee Head and return.

Photo:- via Frank Cummings (via Harvey Edwards)