The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
During the war the small wharves of Townsville were jammed with ships loading or unloading trips and fighting materials. behind the breakwater were berthed the flying boats of the Royal Australian Air Force Transport Squadrons. Small landing barges clustered in packs along the banks of the Ross Creek. Far out in Townsville Bay more ships ride at anchor, waiting to dock of for naval escort into enemy waters. On the morning of 26th July 1942, shortly after midnight, an abortive enemy raid was made on Townsville by two or three 4-engined Kawanisi flying boats. Five bombs were dropped almost simultaneously and exploded in the bay about 300 yards from a nest of oil tanks on the rocky knoll at the entrance to inner harbour. From August 1945 in his capacity as official war artist Emerson Curtis undertook a three month tour of Queensland. Travelling mostly by train he captured a rich visual record of the extensive wartime activities, people and industry of this ' frontier ' state.
Over this small bridge, crossing Ross Creek, passed all troops and war equipment entering north by train. Dominating the port of Townsville is Castle Hill, towering almost 1,000' above the bay. From A
Showing Catalina flying boats of the Royal Australian Air Force taking off on a night bombing raid over New Guinea. From August 1945 in his capacity as official war artist Emerson Curtis undertook a t
The camouflage painted Headquarter building of Royal Australian Air Force North Eastern Area stands on Sturt street at right of picture. Townsville, during the war years, was the scene of feverish act
Hundreds and thousands of troops passed through the Atherton Tablelands district when the area was used as a vast camp and training area. This view is of the main street looking towards the Railway Ho
A mined-out section provides the fantastic impression of five giant columns and lintel staring upwards from the depth where they have collapsed like some half-buried Egyptian temple. The whole cut was
The cabin cruiser Pelorus (S-36) of the Small Ships Section, United States Army Services of Supply, Southwest Pacific Area (USA SOS SWPA), docked at an unidentified wharf. The Pelorus was acquired on
