WW2 GERMAN MINE WASHED UP ON BEACH
AT SURFERS PARADISE, QLD

RAN Lieutenant Commander B. Hamill
attempting to access the washed up German mine

In March 1966, a WW2 German Mine washed up on the beach at Surfers Paradise in south east Queensland. Houses in the Elkhorn Ave and Cavill Avenue areas were evacuated. About 20,000 spectators watched bomb disposal experts hoist the mine up onto a sled. The mine was packed with 340 kgs of explosives. The sled was then towed to the northern end of the Southport Spit where the explosives were removed from the mine and burnt on the spot.

RAN Lieutenant Commander B. Hamill chipping
barnacles from the mine with a screw driver

Japanese submarine I-6, laid 9 mines magnetic, including six German TMC type mines near the approaches to the Brisbane River on 13 March 1942. Can anyone confirm whether the mine washed up on the beach is linked to the mining operations of Japanese submarine I-6?

German Mine found on Sunshine Beach, at Sunshine Coast, Qld during WW2

REFERENCES

Article in The Courier Mail, 8 May 2002 (Brisbane Newspaper)

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 8 May 2002

This page last updated 23 February 2020