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Torrens Creek Ordnance Ammunition Depot
US 636th Ordnance Ammunition Company and US 577th Ordnance Ammunition Company camp
The Torrens Creek Ordnance Ammunition Depot was established to support the war in New Guinea and domestic requirements for northern Australia, in the case of invasion further north. The Kangaroo Ordnance Depot, became the main depot north of Townsville, as Torrens Creek never became fully operational. The airfield was used few air missions and supported some trans-shipments of aircrafts.
By late May 1942, Torrens Creek Aerodrome was complete except for sealing and camouflage works. The 46th Engineers pulled out in June to take up airfield construction at Iron Range and the Main Roads Commission completed a number of works still outstanding.
Place information
Location
Place type
Ammunition facility
History
Elements of the USAAF 43rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and full combat crews were posted to Torrens Creek in the latter half of August 1942. They included the 63rd and 65th Squadrons and ground crews, but within weeks most of the 63rd Squadron had been posted to Townsville and Mareeba to train with the 19th Bombardment Group.
During September 1942 the US Command in Australia requisitioned for construction of additional buildings at Torrens Creek. However, with the departure of the 43rd Bombardment Group, operation of the airfield was scaled back considerably. During early 1943 the large ordnance...
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