LORAN STATIONS IN NORTHWESTERN AREA
INITIALLY OPERATED BY
AMERICAN ARMY AIRWAYS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
THEN BY RAAF
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

With the rapid improvement in modern radio technique as applied to navigational aids, a system known as Loran (Long Range Navigation) was developed, whereby aircraft, marine craft, etc, fitted with a particular type of radio receiver indicator installation could ascertain their positions to a very accurate degree over an extensive area. Loran was the American version of what was known as Parabolic Navigation. The British had implemented their own version of Parabolic Navigation known as GEE before the Americans. GEE was used in Lancaster bombers. Loran used a lower frequency than GEE which gave it a greater range than GEE.

To allow this equipment to be operated in aircraft, marine craft, etc., including submarines, it was necessary to have a series of fixed ground stations operating in synchronism at specially selected sites geographically related on specific lines forming what was known as a Loran chain.

The American Army Airways Communication System established a chain of Loran Stations in 1944 at:-

Station No. 1 Bathurst Island, Cape Fourcroy area, Northern Territory
Station No. 2 Sir Graham Moore Island, Western Australia
Station No. 3 Champagny Island, Western Australia
Station No. 4 Monitor, Old Drysdale Mission Station, Western Australia

TRANSFER TO THE RAAF

By August 1945 a considerable number of operational aircraft in the R.A.A.F. already had the necessary equipment installed for this purpose. These included Liberator, Catalina, Dakota (C47B), Mitchell aircraft and would ultimately include Mosquito and Lincoln, which were being fitted In Australia.

The only ground stations in Australia had been installed by the United States Army and were still under their control in August 1945. The stations provided navigational aids to operational aircraft over a wide range in the areas which were confined to R.A.A.F. spheres of operation. As few American aircraft were engaged In that sphere, the Commanding General, F.E.AF. had recommended that these stations be transferred to the R.A.A.F. in order that R.A.AF. personnel could be used in their operation and maintenance.

Without the associated ground stations the aircraft or vessels already fitted with the mobile counterpart of this equipment would be unable to use their equipment to the greatest value, as the area covered by the present Loran Chain in North-Western Area included the Celebes, Borneo, Java and Dutch New Guinea.

REFERENCES

"The Rock" by Ian Duggan

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Ian Duggan for his assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 15 July 2024

This page last updated 17 July 2024