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Royal Australian Air Force 44/56 Radar Station Camp

In mid-November 1942 the personnel of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 44 Radar Station arrived at Cooktown aboard a coastal vessel to install an Australian AW Mk I set. The radar unit was formed in Townsville in August 1942, under command of Pilot Officer W.D. White. The radio direction finding (RDF or radar) station was located on top of Grassy Hill, overlooking Cooktown, and alongside the early lighthouse erected in 1886.

Place information

Location

Hope Street, Grassy Hill

Cooktown, QLD 4895

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Place type

Military camp

History

The men and equipment of RAAF 44 Radar Station departed Townsville aboard the transport Mako on 13 November 1942, arriving in Cooktown two days later. On arrival, the unit found that the technical housing was almost complete but had stalled due to confusion regarding building approvals by the Main Roads Commission, which was the constructing authority. Likewise, a permanent camp site had not been prepared as it was believed that the Department of the Interior had plans for the construction of permanent buildings. A disused house at the base of the hill was pressed into service as a temporary mess,...

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