THE 91ST BATTALION SEABEES 
A UNITED STATES NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

The 91st Battalion left America on 21 September 1943 and arrived at Milne Bay, New Guinea on 21 October 1943. They carried out construction work at Ladaya Hilimoi, Stringer Bay, Gilli Gilli and other areas on the base. In June 1944 "C" Company was sent to Madang, and "B" Company moved to Palm Island, north of Townsville to dismantle the Palm Island US Naval Air Station and move it to a forward area.

On 11 July 1944, the main body of the 91st Battalion arrived at Finschaven, where they were joined the next month by part of "C" Company, which had been at Madang. On 31 August 1944, "B" Company left Palm Island for Brisbane. During October 1944, the entire Battalion, with the exception of "B" Company in Brisbane, assembled at Finschaven and on 12 December 1944, embarked for the Philippines. The 91st Battalion reached Leyte on Boxing Day 1944. Two days later they left for Manicani Island. On 29 December 1944, "B" Company arrived from Brisbane and by February 1945, detachments which had been rolling up bases at Madang, rejoined the main body. At war's end, the 91st was stationed on Manicani, in the Philippines.

Camp Seabee at Eagle Farm in Brisbane

The Seabees in Australia

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This page first produced 20 May 2000

This page last updated 19 February 2020