herkman replied:

Near Marble bar, is the remains of a large WW2 airfield. Was used by both the RAAF and USAAF during 1943/4.

I was last there about 12 years ago, and the revetments were still in place, but most other signs of activity were long gone.

There were never any hangers there, and the aircraft used to come down from the Darwin/Fenton area, would be refueled and sent out to Bomb the japs mainly in Indonesa.

The aviation history boys are very active in West Australia, I hope you have a great trip, but be prepared to come home disapointed.

To my knowledge, outside Marble bar, the USA forces never operated except until you got to Darwin.

Truscot field, which is still an active runway, is difficult to get to, but has lots of WW2 junk still there, I expect because it is so hard to get anything out.

regards

Col Tigwell

lindsay replied:

Gary, The airfield is called Corunna Downs it is on Corunna Downs Station 30 Ks G.P.S. . south of Marble Bar. You can visit it. It has two runways and dispersal areas for the aircraft, which would be the bunkers as seen from the air. The windsock pole is still there as are gun emplacements and the remains of the old quarters. The coordinates are S 20 o 26' 10 E 119 o 47' 25 . There were maps on how to get there in the servo in town and a small book on the history of the place

rads replied:

G'day Gazza
Sounds like fun. We are doingthe Canning late July early August. Is this close to when you are planning your trip. Would be interested in checking them out myself.
Regards
Rads

herkman replied:

Drysdale mission had at least two larger aircraft crash there in WW2, one a USAAF B24 Liberator was repaired and was flown out. However because of its location, there still could be stuff there. It was never an operational base, in that people were permantly stationed there.

Have read the story of the oil drums, and rough built quarters at Mud Bay.

The best steer I can give you, if you are in Darwin, call into the heritage office, and speak to Bob Alford. He really knows his way around and may be able to give you more information.

Understand well however, that the NT government is right behind preserving this sort of stuff, looking and photography is fine, but removal or damage, will be reviewed very seriously.

Have a great and safe trip.

Regards

Col Tigwell

herkman replied:

I forgot to say. A Google search on Mud Bay etc, may throw a few more clues your way.

Regards

Col

Richard Holland replied:

I'll be around Marble Bar in early July, is the airfield being discussed (Corunna) accessible or is it now private property? And, is it worth looking at?

Les Hiddens did a program some years ago and touched on the Northern Kimberley Coast, as I recall he showed a place where the Japanese had in fact landed & it was near Truscott. Country that was near vertical & very scrubby. He got around by chopper.

The book "North Australia Observer Unit" by Dr. Amourey Vane is well worth a read. "Morry" Vane who was a unit member died several years ago, but I spoke with him at an army function before he went, about the Kimberley's during WW2 & he claimed that 'they' had it on good information from the tribespeople in the region that there were landings from Japanese submarines but they didn't stay too long as the country was pretty inhospitable & well patrolled by the RAAF.

I went to Truscott in 1989 & after nearly killing a Nissan Patrol found the place to be a disappointment as it had been well picked over since the war & also during the Monte Bello Islands bomb tests.

If you are interested in WW2 archaeology the Iron Range airfield & the facilities put in by the yanks at Portland Roads on Cape York are well worth a look. This was a huge facility & a sealed road was even constructed from the port to the airfield & its encampments which is about 20 km. Sadly little remains today except the airfield which is much smaller than it was, oh yes, I forgot the ferals who inhabit the area.

Fortnight to go & we are off!

Dick

Allyn (Pilbara) replied:

gazzzza,
I don't think there's too much that's hidden or unexplored out that way these days as most has been fosicked over & over but I wish you well in your exploits.

herkman replied:

I was based in Darwin with the air force in 1961/2.

Prior to Tracey coming, the place had not changed much since the war.

Heard lots of stories, some had basis, but many were just rumours, which had been embelished greatly over the years.

The good thing about going now, is that most of the rumours, have either turned into facts, on are tales that have no substance.

Bob Alford, by all means mention my name, will I am sure be interested in what you say, has done a great deal of research, and world wide is highly thought of as a historian.

If I was twenty years younger, I would love to come with you.

You need also to understand, that 4WD conditions, off established tracks, can cause you manyyyyyyyy punctures, and you need to be careful, that you do not stake any tyres.

Treat with caution, any stories from our "brown brothers", they seem to enjoy stiring up us white fellows, and most of their stories are untrue.

Be also aware that there are still WW2 airmen missing up there, and you could be the means of another mystery solved.

I will dig you out a web site, that will show you all the NT air crashes there from WW2.

Regards

Col

herkman replied:

Well Gaz by now you have worked out, I am a aviation historian.

You need to put aside at least two hours to do this site justice.

//home.st.net.au/~dunn/

This will take you to Peters home page.

You can see that all the aircraft crashes, are shown by area and then spilt up into year.

Also have a look at the airfield section, and as you scrole down, there are the five airfields you are talking about.

That should keep your lady happy, she should not hear from you all afternoon.

Regards

Col