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 3rd BG c1942  USAAF c1943  USAAF c1944 |
Location Lat 19° 15' 9S Long 146° 45' 55E Garbutt Field is located at an elevation of 18' above sea level in Townsville in the northeastern Queensland in Australia. Overlooking the area is Castle Hill. Also known as Garbutt Airfield or RAAF Townsville. Still in use today as Townsville Airport or RAAF Townsville. Construction Built prior to the war. Garbutt Field was owned by the Townsville city council. Wartime History During the war, it was developed into a major base used by both the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). During the early months of the Pacific War, Garbutt Field was used for combat missions against Japanese targets. 5th Air Force missions flown from Garbutt were given the abbreviation "TOW" for Townsville. Garbutt was used to ferry aircraft northward to New Guinea and also for training missions in the local area. Also, as a major repair depot. At the hight of Garbutt's use, the airfield was one of the busiest airfields in Queensland. Allied units based at Garbutt Field U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) 7th BG, 88th RS (B-17) Fiji Feb 20, 1942 - ? 6th PRG, 8th PRS (F-4) Brisbane arrives May 2, 1942–September 9, 1942 departs 14 Mile Drome 6th PRG, 8th PRS (F-4 "A Flight" ) Brisbane arrives May 8, 1942–August 1942 departs 14 Mile Drome 8th FG, 35th FS (P-39) arrives July 27, 1942–September 18, 1942 8th FG, 36 FS (P-39) arrives April 4, 1942–April 26, 1942 to 7 Mile Drome returns June 30, 1942–August 18, 1942 35th FG, 39th FS (P-38) arrives July 26, 1942–October 18, 1942 departs 14 Mile Drome 38th BG, 405th BS (B-25) Breddan September 30, 1942–October 25, 1942 departs Port Moresby 22nd BG, HQ ?–July 5, 1942 to Woodstock 35th FG, 40th FS (P-39) April 1942–June 2, 1942 returns July 30, 1942–November 25, 1942 19th BG, 435th BS (B-17) February - Nov 15, 1942 USA 374th TCG, 6th TCS (C-47) October 2, 1943 - August 26, 1944 374th TCG, 22th TCS (C-47) Essendon arrives October 11, 1942–Jan 24, 1943 returns Oct 4, 1943–Aug 29, 1944 374th TCG, 33th TCS (C-47) arrives October 5, 1943–April 1944 374th TCG, HQ (C-47) Port Moresby arrives October 7, 1943– 317th TCG, 39th TCS (C-47) arrives January 22, 1943–February 22, 1943 departs Archerfield 317th TCG, 40 TCS (C-47) arrives January 23, 1943–October 4, 1943 317th TCG, 41 TCS (C-47) arrives January 23, 1943–May 10, 1943 317th TCG, 46 TCS (C-47) arrives January 23, 1943–October 1, 1943 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 5 Communication Flight November 30, 1942–May 25, 1946 No. 22 Squadron September 22, 1942–October 19, 1942 No. 24 Squadron October 14, 1940–December 1, 1941 / February 26, 1942–July 30, 1942 No. 35 Squadron March 31, 1945–June 10, 1946 No. 36 Squadron February 20, 1944–August 19, 1946 No. 40 Squadron March 31, 1944–July 22, 1944 No. 41 Squadron August 21, 1942–May 15, 1944 No. 75 Squadron (P-40E) activated Mar 4, 1942–Mar 21, 1942 departs 7 Mile returns May 11, 1942–May 17, 1942 No. 77 Squadron January 26, 1943–February 13, 1943 No. 82 Squadron April 30, 1944–September 25, 1944 2 AAU (Air Ambulance Unit) ... 03.04.43 - 10.01.44 23 OBU (Operational Base Unit) ... 03.07.42 - 15.12.44 33 OBU ... 28.04.43 - 06.06.46 44 OBU ... 23.12.42 - 04.03.43 13 Aircraft Repair Depot (Det) ... 11.43 - 12.43 5 RSU (Repair & Salvage Unit) ... 26.05.44 - 11.03.45 12 Mobile Fighter Sector HQ ... 11.03.42 - 24.03.43 43 Radar Station (43 RS) August 24, 1942–October 8, 1942 Today Still in use today as Townsville Airport for the civilian side. The military side is known as RAAF Townsville for the military side used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The first runway is oriented 19/01 measures 7,999' x 148' surfaced with asphalt. The second runway is oriented 25/07 measures 3,609' x 98' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: ICAO: YBTL IATA: TSV. 4th Air Depot Group (4th ADG) This was a large repair and overhaul area for major repairs and engine overhauls plus aircraft modification including conversions of Douglas A-20 Havocs and North American B-25 Mitchells into strafers variants. Keith Hopper adds: "The former 4 ADG depot complex has been built over in the last 24 months, and the accommodation area at the base of Mount Louisa has been covered by houses within the last five years." References Oz @ War - Garbutt Field Contribute
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