15TH AIR DEPOT GROUP, USAAF
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

The 15th Air Depot Group was activated at Duncan Field, San Antonio, in Texas on 28 January 1942. They left New York at 6 a.m. on 15 May 1943 on board the US Army transport "Uruguay". They arrived in Brisbane, on 14 June 1943. Upon arrival they moved to Camp Doomben, then Camp Ascot. This was near Eagle Farm airfield in Brisbane. They then caught the troop train to Townsville.

The 49 officers and 1,098 enlisted men of the 15th Air Depot Group (15ADG) arrived in Townsville on 18 June 1943 to join up with the 4th Air Depot Group and the 12th Air Depot Group at Depot #2 Townsville which was located at the base of Mount Louisa. These three Air Depot Groups along with some other separate detachments and Service Squadrons formed the 5th Air Service Command.

When the 15th Air Depot Group arrived in Townsville, this brought the number of Americans working and living at the base of Mount Louisa to somewhere between 3,500 - 4,200 personnel. The personnel of 15 ADG were initially housed in conical tents.

The units of the 15th Air Depot Group were as follows:-

- HQ
- 15th Depot Repair Squadron
- 29th Depot Repair Squadron
- 15th Depot Supply Squadron
- 194th Ordnance Dep. Co.
- 1702nd Ordnance Medium Maintenance Co. Aviation
- 2486th Q.M. Truck Co. Aviation

Mount Louisa - Then and Now
A series of photos taken in 1959 and 1992
You can compare the differences
and see the remains of the 5th Air Service Command camp accommodation

Helton Hall
Located at the base of Mt. Louisa
Many famous movie and singing stars appeared there

E-mails from Carl C. Jordan
of the 15th Air Depot Group

If you were a member of the 15th Air Depot Group
or you are a relative or a friend of an ex member
I would love to hear from you

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 22 July 2000

This page last updated 19 February 2020