Published Resources Details
Conference Paper
- Title
- The construction of aerodromes in the South Pacific during World War II by NSW engineers
- In
- From the Past to the Future: 18th Australian Engineering Heritage Conference 2015 [Newcastle]
- Imprint
- Engineers Australia, Barton, Australian Capital Territory, 2015, pp. 203-212
- ISBN/ISSN
- 9781922107435
- Url
- https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.697156750041284
- Abstract
Civilian engineers from NSW in the construction of two strategically important aerodromes in the South Pacific during World War II: Tontouta (New Caledonia) and Norfolk Island. Construction work on both aerodromes was undertaken with contingents from NSW, but supported by the USA Army Air Corps with personnel and equipment. The aerodromes were initially planned as defensive measures, however, their role rapidly changed to an offensive role after the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. In this capacity they acted as re-fuelling/supply points for ferry aircraft to support the offensive campaign in pursuing the Japanese further north.
The paper chronicles the civilian engineers' contribution to the war effort and is supported by extensive archival material sourced from the construction period.
Related Published resources
isPartOf
- From the Past to the Future: 18th Australian Engineering Heritage Conference 2015 [Newcastle] (Barton, Australian Capital Territory: Engineers Australia, 2015), 230 pp, https://search.informit.org/doi/book/10.3316/informit.9781922107435. Details