DEPOT #4 DARWIN
aka 4TH AIR DEPOT DARWIN
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

The Commanding General, United States Army Forces in the Far East requested through the U.S.A.S.O.S., that an Air Depot (Depot #4) be constructed at RAAF Station Darwin in the Northern Territory and adjacent areas for the Fifth Air Force. The proposed works were described in Schedule No. 1725, and comprised the rehabilitation of two existing steel framed hangars and the provision of new hangars, warehouses, loading docks, administration offices, squadron offices, messes, latrines and ablutions. A 150 bed hospital and recreational facilities were also included.

Engineering services included dispersal with taxiways and revetments, roads, tarmacs, water and electrical reticulation and a rail siding. Runways, taxiways, etc were of sealed gravel construction, except the ends of the runways, junctions of taxiways with runways and certain hard standings which were of concrete construction. They used standard type hangars and standard A-TO and tropical zone A-TO type construction adapted to suit local conditions and materials.

The estimated costs were as follows:-

Buildings	- Air Depot	Ł250,245
	- Camp	Ł83,330
	- Hospital	Ł29,605
Engineering Services (including internal tarmacs & taxiways)		Ł583,360
Extensions to runways and taxiways		Ł500,000
	Total	Ł1,446,540 (including a 10% contingency

The Allied Works Council was the constructing authority for the Depot facilities and the U.S. Depot personnel were made available for the construction work.

The construction and maintenance of the airfield facilities in connection with Depot #4 were the responsibility of the RAAF.

The Depot Project, known as Project K40, was assigned A.1 priority under Serial No. 3233 at a meeting of the Works Priorities Sub-Committee on 1 February 1944 and the Commander in Chief, SWPA directed that this project had priority over all U.S.A.S.O.S. projects.

The U.S. Troop labour used was greater than anticipated and coupled with the cancellation and curtailment of various items led to a reduction of the above costs.

Mr. R. C. Brown made some allegations that 600 men could have carried out the construction of the Air Depot instead of the 1280 that were used.

In accordance with General Order #34, par 1, Hq, Fifth Air Force Service Command, dated 26 April 1944, Depot #4 was established at APO 921 (Darwin).

The main USAAF group that was based at Depot #4 was the 49th Air Depot Group. The 49th Depot Repair Squadron of the 49th Air Depot Group was at Depot #4 in Darwin from 8 April 1944 through to April 1945 when they relocated to Depot #3 at Biak.

Detachment "B" of the 1955th Ordnance Depot Company (Avn) continued operation of FEASC Ordnance activities at Depot # 4, APO 921 in October 1944, and Detachment "A" composed of 2nd Lt Nicholas V. Scali, 2nd Lt Paul R. Dean, and 45 Enlisted Men operated FEASC Ordnance Depot # 2 at APO 922 in Townsville.

In January 1945, Detachment "B" of the 1955th Ordnance Depot Company (Avn) was operating a total of 6 warehouses, a Salvage Section, and a Depot motor Pool, at Depot #4 in Darwin, the last mentioned being chiefly engaged in the proper, storage, issue, receipt, and necessary maintenance of motor vehicles then on hand.

On 18 February 1945, 1st Lt. Arthur F. Hermsdorfer, Ordnance Section, Far East Air Service Command, arrived at Depot # 4 in Darwin with instructions to supervise the necessary disposition of Ordnance Depot Supplies preparatory to movement of Detachment "B" of the 1955th Ordnance Depot Company (Avn) to Depot #3 at Biak. Proper steps were initiated Immediately to adjust all outstanding accounts, and hurried preparations were accomplished to provide requirements for packing, crating, and marking of all depot stocks. Due to unpremeditated circumstances encountered with individuals in possession of Ordnance property, and also last-minute transactions which were prerequisite in attaining desired finalization of property records, unwarranted delay and interference with operating procedure was caused. Supreme effort and prolonged consecutive periods of laborious duty were put forth by a comparatively minimum number of personnel in comparison with the broad concept of the mission to be accomplished.

Plan:- National Archives of Australia

Click on thumbnail to enlarge a plan
of the 4th Air Depot in Darwin
Warning:- This is a very large file

Photo:- RAAF Negative 2271 - 13 Oct 1944

Air Depot Road - K-40 Project Depot #4 Darwin

Photo:- RAAF Negative 2258 - 31 Oct 1944

Main Access Road - K-40 Project Depot #4 Darwin

Photo:- RAAF Negative 2249 - 31 Oct 1944

Sectional view of USAAF Warehouses area, showing truck loading platform - K-40 Project Depot #4 Darwin

Photo:- RAAF Negative 2251 - 31 Oct 1944

Interior of USAAF Warehouse, showing storage racks - K-40 Project Depot #4 Darwin

Photo:- RAAF Negative 2252 - 31 Oct 1944

Cyclone tubular construction 100 ft x 150 ft - K-40 Project Depot #4 Darwin

Photo:- RAAF Negative 2253 - 31 Oct 1944

Quartermaster Warehouse 88 ft x 230 ft pre-cut type - K-40 Project Depot #4 Darwin

Photo:- RAAF Negative 2263 - 31 Oct 1944

Rehabilitated welded steel hangar. Its rolled steel joists were badly
damaged in the first Darwin Air Raid - K-40 Project Depot #4 Darwin

Photo:- RAAF Negative 2261 - 31 Oct 1944

Igloo Hangar, 181 ft x 309 ft, claimed to be the largest hangar in Australia or the USA.
B-24 Liberator can be seen inside the hangar and a PBY Catalina parked to the left.

Photo:- RAAF Negative 2262 - 31 Oct 1944