Corunna Downs
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- The secret WWII RAAF Base in NW of Western Australia.
Operating between 1943 and 1945, it came into being as a result of the (then perceived) threat of Japanese invasion. A base was needed away from the coast, out of range of enemy bombers, where the fight could be carried on.
It was a hugely guarded secret at the time, and the Japanese were never able to locate this place, where B24 Liberators flew operational missions to bomb targets in Java and Borneo.
At its height there were some 300 personnel based here, belonging to a number of units.
No. 73 Operational Base Unit was responsible for all administrative and support functions as well as maintenance of the infrastructure. Other units lodged there were:
25 Squadron (RAAF) flying B24 Liberators
380 Bombardment Group (USAAC) flying B24 Liberators
325 Radar Station (RAAF)
No 4 Medical Receiving Station
No 2 Air Ambulance Unit
No 7 Communications Unit
With security, AA Defences and transport supplied by the Australian Army
It was officially closed on 14 Jan 1946.
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Fantastic Doco , Love Military History , .
Great clip mate, I spent plenty of time around Nulligine and Marble Bar back in the early 80's and we new off the famous old Corunna Downs airforce base but just never had the time to get out there, its still on our list, and after watching your clip makes me keener to get out there and check it out. Good job mate.
Glad you enjoyed it Gary. It IS a fascinating place (if you like that sort of thing, haha)
I also visited Corunna Downs in 2017 and found it an emotional experiance. It is sad that so little of our history is known and like you wondered at hard it must have been in that enviroment. I was saddened to hear that Mining will commence at this site and it is my hope the airfield will not be destroyed. What little I could find online suggests the mining will be about 10km form the airfield but I did find reference to Runway North and South rock dumps. I hope this important piece of history is preserved. Apparently only one public comment was recieved about the effect on the airfield by the EPA and the reply was it recieves very low numbers of vistors. It is still quite a remote location and largely unknown by most people, however that does not negate its historical importance.
That's very true John, it IS of huge historical importance, and sad to think that, once again, mining may take precedence over everything. I'd imagine that they would want to develop the airstrips to use themselves, as it would save a lot of work, as it's basically already there. I would hope that they would stay away from all the areas containing artifacts though.
My big fear is that they would claim it, fence it off and stop the public accessing it completely - similar to what's happened to the other 'famous' WWII RAAF airfield at Truscott in the far north of WA.
Great stuff 'Les'....haha. Mate I think at 08:55 you would have got airborne if you engaged the Flux Capacitor. 😝😝