US
NAVY BASE SECTION TOWNSVILLE,
NAVY 143
TOWNSVILLE, QLD
DURING WWII
The US Navy Base Section in Townsville, Queensland during WWII was known as Navy 143 and comprised:-
Base Headquarters
Base Supply Depot
120 Bed Naval Hospital
Many of the Naval facilities for this Naval Base Section in Townsville were constructed by or supervised by the 55th Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees).
No facilities were set up for repairs but arrangements were made with the local base of the Royal Australian Navy at HMAS Magnetic on The Strand to carry out any minor repairs.
A local warehouse was leased through Australian Hirings for use by the Base Supply Officer. A Pontoon dock at the bottom of Denham Street was also leased as a boat landing for base boats as well as for the crash boats from the Palm Island Naval Air Station, on Palm Island near Townsville.
Due to its location on the north east corner of Australia, the Naval Base was used to supply fresh meat, vegetables and other supplies for other advanced bases as well as for convoy ships and men-o-war, operating in and to forward areas. The Naval Base boats were kept busy to and from merchant ships and me-o-war in Townsville harbour.
The US Navy Base Section in Townsville remained in operation until 15 July 1944 when a detachment of 100 men and 2 officers from Company "D" of the 84th Naval Construction Battalion started to dismantle the base and pack it up to be relocated to a forward area. The dismantling of the base took about two months.
In May 1944 the US Navy presence in Townsville was as follows:-
US NAVY HEADQUARTERS
Commanding Officer:
Lt. Comdr. G.F. Dickens
Executive Officer
Lt. A.F. Suhr
Personnel Section:
Lt (jg) J.J. Molenda
Disbursing Section:
Officer in Charge:
Ensign R.L. Walter
Communications:
Liaison O. (Aust):
Lt. R.J. Fox
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I'd like to thank Gina Nichols for her assistance with this home page.
Can anyone help me with more information?
"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products
© Peter Dunn 2015 |
Please
e-mail me |
This page first produced 28 September 2004
This page last updated 30 March 2022