Japan’s entry into World War II led to considerable effort in aerodrome construction for the defence of Townsville from early 1942. An aerodrome site at Balfes Creek, west of Charters Towers, was requisitioned by the RAAF on 1 April 1942. Within weeks preliminary surveys had been completed and Main Roads Commission teams were at work with three strips pegged and cleared in the form of a triangle. By May it was apparent that during the urgent rush to establish airstrips west from Townsville along the Mount Isa railway, there had been considerable duplication of effort and overlap in instructions to surveyors and clearing teams. Confusion also reigned in respect of just what purpose various fields were eventually to be put. There was also the problem of how to get them built in time due to the shortage of equipment and men.