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This is an article I just recently received from 5ACS Association. The content is self explanatory and I think it makes a good read.
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This is the header from the email Dear Members and Friends,
At the recent RAAFA AGM Les Mitchell was asked to put together a story about ACS with a view to having it published in "Wings", hopefully in the December 2010 edition. The attached story is the result, which I think is an excellent effort on his part on a very complex subject
Now to the story...........
A Grandfather’s Story
At a recent family BBQ attended by a few old ACS (Airfield Construction Squadron) mates we spent the evening discussing old times and the proud achievements of the modern aerodromes we left as monuments in the various states in Australia and overseas countries.
A few days later my twenty something granddaughter asked “What was that ACS and the Flying Shovels you and your friends were talking about at the BBQ grand pop?” And with a chest pumped up full of pride, I said:
Sweetheart, what is known as ACS was a small group of RAAF airmen gathered together in 1942 after the Japanese bombing of Darwin, they were then called Mobile Works Squadrons and later in the war they were renamed Airfield Construction Squadrons. Their task was to reconstruct Darwin Town and the airport.
After Darwin a detachment (that later became 5MWS) went to Port Moresby in PNG where it joined other units which formed in the southern states and together they constructed the main Wards airfield, also Milne Bay, Nadzab and several other landing strips in Papua New Guinea..
These small efficient units with their antiquated equipment worked day and night under enemy fire to prepare the airfields for the forward movement of our fighters and bombers advance. Several of the airmen were killed by Japanese snipers while working. The first aircraft to arrive were generally our RAAF Beaufighters of 30 squadron, which seemed to follow the units to each airfield. Since then ACS have maintained an alliance with 30 squadron. In Sydney each year we attend their annual Battle of The Bismarck Sea commemoration service held in the RAAF Richmond chapel and officers mess.
After Port Moresby they moved to Goodenough and Trobrian Islands, always under enemy fire they would move in their earthmoving plant and equipment construct an airfield to operational readiness, and be away on a landing barge to the next task before the operational aircraft would arrive. Each task was time limited. Landing; assess the task for so many days to operational readiness like ten or twenty days to provide the aircraft squadrons with a landing time, always completing the airfield on time and generally before the target date. It was about this time they become Airfield Construction Squadrons.
So successful and respected were ACS that in 1944 General McArthur selected the ACS commanding officer Wing Commander “Daddy” Dale (he was respectfully regarded as “Daddy” because he had the foresight to established the Mobile Works Units after the bombing of Darwin and he was considered the “Father” of ACS) as the Engineer Task Force Commander in control of RAAF ACS and US Army Construction Battalions (CBs) for the final push forward from island to island towards Japan. In 1944 5 ACS was called The Flying Shovels, the proud name we carry today. I believe McArthur wanted to award ACS a special citation. Unfortunately our Australian Government would not accept the citation.
ACS Squadrons landed with earthmoving plant and equipment with the first groups of troops on the islands of Borneo, Manus, Tawi Tawi, Leyte, Noemfoor, Bougainville and the Philippines, constructing aerodromes at Mindoro, Dulag, Talosa, Labuan, Morotai, Noemfoor and many other aerodromes from which our bombers could reach Japan. The units leap-froged from island to island, always constructing one airfield closer to Japan. Many of these aerodromes have since been developed to international airports.
After the Japanese surrender in 1945, several members of 5 ACS were posted to Japan to commence the reconstruction of buildings and aerodromes for Australian and US 5thAir Force operations. Upon completion of its commitment in Japan with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) ACS units were phrased out. 2 ACS was reformed in 1947 and was posted to Woomera to construct two airfields and rocket launching platforms for the rocket testing programme. While at Woomera, a detachment was posted to Ben Bullen coal mine in NSW, the miners were on strike and ACS was called on to operate the mine. Once familiar with mine operating procedures and equipment ACS airmen were producing coal at a greater output than the miners. On completion the Woomera project the squadron was posted to Cocos Island in 1951 to reconstruct the aerodrome. During this period three, of the squadron received bravery awards for swimming out to the reef in heavy seas to save the lives of several British seamen.
After the Cocos Island project 2 ACS went to Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands group north of PNG to reconstruct Momote aerodrome and on completion of Momote the squadron was posted to Townsville to construct a new runway. The airmen thought this was wonderful because up to now all accommodation was tents, and now we could bed down in an igloo hut, with a wardrobe for our clothes and a washing machine, and don’t have to walk two kilometres to the mess, and we were not rationed to one bottle of beer per day.
5 ACS was again regrouped in 1951 and posted to Williamtown to construct a new runway and taxiway project. During this project ACS was called on to carry out flood relief duties in the Hunter Valley.
Several 5 ACS personnel were posted on a secret task force to construct a road some two hundred kilometres through the desert from Coober Pedy to Emu Plains in central Australia, and with assistance from other Australian Servicemen and civilians construct a camp and aerodrome in preparation for the Australian Atomic Bomb tests, and Later posted to Monte Bello Atoll for further construction projects in preparation for more Atomic Bomb tests. Unfortunately only a handful of our mates are alive today. The others have died a horrible death from radioactive poisoning.
Meanwhile, 2 ACS had almost completed the project at Townsville. Then one day, I and twenty six airmen received a surprise when we were called up and told we were to be posted to Butterworth in Malaya on an advance party to construct a completely new ultra modern aerodrome capable of accommodating Royal Air Force V-Bomber operations. We departed Townsville in early 1955 in an RAF transport aircraft and travelled to Butterworth via Darwin, Indonesia and Singapore, arriving at RAF Butterworth as the tropical sun was rising. Our departure from Townsville caused a lot of concern because we were the first Australian servicemen to return to Malaya since WW 2. And it was during the Malayan Emergency fighting.
At this time 5 ACS had completed Williamtown and the squadron was posted to Darwin to construct the Darwin aerodrome.
Butterworth was a mammoth task. Our first task was to establish our RAAF base preparation for the next group to arrive a few months later, and then the remainder of the squadron arrive several months later on the ship New Australia. Large Paddy fields had to be drained on which was constructed the runway, associated taxiway and aircraft parking areas, then several large aircraft hangars. Our quarry which produced crushed rock for construction materials was in the jungle in a defined “Black Area” controlled by Communist Terrorists and although it was some twenty kilometres from camp, in all the years we operated carrying high explosives, we did not experience any trouble
ACS squadrons were the only RAAF squadrons to be held to a budget. The ultra modern aerodrome at Butterworth was completed within budget and, in proud ACS tradition, ahead of time. It was wonderful to watch the first aircraft to land on the brand new runway, a beautiful large white Valiant V- Bomber. I guess, in typical ACS tradition, 2 ACS had travelled to Butterworth, constructed our base and a ultra modern aerodrome, and departed to commence another aerodrome task, before RAAF aircraft arrived.
At this time 5 ACS had commenced the construction of Darwin aerodrome; and 2 ACS was posted to RAAF base East Sale to undertake the large project of reconstructing runways and taxiways. It was not a welcomed posting coming direct from the hot tropical climate of Malaya to the freezing climate at Sale in the middle of winter. One of our projects was round the clock working in a river away from Sale winning gravel from the Avon River for construction material, at the same time diverting the course of the river to control a hugh erosion problem.
Another project of emergency was preparing special hard standing for the American U-2 aircraft project. Due to the short notice for construction special quick setting cement had to be used to complete a two week project in three days.
A the completion of the East Sale project in 1962, all were extremely disappointed to be told that 2 ACS was to be disbanded and we would become 5ACS and be posted to Darwin to assist with the completion of Darwin aerodrome project. A small group of us went to RAAF Base Williamtown to carry out some aerodrome maintenance, construct two large hangars and two tennis courts, then on to Darwin.
After a short period in Darwin and on completion of the aerodrome project the squadron was posted south to construct a complete new RAAF Base at Tindal, near the town of Katherine. Tindal was an old WW2 constructed airfield and was to be rebuilt for an Australian forward airbase.
Our first task was to establish our tent accommodation (living in tents again); administration, messing and medical were all under canvas until permanent accommodation was constructed, concrete floor huts with corrugated iron sides and roof which were bloody hot in summer and bloody cold in winter. Power house and the camp electrical systems were developed; also deep bore water supply and camp sewerage systems. The squadron now consisted of over two hundred personnel and the base now a small township. Our families still lived in Darwin and during this developing period we worked for three weeks then had the weekend off, forming car clubs we would take turns driving the two hundred kilometres to Darwin on Friday night and drive back to Tindal on Sunday night. During this driving period three of our mates were killed in accidents on the old narrow Stuart Highway, also observed many UFO sightings.
Work was well under way on Tindal runway construction at the same time we constructed our much anticipated married quarters which consisted of pre fabricated rooms transported to Tindal by trucks from down south. Because of the need to have our families with us we constructed 114 two and three bedroom houses in twelve weeks. All with mod cons; water, electricity and sewerage; a record in construction practice.
We placed mixed concrete from large track mounted mixing machines at the rate of one thousand tons each shift, and because of the high ambient temperatures, concrete placing commenced at midnight and stopped when temperatures reached twenty five degrees. Also refrigerated water from large cooling tanks was used to slow the concrete maturing process.
Towards the end of the project, detachments were posted to RAAF Amberly to construct concrete hard standing in preparation for the new F-111 aircraft, a group went to Ubon in Cambodia, another to Vietnam and another to Darwin to carry out a bituminous concrete overlay of all airfield pavements. And on completion of the Tindal project, like at Butterworth, it was wonderful to watch a beautiful large white RAF Vulcan V- Bomber land and take off.
After Tindal the squadron was posted to Learmonth in Western Australia to undertake the reconstruction of WW2 Learmonth aerodrome.
Learmonth was constructed in hard and difficult conditions. The isolation presented much hardship for families and several good marriages “broke down”. Accommodation was scarce and very little community activities. Wind blown sand created a problem, causing extensive unserviceabilities with aging plant and equipment. One unusual aspect of the project was the construction of a fourteen kilometre levee bank to protect the aerodrome from cyclonic tidal waves. The project was also delayed by cyclone “Rita”.
The Learmomt project was completed in September 1974. Again ACS had travelled to a remote area, constructed a modern aerodrome and RAAF Base, and left, leaving another lasting monument to the proud squadron. But alas, the Australian government disbanded the squadron. It could not have insulted the squadron more if it tried to because after advising the squadron of being disbanded it also advised that the Army was being formed to construct the aerodrome of Curtin, also in Western Australia only one thousand three hundred kilometres north of Learmonth. It was the end of the very proud RAAF Airfield Construction Squadrons which had operated in harsh remote conditions during the difficult war in the Pacific campaign and in countries outside Australia from 1942 to 1974.
ACS was considered a hard working and rough mob. We didn’t always have polished boots, our parades were the parade of co-ordinated earthmoving equipment and trucks, like a symphony which operated in unison pushing, loading, grading and hauling materials to construct an aerodrome. We were certainly hard working enduring conditions which would stop other workers, and we operated in rough conditions such that others would down tools, our bars were never open during the day because it was accepted that alcohol and heavy equipment did not mix. We did not carry a service policeman; it was considered we had our own code of discipline and punishment for breaches was always given in a manner which contributed to airfield construction production. Wherever 2 ACS went the squadron Lodge purchased a bed in the children’s ward in the local hospital, and maintained that bed till departure.
ACS was a large family without a home. We were considered a lodger squadron mostly being accommodated on a base squadron which wanted us only to upgrade their aerodrome. Wherever we went we were always happily accepted by the community and our sporting teams and individuals were always highly respected. Yes; we were a small and very proud family of airmen who constructed small to ultra modern aerodromes which will remain as monuments to ACS and the Flying Shovels forever.
Thank you for your interest my darling, I am very proud of being a member of ACS, there are many more proud words I could tell, and I hope it answers your question. Like all service people who endured terrible and harsh conditions, they were heroes. Please remember the story, because it is part of our Australian Heritage which should be preserved. It is disappointing to realise that our government seems to prefer non Australian heritage and tradition and not respect the tradition and supreme efforts of our proud heroes who contributed so selflessly that we can enjoy the peace and freedom we have in our wonderful country.
Les Mitchell
President
5 Airfield Construction Squadron Association NSW Branch.
---------------------THE END------------------
i HOPE READERS WILL HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE INTERESTING
To learn more about the R.A.A.F. Airfield Construction Squadrons just go to the following link......... "Home of the Flying Shovels"
http://flyingshovels.homestead.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the header from the email Dear Members and Friends,
At the recent RAAFA AGM Les Mitchell was asked to put together a story about ACS with a view to having it published in "Wings", hopefully in the December 2010 edition. The attached story is the result, which I think is an excellent effort on his part on a very complex subject
Now to the story...........
A Grandfather’s Story
At a recent family BBQ attended by a few old ACS (Airfield Construction Squadron) mates we spent the evening discussing old times and the proud achievements of the modern aerodromes we left as monuments in the various states in Australia and overseas countries.
A few days later my twenty something granddaughter asked “What was that ACS and the Flying Shovels you and your friends were talking about at the BBQ grand pop?” And with a chest pumped up full of pride, I said:
Sweetheart, what is known as ACS was a small group of RAAF airmen gathered together in 1942 after the Japanese bombing of Darwin, they were then called Mobile Works Squadrons and later in the war they were renamed Airfield Construction Squadrons. Their task was to reconstruct Darwin Town and the airport.
After Darwin a detachment (that later became 5MWS) went to Port Moresby in PNG where it joined other units which formed in the southern states and together they constructed the main Wards airfield, also Milne Bay, Nadzab and several other landing strips in Papua New Guinea..
These small efficient units with their antiquated equipment worked day and night under enemy fire to prepare the airfields for the forward movement of our fighters and bombers advance. Several of the airmen were killed by Japanese snipers while working. The first aircraft to arrive were generally our RAAF Beaufighters of 30 squadron, which seemed to follow the units to each airfield. Since then ACS have maintained an alliance with 30 squadron. In Sydney each year we attend their annual Battle of The Bismarck Sea commemoration service held in the RAAF Richmond chapel and officers mess.
After Port Moresby they moved to Goodenough and Trobrian Islands, always under enemy fire they would move in their earthmoving plant and equipment construct an airfield to operational readiness, and be away on a landing barge to the next task before the operational aircraft would arrive. Each task was time limited. Landing; assess the task for so many days to operational readiness like ten or twenty days to provide the aircraft squadrons with a landing time, always completing the airfield on time and generally before the target date. It was about this time they become Airfield Construction Squadrons.
So successful and respected were ACS that in 1944 General McArthur selected the ACS commanding officer Wing Commander “Daddy” Dale (he was respectfully regarded as “Daddy” because he had the foresight to established the Mobile Works Units after the bombing of Darwin and he was considered the “Father” of ACS) as the Engineer Task Force Commander in control of RAAF ACS and US Army Construction Battalions (CBs) for the final push forward from island to island towards Japan. In 1944 5 ACS was called The Flying Shovels, the proud name we carry today. I believe McArthur wanted to award ACS a special citation. Unfortunately our Australian Government would not accept the citation.
ACS Squadrons landed with earthmoving plant and equipment with the first groups of troops on the islands of Borneo, Manus, Tawi Tawi, Leyte, Noemfoor, Bougainville and the Philippines, constructing aerodromes at Mindoro, Dulag, Talosa, Labuan, Morotai, Noemfoor and many other aerodromes from which our bombers could reach Japan. The units leap-froged from island to island, always constructing one airfield closer to Japan. Many of these aerodromes have since been developed to international airports.
After the Japanese surrender in 1945, several members of 5 ACS were posted to Japan to commence the reconstruction of buildings and aerodromes for Australian and US 5thAir Force operations. Upon completion of its commitment in Japan with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) ACS units were phrased out. 2 ACS was reformed in 1947 and was posted to Woomera to construct two airfields and rocket launching platforms for the rocket testing programme. While at Woomera, a detachment was posted to Ben Bullen coal mine in NSW, the miners were on strike and ACS was called on to operate the mine. Once familiar with mine operating procedures and equipment ACS airmen were producing coal at a greater output than the miners. On completion the Woomera project the squadron was posted to Cocos Island in 1951 to reconstruct the aerodrome. During this period three, of the squadron received bravery awards for swimming out to the reef in heavy seas to save the lives of several British seamen.
After the Cocos Island project 2 ACS went to Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands group north of PNG to reconstruct Momote aerodrome and on completion of Momote the squadron was posted to Townsville to construct a new runway. The airmen thought this was wonderful because up to now all accommodation was tents, and now we could bed down in an igloo hut, with a wardrobe for our clothes and a washing machine, and don’t have to walk two kilometres to the mess, and we were not rationed to one bottle of beer per day.
5 ACS was again regrouped in 1951 and posted to Williamtown to construct a new runway and taxiway project. During this project ACS was called on to carry out flood relief duties in the Hunter Valley.
Several 5 ACS personnel were posted on a secret task force to construct a road some two hundred kilometres through the desert from Coober Pedy to Emu Plains in central Australia, and with assistance from other Australian Servicemen and civilians construct a camp and aerodrome in preparation for the Australian Atomic Bomb tests, and Later posted to Monte Bello Atoll for further construction projects in preparation for more Atomic Bomb tests. Unfortunately only a handful of our mates are alive today. The others have died a horrible death from radioactive poisoning.
Meanwhile, 2 ACS had almost completed the project at Townsville. Then one day, I and twenty six airmen received a surprise when we were called up and told we were to be posted to Butterworth in Malaya on an advance party to construct a completely new ultra modern aerodrome capable of accommodating Royal Air Force V-Bomber operations. We departed Townsville in early 1955 in an RAF transport aircraft and travelled to Butterworth via Darwin, Indonesia and Singapore, arriving at RAF Butterworth as the tropical sun was rising. Our departure from Townsville caused a lot of concern because we were the first Australian servicemen to return to Malaya since WW 2. And it was during the Malayan Emergency fighting.
At this time 5 ACS had completed Williamtown and the squadron was posted to Darwin to construct the Darwin aerodrome.
Butterworth was a mammoth task. Our first task was to establish our RAAF base preparation for the next group to arrive a few months later, and then the remainder of the squadron arrive several months later on the ship New Australia. Large Paddy fields had to be drained on which was constructed the runway, associated taxiway and aircraft parking areas, then several large aircraft hangars. Our quarry which produced crushed rock for construction materials was in the jungle in a defined “Black Area” controlled by Communist Terrorists and although it was some twenty kilometres from camp, in all the years we operated carrying high explosives, we did not experience any trouble
ACS squadrons were the only RAAF squadrons to be held to a budget. The ultra modern aerodrome at Butterworth was completed within budget and, in proud ACS tradition, ahead of time. It was wonderful to watch the first aircraft to land on the brand new runway, a beautiful large white Valiant V- Bomber. I guess, in typical ACS tradition, 2 ACS had travelled to Butterworth, constructed our base and a ultra modern aerodrome, and departed to commence another aerodrome task, before RAAF aircraft arrived.
At this time 5 ACS had commenced the construction of Darwin aerodrome; and 2 ACS was posted to RAAF base East Sale to undertake the large project of reconstructing runways and taxiways. It was not a welcomed posting coming direct from the hot tropical climate of Malaya to the freezing climate at Sale in the middle of winter. One of our projects was round the clock working in a river away from Sale winning gravel from the Avon River for construction material, at the same time diverting the course of the river to control a hugh erosion problem.
Another project of emergency was preparing special hard standing for the American U-2 aircraft project. Due to the short notice for construction special quick setting cement had to be used to complete a two week project in three days.
A the completion of the East Sale project in 1962, all were extremely disappointed to be told that 2 ACS was to be disbanded and we would become 5ACS and be posted to Darwin to assist with the completion of Darwin aerodrome project. A small group of us went to RAAF Base Williamtown to carry out some aerodrome maintenance, construct two large hangars and two tennis courts, then on to Darwin.
After a short period in Darwin and on completion of the aerodrome project the squadron was posted south to construct a complete new RAAF Base at Tindal, near the town of Katherine. Tindal was an old WW2 constructed airfield and was to be rebuilt for an Australian forward airbase.
Our first task was to establish our tent accommodation (living in tents again); administration, messing and medical were all under canvas until permanent accommodation was constructed, concrete floor huts with corrugated iron sides and roof which were bloody hot in summer and bloody cold in winter. Power house and the camp electrical systems were developed; also deep bore water supply and camp sewerage systems. The squadron now consisted of over two hundred personnel and the base now a small township. Our families still lived in Darwin and during this developing period we worked for three weeks then had the weekend off, forming car clubs we would take turns driving the two hundred kilometres to Darwin on Friday night and drive back to Tindal on Sunday night. During this driving period three of our mates were killed in accidents on the old narrow Stuart Highway, also observed many UFO sightings.
Work was well under way on Tindal runway construction at the same time we constructed our much anticipated married quarters which consisted of pre fabricated rooms transported to Tindal by trucks from down south. Because of the need to have our families with us we constructed 114 two and three bedroom houses in twelve weeks. All with mod cons; water, electricity and sewerage; a record in construction practice.
We placed mixed concrete from large track mounted mixing machines at the rate of one thousand tons each shift, and because of the high ambient temperatures, concrete placing commenced at midnight and stopped when temperatures reached twenty five degrees. Also refrigerated water from large cooling tanks was used to slow the concrete maturing process.
Towards the end of the project, detachments were posted to RAAF Amberly to construct concrete hard standing in preparation for the new F-111 aircraft, a group went to Ubon in Cambodia, another to Vietnam and another to Darwin to carry out a bituminous concrete overlay of all airfield pavements. And on completion of the Tindal project, like at Butterworth, it was wonderful to watch a beautiful large white RAF Vulcan V- Bomber land and take off.
After Tindal the squadron was posted to Learmonth in Western Australia to undertake the reconstruction of WW2 Learmonth aerodrome.
Learmonth was constructed in hard and difficult conditions. The isolation presented much hardship for families and several good marriages “broke down”. Accommodation was scarce and very little community activities. Wind blown sand created a problem, causing extensive unserviceabilities with aging plant and equipment. One unusual aspect of the project was the construction of a fourteen kilometre levee bank to protect the aerodrome from cyclonic tidal waves. The project was also delayed by cyclone “Rita”.
The Learmomt project was completed in September 1974. Again ACS had travelled to a remote area, constructed a modern aerodrome and RAAF Base, and left, leaving another lasting monument to the proud squadron. But alas, the Australian government disbanded the squadron. It could not have insulted the squadron more if it tried to because after advising the squadron of being disbanded it also advised that the Army was being formed to construct the aerodrome of Curtin, also in Western Australia only one thousand three hundred kilometres north of Learmonth. It was the end of the very proud RAAF Airfield Construction Squadrons which had operated in harsh remote conditions during the difficult war in the Pacific campaign and in countries outside Australia from 1942 to 1974.
ACS was considered a hard working and rough mob. We didn’t always have polished boots, our parades were the parade of co-ordinated earthmoving equipment and trucks, like a symphony which operated in unison pushing, loading, grading and hauling materials to construct an aerodrome. We were certainly hard working enduring conditions which would stop other workers, and we operated in rough conditions such that others would down tools, our bars were never open during the day because it was accepted that alcohol and heavy equipment did not mix. We did not carry a service policeman; it was considered we had our own code of discipline and punishment for breaches was always given in a manner which contributed to airfield construction production. Wherever 2 ACS went the squadron Lodge purchased a bed in the children’s ward in the local hospital, and maintained that bed till departure.
ACS was a large family without a home. We were considered a lodger squadron mostly being accommodated on a base squadron which wanted us only to upgrade their aerodrome. Wherever we went we were always happily accepted by the community and our sporting teams and individuals were always highly respected. Yes; we were a small and very proud family of airmen who constructed small to ultra modern aerodromes which will remain as monuments to ACS and the Flying Shovels forever.
Thank you for your interest my darling, I am very proud of being a member of ACS, there are many more proud words I could tell, and I hope it answers your question. Like all service people who endured terrible and harsh conditions, they were heroes. Please remember the story, because it is part of our Australian Heritage which should be preserved. It is disappointing to realise that our government seems to prefer non Australian heritage and tradition and not respect the tradition and supreme efforts of our proud heroes who contributed so selflessly that we can enjoy the peace and freedom we have in our wonderful country.
Les Mitchell
President
5 Airfield Construction Squadron Association NSW Branch.
---------------------THE END------------------
i HOPE READERS WILL HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE INTERESTING
To learn more about the R.A.A.F. Airfield Construction Squadrons just go to the following link......... "Home of the Flying Shovels"
http://flyingshovels.homestead.com/