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Camp Ascot
Eagle Farm Racecourse
Camp Ascot was the first US Army camp established in Australia, following the arrival of the 'Pensacola' Convoy on 22 December 1941. It was located in the Ascot (Eagle Farm) Racecourse due to its close location to the major Brett’s Wharf at Hamilton. The Americans were not permitted to damage the racetracks so it was largely a tented camp containing only a few, temporary, pre-fabricated buildings. Until War’s end in 1945, it remained a delivery and transit camp for various US Army and Navy units upon their arrival in Brisbane.
Place information
Location
Place type
Military camp
History
On 22 December 1941, the 'Pensacola' Convoy reached Brisbane’s Brett’s Wharf at Hamilton, bringing the first US Army troops to Australia. Upon disembarking, the troops marched up Racecourse Road and entered Ascot Racecourse to establish a tented camp. The units comprised the 147th Artillery Regiment, 131st and 148th Artillery Battalions, motor transport units, US Army Services of Supply (USASOS) personnel plus pilots, ground crews and aircraft for P-40E fighter and A-24 dive-bomber squadrons. On 28 December, the convoy’s combat units departed for Darwin and Java on Holbrook and Bloemfontein. The remaining troops stayed at the new US Army Camp Ascot.
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