738th MP Battalion, US Army, in Australia during WW2

738TH MP BATTALION, US ARMY
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

visits since 21 May 2004

The 738th MP Battalion were directly involved in the "Battle of Brisbane" where very large crowds of American and Australia soldiers confronted each other. The MP's of the 738th MP Battalion were armed with 12-gauge Stevens pump-action shotguns. One of these persons was Private Norbert Grant of "C" Company. They elbowed their way to the front of the American PX on the corner of Creek and Adelaide Street in Brisbane, Queensland.

Someone in the crowd saw that Grant had a gun and suddenly he was accosted by people trying to get the gun off him. He jabbed one Aussie soldier with the shotgun. Another soldier grabbed the gun and someone else had him around the neck. The shotgun discharged. In all 3 shots were fired. These 3 shots and the resulting melee produced the following outcome:-

- 1 Australian killed
- 8 minor gunshot wounds
- 6 baton injuries
- 100's with black eyes, split lips, swollen cheeks, broken noses and various abrasions

One Company of the 738th MP Battalion was based in Mount Isa during WW2. They were also based in Townsville.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank John Daly for his assistance with this home page.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"They Passed This Way"
by Barry Ralph