15TH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION
OF THE 29TH INFANTRY BRIGADE
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

On 14 May 1942, the 15th Australian Infantry Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade, was located at Roseneath, near Townsville.

At 0830 hours on 14 August 1942, one Section of "C" Company of the 15th Australian Infantry Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade, left the Mount Louisa area where the 15th Battalion was camped at that time, to man the Observation Post on Castle Hill. They replaced a Section from "B" Company of the 29th Battalion which had been manning the OP since 3 July 1942.

At 0800 hours on 27 August 1942, the 15th Australian Infantry Battalion, of the 29th Infantry Brigade, moved from the Mount Louisa area to take up a new position near the Bluewater Crossing area. This became known as Camp Bluewater and it was located on the left hand side of the Bruce Highway heading outbound from Townsville on the side of Bluewater Creek furthest from Townsville.

The move was classed as a tactical move in their War Diary. The Battalion took up positions on the 28 August 1942 in the new bivouac areas in close vicinity of the Bluewater Creek crossing area and established Headquarters at Map Reference 625968, Map MAGNETIC WEST (Emergency Edition 1 inch to 1 mile). At 1353 hours on 30 August 1942, message was received that a Water Point at Bluewater Creek was functioning.

The 29th Infantry Brigade constructed an obstacle course at Bluewater for training purposes. On the 4th and 5th November 1942, all Companies of the 15th Battalion went through the 29th Infantry Brigade Obstacle Course.

On 22 November 1942, the Observation Post on Castle Hill was handed over to R.A.A. at 1200 hours.

The 15th Australian Infantry Battalion moved from Camp Bluewater to a new bivouac area at Thornton's Gap on 26 November 1942 with the Headquarters area being at 523748 Map Reference Thornton Gap (Special) 1inch to 1 mile.

The Defence of Townsville 

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This page first produced 5 July 1998

This page last updated 25 February 2020