US NAVY GUNNERY SCHOOL
WELLINGTON POINT, NEAR BRISBANE, QLD
DURING WW2

The US Navy established a Gunnery School at Wellington Point near Brisbane during WW2. It was located at the end of Wellington Point in the Reserve area during 1943 and 1944. Also known as the Wellington Point Gunnery School, A.A.T.C. (Navy).

Aircraft (possibly flying boats) from Archerfield airfield would fly over The Redlands area with a large silk target attached via a very long thin stainless steel wire attached to the rear of the aircraft.

In May 1944, the following personnel were part of Aircraft, Seventh Fleet, US Navy based in Brisbane. Perhaps they had something to do with the US Navy Gunnery School at Wellington Point.

FLAG UTILITY UNIT, AIRCRAFT, SEVENTH FLEET
Lt. Smith                            OIC Archerfield
Lt. Engel                             OIC Tow Targets
Lt. (jg) Minshall                    Asst. Tow Targets

In May 1944, the following personnel were part of US Naval Base Headquarters, Navy 134:-

NAVAL BASE ACTIVITIES:
    Air & Surface Craft Recognition School:
        Officer in Charge:
            Lt. (jg) Stander, O.B.
    Anti-aircraft Training Center:
        Commanding Officer:
            Lt. Ferguson, J.F.

In October 1944, Detachment "A" for Able, of Marine Utility Squadron Two, based at Archerfield Airfield in Brisbane conducted routine flights consisting of tracking and tow flights carried out daily for AATC (Navy) at Wellington Point. Detachment "A"'s aircraft were as follows:-

1 only J2F-5
1 only TBF-1
2 only SBD-5

U.S. Navy Anti-Aircraft Training Center - Merchant Marine at Wellington Point
Can anyone confirm if this is the same gunnery school?
I believe it is.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 14 June 2002

This page last updated 19 January 2020