JAPANESE RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT
OVER TOWNSVILLE, QLD
ON 21 MARCH 1942

The War Diary of the 31st Battalion has an entry at 1300 hrs on 21 March 1942 stating "First Jap RECCE Plane over city."

Goode Lane in The Oasis Townsville was named after Flight Lieutenant Cyril Goode who spotted the first Japanese Reconnaissance aircraft to fly over Townsville on 21 March 1942.

The War Diary for "Townsville Fixed Defences Heavy Artillery" has the following entry for 21 March 1942:-

"At 1206 a Japanese aircraft was sighted over the area by the Kissing Point Bty., 16 A.A. Bty, and the R.A.A.F.. The following report was received from C.D.H.:-

"Phone to 16 A.A. Bty. out of order during greater part of the day. Pilot Officer Tucker in a P40, saw the Japanese 'plane from the ground, flying at about 12,000 feet. It was silvery underneath wings like a Douglas, with the leading edge tapered back. He took off in his P40 at 1240 hours and when at 6,000 feet North of Magnetic Island, the other aircraft was still at 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Sky was cloudy, ceiling covered with broken clouds at 4,000 to 10,000 feet. Another sheet of clouds at 12,000 feet. Tucker lost sight of the aircraft above 12,000 feet. Still heading north, Tucker continued on to Palm Island where he climbed to 19,000 feet. Sky was clear above, but nothing in view. Tucker circled Missionary Bay and returned under cumulous clouds to Herbert River at a height of 8,000 to 10,000 feet. He followed the river to the sea and was then at 9,000 feet. He circled Magnetic Island and headed inland and landed at 1500 hours. Last seen of enemy was South West of Rattlesnake Island. Flight Lieutenant Goode, R.A.A.F., reported that he saw the aircraft from the ground at a height of 15,000 to 20,000 feet. He said that it was definitely a Japanese type and that it was keeping to the clouds as much as possible."

The War Diary for 16 Heavy Anti Aircraft has the following entry:-

"At 1150 hrs., 21/3/42., one Japanese Mitsubishi M.C. 20., was sighted at a height of estimated between eighteen and twenty thousand feet. C.D.H. was notified through Fort Kissing Point. The plane disappeared into the clouds before the height finder could get its height and was not seen again by the lookouts."

 

REFERENCE BOOKS

War Diary 31st Battalion (AWM)

Townsville Fixed Defences Heavy Artillery March - April 1942 (AWM)

War Diary - 16 Anti Aircraft Battery, AWM52 4/16/20

"Street Names in the Village" The Oasis Townsville

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"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 9 April 2011

This page last updated 01 August 2022