8th Materiel Squadron, later 8th Service Squadron, then 8th Air Service Squadron, in Australia during WW2

8TH MATERIEL SQUADRON
LATER 8TH SERVICE SQUADRON
THEN 8TH AIR SERVICE SQUADRON
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

The 8th Materiel Squadron was formed mostly from personnel of the former Headquarters and Fifth Air Base Squadron, which moved from Hamilton Field, California, to Fort Douglas, Utah, in September 1940.

The Fifth Air Base Group was activated on 15 September 1940. The Fifth Air Base Group comprised:-

The latter was designated the 8th Materiel Squadron under the command of Captain Donald W. Benner and had a strength of 190 Enlisted Men. The 8th Materiel Squadron comprised five main departments:-

The main functions of the 8th Materiel Squadron, 5th Air Base Group was third level maintenance and to procure, store, salvage and issue the necessary Air Corps supplies and equipment necessary for maintenance and servicing of aircraft. They provided these functions for the 7th Bombardment Group at Salt Lake City Airdrome Lease. The 7th BG at the time, had approximately fifteen B-17B Flying Fortresses and some smaller aircraft.

The strength of the 8th Materiel Squadron remained at approximately 200 Enlisted Men for the next 12 months.

In October 1941, the 8th Materiel Squadron received Orders to prepare for departure for overseas service on or about 13 November 1941 as part of the "Augmentation of Plum" which was the code name for the Philippines. All preparations for this move were completed by 9 November 1941. Organisational strength had been increased to 11 Officers and 203 Enlisted Men.

The 8th Materiel Squadron was divided into three echelons for the logistics of travel and transporting of equipment. The first echelon of 2 Officers and 34 Enlisted Men departed with the heavy motor convoy on 10 November 1941 for travel to Port of Embarkation, San Francisco, California. The following day, the light motor convoy, consisting of 2 Officers and 31 Enlisted Men took to the road in pursuit of the first echelon. The third echelon consisting of 7 Officers and 135 Enlisted Men left Fort Douglas, Utah by rail on 13 November 1941.

The third echelon arrived at San Francisco on 15 November 1941 and was transferred to the casual barracks at Fort McDowell, where the first and second echelons had arrived the previous day. On the morning of 21 November 1941, the 8th Materiel Squadron departed Fort McDowell on board the Army Transport "K1 Aquador".

Ten Officers and 202 Enlisted Men of the 8th Materiel Squadron arrived at Pier #7 at San Francisco and boarded the Army Transport USS Republic, at 1200 hours and sailed for "Plum" at 1230 hours. Their commanding officer at that time was Captain Jack S. Rayburn. The USS Republic arrived at Honolulu on 28 November 1941 and set sail the following day in a convoy of 8 ships escorted by the cruiser USS Pensacola. This became known as the Pensacola Convoy. The Ground Echelon of the 7th Bomb Group (H) and the 88th Reconnaissance Squadron were also on board USS Republic with many other US Army units.

On 6 December 1941, all military personnel aboard the USS Republic who had not previously crossed the equator, were initiated as Shellbacks into "The Ancient and Honorable Order of Neptune". On the 7 December 1941 whilst they were passing near the Phoenix Islands, all personnel were advised that a "state of war existed between the United States and Japan." After much indecision, the Pensacola Convoy was eventually diverted to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

The Pensacola Convoy crossed the International Date Line on about 9 December 1941. They docked at Suva, Fiji on 13 December 1941 to take on water, oil and food. They weighed anchor the following day at about 1730 hours and sailed for Brisbane, rather than "Plum" (The Philippines).

On 21 December 1941, General Douglas MacArthur instructed Brigadier General Julian F. Barnes, the most senior US Army officer in the Pensacola Convoy to disembark when they arrived in Brisbane along with all Air Corps personnel. The aircraft that were part of the cargo in the convoy were to be unloaded and the 7th Bomb Group and the 8th Materiel Squadron were ordered to assemble these aircraft so that they could be flown on to the Philippines.

USS Republic dropped anchor near the mouth of the Brisbane River for an overnight stop within sight of the shore. On 23 December 1941, the USS Republic moved slowly up the Brisbane River and berthed at Hamilton Wharves.

All Army personnel who were under orders for foreign duty disembarked and marched the short distance to Ascot Racecourse where a camp had been established to receive them. It became known as Camp Ascot. This was believed to have been the first time in history that US Army troops had disembarked on Australian soil.

After days of confinement to the decks and quarters of the ship, the personnel had the opportunity to break the monotony of calisthenics, abandon ship drills, standing watch and other regular routine work and help to establish new camps, organise new headquarters, and move supplies and equipment to the new camps.

At about 0830 hours on Christmas Eve, about 130 Enlisted Men were sent on Detached Service to the RAAF's Amberley Airfield about 30 miles west of Brisbane to establish an Engineering and Technical Supply Section. The rest of the 8th Materiel Squadron had been divided into camp headquarters and dock details to take care of segregating, supervising and moving supplies and equipment from the docks to the new camps.

By 1600 hours on Christmas Eve, the personnel on Detached Service at Amberley had started to assemble aircraft while personnel at the docks were still busy sending out more aircraft, supplies and equipment.

This was a critical time of the war when supplies and equipment were badly needed in a form in which they could be used, so work was started on a 24 hour basis. Due to the shortage of personnel and in some cases, specially trained personnel, some of the Officers and Enlisted Men worked straight shifts of 24 hours with from 4 to 8 hours off before starting another shift. This was necessary to speed up the movement of supplies and to organise the Squadron into a functioning unit with the least possible delay.

Christmas Day found the personnel back on the job. Some were reporting back early, others were still at work for the previous night's shift. The men in the Transportation Section had crated P-40 and A-24 aircraft besides all other supplies and equipment to haul to Amberley. The personnel at Amberley were busy erecting aircraft, and receiving, storing and issuing supplies and equipment.

The 7th Bomb Group were billeted in Camp Ascot and Camp Doomben and the Engineering, Armament and Radio Technicians were split into two groups and started to assemble P-40 Warhawks and A-24 dive bombers at Amberley Airfield near Ipswich and Archerfield Airfield in the western suburbs of Brisbane. The 8th Materiel Squadron assisted the 7th Bomb Group with the erection of these aircraft without any proper tools or equipment.

The 8th Materiel Squadron personnel stationed at Camp Ascot moved to Amberley Airfield on 27 December 1941, because most of the equipment and supplies had already been moved and more personnel were needed in Engineering, Supply and Administration at Amberley Airfield. Once again the personnel of the 8th Materiel Squadron were all together again and could start operating as a cohesive unit.

During January 1942, the Engineering Section worked feverishly erecting aircraft and helping to run operations. The Technical Supply Section worked hard to get the supplies segregated and set up, finding more room for storage and dispersal of supplies and arranging for local purchase of necessary equipment, which was needed for aircraft erection. Aviation fuel, oil, greases and lubricants, acetylene, welding and breathing oxygen, transformers, power plants, casings, tubes and hand tools were some of the items procured through the RAAF and Australian commercial suppliers.

Besides performing the necessary functions of the airfield, the Squadron had personnel on Detached Service at Darwin, Archerfield, Townsville, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Lowood and Melbourne. The Officers and Enlisted Men sent to Darwin set up and operated an Air Corps Supply until Darwin was crippled by Japanese bombings which started on 19 February 1942. The personnel sent to Townsville and Rockhampton serviced aircraft and performed first and second echelon maintenance for transient aircraft.

The Administrative Section had difficulties in February 1942. More Officers and Enlisted Men were attached, and other personnel were placed on Detached Service to Daly Waters, Mackay and Cloncurry. The 8th Materiel Squadron had an average of 5 Officers and 32 Enlisted Men on Detached Service during January and February 1942. The Squadron Headquarters was taxed in finding enough men to perform the necessary duties in Engineering, Supply, Transportation, Headquarters, Security Section and Operations.

By then it became apparent that the 8th Materiel Squadron was separated from the Fifth Air Base Group's Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron which had already arrived in the Philippines before hostilities had started on 20 November 1941. The 5th Air Base Group moved to Del Monte Air Base on 3 December 1941 to await the arrival of the 7th Bomb Group by air and sea. The 5th Air Base Group was later lost when the Americans surrendered to the Japanese in May 1942. The 45th Air Base Group arrived with only a Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, so the 8th Materiel Squadron was assigned to the 45th Air Base Group effective 14 February 1942 under General Order No. 2, Base Section No. 3.

The 8th Materiel Squadron received verbal orders on 19 February 1942 to relocate to Archerfield Airfield, so all equipment and supplies were moved that day. The Order was revoked the following day so the Squadron moved all the equipment and supplies back to Amberley Airfield. The Squadron was able to move very quickly and on short notice due to its mobile equipment and its trained personnel.

On 21 February 1942, the 8th Materiel Squadron received new orders to move to a new station. The Squadron departed that same day for its new station at Charleville in western Queensland. The first echelon of 2 Officers and 50 Enlisted Men left Amberley Airfield by rail. The second echelon of 2 Officers and 44 Enlisted Men left Amberley at 1700 hours with the heavy convoy by road. The third echelon of 2 Officers and 49 Enlisted Men departed Amberley at 2200 hours with the light motor convoy by road. At the time of this move there were 5 Officers and 59 Enlisted Men on Detached Service. Bruce Monighan, whose father Harold Monighan was a member of the 8th Materiel Squadron, said that his father moved to Charleville in late February 1942.

The first echelon arrived at Charleville on 22 February 1942 and unloaded their equipment and set up a camp about one mile south east of the city near the Charleville Airfield. The third echelon with the Squadron's motor convoy was delayed at Dalby because of necessary bridge reinforcing and road repair.

The 8th Materiel Squadron was again ordered to return to Amberley Airfield as it permanent change of station. The third echelon of 1 Officer and 49 Enlisted Men departed by road with the light motor convoy on 27 February 1942 after receipt of their Movement Orders. The second echelon with the heavy motor convoy turned around at Dalby and the first echelon of 1 Officer and 50 Enlisted Men departed for Amberley by rail.

When the first echelon arrived at Dalby on 28 February 1942, they received new orders by telephone to return to Charleville for a permanent change of station!! So they returned to Charleville on the same day. The third echelon turned back at Roma and also arrived in Charleville on 28 February 1942. The second echelon with the heavy motor convoy turned back when it arrived in Toowoomba.

The Americans described Charleville as a little bush town of about 2,000 people located about 500 miles west of Brisbane. The Charleville Airfield was located about two miles by road from the town and comprised a dirt landing strip and a hangar of about 50 metres square. The airfield was surrounded by miles and miles of Australian "bush" land.

Their camp was set up a few hundred yards from the landing strip. Everything was in tents except for a small mess hall that was built to combat the swarms of flies that plagued them from sunrise to sunset.

Water had to be hauled from town for washing and cooking. 55 gallon drums were uses as showers. They were set up on a high platform with shower heads attached which gave the men a satisfactory shower. The Squadron had left the USA prepared for a tropical country and consequently they had few blankets or warm clothing for the cold nights at Charleville.

The Engineering mobile equipment which consisted of three van trailers and around six tents for different Departments were set up on the edge of the airfield. Technical Supply operated out of the two mobile vans at the airfield and out of a rented building in town.

On 8 March 1942, the second echelon comprising the heavy motor convoy arrived in Charleville and joined the Squadron. The convoy had spent many days on the road between Dalby and Charleville reinforcing bridges, filling in holes and widening the road by clearing bushes and trees on the sides of the road,

Air raid precautions were taken seriously. The 45th Air Base Group provided its own airfield defence. A lot of time was spent in March 1942, building anti-aircraft defences and practicing air raid alerts.

During March and April 1942, there was little aircraft maintenance except for the servicing of transient aircraft. Most of the time was spent servicing Engineering and Technical Supply equipment. An aerial survey was made at that time for auxiliary landing grounds. One was located and chosen at Mille and some of the Squadron personnel graded and cleared Mille Airfield.

During late April 1942, some 12,000 drums of aviation fuel and some 500 drums of oil were received by rail, consigned to Technical Supply. The fuel and oil was dispersed and camouflaged, which required the efforts of a great number of men as well as trucks. The fuel and oil was to be used for their current needs, as there were no underground storage facilities to be used as a reserve in case of an emergency.

The people of Charleville organised an All-Swing Dance in the Corones Hall on Thursday 9 April 1942 for the Americans then based in Charleville. There was a specially selected programme of recorded American music provided by radio station 4VL with the first two hours of the programme broadcast to air. American swing music fully occupied the first half hour of entertainment. The Charleville Town Council provided the Corones Hall free of charge and a number of local businesses contributed to the event in a number of ways. Men in uniform could enter for free and civilians were admitted for the nominal fee on 2 shillings and 6 pence. All proceeds went to the Allied Canteens Fund. Dancing went from 8pm through to midnight. Special souvenir mementoes were available as a reminder of the historic occasion for the town.

By 1 May 1942, the Air Base was beginning to take shape and the 8th Materiel Squadron really started to work effectively. The Australian Government by that time had built and constructed several runways, taxiways, revetments, hangars, supply buildings, mess halls and other numerous buildings.

By then the Engineering and supply facilities had been whipped into top shape. In addition to the maintenance and servicing of aircraft, their job then was to take care of the B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft primarily and secondarily, and any other type of aircraft that came in for repair. All the B-17s at that time were being flown directly from the States to Brisbane and then directly to Charleville Air Base, where they were given a complete Engineering inspection. Great care and thoroughness was taken on this work because it was the last "Shakedown" the aircraft would receive before going into combat. The Engineering section took great pride in "shaking down" a B-17 Flying Fortress because that was the type of aircraft they had been working on back in the States.

From April until August 1942, Charleville Air Base was the location for the Reserve Pool for fighter and bomber aircraft in the Southwest Pacific Area SWPA. All aircraft replacements needed in northern Australia during those months were drawn from these Reserve Pools. The total number of fighters received in the pool was not known but the approximate number of B-17 Flying Fortresses received and prepared for combat totalled around 95. In addition to these aircraft a number of B-25 Mitchells and B-26 Marauders were received and prepared for combat.

In addition to that work, the Squadron was busy performing third echelon maintenance on B-17 Flying Fortresses which had already been in combat and were badly damaged by enemy gunfire. It was that type of work where the Squadron encountered most of its difficulties. Supplies for those B-17s were none too plentiful in Australia and consequently, when Supply did not have the parts, Engineering would turn out machined parts in their Engineering workshops. The sheet metal section also accomplished a wonderful job in repairing aircraft that would have needed to be salvaged.

In May 1942, Captain "Pappy" Gunn requested the Engineering Section to mount four 50-cailbre machine guns in the nose of an A-20A Havoc. This was believed to be the first A-20A Havoc with multiple strafing guns built into it and it was the forerunner of the strafing aircraft which Lt. Col "Pappy" Gunn later developed in Australia.

On 30 May 1942, for the first time in history, Charleville citizens saw a military boxing tournament. Prior to the bouts, ten riflemen in uniform followed behind two other who were carrying flags. They were the flags of the North and South of America. When the procession reached the boxing ring, the officer in charge called a halt. The riflemen then fired three volleys on command. A bugler played a call whilst all the soldiers stood to attention and saluted. The announcer said on the PA System that the day was known as Memorial Day and was in honour of those who fell in what was known as the Civil War.

On 17 August 1942, the 8th Materiel Squadron was redesignated the 8th Service Squadron, 45th Air Base Group per Special Order No. 87, Headquarters, USAAS, 45th Service Group dated 17 August 1942. At that time the strength of the Squadron was 6 Officers and 282 Enlisted Men with Captain Chandler C, Rudicel as its Commanding Officer.

In accordance with instructions in Message No. KA 2045 of 6 September 1942, Headquarters USAAS, SWPA, the 450th Service Squadron (Provisional) was activated at Charleville. It was later redesignated the 480th Service Squadron. The personnel to form this new Squadron were drawn from the 8th Service Squadron and from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 45th Service Group. The 450th Service Squadron (Provisional) was assigned to the 45th Service Group. After losing personnel to the 450th Service Squadron (Prov), the 8th Service Squadron's strength was 3 Officers and 194 Enlisted Men.

On 13 September 1942, the 45th Service Group received orders to move one of its Service Squadrons north to a permanent change of station. A coin was flipped and the 450th Service Squadron (Prov) moved north from Charleville.

In early November 1942, the 8th Service Squadron received warning orders to prepare for a permanent change of station. On 23 November 1942, the first echelon comprising 2 Officers and 165 Enlisted Men departed Charleville by train headed for Amberley Airfield. The second echelon comprising 2 Officers and 29 Enlisted Men departed by motor convoy (heavy and light) for Amberley.

The first echelon detrained and camped at Amberley Airfield on 25 November 1942 and the second echelon arrived on 26 November 1942. Whilst at Amberley, the Squadron turned in most of its old equipment and drew out new equipment. On about 7 December 1942, the 8th Service Squadron received Warning Orders for a permanent change of station. Their new station was to be Goodenough Island off the coast of New Guinea. However at the last moment those orders were cancelled.

The 8th Service Squadron remained at Amberley and mostly assisted the 30th Service Squadron performing engineering and supply work. Whilst at Amberley, the Squadron had 61 Enlisted Men on Detached Service at Archerfield and Eagle Farm Airfields, assisting other units with maintenance work on aircraft.

On 15 February 1943, the 8th Service Squadron received orders to prepare for another permanent change of station to Garbutt Airfield in Townsville, north Queensland. On 18 February 1943, per Troop Train Movement Order No. 43, Troop Trains 1 and 2, comprising Officers, Enlisted Men, equipment, and vehicles departed Amberley Airfield for Townsville.

The 8th Service Squadron arrived in Townsville on 22 February 1943. Their equipment and vehicles were unloaded and a camp was set up adjacent to the 4th Air Depot Group's camp site. Instead of functioning as an individual Squadron, their duty assignment was to assist the 4th Air Depot Group in engineering and supply work. The 4th Air Depot Group absorbed all engineering and supply personnel into its own departments.

On 31 July 1943, in accordance with General Order No. 23, Headquarters, Air Service Command, APO922, all Air Depot Groups and Squadrons (Air Corps), adjacent to Garbutt Airfield, were incorporated and assigned to the 5th AFSC Depot No. 2. The units comprising or carrying on maintenance and supply work at that time were the following:-

On 10 January 1944, in accordance with Secret General Order No. 3, Headquarters, Fifth Air Force Service Command, APO 922, the 8th Service Squadron was assigned to V Air Service Area Command, APO 922.

On 26 January 1944, the 8th Service Squadron was relieved from its assignment to the 45th Service Group and was assigned to Headquarters V Air Service Area Command, APO 922, per General Order No. 2, Headquarters, FASAC, effective 10 January 1944.

In March 1944, in accordance with War Department Table of Organisation, Service Squadron (T/O & E 1-417), dated 2 January 1944, the Squadron was ordered to re-organise. The major differential between the old and new Table of Organisation, Service Squadron were as follows:-

As a result the Squadron gained nine (9) extra Enlisted Men. Captain Robert L. Price was the Commanding Officer at that time.

In accordance with Information Letter No. 31, dated 31 March 1944, Headquarters, V AFSC, Brisbane, Australia, the 8th Service Squadron received Alert Orders for a movement into the forward area.

Captain Robert L. Price was relieved of Command, and Major Hugh H. Soper was assigned as the new Squadron Commander per Special Order No. 50, Headquarters, V ASAC, Townsville, Australia, dated 12 April 1944.

The 8th Service Squadron left Townsville and arrived at Finschafen, New Guinea on 8 July 1944. They relocated to Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea on 21 August 1944. They relocated to Morotai Island on 1 October 1944 and they were assigned to the 58th Service Group. The 58th Service Group left Morotai on 2 November 1944, leaving the 8th Service Squadron as a separate unit.

USASOS Station Lists information shows the following entries for the 8th Materiel Squadron / 8th Service Squadron:-

The May 1944 HQs Base Section Two APO 922 Telephone Directory (Townsville) had the following entry for the 8th Service Squadron:-

NARA Signal Corps Photo GHQ-SWPA-43-5792

Brig. Gen. Carl W. Connell, Commanding General Air Service Command, 5th Air Force, congratulated Captain Theodore Swanson, Commanding Officer of the 8th Service Squadron, 45th Service Group after presenting him with a Silver Star at Depot No. 2 at Mount Louisa.

Captain Theodore Swanson was awarded the Silver Star by Brigadier General Carl W. Connell, the Commanding General of Air Service Command, 5th Air Force in May 1943. Captain Swanson was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on 3 February 1943, while returning from a mission against the Japanese in which his aircraft was hit and one engine set on fire. He ordered his crew to parachute out over an island and then landed his aircraft on the beach, this saving much needed first aid supplies and emergency rations.

A large number of Enlisted Men of the 8th Service Squadron were awarded the Good Conduct Medal (or Ribbon) on 29 March 1944, having completed one years service after 7 December 1941 and for exemplary behaviour, efficiency, and fidelity to duty. See the two pages of General Orders No. 1, Headquarters 8th Service Squadron, APO 922 below. Click on the thumbnails to see the full documents.

Page 2 - this page is signed by 2nd Lt. John A.
Finnegan, Adjutant of the 8th Service Squadron

Staff Sergeant Harold B. Monighan was a member of the 8th Materiel Squadron and arrived in Brisbane on the USS Republic in the Pensacola Convoy on 22 December 1941. After assisting the 7th Bomb Group to assemble aircraft at Amberley Airfield he moved to Charleville with the 8th Materiel Squadron in late February 1942. Whilst in Charleville, Staff Sergeant Harold Monighan met Jean Hill, a girl from the outback in Charleville for schooling. They were married on 17 September 1942 at the Charleville Church of England Church and held their reception with 70 guests in the Corones Hotel. Harold was later transferred to Townsville in north Queensland and then eventually to New Guinea. Harold was was a flight instrument mechanic and worked on repairing aircraft that came out of the Philippines and later the aircraft flying missions to New Guinea.

Equator Crossing Card belonging to Pfc. Harold B. Monighan of the 8th Materiel Squadron

Danny Secary's father, Staff Sergeant Lewis D. Sicheri (6 943 449), was also a member of the 8th Materiel Squadron. His father kept a boxing kangaroo whilst he was based in Townsville that he used to somehow win money from the Marines.

NOTE:- "Materiel" is the correct spelling when used with the naming of these units. It is not "Material".

They Fought with What They Had - The Story of the Army Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific, 1941-1942"
by Walter D. Edmonds

"Four Decades of Courage - Development of United States Air Power and the 7th Bombardment Group"
by Irene W. McPherson

"All-Swing Dance - Novel Social Event", The Charleville Times, Thursday 2 April 1942

"Splendid Boxing Tournament - Service Men Seen in Action", The Charleville Times, Friday 5 June 1942

I'd like to thank, Gordon Birkett, Danny Secary, and Bruce Monighan for their assistance with this web page.

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Date	Location	Unit Description	Officers	Enlisted Men
19 Jun 1942	Charleville	8th Material Squadron, 45th Air Base Group	NA	NA
8 Sep 1942	Charleville	8th Service Squadron, 45th Service Group	NA	NA
8 Sep 1942	Charleville	Decon Det 2nd Chem Co (Avn) attached to the 8th Service Squadron	NA	NA
5 Feb 1943	Amberley Airfield	8th Service Squadron, 45 Service Group	6	232
23 Apr 1943	Garbutt Airfield	8th Service Squadron, 45th Service Group	9	227
23 Jun 1943	Garbutt Airfield	8th Service Squadron, 45th Service Group	8	224
1 Sep 1943	Garbutt Airfield	8th Service Squadron, 45th Service Group	7	220
8 Jan 1944	Garbutt Airfield	8th Service Squadron, 45th Service Group	8	224
23 Mar 1944	Garbutt Airfield	8th Service Squadron, 45th Service Group	10	210
8 Jul 1944	Finschhafen	8th Service Squadron, 64th Service Group	7	233