Mungalalu Truscott Airbase
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Mungalalu Truscott Airbase, previously known as Truscott Airfield (or simply as Truscott) is an Australian Customs Service airbase. It was constructed in 1944 as a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base during World War II. Truscott is located on the Anjo Peninsula, at the northern tip of Western Australia. RAAF Truscott was named after an Australian air ace, Keith "Bluey" Truscott, who had been killed in an accident in 1943.
The World War II base was built to succeed a temporary base 80 km (50 mi) south at Drysdale River Mission (Kalumburu), and was a refuelling base for Allied bombers and flying boats, from bases further south, making attacks on Japanese targets in the Dutch East Indies. The site was chosen because it is the point on the Australian mainland closest to Java, where Japanese forces were concentrated. RAAF fighter squadrons were also based there.
On 18 January 1944, an RAAF unit making preparations for construction of the airfield heard a vessel which they suspected was a Japanese submarine or boat. In order to prevent Japanese forces learning of Truscott's location, they did not investigate. It was later confirmed that they had heard a Japanese reconnaissance vessel named Hiyoshi Maru, the crew of which reconnoitered an area of the mainland about 25 km (15.5 mi away). The Japanese party did not discover the plans for Truscott.
The base was centred on a single 2,438 metre (8,000 ft) runway. It was laid down on a salt flat using Marsden Matting. In 2004, the airfield was renovated for use by Customs Dash 8 planes. The new works included extensions to the main runway.
[edit] External links
- Peter Dunn, 2000, ozatwar.com, "Truscott Airfield on Anjo Peninsular in Western Australia during WW2" (includes maps)
- Attorney-General's Department, 2004, "Truscott Airbase extension strengthens remote coastal surveillance"
- pacificwrecks.com "Truscott" (includes pictures)
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