2/3RD AUSTRALIAN FIELD BUTCHERY PLATOON
AUSTRALIAN ARMY
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

The Australian Army constructed the Manbulloo Abattoir near the Katherine River on Manbulloo Station during WW2 as part of their strategy to feed the troops in the area by slaughtering local cattle. They erected 46 buildings, including two mess huts used by the engineers who serviced the abattoirs. There were chilling rooms, barracks, mess halls and poultry yards.

Aboriginal stockmen would drive cattle to the abattoir from the Pine Creek area, Mataranka and Manbulloo. By the end of 1944 up to 700 head per week were being slaughtered at the abattoir.

The 2/3rd Australian Field Butchery Platoon was one of the units that operated the abattoir. The meat was chilled on site prior to dispatch the the three services serving in the Northern Territory.

Australian Army butchers working at the Manbulloo Abattoir

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"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 5 August 2004

This page last updated 23 January 2020