8-15 august 2020 EVENT PROGRAM 2 3 A brief timeline of ’s involvement in World War II depot for land-based aircraft travelling between , and the islands to the north. • Major General Sir Charles Rosenthal was appointed Administrator of Norfolk Island in 1937. He was a respected World War I (WWI) veteran and a strong, • By January 1942, a US regiment was on its way to Melbourne and soon forceful character. Convinced the war was imminent, he made preparations for afterwards US Captain Ronald W. Husk and a small team spent 4 days on Norfolk Norfolk Island’s involvement, including organising for the Royal Australian Air Island making a military assessment. Their work was supplemented by the first Force to plan an airstrip for the island. aerial survey of the island by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) on 26 April 1942. • On 1 September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. On 3 September 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany. This was the start of World War II (WWII). • In August 1942, the Moa Moa bought a US advance party of 14 men to the Island to select the airfield site and plan arrangements for bringing ashore the • Enlistment in both WWI & WWII was highly significant given the island’s small large amount of machinery that would be needed. population. The population of Norfolk Island was 983 in July 1939. During WWII, 280 of a possible 365 men, along with 8 women, joined the Australian and New • On 11 September 1942, the Yochow arrived, bringing 192 Zealand forces. Department of Main Roads workers and some of the necessary machinery • On 4 September 1939, Administrator Rosenthal established the Norfolk Island • On 20 September 1942, the MV Roseville arrived from America with 4,100 tons Infantry Detachment (NIID), a unit dedicated to guarding key facilities on the of equipment. island. The NIID was demobilised on 9 March 1944. • On 9 and 14 October 1942, a 1488 personnel-strong N Force, a New Zealand • On 7 December 1941, the Japanese attacked the of America (US) Army company of the 36th Battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Barry, arrived at Pearl Harbour, marking the beginning of the Pacific War. to protect and maintain the airbase. • Soon after the outbreak of war with Japan, a small Australian detachment of • By 23 December 1942, 5,000 feet of airfield matting had been laid and while 57 men was dispatched to reinforce the NIID and prevent sabotage of the cable planes had dropped stores and mail, no plane had landed yet. station that linked Australia and Canada via . • On 25 December 1942, one of three RNZAF Hudson bombers that were dropping • The US and Britain established Operational Area Plans for the Pacific which stores on the airfield made the sudden decision to land, causing excitement and included: celebration on Norfolk Island. • Australia and all islands to its north in the South West Pacific Area under US • On 29 December 1942, two Hudson aircraft made the first official landings on General D. MacArthur Norfolk Island. • NZ and all islands to its north in the South Pacific Area under US Royal Navy • Early in 1943, a Radar unit was established on Mount Bates and 200 men of Vice Admiral R L. Ghormley. This area included Norfolk Island. the RNZAF arrive under Wing Commander Coull arrived to operate the aerodrome. • Because of its unique strategic position, Vice Admiral Ghormley saw that • On 9 April 1943, N Force was replaced by New Zealand 2nd Battalion, Norfolk Island had undoubted advantages and initiated the plan to establish a Wellington-West Coast Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel A. R. Cockerell, base for anti-submarine patrols, refuge for aircraft in distress, and a staging remaining until February 1944.

4 5 • On 11 February 1944, command passed to the officer commanding the RNZAF station at the aerodrome, and Norfolk became an RNZAF responsibility. • Nazi Germany agreed to an unconditional surrender of its armed forces on 8 Norfolk Islanders at war May 1945, known as VE (Victory in Europe) Day. It is almost impossible to imagine what it would have been like on Norfolk Island in 1899 when 5 Norfolk Islanders volunteered to fight in the Boer War. In 1914, 81 Norfolk • Japan agreed to surrender on 14 August,1945, with formal surrender Islanders put their hands up to serve in the First World War (WWI) and just 20 years later ceremonies taking place on 2 September 1945. The Pacific War officially ceased 280 Norfolk Islanders joined up to serve in the Second World War (WWII). Then the Korean on 15 August 1945, Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day War in 1950, Malaya, Vietnam and so many other campaigns of action and peacekeeping in more recent times. • By September 1945, a garrison on Norfolk Island was no longer necessary and The Pitcairn and Norfolk Island communities have always felt a strong allegiance to so on 8 December 1945, 478 members of the garrison embarked for Auckland, Britain. Today in Norfolk Island, the Islanders still commemorate Queen Victoria and her with only a small rear party remaining. government’s gift of Norfolk Island as their homeland by keeping ‘God Save the Queen’ as the national anthem. Whenever Britain had to make a call to arms, the Norfolk Islanders • The RNZAF maintained defence of Norfolk Island from February 1944, until July were eager to serve the motherland. 1948. Management of the airport was then passed to the Australian Department After generations of subsistence farming, young Norfolk Islanders also wanted to depart of Civil Aviation. Norfolk Island’s shores, explore the world, and earn a regular salary. Like many young men around the world they felt this was an opportunity for an adventure.

Norfolk Island, per capita, contributed more volunteers to WWI and WWII than any other Commonwealth country of the world. This was an incredible sacrifice made by the families of Norfolk Island.

During WWII many Norfolk Islanders fought throughout the Pacific against the Imperial Japanese Forces. While 8 Norfolk Islanders died in action, or as prisoners of war while fighting against the Japanese in Asia, there were no lives lost in the Pacific. Norfolk Island lost a total of 27 servicemen and we must never forget that they sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy our freedom. We Nawa Gwen Forget Dem

Sydney 1941. Former NIID personnel now serving in the Australian Military Forces Left to right. Standing: Jack Clapp, Jackie Quintal, Fred Quintal, Richard Bataille, Charlie Adams, Cam Quintal, Herb Nobbs, Phil McCoy. Sitting: Allen Christian, Roy Quintal, George Bailey, Harry LeClerc, Leo McCoy, Bill Stephensen, Jim Rossiter Lest We Forget 6 7 Troops stationed on Norfolk Island – who were they? Building the aerodrome

On 23 September 1942, Lieutenant Colonel J.W Barry, Commander of 36th NZ Battalion and The airfield site was selected, and N Force, a contingent of 1488 men, sailed to Norfolk Island and landed on 26 September preliminary plans were made. In total, 1942. Norfolk Island’s population more than doubled in just three days. N Force also 171 hectares of land was compulsorily comprised the 215 Composite Anti-aircraft Battery, 152nd Heavy Battery and a mobile acquired, representing 1/8 of the field troop unit. island’s total area.

The Main NZ army camp locations were: The construction crew, consisting of volunteers recruited from the New D8 Bulldozer slips off barge beside Cascade • A Company at Middlegate Road (White Wings) South Wales Department of Main Pier Roads and allied departments, sailed • B Company off Bullocks Hut Road (near Gum Forest) to Norfolk Island on the MV Yochow on 11 September 1941, along with US Army Lieutenant • C Company at Cascade Road (Cockpit) J W Doverspike, 3 officers and 10 men of a US Army medical unit. Joining them for the • D Company Collin’s Head Road, Middlegate (Ocean Breeze) journey was a substantial amount of earth-moving equipment, crushers, concrete mixers and cranes. • Heavy Anti-Aircraft (AA) camp at Headstone • Headquarters & housing: Commanding Officer & staff at the home known as ‘Devon’ Work began even before the bulk of • Air Force camp in the Red Leaf area, adjacent to the current power facility the heavy earth-moving equipment from the US arrived to clear nearby land, so that the 12 cubic yard carryall scoops could be used, and the earthworks could commence. The men were first tasked with repairing the pier slipways so that the equipment could be brought ashore. Retrieval takes 2 dozers pulling in tandem Work then began in preparation for the MV Roseville’s arrival from America, to make a third landing place at Ball Bay, in case Cascade or Kingston were unsuitable. An access track from the road to Ball Bay was widened and a track made along the waterfront at the beach. A ramp was created by concreting over boulders. This was used with skid logs to haul equipment ashore (later it was widened, and a jetty was added).

On 20 September, the MV Roseville arrived from America with 4,100 tons of equipment to discharge. The matting was not able to be unloaded and the ship proceeded to Sydney. Unloading alternated between Kingston, Cascade and Ball Bay. Heavy equipment came ashore by barge, which included bulldozers, graders, trucks, a root ripper, carry-all scoops and a 23-ton diesel shovel. Air sea rescue inflatable lifeboat shed. Norfolk’s first passenger terminal. Norfolk had been in a state of ‘black-out’ but this changed with floodlighting at the airport for night earthworks, enabling the men to work two shifts. Very soon after, work began on the removal of the trees on Pine Avenue and the Tree of Knowledge. 8 9 Felling Pine Avenue and the Tree of Knowledge Construction continues

Pine Avenue was planted by second penal settlement convicts in the 1840s. It was an In 1942, a lot was going on… 2 runways were avenue of some 400 magnificent Norfolk Island pine trees, lining both sides of the cleared for levelling; limestone was being straightest, longest road on the island, and a place of pride for Norfolk Islanders. bulldozed at Point Hunter Kingston for crushing near Quality Row, then sand and crushed A majestic tree some 175 feet tall, known as the Tree of Knowledge, was part of Pine limestone were trucked up to the airport works Avenue. This iconic tree was used by the locals to communicate public notices and news. for stockpiling in readiness. It was located on the right-hand corner of New Farm Road when entering Pine Avenue. By 2 December 1942, the preparation of the The Pine Avenue trees were runways had been completed and they were relatively young when the ready to receive their covering of matting. The Inserting the locking clips into the Pitcairners arrived in 1856. The SS Hanyang bought over 1,500 tons of Marsden runway matting Norfolk Islanders felt that they matting in two trips, arriving at Norfolk Island had matured together with on 20 November and 20 December 1942. Despite weather delays by 24 December, all of the trees as they settled into the matting was laid, and the main runway was ready. Aircraft flew over on 23 and 24 their new life on the island. December, dropping stores. The loss of these symbolic and much-loved trees in 1942 was On Christmas Day, one of the three RNZAF Hudson bombers that were dropping stores keenly felt by all. made the sudden decision to land, becoming the first plane to land on the runway and the second ever to land in Norfolk Island (a Chichester landed in 1931). The aircraft was flown by Flight Lieutenant G.P. Kellee with his co-pilot P. Durning, Navigator E.W.E. Butcher Looking West down Pine Avenue and wireless operators J.L. Sale and Squadron Leader R. McGill. On 29 December 1942, two Hudson aircraft made the first official landings on Norfolk Island. The airport was operational.

D8 Dozer pulling down a pine Christmas Day landing 1942

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12 13 Norfolk Island Infantry Detachment Norfolk Island military sites 1942-1944

On 4 September 1939, Administrator Rosenthal established the Norfolk Island Infantry 1. Under the Banyan Tree at Detachment (NIID), a unit dedicated to guarding key facilities on the island. An Army depot used for storing 44-gallon drums of fuel and two 22,000-gallon storage Warrant Officer (W.O.) Waite was posted to Norfolk Island in October 1939, following the tanks, one situated outside the south-eastern corner of the current DCA circle, and one outbreak of war on 3 September 1939. He was a member of the Australian Regular Army at the end of Captain Quintal drive. Staff and his function was to train the NIID, as well as prepare some of them for overseas 2. Norfolk Island Building Supplies site on New Cascade Road service. Mechanical workshop buildings. The Headquarters of the NIID was in the Old Military Barracks (from the penal era) at Kingston. On 7 October 1939, the 20 young enlisted islanders gathered at Kingston under 3. Joe Nobb’s Paddock at – now Foodland site W.O. Waite to be trained as non-commissioned officers for the growing detachment Heavy engineering workshops. (which later numbered more than 120 men). 4. Between Borry’s Rentals and Cascade Motors on Taylors Road Until the outbreak of war with Japan on the 7 December 1941, the NIID carried out regular coastal surveillance and patrols as German raiders were known to be operating in the Regimental bakery and Quartermaster’s store for food storage (especially vegetables). area. Ships had been sunk by mines laid by the Germans in Australian and New Zealand Meals were taken from this site to the various units around the island. waters. 5. Below Tom Bailey’s property, now The Pitcairn Village valley Open-air amphitheatre, complete with stage and curtains, built to entertain the troops. The audience sat on the Taylor’s Road side of the valley slope, opposite the stage.

6. Devon House site on the corner of Queen Elizabeth Avenue and Taylors Road

Army Headquarters for N Force and residence for Colonel Barry, the senior officers and staff. There were also several army huts, a mess hall, tents and an amenities block.

Telephone cables had been installed to connect to other centres. Communications were supplemented by dispatch riders going from headquarters to other strategic installations.

7. Cascade Bridges and Cockpit area on Cascade Road

Infantry camping and Bren gun carriers.

8. Ocean Breeze site at Middlegate

A battery of guns, which included more than four 25 Pounder guns, anti-aircraft defences and ammunition wagons. A mobile gun-laying radar unit.

9. White Wings and Borrie Evans’ residence on Middlegate Road Norfolk Island Infantry Detachment (NIID) on parade on Quality Row ‘A’ Company, N force. Bofors guns, ready for deployment to other areas.

14 15 12. Ron Nobb’s paddock at Longridge

Anti-aircraft Bofors guns.

13. Crystal Pool

A gun emplacement and observation post in the hill above Crystal pool, facing the Kingston landing site.

14. Cable Station at Anson Bay now the Gun Club

The area camp of the Norfolk Island Infantry Detachment prior to 1941.

After 7 December 1941 (Pearl Harbour) some Australian troops arrived, and various defences were constructed in the area to protect the cable station. These included a RNZAF Headquarters at aerodrome bunker/pill box at the end of the ridge above Anson Bay, a gun emplacement and Bofors guns in the upper centre of Anson Bay, as well as revetments around the cable station building.

15. Captain Cook Monument

Several weapon pits capable of being used as defence points.

16. Burglars Lane

The main communication transmitters, linked by landline to the radar unit on Mt Bates and the aerodrome site headquarters, and by radio to similar centres in the south-west Pacific. Later, it connected to the high-frequency direction finder at Steele’s Point.

NI Pines and RNZAF Headquarters

10. Site of the current hospital on Grassy Road

Martha Taylor’s Guest House was converted and extended into a 20-bed Military Hospital and Dental facility. Injured servicemen from northern conflict zones came here before being repatriated. After the war, the guest house was demolished, and major constructions saw the establishment of a community hospital for the island.

11. Cattle grid area on Douglas Drive

Two gun sites about 40 metres apart, directly overlooking the runway intersection. Transmitter Building at Burglars Lane Inflatable liferaft

16 17 17. Adjacent to the Convict Police Office at Kingston 20. Lee’s paddock – now Redleaf and Photopress site

The Air-Sea Rescue hut, adjacent to the convict police office near the pier, along with two The RNZAF camp which included mess halls, recreation rooms and rows of tents. A motor launches that could be used to rescue ditched airmen. civilian tea-room was close to the entrance to Redleaf House, which was popular with the servicemen. From September 1945, there was an air-sea rescue Hudson aircraft with an inflatable lifeboat based at the aerodrome site. The lifeboat was slung underneath and could be 21. NI pines – near the current Meteorological Station site dropped at sea when downed crew were located. The boatshed later became Norfolk’s first passenger terminal. The RNZAF headquarters, communication and operations centre was situated beside the iconic pines that formed the letters NI, known as NI Pines. 18. Mount Pitt - Initially, on the top of Mt Pitt, two guns moved on a circular rail system, creating the ability for the guns to fire 360 degrees. These were large American 155mm (6 The communication receivers situated here complemented the transmitters at Burglar’s inch), heavy battery guns. Two more of these guns were later moved from the Rooty Hill Lane, along with equipment for two-way communications with aircraft and telephone area to gun pits on a lower ridge. links to other strategic sites.

19. Mount Bates - A guarded radar base was situated at the top of Mt Bates. In this area, there were also numerous army huts, a powerhouse, and a Mess Hall, which had come in sections from New Zealand. There was a track joining the installations on Mount Bates and Mount Pitt.

Lees Paddock – Redleaf Airforce camp area off Ferny Lane (at centre left of photo)

Marine Section hut Kingston Pier with air sea rescue launch slung on bulldozer crane

18 19 25. Near the picnic area at Headstone

Anti-aircraft guns were situated here after the airport was completed and were serviced by an Army camp. Airforce personnel also used the site before moving to the Redleaf and Lee’s paddock area.

26. Hills above the Golf Club at Rooty Hill

Two large anti-shipping American Heavy Battery Artillery Guns were sited here. They were surrounded by anti-aircraft Bofors guns in the hills nearby. Later, the heavy battery guns were moved to the Mt Pitt ridge site.

27. Behind Cheryl Tennis Courts

A small dam was built in the creek for water supply. Water was pumped up to a tank at the top of Grassy road. This water was then gravity fed to the main Airforce camp. The concrete water tank remains there to this day.

The low frequency radio range showing the 5 vertical aerials adjacent to the Golf Course

22. Public runway viewing site on New Farm Road

A radar responder beacon (RACON), and medium frequency direction finding facility (MF D/F). Short-range navigation equipment was located in a building close to the runway intersection. RACON automatically provided distance information to aircraft. The manned MF D/F was able to provide bearing details. Personnel operating the MF D/F resided in Sandow Nobbs’ house, nearby. Part of this building, which was later referred to as Tower One, is now located on the grounds of The Museum of Transport and Technology, some 200 metres from its original location.

23. Tavener’s Paddock at Steele’s Point

A station with a High-Frequency Direction-Finding facility (HFDF) was located here from January 1945.

It was one of a group HFDF stations in the southwest Pacific area. Aircraft anywhere in the area could request a directional bearing from these stations.

24. Cemetery site adjacent to the Golf Course at Kingston NZ anti-aircraft gunners

An unmanned low-frequency radio range hut with short to mid-range radio navigation aid to guide approaching aircraft.

20 21 NZ Army troops at Kingston Pier Landing live sheep to feed the troops

Mt Bates radar installation and plotting room

Emily Bay with gents and ladies change sheds Mobile gun laying radar Landing troops at Kingston Pier

HF D/F station

RACON and MF D/F building NZ Military Brass Band outside old Rawson Hall

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