DUNK ISLAND AIRFIELD
NORTH QUEENSLAND
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

 

 

The Dunk Island Airfield was later widened and lengthened to create an Emergency Landing Ground ELG from bomber and fighter aircraft.

5 Communications Unit RAAF (previously 5 Communication Flight) would fly to Dunk Island on a number of occasions, most likely to visit the RAAF 27 Radar Station located on the island. 5 Communications Unit had a variety of aircraft including, DH-84 Dragon, Avro Anson, Tiger Moth, Walrus, Oxford, Norseman, Vultee Vengeance and Bristol Beaufort. The following are the visits to Dunk Island covered in the RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) Operations Record Book - Communications Flight 5:-

On 27 January 1943, F/O Withell flew Walrus X9515 of 5 Communication Unit to Dunk Island - Cairns - Cooktown - Stealey Island - Iron Range and returned to Garbutt on 30 January 1943 with North Eastern Area personnel on board.

On 28 September 1943, F/Sgt Stinton in D.H.82 A17-484 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island and returned to Garbutt.

On 9 October 1943 F/Sgt Stinton in D.H.82 A17-684 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island and picked up some Wireless equipment. The aircraft crashed on landing at Garbutt Airfield and was allotted to 13 A.R.D.

On 9 October 1943, F/O Hewson in D.H.82 A17-483 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island and returned to Garbutt.

On 11 October 1943, F/O Hewson in D.H.82 A17-483 flew equipment from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island.

On 12 October 1943, F/O Hewson in D.H.82 A17-483 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dink Island and returned. He was carrying Wireless equipment.

On 20 October 1943, F/O Hewson in D.H.82 A17-483 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dink Island and returned carrying P/O Munro.

On 2 November 1943, F/O Hewson in D.H.82 A17-483 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island and returned carrying a Medical Officer.

On 7 November 1943, F/O Hewson in D.H.82 A17-483 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island and returned with F/L Newton on board.

On 2 April 1944, F/Sgt Rossiter in D.H.82 A17-484 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island and returned.

On 13 April 1944, F/O Hewson in D.H.82 A17-628 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island carrying F/Lt Noble. They returned to Garbutt on 15 April 1944.

On 29 April 1944, F/O Calvert in D.H.82 A17-484 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island and returned carrying Sgt Wheeler.

On 29 January 1945, F/Lt Willoughby in Beaufort A9-10 took off from Garbutt Airfield with four passengers to Cairns - Cooktown - Higgins - Merauke and dropped Safe Hand mail into Dunk Island on the way back to Garbutt.

On 15 March 1945, P/O Gibbs in A71-4, flew from Garbutt Airfield to Bowen with three passengers and Safe Hand mail, and then on to Cairns with two passengers, then dropped Safe Hand mail into Dunk Island on the way back to Garbutt.

On 25 April 1945, F/Lt Pollitt in A9-465, flew from Garbutt Airfield to Cooktown and Iron Range and dropped Safe Hand mail in at Dunk Island on the way back to Garbutt.

On 10 June 1945, W/O Hall in A71-2 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Cairns and return to pick up Mt. Vinnecombe. They dropped Safe Hand mail into at Dunk Island on the way back to Garbutt.

On 26 June 1945, P/O Gibbs in A17-484 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island and return.

On 26 June 1945, W/O McMaster in A17-483 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island and return.

On 4 July 1945 W/O McMasters in A17-483 flew from Garbutt Airfield to Dunk Island with one passenger and returned to Garbutt.

 

REFERENCES

RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) Operations Record Book - Communications Flight 5

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Ken Gray for his assistance with this web page.

 

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This page first produced 28 January 2019

This page last updated 13 January 2020