81ST DEPOT REPAIR SQUADRON
4TH AIR DEPOT GROUP
THEN 81ST AIR DEPOT GROUP
AT WAGGA WAGGA, NSW
AT TOCUMWAL, NSW
AT EAGLE FARM AIRFIELD, BRISBANE
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

Under authority in War Department Radiogram No. 1563, date 1 May, 1942, General Orders No. 4, 11 May, 1942, by command of Major General Lincoln, the 81st Air Depot Group was activated. Experienced men from the 4th Air Depot Group formed the nucleus for the 81st Depot Repair Squadron. Captain Curtis L. Lambert was the Commanding Officer. S/Sgt John W. Drahos was First Sergeant.

The first four graders included:-

Specialists chosen from the 11th Replacement Center in Melbourne, Victoria, 4 June 1942, made up the balance of the new squadron. M/Sgt. John Wupperfield of the 4th Air Depot Group was acting Adjutant. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in July 1942 and he continued in the capacity of the Adjutant. Lt. Wupperfield, however, remained with the 4th Air Depot Group and was never assigned to the 81st Depot Repair Squadron. At that time the 81st Depot Repair Squadron comprised two officers and 192 Enlisted Men.

The assigned base for the 81st Deport Repair Squadron was at Wagga Wagga in New South Wales (NSW), but most of the men were assembled at a new base at Tocumwal in NSW, 180 miles north of Melbourne. Eventually all personnel were concentrated at Tocumwal.

The Australian Civilian Construction Corps (CCC) had the ground work at Tocumwal well advanced when the 81st Deport Repair Squadron arrived. Small houses had been erected as quarters for the men. The general layout of the camp resembled a small, well planned city. Runways were in the process of construction. Expansive hangars, some completed, other in various stages of completion, were located about one mile from the quarters. As each hangar or workshop was completed, tools, machinery, and equipment were assembled and installed by the men of the 81st Depot Repair Squadron and the 4th Air Depot Group, to whom the 81st Depot Repair Squadron were attached at that point in time.

Operations had scarcely begun in a few hangars and shops when orders from the 81st Air Depot Group Headquarters locate din Brisbane, in Queensland, directed the 81st Depot Repair Squadron to leave Tocumwal for Brisbane on 13 August 1942. The arduous task of undoing much of what had been done in those brief seventy days, was left to the 4th Air Depot Group. Upon completion of this assignment, the 4th ADG entrained for their new depot at Townsville in north Queensland.

The Battle of the Coral Sea and the fact that the Japanese had not invaded the Northern Territory as expected, made Tocumwal too far from the front line operations. 1,200 miles nearer, Brisbane was more ideally located for the assembly, maintenance and servicing of aircraft. The 81st Depot Repair Squadron entrained for their new station at Depot # 1 at Eagle Farm Airfield, in Brisbane on 13 August 1942.

Upon arriving in Brisbane, the 81st Depot Repair Squadron replaced the 38th Bombardment Group at Eagle Farm on 17 August 1942. On 22 August 1942, Special Orders No. 30, First Lieutenants William O. Farrior and Ted R. Landers were relieved from their duties at Amberley Airfield west of Brisbane and were ordered to report to the 81st Depot Repair Squadron at Depot # 1 at Eagle Farm Airfield. Amberley Airfield was also being operated by a detachment of men from the 81st Depot Repair Squadron. Lt. Farrior became their test pilot and Lt. Landers was assigned to administration work.

The first consignment of P-38 Lightnings to arrive in the Southwest Pacific Area SWPA were erected at Eagle Farm Airfield in the latter part of August 1942. A few days later Lt. Hoffman from Amberley Airfield, test hopped the first P-38 Lightning and Lt. Farrior test flew the second P-38.

The 81st Air Depot Group practically built Eagle Farm Airfield from the ground up. There were only two small hangars and two short air strips when the 81st ADG took over operations. In March 1944 there were seven large hangars, one small hangar, a machine shop building, and three hangars being constructed. One of the two original runways had been lengthened and a new runway was added measuring 7, 734.6 feet long.

Tools and equipment were inadequate at first. Improvised boxes and trestles were used as work stands. 110 volt electricity was generated by small on-cylinder engines spotted about the hangars. By March 1944, the 81st Depot Repair Squadron had one of the most complete machine shops in the Southwest Pacific Area.

Many types of USAAF aircraft were erected and repaired. In one instance four P-39 Airacobras were successfully reconstructed from salvaged aircraft. Colonel Pappy Gunn, whose combat experience and assistance made the 50 calibre nose and side gun installation possible, continued to direct the work on the B-25 Mitchells until about November 1943. Pappy Gunn was assisted by Captain T. R. Tompkins, T/Sgt. Glasford and M/Sgts Flynn, Evans and Thompson. This job was the highlight of the first years' accomplishments for the 81st Depot Repair Squadron. The smashing victory in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea offered substantial proof of the project's importance. Letters of commendation were received from many including General Douglas MacArthur, Lieutenant Generals Kenney and Arnold, Field Marshall Wavell, Air Marshall Trenchard, Major General Sutherland and Prime Minister Fraser of New Zealand. The project to install 50 calibre nose and side guns finished in 1944 at Depot #1 at Eagle Farm, as the B-25s were then being assembled in the USA with the added guns as well as a 75mm cannon in the nose.

On 15 June 1943, the 44th Depot Repair Squadron arrived from the USA and was assigned to the 81st Depot Repair Squadron at Depot #1.

On 15 September 1943, 127 men and one Officer, all trained Allison Overhaul men, arrived from the USA and were assigned to the 81st Depot Repair Squadron at Depot #1.

On 28 September 1943, the following personnel were permanently assigned to a new Depot Engineering Section that was established:-

The 44th and 81st Depot Repair Squadrons assigned all available personnel other than those required for Squadron duties to the new Depot Engineering Section for duty. 224 men from the 44th Depot Repair Squadron and 259 men from the 81st Depot Repair Squadron were assigned to new Depot Engineering Section.

By Special Orders No. 54 dated 15 October 1942, Captain Curtis L. Lambert was replaced as Commanding Officer of the 81st Depot Repair Squadron by Captain Frederick G. Hoffman who was previously based at Amberley Airfield.

On 8 October 1942, Special Orders No. 51 assigned 1st Lieutenant James J. Handley Jr. O-417955 Class 41D, 1st Lieutenant Carl Parker Gies O-407083 Class 41B, Paul C. May, 2nd Lieutenant Rupert L. Selman O-421651 Class 41E and 2nd Lieutenant William O. Farrior O-427482 to the 81st Depot Repair Squadron.

Note:- 1st Lt. Carl Parker Gies was ex 20th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, ex 17th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional), ex Amberley P-40/P-39/P-400 Erection (Test Pilot 2/42). 2nd Lieutenant Rupert L. Selman O-421651 was ex 20thPG (USA), SS Polk x 55Pilots, 3rd PS(Prov), Ex Amberley P-40/P-39/P-400 Erection. 2nd Lieutenant William O. Farrior was O-427482 ex 35thPG(USA), SS Polk x 55Pilots, Ex Amberley P-40/P-39/P-400 Erection.

Photo:- Gordon Birkett Collection

1st Lieutenant Carl Parker Gies O-407083 Class 41B

On 24 June 1943, Special Orders No. 113 released Captain Paul C. May O-412180 Class 41E?, from duties with Hq & Hqs Squadron, assigning him again to the 81st Depot Repair Squadron in order for him to assume command, of the unit, due to Major Hoffman's return to the USA.

Note:- Captain Paul C. May was  ex 35th PG (USA), SS Polk x 55Pilots, 3rd PS (Prov), Ex Amberley P-40/P-39/P-400 Erection (Test pilot 2/42).

On 1 July 1943 , under Special Orders No. 119, Major A. Simpson assumed Command of the 81st Depot Repair Squadron and Captain May was retained as Test Pilot.

On 18 July 1943, Special Orders No. 130, assigned Major Forrest R. Harsh as Commanding Officer of the 81st Depot Repair Squadron due to the untimely death of Major Donald A. Simpson.

On Saturday 17 July 1943 at about 5:30pm, Major Donald A. Simpson, Captain Paul C. May, and First Lieutenant James J. Handley of the 81st Depot Repair Squadron and Second Lieutenant Luther E. Wallace of the 44th Depot Repair Squadron, left Eagle Farm Airfield to ferry three P-38 Lightnings to Amberley Airfield where they were to have their guns bore sighted. Captain May piloted an A-20 Havoc to Amberley to fly the pilots of the P-38s back to Eagle Farm. After the A-20 Havoc took off from Amberley Airfield it crashed resulting in the deaths of Major Simpson, Captain May and Lt. Handley. Lt Luther Wallace survived with a broken leg, internal injuries and lacerations about his body.

Captain Paul C. May was best know by most of the ground crew due to his constant association with them in his duties as test pilot. He was very young, only in his mid twenties, but he carried in him a sincerity and gentleness that made soldiers admire, love and respect him. The deaths of these fine men was deeply felt by all of those who knew them. They were given full military honors in the presence of the 81st Air Depot Group, attached Squadrons, Officers and their many civilian friends. Traditionally draped in American flags, the caskets were lowered to their resting place at Ipswich Military Cemetery as a formation of P-38 Lightings with three planes conspicuously absent from the formation, flew over the cemetery. They dipped their wings in a final salute to the three deceased officers.

On 24 October 1943, Captain William O. Farrior assumed command of the 81st Depot Repair Squadron.

Some of the aircraft that the 81st Depot Repair Squadron assembled included:-

• P-38 Lightning
• F-5 Lightning (Photo)
• P-39 Airacobra
• P-40 Thunderbolt
• A-20 Havoc
• Piper Cubs
• Gliders

The 81st Depot Repair Squadron implemented many modifications. An extra fuel tank was installed in the P-47 Thunderbolts directly behind the pilot's seat and a revamped fuel transfer system proved a tough problem for the me at first.

The ammunition cans for the nose guns on the A-20 Havocs were modified. The cans were redesigned to eliminate the bends in the ammunition belts which previously had caused the guns to jam. At the same time manual gun charging equipment was installed, thus enabling the guns to be charged while the aircraft were in flight. Before this modification, all guns had to be charged by the armourers while the aircraft were on the ground. In case of a mis-fire or jamming at the gun, it was then possible in some instances for the pilot to manually free the jam and recharge the guns while in flight. Changes were also made to the bomb-rack setup, fire walls were reinforced and the exhaust stacks were straightened. This work was accomplished under the direction of First Lieutenant Walter E. Cupp assisted by M/Sgt. Walker, M/Sgt. Neiber, T/Sgt. Fuller and T/Sgt. Hendryx.

Numerous Squadron parties were held, both on the field and in the city. In recognition of special achievements by the men, steak fries and beer parties were given by different officers at Eagle Farm Airfield. Movies were shown three times a week. An Enlisted Men's Club house was erected for the first three grades of Enlisted Men. The last grade of Enlisted Men established their own club in the city. Captain Urquhart, Group Chaplin, directed the work on the club, assisted by S/Sgt. Clark Congleton, Pvt. Delbert Rurup, and Pvt. Carl Scott.

Sports were limited to soft ball and basket ball.

In August 1942, the 81st Depot Repair Squadron comprised 7 Officers, 192 Enlisted Men and 50 civilians. In March 1944, the 81st Depot Repair Squadron comprised 12 Officers, 447 Enlisted Men and 80 civilians. The Officers in March 1944 were as follows:-

Organisations assigned or attached to the 81st Depot Repair Squadron included the following:-

• 44th Depot Repair Squadron
• 455th Service Squadron
• 11th Service Squadron
• 898th Signal Company Depot Aviation
• 1098th Signals Company
• 69th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group
• 310th Fighter Squadron,58th Fighter Group
• 25th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron
• 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron417th Bombardment Group

A number of civilian establishments worked with the 81st Depot Repair Squadron:-

• Motor Supply Company

• De Haviland Propeller Shop

• QANTAS

• Paul and Gray

• Elphinstones

• King & Katts

• Hudson's

During the later part of March 1944, the 81st Depot Repair Squadron moved from the north west corner of Eagle Farm Airfield to an adjacent site in the south west end of Doomben Racecourse. This move was necessitated by the building of a large parking strip, which required the space previously occupied by the units tent area.

Captain William O. Farrior, Commanding Officer of the 81st Depot Repair Squadron, was awarded the Legion of Merit on the 3 April 1944 for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in Australia from 20 January 1942 to 25 September 1943". In addition to other accomplishments, Captain Farrior flew the first Japanese type Zero aircraft reconstructed in the SWPA. In simulated combat against American fighter aircraft much information on this type of aircraft was obtained.

Orders were received directing the 81st Depot Repair Squadron to prepare for movement by water. On 1 April 1944, all the men of the Squadron working in the Depot Engineering Section were relieved of their duties and returned to the 81st Depot Repair Squadron. All available manpower was used for the packing and crating of equipment, and supplies. A training program was put into effect, involving lectures and films designed to acquaint the men with Chemical Warfare Defence, Malaria prevention measures, and life in the Tropics.

Upon completion of the packing, boxes were carried to the docks in an endless stream of trucks and immediately loaded onboard USS Abram S. Hewitt, which was to be their transportation to their new station. The 81st Depot Repair Squadron, together with detachments form the Headquarters, Supply and 1124th Military Police units were the Advanced party for the move of the 81st Air Depot Group.

At 1700 hours on 21 April 1944, the 81st Depot Repair Squadron, under the command of Lieutenant Ralph E. Lillig, then Adjutant, loaded on trucks at Camp Doomben and proceeded to the Brisbane Wharves and loaded aboard the USS Abram S. Hewitt. At 220 hours the ship left Brisbane. After stops at Milne Bay, Oro Bay, and Finsch Harbour, the ship docked at Drager Harbour some 9 days later. The men disembarked at 1800 hours and were quartered in a vacant warehouse for the night.

REFERENCES

History of the 81st Depot Repair Squadron 12 March 1944 - AFHRA document on Reel A0693 pages 1499 - 1638

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This page first produced 15 October 2023

This page last updated 16 October 2023