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Mount Marlow Foothills Defence Positions
Town Common National Park, Mt Marlow
Several machine-gun positions and 'foxholes' remain near gaps in this mountain range which lead towards the beach. They were constructed with local stone and concrete and placed to repel any possible Japanese invasion.
Before Japanese strength was known, Townsville prepared for the worst and hastily devised plans for the defence of the city were drawn up. Probably the first was the Suggested Plan for Beach Defence of TOWNSVILLE. The plan, conceived as early as 29 December 1941, highlighted how ill prepared Townsville was to meet a land invasion. It anticipated a landing at any point from Ross Creek to Kissing Point, and an anti-tank unit was to be based in the Band Rotunda at Anzac Park.
Place information
Location
Place type
Fortifications
History
On 4 February 1942, Lieut.-General Mackay, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Home Forces, submitted a memorandum on the Defence of Australia to the Minister for the Army for consideration and direction. It was recommended that the main forces be centred in the south-east area; that Townsville should not be re-enforced, but that forces currently there not be reduced for reasons of morale. Mackay grimly pointed out that:
"It might be necessary to submit to the occupation of certain areas of Australia by the enemy, should local resistance be overcome."
The War Cabinet took note of the memo, but also argued that Australia was...
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