Monomeith Park Airfield (WWII) Traditional Cache
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Monomeith Park Airfield (WWII)
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Monomeith Park Airfield
MONOMEITH PARK
AIRFIELD
Monomeith Park Airfield was a WWII airfield constructed "for
air operations in the defence of Melbourne and Yallourn including
the sea approaches."
From GZ you will be able to clearly see the remains of one of the
sections of runway.
Department of Home Security recorded as a visit to "Select 16 sites
for fighter aircraft." The Report described the site as
follows:
DESCRIPTION OF SITE
Field is to have four runways (only 2 gravel runways were
built). Whole area is extremely flat and very bare of suitable
cover.
Nine hideouts were sited but none was really good. Six located
under or against pine-rows. One in a private garden among wattle;
two in fair gum patch, 1 1/2 miles South of Strip.
In all cases it was intended to use suspended garnishing. One
hideout in pine-row of private house (No. 5) was to have tail built
into reconstructed house. Work abandoned incomplete to enable Mr.
Lawrence to check runway placement with W.2 Section.
Taxiways
Agreed that taxiways should be left untreated where they cross
fields except in case of H 3 where steel mesh surface is
recommended.
Remarks
If necessary to select remainder of 16 sites these will probably
have to be splinter-proof pens and may as well be sited at best
operational positions irrespective of Camouflage. Later report form
Mr. Lawrence suggest that aircraft used will be medium
dive-bombers. This necessitates reconsideration from camouflage
viewpoint of all selected hideouts.
On 11 April 1944, Minister Drakeford stated in a Department of Air
Minute Paper on Monomeith Park Airfield as follows:
(a) That the fenced strips and associated
drainage at Monomeith Park should be retained for RAAF purposes,
pending consideration and decisions on the Defence Committee's and
General MacArthur's reviews referred to. The owners, however, are
to have access (for grazing purposes) to the fenced strips.
(b) That the remainder of the property be immediately returned to
the owners (Messrs. Bourke Bros.)
(c) That all outstanding questions, particularly in relation to
drainage, be subjects of discussion between officers of the Central
Hirings Branch and our Works Directorate with Messrs. Bourke Bros.
representative, report to be submitted to me covering results of
such discussions. Meanwhile, no further expenditure of Commonwealth
funds is to be incurred on this project.
Other Neat Stuff
- Not far from here was also an Internment camp for Italian POWs in
Koo Wee Rup
- This area was also mentioned a few years back when 'they' were
discussion a second Melbourne Airport. The locals weren't
impressed.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Qbhoyr Srapr Cbfgf. Cerggl boivbhf.