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Post by tatiepratie on Sept 22, 2010 23:06:09 GMT 12
I am making a documentary at the moment about the remote airfield Truscott in WA. I was just wondering whether anybody knows the airfield well or flew in or out of the airfield at any time. We are particularly interested in finding out about the airfield in its WW2 days. I appreciate anyones help, Thanks, Nathalie
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 22, 2010 23:13:21 GMT 12
Welcome Nathalie, is that abbreviation WA for Western Australia or Washington state, USA? I assume by the name Mungalalu it's in Aussie but who knows, as the Americans also have some very odd place names.
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Post by tatiepratie on Sept 22, 2010 23:57:18 GMT 12
Hey Dave, sorry should have made it clear, yes it is indeed in Western Australia, it is in the Anjo Peninsula. In its heyday it had 1500 personell around the time of 44/45 but remains today unknown to many. We want to bring light to the remote airfield and its story but need info and to speak to veterans ever based there to bring the story alive. Trying to find them is proving tricky!!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 23, 2010 7:00:32 GMT 12
Thanks Nathalie. I have moved this into the Australian Board which more of our Aussie members read.
Which squadrons and aircraft types were based there?
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Post by yak2 on Sept 23, 2010 9:37:49 GMT 12
Good article on Wikepedia describing the history of the air base. Constructed late in the war and is the nearest airfield on the Australian mainland to Java. As such it was used as a remote staging base for operations in that theatre. Aircraft were primarily Liberators, Mitchells, and Spitfires. Apparently the remains of wartime wrecks are still evident. These include Libs, Spitfires (accidents) and a 'Dinah' (shot down), as well as vehicles and equipment. The base was named after RAAF ace 'Bluey' Truscott, and today operates as a commercial airfield for the Kimberley region. Albeit with restricted access as it is on tribal land. One area I have not yet explored, and it is pleasing to hear that the history of some of the many wartime airfields across Northern Australia is being recorded.
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Post by Andy Wright on Nov 23, 2010 22:06:50 GMT 12
Nathalie, I take it you've spoken to the RAAF Museum at Bullcreek? The RAAFA there and the guys at the museum should be able to put you onto current residents and/or contacts. No one springs to mind at the moment other than an author of a book with a crashed Boomerang on the cover - forget the title of the book too!
Back in 2005 I did an interview with an Australian Liberator gunner who flew throughout WA and beyond. I'll dig around for his details.
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Post by strikemaster on Nov 25, 2010 11:19:42 GMT 12
Interesting stuff, this is the same base that we were talking about, Dave. When Truscott was being surveyed for suitability they heard a Japanese vessel off the shore, turned out to be a landing. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mungalalu_Truscott_Airbase |
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Post by saratoga on Nov 26, 2010 20:07:23 GMT 12
Hi Nathalie,
There is a very good book that covers the developement and use of Truscott during the war.
'Truscott' by John and Carol Beasy, pub.by AHMP,
ISBN 0646.04104.5.
Not sure on the date but i got my copy in the early '90s,so would have been about then.You might find it through library service or maybe for sale,though i think it would be pricey.
Covers everything from original site selection through to a 1991 site survey,with maps etc.
Also one of the 'Bush tucker man' videos featured a bit about the airstrip.
hope this helps.
cheers,
Bob
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Post by corsair67 on Nov 27, 2010 11:56:49 GMT 12
Interesting stuff, this is the same base that we were talking about, Dave. When Truscott was being surveyed for suitability they heard a Japanese vessel off the shore, turned out to be a landing. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mungalalu_Truscott_AirbaseLanding? Surely it was just a Japanese tourist party looking for cuddly little Koalas?   |
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Post by strikemaster on Nov 27, 2010 12:06:08 GMT 12
Drop bears, mate, drop bears. Vicious little beggers.
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