86th Station Hospital about 8 miles NNE of Fenton Airfield in the Northern Territory, in Australia during WW2

86TH STATION HOSPITAL
ABOUT 8 MILES NNE OF FENTON AIRFIELD, NT
LATER AT NIGHTCLIFF, DARWIN, NT
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

The US 86th Station Hospital was established by "H" Company of the 135th Medical Regiment in mid 1943 about 8 miles NNE of Fenton Airfield to provide medical aid for the USAAF's 380th Bomb Group and various support units at Fenton Airfield and later Long Airfield. Medical personnel traveled overland from Brisbane and nurses were flown into Fenton Airfield on 13 August 1943.

The 86th Station Hospital was staffed by eight doctors, a dentist, fifteen nurses, three administrators and ninety six Enlisted Men. Its Commanding Officer was Oliver Earl Ehrhardt. The hospital had X-ray and pathology facilities. The hospital treated a number of ailments including dengue fever, scurvy, malaria, and a number of communicable diseases. On one occasion, an ammunition dump exploded and 8 or 9 men were transported to the hospital with severe burns. Two of the men eventually passed away.

Operating theatres, a mess hall and the main store were constructed of permanent material, while quarters and medical wards were mainly located in tents.

Approximate layout of the 86th Station Hospital

Location of the 86th Station Hospital near Fenton Airfield

GE Markers provided by Doug Tilley

Locations of concrete slabs at former 86th Station Hospital site

Hospital beds in ward tents at the 86th Station Hospital near Fenton Airfield

John Wayne and other entertainers at Fenton Airfield in December 1943

In December 1943, a USO variety show starring John Wayne, Gary Cooper and other Hollywood celebrities held an open air concert under the stars at Fenton Airfield which members of the 86th Station Hospital attended.

Photo:- Doug Tilley

Remains of concrete slabs at the site of the former 86th Station Hospital near Fenton Airfield

Photo:- Doug Tilley

Remains of concrete slabs at the site of the former 86th Station Hospital near Fenton Airfield

The 380th Bomb Group relocated to Darwin in late 1944. In mid-July 1944, the 86th Station Hospital was attached to the Far East Air Force and moved to Nightcliff north of Darwin on 14 July 1944joining up with the 65th Camp Hospital. RAAF bomber squadrons were then using Fenton and Long Airfields. Nos. 27 and 30 Medical Clearing Stations then occupied the former American Station Hospital site.

The 86th Station Hospital and the 65th Camp Hospital worked together at Nightcliff and between them they had 18 Officers, 25 nurses and 134 other ranks. The nurses had their quarters in 5 huts near the sea in the area now bounded by Sheoak and Cedar Streets.

The 86th Station Hospital was evacuated to the Philippines on the 30 January 1945.

Sketch:- Ellen Kettle