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Ross River Coastal Artillery Anti Aircraft Gun Emplacement

The Ross River Coastal Artillery Anti Aircraft site (at the mouth of Ross River) was used by both the United States (US) 208th Coastal Artillery Anti Aircraft Regiment and an Australian Anti Aircraft unit during 1943-1945. The site was chosen due to its proximity to the port and the tendency for enemy planes to use large rivers as navigation aids.

Place information

Location

Mouth of Ross River (southern side)

Townsville, QLD 4810

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Place type

Fortifications

History

The 208th Coastal Artillery Anti Aircraft Regiment (208th CA A/A) arrived in Townsville from the United States via Brisbane in March 1942. Battery’s A - H were located in various Townsville locations which included Oonoonba, Magazine Island, Pallarenda, Cape Cleveland, South Townsville and Stanton Hill. Colonel Horton L Chandler was their Commander.

All these separate battery’s were involved in action during the July 1942 air raids on the city.

On Stanton Hill, the vantage point of Our Lady’s Mount Christian Brother’s School was chosen to place one battery consisting of four three-inch anti-aircraft guns. This site overlooked Cleveland Bay, North Ward, the...

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