'D' Australian Heavy Battery (Coast)

Brief History

This battery was formed on Bribie Island north of Brisbane in September 1942 where they established Skirmish Battery with two 155mm US guns. They also trianed drafts of men intended for 'E' and 'F' Batteries in October. In April 1943 they handed over Skirmish Battery to 'P' Heavy Battery and moved to Townsville to take over Magazine Battery. In November they moved again, this time to New Guinea where they set up at Sanananda Point as part of Buna Battery to defend the developing port facilities.

With the transfer of activity from Buna to Finschhafen the battery moved to Bootless Battery near Port Moresby in March 1944, and then in July with the war moving further north they left for Sydney. Following a period of leave they reassembled at Long Bay in NSW with an expectation of participating int he Borneo campaign, but with their services not required, they disbanded in May 1945.

Battery personnel

• John Blair
• Eric William Taylor 28 Nov 1942 - 5 Jul 1944

Battle Honours

New Guinea 1942 - 44

Notes

Magazine Hill, Townsville was removed to facilitate harbour expansion in 1984/85