COOMALIE LANDING GROUND
Coomalie Camp NT 1940 stitch of SLWA b2386669 & 4031570PD 2
Sapling hut, Coomalie NT 1940s - SLWA 031732PD
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Canteen at Coomalie NT 1940s - SLWA b2391113_27
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slwa_b2389726_31
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slwa_b2391113_36
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Trench Art
Coomalie NT - SLWA 031780PD Making model planes from bullet shells, 1940s
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Coomalie NT - SLWA 031781PD Filing model plane, 1940s
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slwa_b2389726_5
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031734PD: 'The Pines' - pining for home, holding a model of a P-38 Lightning, 1940s
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The Lightning of 87 Squadron for reconnaissance.
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Lightning Strikes - Lockheed Poster
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Redoubts
Coomalie NT 19402 SLWA b2386669_25 Sighting a Rifle. A Bren minus the magazine 031591PD
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Check Point Incognita
slwa_b2389726_29 - presumably north of Manton Dam due to the pipeline and looking south.
c1942 SLWA_031592PD b2386669_26
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Additional Images
Coomalie 1941
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Unknown Location - likely the Darwin / Top End area - Peter Lane Collection
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Survey & Planning Office HQ No. 1 M.W.S. Coomalie Sth Photo by Cpl Dave Thompson LAC Hitchins in doorway April '43 W. Richardson Col.
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Sattler Strip work in progress Feb. '43 Wyndham Richardson Col.
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The Stuart Gore Collection SLWA
Rights advisory These images are for personal use only. To publish or display it, contact the State Library of Western Australia.
These images have been preserved and made available by the Historical Records Rescue Consortium Project supported by Lotterywest.
Publications Some photographs published in the West Australian newspaper (12 February 1983, p.37-38) to accompany an article written by Stuart Gore.
These images have been preserved and made available by the Historical Records Rescue Consortium Project supported by Lotterywest.
Publications Some photographs published in the West Australian newspaper (12 February 1983, p.37-38) to accompany an article written by Stuart Gore.
Call Number BA575/1295-1321
Description 27 negatives : acetate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1295-1321
Squadron. RA.A.F. during World War II. Stuart Gore was attached to No. 1 PRU.
Summary 031567PD: Soldiers at controls of large guns; 031568PD: Queueing for a meal; 031569PD: Mk VIII Spitfire landing on dirt airstrip in bush clearing, truck parked nearby; 031570PD, 031571PD: Sleeping quarters - huts and tents; 031572PD: Mk VIII Spitfire on runway; 031573PD: RAAF water truck; 031574PD: Rolling a cigarette. Tobacco tin labelled: A gift from the Australian Comforts Fund. Darwin Area; 031575PD: Queueing for a meal; 031576PD: Soldier shaving outside his tent; 031577PD: Soldier operating Howard 'Five' rotary hoe/tractor; 031578PD: Soldiers and trench; 031579PD: Dishing up dinner; 031580PD: Soldiers with party food; 031581PD: Washing the dishes; 031582PD: Constructing an enclosure from saplings; 031583PD: Log enclosure; 031584PD: Rock and branch enclosure; 031585PD: Sandbag wall or barricade; 031586PD, 031587PD: Washing clothes by hand; 031588PD: Dry stone wall; 031589PD: Cleaning a rifle; 031590PD: Rock and earth fortification; 031591PD: Sighting a mounted rifle; 031592PD: Road sign: Coomallie Creek; 031593PD: River scene with Pandanus.
Description 27 negatives : acetate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1295-1321
Squadron. RA.A.F. during World War II. Stuart Gore was attached to No. 1 PRU.
Summary 031567PD: Soldiers at controls of large guns; 031568PD: Queueing for a meal; 031569PD: Mk VIII Spitfire landing on dirt airstrip in bush clearing, truck parked nearby; 031570PD, 031571PD: Sleeping quarters - huts and tents; 031572PD: Mk VIII Spitfire on runway; 031573PD: RAAF water truck; 031574PD: Rolling a cigarette. Tobacco tin labelled: A gift from the Australian Comforts Fund. Darwin Area; 031575PD: Queueing for a meal; 031576PD: Soldier shaving outside his tent; 031577PD: Soldier operating Howard 'Five' rotary hoe/tractor; 031578PD: Soldiers and trench; 031579PD: Dishing up dinner; 031580PD: Soldiers with party food; 031581PD: Washing the dishes; 031582PD: Constructing an enclosure from saplings; 031583PD: Log enclosure; 031584PD: Rock and branch enclosure; 031585PD: Sandbag wall or barricade; 031586PD, 031587PD: Washing clothes by hand; 031588PD: Dry stone wall; 031589PD: Cleaning a rifle; 031590PD: Rock and earth fortification; 031591PD: Sighting a mounted rifle; 031592PD: Road sign: Coomallie Creek; 031593PD: River scene with Pandanus.
Coomalie NT 19402 - Mk VIII Spitfire coming in to land SLWA b2386669_3a4 - (Livingstone, Strauss or Sattler?)
79 Squadron "On 24 November 1944 the squadron was released from operation, pending a move to Darwin which was completed on 12 January 1945. The squadron did not stay long at Sattler, south of Darwin, and an advance party departed for Morotai on 6 February. The squadron was thus operating with difficulty, which did not ease its re-equipment with Mk V111 Spitfires.
By end of March 1944 the squadron was attacking enemy installations, ships, barges, transport, and fuel dumps in the north-west Halmahera Island area. Armed reconnaissance missions were also carried out over Galela, Mita, Kaoe, Oba, Hiri, and Djailolo. Under the command of Squadron Leader Kenneth Elwyn James, 79 Squadron continued to harass the enemy until the end of the war. After the surrender of the Japanese forces in August the squadron dropped surrender leaflets to the scattered and isolated Japanese troops before being formally disbanded on 12 November.
452 Squadron became operational again on the 17th of January 1943. Re-equipped with Spitfires, it was based at Batchelor Airfield in the Northern Territory and there joined No. 1 Wing RAAF, which defended Darwin from Japanese air raids. The squadron was relocated to Strauss Airfield on the 1st of February and, with the exception of a brief period between 9th and 27th of March 1943 when it was deployed to RAAF Base Pearce to reinforce the air defences of Perth, it remained there (Strauss Airfield), protecting Darwin, until the 30th of June 1944, in May 1944 having become part of No. 80 Wing RAAF.
On the 1st of July 1944 the Squadron moved to Sattler Airfield in the Northern Territory. The protection of Darwin had been handed over to two Royal Air Force squadrons, allowing 452 Squadron to be employed in a ground attack role for the rest of the war. Initially the squadron operated against targets in the Dutch East Indies from Sattler Airfield, but on the 11th of December 1944 it joined the 1st Tactical Air Force and was relocated to Morotai in the Dutch East Indies, to support the Australian operations in Borneo (Kalimantan). The ground staff established themselves quickly at the newly captured Juwata airfield on Tarakan on the 10th of May 1945, but the state of the landing field was such that it was not fit for the aircraft of the squadron until the 29th of June. Following the landing at Balikpapan on the 1st of July a detachment of 452 Squadron Spitfires moved there on the 15th of July, to support the land campaign. The squadron’s last sortie of the war was flown on the 10th of August 1945 and it disbanded two months later at Tarakan on the 17th of November 1945.
457 Squadron On 28 May 1942 British Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed to an Australian Government request to dispatch three fully equipped Spitfire squadrons to Australia to reinforce the RAAF. The squadrons selected were the Australian No. 452 and No. 457 Squadrons as well as the British No. 54 Squadron RAF. Accordingly, No. 457 Squadron was withdrawn from operations on 28 May to prepare to be redeployed to Australia.
457 Squadron returned to front-line service on 31 January 1943, under 1 Fighter Wing, defending Darwin. It was re-equipped with an updated version of the Spitfire, imported from Britain, which arrived in a grey and green camouflage scheme. This led to the squadron nicknaming itself the "Grey Nurse Squadron" and adorning its aircraft with a distinctive shark's mouth on the nose. During an attack on Darwin in March 1943, the Spitfires engaged an enemy force of 46 bombers and fighters, downing up to six enemy aircraft without loss. During the squadron's time as part of Darwin's air garrison it detached aircraft on several occasions to Milingimbi, Drysdale, Perth and Exmouth. For the remainder of 1943, the Spitfires were engaged in constant combat with enemy aircraft, taking a heavy toll of Japanese aircraft." Spitfire Association
By end of March 1944 the squadron was attacking enemy installations, ships, barges, transport, and fuel dumps in the north-west Halmahera Island area. Armed reconnaissance missions were also carried out over Galela, Mita, Kaoe, Oba, Hiri, and Djailolo. Under the command of Squadron Leader Kenneth Elwyn James, 79 Squadron continued to harass the enemy until the end of the war. After the surrender of the Japanese forces in August the squadron dropped surrender leaflets to the scattered and isolated Japanese troops before being formally disbanded on 12 November.
452 Squadron became operational again on the 17th of January 1943. Re-equipped with Spitfires, it was based at Batchelor Airfield in the Northern Territory and there joined No. 1 Wing RAAF, which defended Darwin from Japanese air raids. The squadron was relocated to Strauss Airfield on the 1st of February and, with the exception of a brief period between 9th and 27th of March 1943 when it was deployed to RAAF Base Pearce to reinforce the air defences of Perth, it remained there (Strauss Airfield), protecting Darwin, until the 30th of June 1944, in May 1944 having become part of No. 80 Wing RAAF.
On the 1st of July 1944 the Squadron moved to Sattler Airfield in the Northern Territory. The protection of Darwin had been handed over to two Royal Air Force squadrons, allowing 452 Squadron to be employed in a ground attack role for the rest of the war. Initially the squadron operated against targets in the Dutch East Indies from Sattler Airfield, but on the 11th of December 1944 it joined the 1st Tactical Air Force and was relocated to Morotai in the Dutch East Indies, to support the Australian operations in Borneo (Kalimantan). The ground staff established themselves quickly at the newly captured Juwata airfield on Tarakan on the 10th of May 1945, but the state of the landing field was such that it was not fit for the aircraft of the squadron until the 29th of June. Following the landing at Balikpapan on the 1st of July a detachment of 452 Squadron Spitfires moved there on the 15th of July, to support the land campaign. The squadron’s last sortie of the war was flown on the 10th of August 1945 and it disbanded two months later at Tarakan on the 17th of November 1945.
457 Squadron On 28 May 1942 British Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed to an Australian Government request to dispatch three fully equipped Spitfire squadrons to Australia to reinforce the RAAF. The squadrons selected were the Australian No. 452 and No. 457 Squadrons as well as the British No. 54 Squadron RAF. Accordingly, No. 457 Squadron was withdrawn from operations on 28 May to prepare to be redeployed to Australia.
457 Squadron returned to front-line service on 31 January 1943, under 1 Fighter Wing, defending Darwin. It was re-equipped with an updated version of the Spitfire, imported from Britain, which arrived in a grey and green camouflage scheme. This led to the squadron nicknaming itself the "Grey Nurse Squadron" and adorning its aircraft with a distinctive shark's mouth on the nose. During an attack on Darwin in March 1943, the Spitfires engaged an enemy force of 46 bombers and fighters, downing up to six enemy aircraft without loss. During the squadron's time as part of Darwin's air garrison it detached aircraft on several occasions to Milingimbi, Drysdale, Perth and Exmouth. For the remainder of 1943, the Spitfires were engaged in constant combat with enemy aircraft, taking a heavy toll of Japanese aircraft." Spitfire Association
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"The ground crews were taken north by ship and the air echelon commenced its move in the middle of January. The route was Richmond – Mildura – Oodnadatta – Alice Springs – Daly Waters – to Batchelor Airstrip, some 90 km South of Darwin. The Australian Spitfire squadrons were forced to wait for a few days at Batchelor until Nos 76 and 77 Squadrons had cleared the area. No. 452 Squadron then moved into Strauss Airstrip, about 43 km South of Darwin, and 457 took up residence at Livingstone Airstrip 55 km South of Darwin on 31 January, 1943. No. 54 Squadron had proceeded directly to the RAAF Darwin Aerodrome. (Also known as Nightcliff).
Summary On 2 February a Japanese ‘Dinah’ reconnaissance aircraft was reported approaching Darwin. Several Spitfires from No. 54 Squadron scrambled, and Flight Lieutenant Bob Foster dispatched it into the Timor Sea just off Melville Island. No.1 Fighter Wing had its first victory and the Japanese had been denied photos of the presence of the Spitfires. It was somewhat in vain however, as the next day another ‘Dinah’ flew over the area unmolested." The image cannot have been taken prior to January 1943 so the generic dating of 1942 is as unreliable as the location. |
Call Number BA575/1327-1329, 1332-1368
Description 40 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1327-1329, 1332-1368
Publications Some photographs published in the West Australian newspaper (12 February 1983, p.37-38) to accompany an article written by Stuart Gore. 031686PD: 'Dressed to kill' - Guard at entrance to camouflaged air strip camp on the main Darwin Road. 031693PD: 'A constant vigil for enemy aircraft was maintained at ackk-ack gun positions'. 031711PD: Letter writing was an ordeal under sodden canvas in the 'Wet'.
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031653PD: Speed limits; 031654PD: Canteen hours; 031655PD: Communications tower; 031679PD: Road sign; 031680PD: Pandanus; 031681PD: Palm & gum trees; 031682PD: Gore examining photographic negative; 031683PD: Regimental medical trunks; 031684PD: Haircut; 031685PD: Rope assisted river crossing; 031686PD: Guard at camp entrance; 031687PD: Convoy of army vehicles; 031688PD: Working on anti-aircraft artillery; 031689PD: Receiving medical attention; 031690PD: Gore and camp dog; 031691PD: Tractor towing RAAF plane, a DAP Beaufighter from 31 Squadron (EHW A19-140) on airstrip; 031692PD: Hauling in fishing net; 031693PD: Anti-aircraft surveillance; 031694PD: Hitching anti-aircraft artillery to truck; 031695PD: Outdoor grooming; 031696PD: Refuelling DH-98 Mosquito from No.1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAAF under camouflaged shelter; 031697PD: Cooling off in river; 031698PD: 'News from home'; 031699PD: Water dragon; 031700PD: Mounting loudspeaker in tree; 031701PD: Japanese bomber on fire photographed during aerial attack from RAAF bombers in New Guinea ca.1944; 031702PD: Building shelter from saplings; 031703PD: On cooking detail; 031704PD: Tending vegetable garden; 031705PD: Aerial surveillance; 031706PD: Tree tops; 031707PD: Sunbathing; 031708PD: Head and shoulders; 031709PD: Displaying camp grown tomatoes; 031710PD: RAAF truck & motorcycle; 031711PD: Letter writing by hurricane lamp; 031712PD: Vegetable garden, huts in background; 031713PD: Shaving in the river; 031714PD: Releasing homing pigeon, pigeon loft on tray top truck; 031715PD: Hut made from corrugated iron and bush materials;
Description 40 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1327-1329, 1332-1368
Publications Some photographs published in the West Australian newspaper (12 February 1983, p.37-38) to accompany an article written by Stuart Gore. 031686PD: 'Dressed to kill' - Guard at entrance to camouflaged air strip camp on the main Darwin Road. 031693PD: 'A constant vigil for enemy aircraft was maintained at ackk-ack gun positions'. 031711PD: Letter writing was an ordeal under sodden canvas in the 'Wet'.
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031653PD: Speed limits; 031654PD: Canteen hours; 031655PD: Communications tower; 031679PD: Road sign; 031680PD: Pandanus; 031681PD: Palm & gum trees; 031682PD: Gore examining photographic negative; 031683PD: Regimental medical trunks; 031684PD: Haircut; 031685PD: Rope assisted river crossing; 031686PD: Guard at camp entrance; 031687PD: Convoy of army vehicles; 031688PD: Working on anti-aircraft artillery; 031689PD: Receiving medical attention; 031690PD: Gore and camp dog; 031691PD: Tractor towing RAAF plane, a DAP Beaufighter from 31 Squadron (EHW A19-140) on airstrip; 031692PD: Hauling in fishing net; 031693PD: Anti-aircraft surveillance; 031694PD: Hitching anti-aircraft artillery to truck; 031695PD: Outdoor grooming; 031696PD: Refuelling DH-98 Mosquito from No.1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAAF under camouflaged shelter; 031697PD: Cooling off in river; 031698PD: 'News from home'; 031699PD: Water dragon; 031700PD: Mounting loudspeaker in tree; 031701PD: Japanese bomber on fire photographed during aerial attack from RAAF bombers in New Guinea ca.1944; 031702PD: Building shelter from saplings; 031703PD: On cooking detail; 031704PD: Tending vegetable garden; 031705PD: Aerial surveillance; 031706PD: Tree tops; 031707PD: Sunbathing; 031708PD: Head and shoulders; 031709PD: Displaying camp grown tomatoes; 031710PD: RAAF truck & motorcycle; 031711PD: Letter writing by hurricane lamp; 031712PD: Vegetable garden, huts in background; 031713PD: Shaving in the river; 031714PD: Releasing homing pigeon, pigeon loft on tray top truck; 031715PD: Hut made from corrugated iron and bush materials;
Call Number BA575/1370-1409
Description 40 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1370-1409
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip, & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031717PD: Watering vegetable garden; 031718PD: Sharpening cross-cut saw; 031719PD: Isolated tent; 031720PD: In the back of a truck, with rifles; 031721PD: Filing a model plane made from empty bullet shells; 031722PD: DH-98 Mosquito from No.1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit which became No.87 Squadron RAAF in 1944 in flight (red opaque used to obliterate background on negative; 031723PD: Using large format camera to make composite landscape from series of photographs; 031724PD: Cooling off in the river; 031725PD: Open air showering; 031726PD: River scene; 031727PD: Derelict two-storey house; 031728PD: Airstrip sign; 031729PD: Boarding a truck; 031730PD: RAAF truck & motorcycle; 031731PD: Ant hill; 031732PD: Sapling hut; 031733PD: Film advertisement; 031734PD: 'The Pines' - We pine for home, beer, good food, ??? women and the bright lights. In short ... we wanna go home! (Holding a model of a P-38 Lightning used by No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAAF); 031735PD: Road signs; 031736PD, 031737PD: Inside Regimental Aid Post tent, doctor gives an injection (031736PD), soldiers wait their turn (031737PD); 031738PD: Retrieving message from homing pigeon; 031739PD: Motorcycle despatch rider ploughing through thick dust; 031740PD: Dracaena marginata; 031741PD: Damaged buildings from Japanese air raid; 031742PD: Regimental Aid Post hours; 031743PD: Aeroplane (DH-98 Mosquito painted in an overall mid-tone blue colour called PRU blue for high altitude camouflage) on airstrip; 031744PD: Tent with elaborate entrance; 031745PD: Convoy of military vehicles; 031746PD: Men in the back of open trucks; 031747PD: Queueing for a meal, carrying enamel mugs and dixies; 031748PD: Manning Bofors anti-aircraft gun; 031749PD: Relaxing by the river; 031750PD: Tending camp oven; 031751PD: Thumbing a lift; 031752PD: Military police; 031753PD: Pilot standing in open cockpit of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning photographic aircraft from RAAF No.1 PRU; 031754PD: Cooling off in the river; 031755PD: Washing dishes; 031756PD: Reading a letter from home.
Description 40 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1370-1409
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip, & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031717PD: Watering vegetable garden; 031718PD: Sharpening cross-cut saw; 031719PD: Isolated tent; 031720PD: In the back of a truck, with rifles; 031721PD: Filing a model plane made from empty bullet shells; 031722PD: DH-98 Mosquito from No.1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit which became No.87 Squadron RAAF in 1944 in flight (red opaque used to obliterate background on negative; 031723PD: Using large format camera to make composite landscape from series of photographs; 031724PD: Cooling off in the river; 031725PD: Open air showering; 031726PD: River scene; 031727PD: Derelict two-storey house; 031728PD: Airstrip sign; 031729PD: Boarding a truck; 031730PD: RAAF truck & motorcycle; 031731PD: Ant hill; 031732PD: Sapling hut; 031733PD: Film advertisement; 031734PD: 'The Pines' - We pine for home, beer, good food, ??? women and the bright lights. In short ... we wanna go home! (Holding a model of a P-38 Lightning used by No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAAF); 031735PD: Road signs; 031736PD, 031737PD: Inside Regimental Aid Post tent, doctor gives an injection (031736PD), soldiers wait their turn (031737PD); 031738PD: Retrieving message from homing pigeon; 031739PD: Motorcycle despatch rider ploughing through thick dust; 031740PD: Dracaena marginata; 031741PD: Damaged buildings from Japanese air raid; 031742PD: Regimental Aid Post hours; 031743PD: Aeroplane (DH-98 Mosquito painted in an overall mid-tone blue colour called PRU blue for high altitude camouflage) on airstrip; 031744PD: Tent with elaborate entrance; 031745PD: Convoy of military vehicles; 031746PD: Men in the back of open trucks; 031747PD: Queueing for a meal, carrying enamel mugs and dixies; 031748PD: Manning Bofors anti-aircraft gun; 031749PD: Relaxing by the river; 031750PD: Tending camp oven; 031751PD: Thumbing a lift; 031752PD: Military police; 031753PD: Pilot standing in open cockpit of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning photographic aircraft from RAAF No.1 PRU; 031754PD: Cooling off in the river; 031755PD: Washing dishes; 031756PD: Reading a letter from home.
Call Number BA575/1410-1446
Description 37 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1410-1446
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031757PD: Gore (centre) & mates; 031758PD: Scene at jetty - ambulance, Catalina sea plane, small boats; 031759PD: Despatch rider - motorcycle with sidecar; 031760PD: Airmen at Casuarina Beach hauling in a catch of fish to supplement their rations; 031761PD: Practising with heavy belt fed, water-cooled machine gun (possibly Vickers); 031762PD: Washing clothes in a metal bucket near smokey camp fire; 031763PD: Operating double Lewis machine gun, mounted as anti-aircraft weapon; 031764PD: Soldier carrying kit, including Lee Enfield rifle, stops for a drink; 031765PD: View from a trench; 031766PD: Servicing landing gear of a DH-98 Mosquito; 031767PD: Playing chess; 031768PD: Military police officer; 031769PD: Motorcyclist and passengers; 031770PD: Trees; 031771PD: Despatch rider; 031772PD: Doing laundry in a bucket; 031773PD: Operating Bofors anti-aircraft gun; 031774PD: RAAF jeep; 031775PD: Inside cabin of military vehicle; 031776PD: Back of truck; 031777PD: River scene; 031778PD: Washing dishes in a long trough outside; 031779PD: Motorcyclist with sidecar passenger; 031780PD: Trench art - making model planes using empty bullet shells; 031781PD: Filing model plane; 031782PD: Trees and sky; 031783PD: Vehicles, including RAAF ambulance at checkpoint; 031784PD: Christ Church Darwin, Garrison Church; 031785PD: Military vehicle & driver; 031786PD: Tent among trees; 031787PD: River scene; 031788PD: Military vehicle; 031789PD: Vehicles at checkpoint; 031790PD: Huts; 031791PD: Walking on Casuarina Beach; 031792PD: Mk VIII Spitfire on airstrip; 031793PD: Cooling off by the river.dit.
Description 37 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1410-1446
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031757PD: Gore (centre) & mates; 031758PD: Scene at jetty - ambulance, Catalina sea plane, small boats; 031759PD: Despatch rider - motorcycle with sidecar; 031760PD: Airmen at Casuarina Beach hauling in a catch of fish to supplement their rations; 031761PD: Practising with heavy belt fed, water-cooled machine gun (possibly Vickers); 031762PD: Washing clothes in a metal bucket near smokey camp fire; 031763PD: Operating double Lewis machine gun, mounted as anti-aircraft weapon; 031764PD: Soldier carrying kit, including Lee Enfield rifle, stops for a drink; 031765PD: View from a trench; 031766PD: Servicing landing gear of a DH-98 Mosquito; 031767PD: Playing chess; 031768PD: Military police officer; 031769PD: Motorcyclist and passengers; 031770PD: Trees; 031771PD: Despatch rider; 031772PD: Doing laundry in a bucket; 031773PD: Operating Bofors anti-aircraft gun; 031774PD: RAAF jeep; 031775PD: Inside cabin of military vehicle; 031776PD: Back of truck; 031777PD: River scene; 031778PD: Washing dishes in a long trough outside; 031779PD: Motorcyclist with sidecar passenger; 031780PD: Trench art - making model planes using empty bullet shells; 031781PD: Filing model plane; 031782PD: Trees and sky; 031783PD: Vehicles, including RAAF ambulance at checkpoint; 031784PD: Christ Church Darwin, Garrison Church; 031785PD: Military vehicle & driver; 031786PD: Tent among trees; 031787PD: River scene; 031788PD: Military vehicle; 031789PD: Vehicles at checkpoint; 031790PD: Huts; 031791PD: Walking on Casuarina Beach; 031792PD: Mk VIII Spitfire on airstrip; 031793PD: Cooling off by the river.dit.
Call Number BA575/1453-1458, 1463-1481, 1483-1497
Description 40 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1453-1458, 1463-1481, 1483-1497
Notes As Catalinas where not supplied to the RAAF until 1941 these photographs will have been taken after 1941.
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031800PD: Mortar practice; 031801PD: Portrait of a soldier; 031802PD: RAAF jeep with Gore (in driver's seat) & mate; 031803PD: Aeroplane maintenance under camouflage net (RAAF serial no. A52-2 De Havilland DH-98 Mosquito PR Mk XVI fitted with aerial cameras for high altitude ground surveillance); 031804PD: Aiming double Lewis machine gun, surrounded by barricade of sandbag topped 44 gallon drums; 031805PD: In the back of a truck; 031810PD: Plane under camouflage net (DH-98 Mosquito PR Mk XVI fitted with aerial cameras for high altitude ground surveillance); 031811PD: Barbed wire beach defence?; 031812PD: DH-98 Mosquito RAAF serial A52-4 getting spray paint touch-up to its finflash; 031813PD: Horses and handlers?; 031814PD: Shaving; 031815PD: Haircut; 031816PD: Rolling a cigarette. Tobacco tin labelled: A gift from the Australian Comforts Fund. Darwin area; 031817PD: Horses grazing; 031818PD: RAAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII on airstrip; 031819PD: Barber at work with hair clippers; 031820PD: Radio control room; 031821PD: Filling mug from waterbag; 031822PD: Manning Bofors anti-aircraft gun; 031823PD: Reading and resting on bunks; 031824PD: Hand held F24 camera being operated from the rear cockpit of a CAC Wirraway; 031825PD: Doing laundry in buckets and basins using a bar of soap and a scrubbing brush; 031826PD: On the beach with aircraft tail unit wreckage; 031827PD: Walking up the beach carrying shoes, clothes and hand tools?; 031828PD: Reading on bunk, viewed through hut entrance; 031830PD: Washing truck parked in shallow stream; 031831PD: Tending vegetable garden; 031832PD: Watching a horse race; 031833PD: Horse race spectators; 031834PD: 'Low level strafing attack by an Australian Beaufighter on a Japanese airstrip' (photographer's note) The Japanese aircraft being strafed appears to be a Nakajima Ki-49 known to the Allies by the code name "Helen"; 031835PD: Offshore Catalina maintenance to a RAAF Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina flying boat; 031836PD: Sitting in aeroplane "blister" gun position with machine gun; 031837PD: Catalina & crew (also at B352/152) The wheels have been retracted and the aircraft mounted on removable wheels used for taking the boats onto dry land; 031838PD: Moving pipes; 031839PD: Map table calculations; 031840PD: Salvation Army 'Red Shield War Service' van providing cold drinks, tobacco and other physical and spiritual comforts to the troops; 031841PD: Drawing a mud map?; 031842PD: Air horn? Siren?; 031843PD: In a wooden rowing boat with Aboriginal boys; 031844PD: Playing football.
Description 40 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1453-1458, 1463-1481, 1483-1497
Notes As Catalinas where not supplied to the RAAF until 1941 these photographs will have been taken after 1941.
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031800PD: Mortar practice; 031801PD: Portrait of a soldier; 031802PD: RAAF jeep with Gore (in driver's seat) & mate; 031803PD: Aeroplane maintenance under camouflage net (RAAF serial no. A52-2 De Havilland DH-98 Mosquito PR Mk XVI fitted with aerial cameras for high altitude ground surveillance); 031804PD: Aiming double Lewis machine gun, surrounded by barricade of sandbag topped 44 gallon drums; 031805PD: In the back of a truck; 031810PD: Plane under camouflage net (DH-98 Mosquito PR Mk XVI fitted with aerial cameras for high altitude ground surveillance); 031811PD: Barbed wire beach defence?; 031812PD: DH-98 Mosquito RAAF serial A52-4 getting spray paint touch-up to its finflash; 031813PD: Horses and handlers?; 031814PD: Shaving; 031815PD: Haircut; 031816PD: Rolling a cigarette. Tobacco tin labelled: A gift from the Australian Comforts Fund. Darwin area; 031817PD: Horses grazing; 031818PD: RAAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII on airstrip; 031819PD: Barber at work with hair clippers; 031820PD: Radio control room; 031821PD: Filling mug from waterbag; 031822PD: Manning Bofors anti-aircraft gun; 031823PD: Reading and resting on bunks; 031824PD: Hand held F24 camera being operated from the rear cockpit of a CAC Wirraway; 031825PD: Doing laundry in buckets and basins using a bar of soap and a scrubbing brush; 031826PD: On the beach with aircraft tail unit wreckage; 031827PD: Walking up the beach carrying shoes, clothes and hand tools?; 031828PD: Reading on bunk, viewed through hut entrance; 031830PD: Washing truck parked in shallow stream; 031831PD: Tending vegetable garden; 031832PD: Watching a horse race; 031833PD: Horse race spectators; 031834PD: 'Low level strafing attack by an Australian Beaufighter on a Japanese airstrip' (photographer's note) The Japanese aircraft being strafed appears to be a Nakajima Ki-49 known to the Allies by the code name "Helen"; 031835PD: Offshore Catalina maintenance to a RAAF Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina flying boat; 031836PD: Sitting in aeroplane "blister" gun position with machine gun; 031837PD: Catalina & crew (also at B352/152) The wheels have been retracted and the aircraft mounted on removable wheels used for taking the boats onto dry land; 031838PD: Moving pipes; 031839PD: Map table calculations; 031840PD: Salvation Army 'Red Shield War Service' van providing cold drinks, tobacco and other physical and spiritual comforts to the troops; 031841PD: Drawing a mud map?; 031842PD: Air horn? Siren?; 031843PD: In a wooden rowing boat with Aboriginal boys; 031844PD: Playing football.
Call Number BA575/1515, 1517-1554
Description 39 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1515, 1517-1554
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031877PD: Bush scene; 031879PD: Soldiers and small banana palms; 031880PD: Truck on the road into camp; 031881PD: Pigeon loft; 031882PD: Carrying their kit into camp; 031883PD: United States B24 Liberator bombers in flight; 031884PD: 'Cool drinking water, mugs to be used - water bottles not to be filled here'; 031885PD: Winding aircraft fuel hose reel on fuel truck (see also 031696PD); 031886PD: Soldiers and tractor on the back of truck; 031887PD: Ambulance and camouflaged shelter; 031888PD: House, and foundation stumps of another; 031889PD: B24 bombers flying over control tower, observers and vehicles below; 031890PD: Working on small boats on beach; 031891PD: Canvas annexes attached to covered truck; 031892PD: CA-13 Boomerang from No.83 Squadron RAAF code letters MH-R and RAAF serial number A46-122, 1944; 031893PD: Checkpoint sign; 031894PD: Admiring US bomber nose art 'Silver Lady', good view of gun turret; 031895PD: Hosing field kitchen floor; 031896PD: Catalina maintenance, Doctor's Gully, Darwin; 031897PD: Truck maintenance; 031898PD: Standing outside hut made from split bamboo; 031899PD: B24 bomber, with nose art, and crew; 031900PD: US B24 bomber and crew; 031901PD: Reading in tent decorated with movie star pin-ups; 031902PD: In the back of truck with twin Vickers machine gun; 031903PD: Speed limit sign; 031904PD: Canteen servery, with canned food, drinks, cigarettes & tobacco for sale; 031905PD: Ant hills; 031906PD: Activity on the beach; 031907PD: Chaplain? talking with soldiers ;031908PD: Camouflage net & support poles; 031909PD: Queueing at Salvation Army van; 031910PD: Inspecting horses before the race (see also 031832PD); 031911PD: Sharing a joke outside bamboo hut; 031912PD: Control tower with windsock; 031913PD: Radio control room; 031914PD: Covered truck; 031915PD: Studying map; 031916PD: Gore in flying gear.
Description 39 negatives : nitrate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/1515, 1517-1554
Summary Photographs from No.1 PRU camps at Coomalie Airstrip & Snake Gully, near Adelaide River, Northern Territory. 031877PD: Bush scene; 031879PD: Soldiers and small banana palms; 031880PD: Truck on the road into camp; 031881PD: Pigeon loft; 031882PD: Carrying their kit into camp; 031883PD: United States B24 Liberator bombers in flight; 031884PD: 'Cool drinking water, mugs to be used - water bottles not to be filled here'; 031885PD: Winding aircraft fuel hose reel on fuel truck (see also 031696PD); 031886PD: Soldiers and tractor on the back of truck; 031887PD: Ambulance and camouflaged shelter; 031888PD: House, and foundation stumps of another; 031889PD: B24 bombers flying over control tower, observers and vehicles below; 031890PD: Working on small boats on beach; 031891PD: Canvas annexes attached to covered truck; 031892PD: CA-13 Boomerang from No.83 Squadron RAAF code letters MH-R and RAAF serial number A46-122, 1944; 031893PD: Checkpoint sign; 031894PD: Admiring US bomber nose art 'Silver Lady', good view of gun turret; 031895PD: Hosing field kitchen floor; 031896PD: Catalina maintenance, Doctor's Gully, Darwin; 031897PD: Truck maintenance; 031898PD: Standing outside hut made from split bamboo; 031899PD: B24 bomber, with nose art, and crew; 031900PD: US B24 bomber and crew; 031901PD: Reading in tent decorated with movie star pin-ups; 031902PD: In the back of truck with twin Vickers machine gun; 031903PD: Speed limit sign; 031904PD: Canteen servery, with canned food, drinks, cigarettes & tobacco for sale; 031905PD: Ant hills; 031906PD: Activity on the beach; 031907PD: Chaplain? talking with soldiers ;031908PD: Camouflage net & support poles; 031909PD: Queueing at Salvation Army van; 031910PD: Inspecting horses before the race (see also 031832PD); 031911PD: Sharing a joke outside bamboo hut; 031912PD: Control tower with windsock; 031913PD: Radio control room; 031914PD: Covered truck; 031915PD: Studying map; 031916PD: Gore in flying gear.
031572PD MK8 Spitfire
Call Number BA575/415-427, 429, 430, 1567, 1580, 1588
Description 19 negatives : acetate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/415-427, 429, 430, 1567, 1580, 1588
Snake Gully
Biography/history Adelaide River township played an important role during World War II, after the bombing raid on Darwin in February 1942, Adelaide River became the centre of military activity as the Australian and American headquarters were relocated there, along with camps, hospitals, airfields and army supply depots, including the depot at Snake Gully. Stuart Gore was attached to No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. R.A.A.F.
Summary 041262PD: Tent with sign: 'Trespassers prosecuted'; 041263PD: Tent with elaborate entrance; 041264PD: Orderly Room, Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, soldiers talking; 041265PD: Tent with bamboo annex; 041266PD: Gore? in front of tent; 041267PD: Washing facilities, water tanks, water boiling in 44 gallon drums; 041268PD: 'Red Dog Casino, Slippery Sam proprietor, established 1942', soldier in bathers poses in front of 'casino' tent; 041269PD: Self defence demonstration; 041270PD: Washing dishes in 44 gallon drums; 041272PD: Soldier tends bush laundry trough; 041273PD: Soldiers pose under sign: Photo lab - 380th bomb group; 041274PD: Sleeping quarters with camp bed and bamboo walls; 041275PD: Soldiers reading mail; 041277PD: Soldier and tent; 041278PD, above: Snake Gully in the 'wet'; 041278PD, below: Gore titling a roll of aerial photographic film; 041286PD: Soldiers posing on giant termite mound; 041299PD: Tent with annex and bomb 'decoration'; 041300PD: Flooded sleeping quarters; 041307PD: Part of the squadron's camp at Snake Gully (compilation). 'Tent architecture varied according the the skill and artistry of the occupants.'
Description 19 negatives : acetate, b&w.
Series Stuart Gore collection ; BA575/415-427, 429, 430, 1567, 1580, 1588
Snake Gully
Biography/history Adelaide River township played an important role during World War II, after the bombing raid on Darwin in February 1942, Adelaide River became the centre of military activity as the Australian and American headquarters were relocated there, along with camps, hospitals, airfields and army supply depots, including the depot at Snake Gully. Stuart Gore was attached to No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. R.A.A.F.
Summary 041262PD: Tent with sign: 'Trespassers prosecuted'; 041263PD: Tent with elaborate entrance; 041264PD: Orderly Room, Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, soldiers talking; 041265PD: Tent with bamboo annex; 041266PD: Gore? in front of tent; 041267PD: Washing facilities, water tanks, water boiling in 44 gallon drums; 041268PD: 'Red Dog Casino, Slippery Sam proprietor, established 1942', soldier in bathers poses in front of 'casino' tent; 041269PD: Self defence demonstration; 041270PD: Washing dishes in 44 gallon drums; 041272PD: Soldier tends bush laundry trough; 041273PD: Soldiers pose under sign: Photo lab - 380th bomb group; 041274PD: Sleeping quarters with camp bed and bamboo walls; 041275PD: Soldiers reading mail; 041277PD: Soldier and tent; 041278PD, above: Snake Gully in the 'wet'; 041278PD, below: Gore titling a roll of aerial photographic film; 041286PD: Soldiers posing on giant termite mound; 041299PD: Tent with annex and bomb 'decoration'; 041300PD: Flooded sleeping quarters; 041307PD: Part of the squadron's camp at Snake Gully (compilation). 'Tent architecture varied according the the skill and artistry of the occupants.'
AWM Images
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Coomalie Creek, NT. 20 January 1943. A Pilot Officer who is an Air Interpreter from No. 1 Photo-Reconnaissance Unit matching a pair of reconnaissance photographs using a stereoscope viewer. NWA0002
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Coomalie Creek, NT. 1945-03-21. Photographers attached to No. 87 (Photographic Reconnaissance Flight) Squadron RAAF in North Western Australia. 47374 Corporal R. Nicholas of Semaphore, SA, and 82727 Leading Aircraftman C. Reid of Inglewood, SA, are drying a film taken from an aircraft camera. NWA0819
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Coomalie Creek, NT. 1944-11. An armourer of No. 31 (Beaufighter) Squadron RAAF fuses an aircraft's rockets just prior to take off on a mission searching for Japanese shipping north of Australia. NWA0677
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Near Coomalie Creek, NT. c. November 1944. A Beaufighter aircraft of No. 31 Squadron RAAF dives on a target with live explosive rockets. Members of RAAF ground staff check the results through a specially calibrated perspex screen, calibrated in both range and angle of descent. NWA0678
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Additional Resources
R.P. Nicholas Album SLSA PRG 1435/4
SLSA PRG-1435-4-167 (1) Coomalie camp church 1945 RP Nicholas
The Chaplain's name on the notice board is probably Chaplain Leslie Gordon CRISP who was stationed with the 87 Squadron in Darwin during the end period of WW2. He died 3 August 1976, in Box Hill, Melbourne. [Information supplied by C. Denton.]
One of the photographs from an album compiled by R.P. Nicholas, relating to his war service with the 87th Squadron, which was based at the Coomalie Creek base about 100 km south of Darwin. Other photographs from the album may be viewed by doing a number search on PRG 1435/4.
One of the photographs from an album compiled by R.P. Nicholas, relating to his war service with the 87th Squadron, which was based at the Coomalie Creek base about 100 km south of Darwin. Other photographs from the album may be viewed by doing a number search on PRG 1435/4.
