Gorrie
Airstrip 10 kilometres north of
LarrimahBy the end of January 1943, 14 ARD had grown to 13 officers and 175 airmen. Squadron Leader F.W. Sexton inspected a proposed site for 14 ARD at Gorrie in the Northern Territory on 8 January 1943. On 8 February 1943, an advance party comprising Flight Lieutenant T.B. Philcox, plus 1 Officer and 71 airmen arrived at Gorrie airfield.
By the end of May 1943, 14 ARD had a full complement of 959 officers and men.
The Aircraft Repair Depot was operational by June 1943, receiving its first aircraft, Spitfire (LZ848) on 25 July 1943. 14 ARD serviced all forms of aircraft from bombers to fighters, be they Australian RAAF, Navy, or the American Air Force. 14 ARD repaired airframes, hydraulics, landing gear, electrics, armaments, batteries, radio equipment and even made and bottled their required oxygen needs.
Gorrie Airfield was also one of the largest and busiest military bases in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. The abandoned airfield was established at the terminus of the old North Australian Railway. Gorrie was
home to several squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force and the
United States Air Force. At its peak in 1943 there were 6,500 military personnel stationed at Gorrie. The remains of many of the buildings and structures are still visible.
Unfortunately these signs shown in the photo's were removed by irresponsible souvenir hunters ,
Text and B/W photo Courtesy Peter Dunn's "Australia @ War" www.ozatwar.com
CRASH OF A B-25 MITCHELL