Northern Territory pics

[Mike Cecil]

Rick,

Look up '205' in the AMF registration books and you'll find that Hathi. The 'C' was the prefix on vehicles registered under the Uniform Commonwealth Registration scheme applicable to all Comm Govt departments and appeared on the number plates issued by the Department of Interior. Once metal plates were dispensed with for Army and Air Force in 1941 (because of the sheer volume of vehicles being acquired), the 'C' was dropped from the registration. At the time of transition, you sometimes see the 'C' painted on the bonnet as a prefix, but most simply had the number painted as per the ROs.

The AMF books (not the AIF books) held under AWM 126 list the number less the 'C' prefix.

The cab 12: I think it is a GS with the cab back/roof removed.

RAAF 201897 is a 1942 Chevrolet, Series 15, so a Canadian-supplied chassis/running gear (and cab?). The lorry was assembled in Melbourne (chassis number was 42M759)

The '333' unit sign on the CMP in post #1 is that of 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. The digits are dark blue painted onto a 'sky blue' background. RAAF and US Army units coming under command of NT Force all carried unit signs issued by NT Force HQ - it is the only instance I have come across where RAAF and US Army carried Aust Army-issued unit signs.

TSS Zealandia was indeed sunk in Darwin Harbour. It was a Huddart-Parker Ltd pass/cargo ship taken over by the Commonwealth on 21 June 1940, and used as a troop transport until sunk in Darwin on 19 Feb 1942. First hit by a bomb down No.3 hatch, then raked with cannon and MG, the ship caught fire and stored ammunition started exploding. The ship was abandoned and settled by the stern, sinking until only the masts and top of the funnel were visible. The ship's military career spanned two wars: it has also been used for trooping in the First World War, carrying US troops across the Atlantic, then post-war, returning AIF troops to Australia.

Mike

[Mike K]

I recall seeing a TV re-enactment of the Royal Commission looking into the Darwin 19th Feb raids. The RAAF base or area commander was interrogated , the authorities were looking for a scapegoat .

My father witnessed the raid at close quarters, being a crew member of HMAS Playtpus. Only ever got little bits n pieces out of him . He did tell me there was a dead nurse in the water. Apparently he wasn't on board when the raid began. Many of the veterans wanted to forget it all , anything to do with the war. But he did have fond memories of the 'Plats' as he called the ship.

[Ryan]

What a great thread. Those photos are terrific.

[Robin Craig]

In post number 28 the photo caption mentions "a low wheeled drug".

What is a drug please?