Charters Towers airfield May 1942 ...

[Mark Allen M]

During early 1942, the Australian Civil Construction Corps built two surfaced crossed runways, completed in a record six weeks while working day and night to complete the runways. On March 25, 1942 the first aircraft to land on the new runway was an A-24 Dive Bomber from the 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG).

U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) units based at Charters Towers:
27th BG, 16th BS (A-24) April 1 - May 4, 1942 Hunter Field, USA
27th BG, 17th BS (A-24) April 1 - May 4, 1942 Hunter Field, USA
27th BG, 91st BS (A-24) Brisbane arrives March 24, 1942
3rd BG, 8th BS (A-24, B-25) Brisbane arrives Mar 17, 1942–Mar 31, 1942 returns Jan 28, 1943 to 3 Mile Drome
3rd BG, 13th BS (B-25) Brisbane arrives March 10, 1942–January 10, 1943 departs Port Moresby
3rd BG, 89th BS (A-20) September 1, 1942 departs 3 Mile Drome
3rd BG, HQ Brisbane arrives March 10, 1942–January 28, 1943 departs Port Moresby
3rd BG, 90th BS (B-25) January 28, 1943 departs Port Moresby
475th FG, Headquarters (P-38) activated May 14, 1943–June 11, 1943 departs Amberley Field
475th FG, 431st FS (P-38) activated May 14, 1943–July 1, 1943 departs Amberley Field
475th FG, 432nd FS (P-38) activated May 14, 1943–June 11, 1943 departs Amberley Field
475th FG, 433rd FS (P-38) activated May 14, 1943–June 17, 1943 departs Amberley Field

During World War II, Charters Towers was also the location of RAAF No.9 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot (IAFD), completed in 1942 and closed on 29 August 1944. Usually consisting of 4 tanks, 31 fuel depots were built across Australia for the storage and supply of aircraft fuel for the RAAF and the US Army Air Forces.

Beginning in June 1943, Charters Towers was also the location for a major USAAF chemical bomb depot operated by the 760th Chemical Depot Company (Aviation). The depot contained bombs filled with mustard agent, cyanogen chloride and other toxic chemicals. In addition to maintaining the depot, the 760th cooperated with the Australian Chemical Warfare Research Unit to conduct research on bomb design and delivery techniques. Late in 1944, the depot and its contents were moved to Oro Bay, New Guinea.

Below B-25s & Crews of the 13th BS, 3rd BG, 5th AF in the Pacific Theater at Charters Towers Airfield, Queensland, Australia May 1942.

Clearly seen is B-25C Mitchell, #41-12443, 82-5078, "Mortimer", 15 Missions 12 Japanese Aircraft shot down.
More here: https://www.ozatwar.com/usaaf/mortimer.htm




Source: http://13thattacksquadron.yolasite.com/ ... rcraft.php

[Craig59]

There’s a great collection of images of “Mortimer” beginning with those taken at the same location as above and after it was converted into a Pappy Gunn stafer.

https://www.ozatwar.com/usaaf/mortimer.htm

Thanks, Mark!

[Mark Allen M]

Amazingly brave crews in those early USAAF days. And even more so for the Commonwealth crews that had been fighting much earlier.

[DADE]

Thank you for the information Mark.

[Hemiman]

darn! "Charlie's Trowsers" and I can't post pics!! (canned photobucket).. Dad arrived in August 42' and was assigned to the 8th Sq. After the 8th Sq lost their A-24's on the Convoy mission in July '42, the 8th flew combined A-20 missions with the 89th out of 3-mile or Kila-Kila. Dad flew 58 combat missions from '42 through Oct '43. After he was grounded, he became Inspector of the Armament Crew. I have been throwing quite a few pics on different facebook sites if anyone is interested.

[Mark Allen M]

I have been throwing quite a few pics on different facebook sites if anyone is interested.

Yes!!!!! Very interested!!!! ... I can also post them here for you as well if you like. PM me anytime.

M

[Hemiman]

I have been throwing quite a few pics on different facebook sites if anyone is interested.

Yes!!!!! Very interested!!!! ... I can also post them here for you as well if you like. PM me anytime.

M

Mark, well, I could throw them on the WIX fb page enmass and you can move what you like here, if that's ok. Give all photo credits to the Reaper Family, ALSO!!! the late Larry Hickey's first book on the 3rd is finally out.

[Spitty]

Tarmac and runways still exist out there plus oil drums...
https://www.ww2places.qld.gov.au/place?id=489

[Hemiman]

Tarmac and runways still exist out there plus oil drums...
https://www.ww2places.qld.gov.au/place?id=489

Yep! I did my bucket list trip to Charters Towers in 2019. After attended ANZAC Dawn services with my mate John Jewell ( a bit on him later) on Magnetic Island, we then made our way to Charters Towers. The 3rd's Memorial, 13th Sq Camp grounds, runways, fuel and Ammo storage sites. compass rose, bore sighting pit and the home used as the 3rd Slug Club were all visited with the help of Mates John Jewell, Bill Henderson and Jim Callcott.
When the 3rd first arrived at Charters Towers, many of the 8th Squadron gunners stayed in tents on John's parents property. As an 8 year old, he was mesmerized by the Yanks and their gifts, and saddened by their losses in combat. John flew up for the 3rd's last get together, landing here in Tulsa, then we continued on via road trip to New Hampshire.

[Mark Allen M]

Some of William's amazing collection of photos.

"Here are some photo's of the 3rd at Charters Towers in 1942. 8th, 13th 89th and 90th Sqdns. Photos courtesy of dad's photo album, and the Reaper family members who have been so gracious in sharing their photos."

[Hemiman]

Thanks much Mark!