SEVENTH AMPHIBIOUS FORCE
SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC AREA
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

The Seventh Amphibious Force, South-West Pacific Area, was established in October 1942 under the command of Rear Admiral Barbey. (I assume this was the Seventh Fleet Amphibious Force, attached to the Seventh Fleet, US Navy) The Seventh Amphibious Force was based in the New Zealand Insurance Co. Building in Brisbane during WW2. Rear Admiral Barbey remained as Commanding Officer until July 1944.

The Seventh Amphibious Force went on to carry out a series of amphibious assaults from Goodenough Island to Sansapor on the northern side of New Guinea. They went up through New Guinea, New Britain, the Admiralties and on to the Philippines with many landing operations.

In May 1944, the Unit comprised the following groups based in Brisbane:-

COMMANDER AMPHIBIOUS FORCE:
    Rear Admiral Barbey, D.E.

FLAG SECRETARY AND AIDE:
    Comdr. Leeds, J.R.

FLAG LIEUTENANT AND AIDE:
    Lt. Mailliard, W.S.

COMMUNICATIONS WATCH OFFICER:
    Lt. Keller, C.M.

MATERIAL OFFICER:
    Lt. Comdr. McLaughlin, J.W.

SUPPLY OFFICER:
    Lt. Edgeman, D.L.

DUTY OFFICER:
    Day Duty Officer
    Night Duty Officer
    Transportation

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

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 30 September 2003

This page last updated 19 January 2020