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Brisbane River Minewatching Posts
RAN Minewatching Posts
After the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, Brisbane developed into a major Allied supply port. Facing the threat of Japanese aircraft trying to block the Brisbane River by laying mines at night, the RAN created a local minewatching unit. The unit comprised women volunteers who under took nighttime sentry duty. By September 1942, the unit occupied 39 concrete bunkers built along both banks of the river. Initial training was for 100 minewatchers but this number later rose to over 180 personnel.
More locations of the mine wathers posts will be mapped as they are discovered.
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History
By March 1942, Australia feared a Japanese invasion. The authorities expected Japanese aircraft to lay mines at night along the eastern reaches of the Brisbane River to interdict the shipping supply lines emanating from the port of Brisbane.
In response, an emergency minewatching unit was established in Brisbane, led by Commander V.W. Bowden. Due to the shortage of manpower, the unit recruited and trained women in the role of minewatchers. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) approached a Queensland paramilitary organisation, the Women’s National Emergency League (WNEL) to seek recruits. The RAN also sought women through the Queensland Volunteer Net Camouflage Makers...
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