PUBLIC WARNING NOTICES
FOR CHEMICAL WARFARE TRIALS
IN NORTH QUEENSLAND
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

 

The table below is a summary of Public Warning notices of Bombing Practice, Artillery Firing Practice and Mortar Firing Practice advertised in newspapers during WWII. It is believed that most of these events were part of Chemical Warfare tests in north Queensland during WWII. The following is a typical advertisement:-

 

This advertisement is for low-level bombing
practice from 18 May to 15 June 1944 for a
location further north of the area covered above

 

HINCHINBROOK ISLAND

DATE TYPE OF EVENT LOCATION
From 27 March to 27 May 1944 Bombing Practice Bounded on the north by the mountain range rising from Wilkin Hill on the west and following the line Goddard Range - Mt. Straloch to the east coast and on the east, south and west by the island coastline.
From 13 April to 27 May 1944 Bombing Practice Bounded on the north and east by the mountain range rising 10,000 yards NW of the mouth of Gayundah Creek and following the line of this range to its junction with the main central range, thence SE and south along the main range to Mt. Diamantina on the south by an east-west line through Mt. Diamantina to Leafe Peak and on the west by the island coastline.
From 9 June to 24 June 1944 Bombing Practice Bounded on the north and east by the mountain range rising 10,000 yards NW of the mouth of Gayundah Creek and following the line of this range to its junction with the main central range, thence SE and south along the main range to Mt. Diamantina on the south by an east-west line through Mt. Diamantina to Leafe Peak and on the west by the island coastline.

 

MISSION BEACH

DATE TYPE OF EVENT LOCATION
Between 10am and 2pm on 30 March 1944 to the 5 April 1944 Artillery Firing Practice Northern Boundary: From the junction of South Maria Creek and Bingil Bay Road thence along El Arish - North Hull Road to crossroads at Fenby's Gap, thence East along road to the coast.

Eastern Boundary: From Mission Beach Settlement South along the coast to a point 1,000 yards North of Qld. Mission Station.

Southern Boundary: From the southern end of Eastern Boundary direct West to Mt. Douglas.

Western Boundary: From Mt. Douglas a line North West along crest of Tam-O-Shanter Range to South Maria Creek thence following the creek North till it crosses the Bingil Bay Road.

Between 10am and 2pm on 6 April 1944 to the 12 April 1944 Artillery Firing Practice Northern Boundary: From the junction of South Maria Creek and Bingil Bay Road thence along El Arish - North Hull Road to crossroads at Fenby's Gap, thence East along road to the coast.

Eastern Boundary: From Mission Beach Settlement South along the coast to a point 1,000 yards North of Qld. Mission Station.

Southern Boundary: From the southern end of Eastern Boundary direct West to Mt. Douglas.

Western Boundary: From Mt. Douglas a line North West along crest of Tam-O-Shanter Range to South Maria Creek thence following the creek North till it crosses the Bingil Bay Road.

Between 2pm and midnight on 13 May 1944 and between 8am and 4pm on 14 May 1944 Field Firing Practice Northern Boundary: A line running East and West along Garner's Road to junction of Bingle Bay Road a distance of approx. 4,000 yards

Southern Boundary: A line running East and West from Clump Point through Walker Hill Range approx. 3,000 yards in length.

Eastern Boundary: A line formed by High Water mark running North and South along beach from Clump Point to Garner's Beach approx. 5,000 yards.

Western Boundary: A line running North and South from junction of Garner's Beach Road and Bingle Bay Road, Mission Beach Road approx 5,000 yards.

Daily from 18 May 1944 to 15 June 1944 inclusive Bombing practice Bounded on north by a line running East and West 200 yards South of Fenby's Gap - Mission Beach Road, on the East by the sea, on the South by an East West line 2,500 yards South of Fenby's Gap - Mission Beach Road, and on the West by a North South line 1,000 yards West of the Clump Point Road.
29 May 1944 to 20 June 1944 inclusive Bombing Practice Bounded on the West by a line 1,000 yards West of Clump Point road, on the East by the sea, and on the South by lines running East and West 1,000 yards North and 500 yards South of Bolton's Saddle.
15 November 1944 to 29 November 1944 (2 weeks) Low-level Bombing Practice An area lying between the Tully - Clump Point Road and Mission Beach bounded on the North by the El Arish - North Hull Road and on the South by a line running East and West through Jurs Gap.
29 November 1944 to 13 December 1944 inclusive (2 weeks) Low-level Bombing Practice An area lying between the Tully - Clump Point Road and Mission Beach bounded on the North by the El Arish - North Hull Road and on the South by a line running East and West through Jurs Gap.
6 December 1944 to 20 December 1944 inclusive (2 weeks) Low-level Bombing Practice An area lying between the Tully - Clump Point Road and Mission Beach bounded on the North by the El Arish - North Hull Road and on the South by a line running East and West through Jurs Gap.
30 December 1944 to 13 January 1945 inclusive Low-level Bombing Practice Mission Beach from Porter Creek to a point 4,000 yards South and extending inland to a depth of 300 yards.

 

MOURILYAN

DATE TYPE OF EVENT LOCATION
29 December 1943 to 18 January 1944 Mortar Field Firing Practice From the mouth of Walter Creek on Mourilyan Harbour as area extending one and one half miles west and two miles north, and taking in one and one half miles of Mourilyan Harbour road and railway from a point one mile from Mourilyan Harbour.
27 February to 5 March 1944 Mortar Field Firing Practice From the mouth of Walter Creek on Mourilyan Harbour as area extending one and one half miles west and two miles north, and taking in one and one half miles of Mourilyan Harbour road and railway from a point one mile from Mourilyan Harbour.
6am to 6pm on 2 November 1944 Bombing Practice (dropping cannisters) Bounded on the south by the Mourilyan Harbour Road, between points 500 yards and 2,500 yards west of the Mourilyan Harbour Jetty and extending north of the said road for 1,000 yards.

 

NIND CREEK NEAR INNISFAIL

DATE TYPE OF EVENT LOCATION
16 February to 20 February 1944 Mortar Firing Practice Eastern Boundary: Nind Creek

Northern Boundary: Johnstone River

Western Boundary: Line south from the eastern end of Banana Island to rifle range

Southern Boundary: From rifle range to Nind Creek

19 February to 26 February 1944 Mortar Firing Practice Eastern Boundary: Nind Creek

Northern Boundary: Johnstone River

Western Boundary: Line south from the eastern end of Banana Island to rifle range

Southern Boundary: From rifle range to Nind Creek

27 February to 5 March 1944 Mortar Firing Practice Eastern Boundary: Nind Creek

Northern Boundary: Johnstone River

Western Boundary: Line south from the eastern end of Banana Island to rifle range

Southern Boundary: From rifle range to Nind Creek

5 March to 12 March 1944 Mortar Field Firing From the mouth of Walter Creek on Mourilyan Harbour an area extending one and one half miles west and two miles north, and taking in one and one half miles of Mourilyan Harbour road and railway from a point one mile from Mourilyan Harbour.
12 March to 16 March 1944 Mortar Firing Practice Eastern Boundary: Nind Creek

Northern Boundary: Johnstone River

Western Boundary: Line south from the eastern end of Banana Island to rifle range

Southern Boundary: From rifle range to Nind Creek

17 March to 27 March 1944 Artillery Firing Practice Eastern Boundary: Nind Creek

Northern Boundary: Johnstone River

Western Boundary: Line south from the eastern end of Banana Island to junction of Ninds Creek (West Branch) and road Innisfail - Mourilyan.

Southern Boundary: From junction of Ninds Creek (West Branch) and road Innisfail - Mourilyan to junction Mourilyan Harbour Tramway and Etty Bay, thence  along Etty Bay Road to junction of Etty Bay Road and Ninds Creek.

 

NORTH ISLAND

DATE TYPE OF EVENT LOCATION
18 January to 18 February 1944 Bombing Practice North Island, northern most island of Brook Island Group and approximately 20 miles ENE of Cardwell
22 January to 18 February 1944 Bombing Practice North Island, situated approximately 20 miles ENE of Cardwell in Brook Islands Group
29 January to 18 February 1944 Bombing Practice North Island, situated approximately 20 miles ENE of Cardwell in Brook Islands Group
5 February to 18 February 1944 Bombing Practice North Island situated approximately 20 miles ENE of Cardwell, in the Brook Island Group
12 February to 18 February 1944 Bombing practice North island, situated approximately 20 miles ENE of Cardwell in Brook Islands Group
19 February to 26 March 1944 Bombing Practice North island, situated approximately 20 miles ENE of Cardwell in Brook Islands Group
14 April to 26 May 1944 Bombing Practice North island, situated approximately 20 miles ENE of Cardwell in Brook Islands Group

 

SILKWOOD

DATE TYPE OF EVENT LOCATION
16 December 1944 to 16 January 1945 Low Level Bombing Practice An area 600 yards square.

Northern Boundary: Junction Cowley Creek and Mourilyan - Silkwood Road.

Southern Boundary: A line extending west Mourilyan - Silkwood Road for a distance of 600 yards.

Eastern Boundary: Mourilyan - Silkwood Road

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Key Gray for his assistance with this web page.

 

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This page first produced 17 March 2019

This page last updated 20 April 2024