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Mount Louisa Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacements

In early 1942, two heavy 50 calibre machine gun emplacements were constructed on the summit of Mount Louisa to the north of Townsville. These were to protect an entry 'lane' for allied aircraft preparing to land at Garbutt aerodrome. Each emplacement consisted of approximately fifteen sand filled 44 gallon drums placed in a semi circle with an overhead camouflage cover. Commencing in May 1942, Australians of 26 Battery 11 Brigade manned this position.

Place information

Location

Mount Louisa

Townsville, QLD 4810

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Place type

Fortifications

History

On 26 June 1942 Lieutenant R J Watts (15th Platoon, 26 Battery, 11th Brigade) was Commanding Officer at this site when a Wirraway aircraft approached from the direction of Castle Hill. A Court of Enquiry recorded Lt Watts’s eyewitness account of the following event:

The aircraft at the time was climbing and at about 450 feet. The aircraft continued on a Westerly course for a short distance, then turned right, banking very steeply, ending up in the opposite direction. During this turn he lost quite a considerable amount of height and at about 50 feet he appeared to attempt...

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