20TH NAVAL CONSTRUCTION
BATTALION
THE 20TH SEABEES
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII
The 20th Naval Construction Battalion also known as the 20th Seabees were based in Townsville in north Queensland for a short period during WWII.
The first section of the 20th Seabees departed Noumea in New Caledonia on 14 May 1943 in a convoy of six LSTs (LST 334, LST 390, LST 446, LST 447, LST 448 and LST 449) headed for Townsville. They landed high on the beach at Kissing Point on The Strand in Townsville on 21 May 1943. The LST's opened their large doors on the beach at Kissing Point and lowered their ramps and unloaded trucks and other heavy equipment. See photo below. These six LSTs were later used in the occupation of Woodlark Island leaving Townsville on 27 June 1943.
United States L.S.T. Landing Craft at Kissing Point, Townsville
in the
location of today's Rock Pool. USS
LST-334 features in the foreground.
United States L.S.T. Landing Craft including USS
LST-334
at Kissing Point, Townsville in
the location of today's Rock Pool.
They were housed for approximately six weeks at Armstrong's Paddock which they described as a "flat, dry plain". They lived in pyramidal tents which were neither floored nor screened. Their galley comprised a wooden army structure which was poorly screened. There was inadequate provision for proper sanitation such as dishwashing, storage of vegetables and bread and other foods. The poorly constructed tables could not be cleaned properly. They cleaned their mess gear by immersing it in boiling soapy water followed by two rinses in clear boiling water without soap.
Their food was inadequate and the men rejected a lot of the canned beef and vegetables. The Medical Officer could not determine if the milk was pasteurised or whether the meat was adequately inspected. Their water supply was inadequately controlled and dependence on Lyster bags with proper chlorination ensured a safe water supply.
Despite the presence of dengue fever in the area, the mosquito control was unacceptable. Nearby swamps and pooled water offered numerous breeding places which were not properly controlled. The toilets and latrines were very temporary in nature and were inadequate.
I received the following story from Patrick MacFadden whose father Clarence Charles McFadden US Navy Reserve #654-56-01 was a Chief Petty Officer with the 20th Seabees and travelled to Townsville from Noumea in LST 448:-
There was a notable incident, I believe occurred at Armstrong's Paddock, very likely, where Admiral William F Halsey, USN visited the site to " ...check on my Seabees" My father, a Chief Petty officer, was approached by Halsey. Dad saluted, and Halsey said "..stand easy Chief, how are things here", or words to that effect.
Dad, never one to mince words, stated that conditions were very poor, including food, shelter, bedding, etc, and requested improvement for " his boys".
Halsey stated ".. is that right Chief?". Dad replied, " "yes Sir".
Halsey turned to his Assistant and said" ...make a note of that". "Anything else Chief?". "No, Sir", Halsey parting with "... Thanks Chief!".
That day a convoy of US Army trucks appeared with a ranking officer and asked for my Dad, and stated, "... What do you need Chief . "?
From the trucks came screening, Tents, Cots and bedding, and better food. The Army even offered assistance in employing the screening and construction materials.
I have attached a report by the senior Medical Officer printed in 1944 in the cruise book of the 20th. I hope it is legible. It is a rather scathing report for a cruise book, but medical officers had some autonomy and the Commander of the 20th A. F Jones may not have been particularly happy the published report, as it is quite candid.
Dad was very fond of the Aussies, his experience with them as aviators in Woodlark Island, Townsville, and Brisbane were related and he was very touched by the friendliness and warmth of the Australians during the war.
In September of 1964, we visited London en route to Ireland and Scotland. Whilst having lunch in a pub, We met an Australian man at the bar, and mother and I sat at a table. It turned out the Australian had been in the RAAF, and had flown off of Woodlarks air strip! It is often a very small world.
The Medical Department operated in a 16 ft x 16ft pyramidal tent where the dispensary was located. The nearby 12 Station Hospital provided hospital facilities for the 20th Seabees. There were only a few injuries and minor infections during their stay in the Townsville area. Venereal prophylaxis and treatment was carried out under the supervision of the US Army and its incidence in the Battalion was relatively low.
The Medical Department of the 20th Seabees also took care of the men of the following units in the Townsville area:-
US Naval Base No. 1
US Naval Argus Unit No. 1
US Naval Communications Unit No. 3
US Naval Administration Unit No. 244
The Medical Department carried out an education program of lectures with topics including:-
malaria prevention
first aid work in the field
design and application of the jungle kit
Each man was issued with a fully equipped jungle kit for personal use. This comprised camouflage coveralls which they called "Zoot suits". They were issued with bottles of green face dye, trench knives, machetes, jungle first aid kits, hammocks with built-in mosquito bars and new type jungle packs.
A week prior to their departure from Townsville all personnel were placed on suppressive doses of atrabrine for the control of malaria. This order stayed in effect during the majority of their time overseas.
Lieutenant Commander Dinardo was detached from the 20th Seabees in June 1942. Lieutenant M. M. Steiner joined the Battalion as the Senior Medical Officer on 11 June 1943.
A small group of dynamite specialists under Lieutenant Joseph Bowen from the 20th Seabees participated in the advanced action of the Task Force which sailed aboard a converted destroyer known as an APD (All Purpose Destroyer) late on 20 June 1943. They arrived off Woodlark Island a week later and participate din the first beach landings on Woodlark Island. The remainder of the 20th Seabees departed Townsville for Woodlark Island aboard a number of LSTs.
REFERENCE BOOKS
Log of the 20th Battalion - First Cruise 1942 - 1944
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I'd like to thank Patrick MacFadden for his assistance with this web page. His father Clarence Charles McFadden ( 1909-1996) US Navy Reserve #654-56-01 was a Chief Petty Officer with the 20th Seabees.
Can anyone help me with more information?
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This page first produced 13 December 2019
This page last updated 19 January 2020