During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces established a series of airfields in Australia for the collective defense of the country, as well as for conducting offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. It was from these airports and airfields in Australia, that Fifth Air Force was able to regroup, re-equip and begin offensive operations against the Empire of Japan after the disasters in the Philippines and Dutch East Indies during 1942.© Wikipedia
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Contact detailsE: tourism@murweh.qld.gov.auP: 07 4654 7771
While staying in Charleville, Queensland we decided to join a convoy tour around the remains of an American Secret Army Base established during WWII. You will need to take your own car and follow a guide around the remains of this base which is, of course, located near the airport. It is mostly remains that have been found around the area because many of the buildings were dismantled at the end of the war. Research has been done on these secret bases and signs have been posted explaining what they suspect areas would have been used for during the war.
The Norden Bomb-sight was housed in a building/vault on this base - this was a piece of sighting equipment used in a bomber plane to enable them to drop bombs accurately - apparently from 4.5 miles in the air it could land a bomb within 100 feet. There were about 3500 people on the base and they were all sworn to secrecy - therefore hardly any photos were taken of the area. One vault remains and a Norden Bomb-sight can be viewed.
This was a very interesting tour and it is quite fascinating that this secret and important air base was established in a small country town.