Forrest Airfield, WA, in Australia during WW2

FORREST AIRFIELD
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

Forrest Airfield is located immediately north of the Transcontinental Railway Forrest Siding. It was the Department of Civil Aviation Airfield No. 173, which was an "A" Class airfield. During WWII it was used by civilian aviation and RAAF Transport aircraft.

Photo:- CAHS/Terry Martin collection

Aerial view of Forrest Airfield, looking east in 1973. The Hangar can be seen at the far right.

1945 RAAF Aerodrome Guide via Phil Vabre

Location of Forrest Airfield in WA

The two runways were as follows:-

90 degrees - 4,500 feet x 150 feet wide

177 degrees - 5,000 feet x 150 feet wide

An official RAAF record in the National Archives of Australia describes a single CAD hangar, a 30 bed CAD Hostel, and an RAAF HF/DF station at Forrest Airfield during WWII. There was a W/T circuit or Wireless Telegraphy circuit from Forrest Airfield to Gawler, Alice Springs and NWA which I believe was probably North West Area Headquarters. CAD was probably meant to be an abbreviation for Civil Aviation Department which really should have been called the Department of Civil Aviation.

Photo:- John Lever collection

In Feb 1942, P-40E Warhawks of the 33rd Pursuit Squadron (Provisional) landed
at Forrest Airfield for a refuelling stop on their way to Perth in Western Australia.

Photo:- CAHS/Ivan Hodder collection

Douglas DC-2 VH-USY Bungana in the hangar at Forrest, February 1942

Photo:- CAHS/Ivan Hodder collection

Lockheed 18-40 Lodestar LT-908 of the ML-KNIL on a refuelling stop at Forrest Airfield,
in March 1942. The aircraft was carrying evacuees from the NEI to the eastern states

Plan:- NAA

Plan of Forrest Airfield in WA

1945 RAAF Aerodrome Guide via Phil Vabre

Layout of the two runways at Forrest Airfield

Plan:- NAA

Shows the position of the Hostel in relation to the hangar

Photo:- Matthew Coughlin

Hangar at Forrest Airfield

Photo:- Matthew Coughlin

Hangar at Forrest Airfield

Photo:- Matthew Coughlin

Inside the hangar at Forrest Airfield

Photo:- Matthew Coughlin

Some WWII graffiti on a small piece of concrete.
It appears to say "H. I. Lawson U.S. Army 1942".

The above WWII graffiti on a small piece of concrete was probably associated with some foundations for an old water tank next to the old maintenance hangar. A USAAF Servicing Detail of eight men under the command of 2nd Lt. George N. Paster was based at Forrest Airfield in Western Australia in February 1942. It was one of some twenty two USAAF Servicing Details scattered around Australia in February 1942. The serviceman shown on the concrete probably belonged to the USAAF Servicing Detail at Forrest Airfield.

Photo:- Denis Baker