TASK FORCE 72
SEVENTH FLEET, US NAVY
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

The US Navy's Seventh Fleet was attached to South West Pacific area during WW2 under the overall command of General Douglas MacArthur. 

Task Force 72, Seventh Fleet, US Navy was based in Brisbane in southern Queensland during WW2.

In May 1944, Task Force 72, Seventh Fleet comprised:-

COMMANDER TASK FORCE 72
    Capt. Bryant, E.H.
    Comdr. Nichols, S.G.

SUBMARINE REPAIR UNIT, NAVY 134
    Commanding Officer:
        Comdr. Lewis, G.A.
    Executive Officer:
        Lt. Wilson, G.R.
    Officer's Club
    B.O.Q.
    Duty Administrative Officer

The above information is from the May 1944 Brisbane Military Telephone Directory.

On 1 April 1943 Task Force Seventy-Two comprised:-

TASK FORCE SEVENTY TWO

(AS11) USS Fulton - Force Flagship
(PG22) USS Tulsa

Submarine Squadron Eight

(AS11) USS Fulton - Tender
(ASR8) USS Coucal - Submarine Rescue Vessel

 

Submarine Division Eighty-one	Submarine Division Eighty-two
(SS212) USS Gato	(SS217) USS Guardfish
(SS213) USS Greenling	(SS218) USS Albacore
(SS214) USS Grouper	(SS219) USS Amberjack
(SS215) USS Growler	(SS285) USS Balao
(SS265) USS Peto	(SS286) USS Billfish
(SS267) USS Pompon	(SS287) USS Bowfin

 

Assigned to Third Fleet - Under operational Control of Commander Task Force Seventy-Two

(SS168) USS Nautilus
(SS228) USS Drum
(SS236) USS Silversides

Captain J. Fife was Commander Task Force Seventy Two in April 1943.

REFERENCE BOOKS

War Diary, Commander Seventh Fleet from 1 April 1943 to 30 April 1943

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"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 30 September 2003

This page last updated 19 January 2020