Darra Ordnance Ammunition Depot

Base 3, Darra USAAF and RAN Ordnance Ammunition Depot

The USAFIA Ordnance had established its Base 3 in Brisbane by March 1942. Like the other Ordnance bases across Australia, Base 3 was a service command and communication zone, and 'received, assembled, and forwarded all U.S. troops and supplies, and operated ports and military installations.'

Place information

Location

Atherton Circuit

Forest Lake, QLD 4078

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Place type

Ammunition facility

History

When the US 41st Division arrived in Melbourne in early April 1942, the 55th Ordnance Ammunition Company was sent on to Brisbane. In line with the ordnance supply plan it established an ammunition depot in the western district of Base 3, choosing Darra as a suitable location. Although the main function of this depot was to store ammunition for both the US Army and the Army Air Force, it also was the storage area for general ordnance supplies until August 1942.

The US units stationed at Darra were primarily African American, led by white officers. They were barracked at Camp Darra,...

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