No. 131 Radar Station RAAF facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 131 Radar Station |
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| Location | Ash Island, Kooragang, City of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1942–1946 |
| Owner | Office of Environment and Heritage |
| Official name: 131 Radar Station (former); Radar Igloo; Radar Buildings | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 16 April 2010 |
| Reference no. | 1815 |
| Type | Defence radar station |
| Category | Defence |
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The No. 131 Radar Station RAAF was a special place used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. It's located on Ash Island, which is part of Kooragang near Newcastle, Australia. This station helped protect Australia from enemy planes. It was also known as the Radar Igloo or Radar Buildings.
The station was first set up in Richmond, New South Wales, on 19 June 1942. After some training, the radar group moved to different locations before arriving at Ash Island on 7 September 1942. Its main job was to find enemy aircraft during World War II. The station used advanced British and Canadian radar equipment, kept safe inside two strong concrete buildings shaped like igloos. The No. 131 Radar Station RAAF closed down on 18 January 1946.
Today, the remains of the Ash Island radar station are part of the New South Wales State Heritage Register. It now serves as the Estuarine Interpretive Centre, where people can learn about the area's history and nature.
Contents
A Look Back: Ash Island's History
Early Life on Ash Island
For thousands of years, the Worimi and Awabakal Aboriginal groups lived around the lower Hunter River estuary. They hunted and gathered food on the many small islands. Later, after Europeans settled Newcastle in 1804, farmers used the rich soil of the islands for farming. Ash Island became important for dairy farming, even though it often flooded.
Protecting Australia in World War II
When Japan joined World War II, many Australians worried about attacks. In early 1942, the military started focusing on radar. Radar helps find and track enemy aircraft. This became even more important after submarines attacked Sydney Harbour and Newcastle on 8 June 1942.
The attack on Newcastle didn't cause much damage, but it made people realize how vulnerable the city was. Newcastle was a very important industrial city during the war, making things like steel, weapons, and aircraft parts. It needed the best protection.
How 131 Radar Station Was Formed
Just 12 days after Newcastle was shelled, the 131 Radar Station was created at RAAF Base Richmond. This was a mobile unit that used British radar methods. It was designed to find and stop enemy planes before they reached their targets. This advanced technology allowed operators to quickly get exact locations of aircraft. The 131 Radar Station could even estimate the size and height of planes by how strong the radar signals were.
Moving to Ash Island
The mobile radar unit first used British Mark V equipment, carried on the back of trucks and hidden under camouflage nets. In August 1942, the 131 Radar Station moved to Beverley Park and then to Kyeemagh for testing. In September 1942, the unit was sent to Ash Island to protect Newcastle.
When they arrived, the staff found swampland, mangroves, and lots of mosquitoes. But Ash Island was a great spot for radar because the surrounding water helped the radar signals detect aircraft better.
Life and Technology at the Station
By late 1942, Ash Island became a permanent radar post. The station had a full team, including 25 RAAF members and 22 Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) members. On 16 December 1942, the 131 Radar Station started working 24 hours a day. By January 1943, new Canadian radar equipment arrived.
In February 1943, the WAAAF members at the station outnumbered the RAAF members. Many of them were among the first WAAAF radar operators trained in Richmond. Also that month, the trucks that carried the mobile radar units left Ash Island. Construction began on two concrete igloo buildings, with walls about one foot thick. These igloos were British in design and were meant to be underground bunkers. However, in Australia, they were built above ground and disguised with netting.
By mid-1943, the igloos were finished. The radar equipment was installed in one, and an emergency power unit in the other. The new Canadian equipment was very advanced. Teams of five operators and one mechanic worked in six-hour shifts around the clock. Operators rotated jobs every 30 minutes, handling things like antenna rotation and plotting tables. Mechanics focused on the radar's transmitter and maintenance.
As the war went on and the threat of invasion decreased, the station also became a training center for radar officers and operators. In January 1945, the station's staff was greatly reduced. Finally, on 18 January 1946, the 131 Radar Station was officially closed.
Today's Use of the Site
After the war, the 131 Radar Station became the Estuarine Interpretive Centre (EIC). This is part of the Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project. The Centre teaches people about the local ecosystem and the island's history.
Other Radar Stations in NSW
During World War II, over 100 radar stations were built along Australia's coast. Most of these stations were made of light, portable structures, so not many are left intact. The 131 Radar Station at Ash Island is one of the few that remains. Another important one is the RAAF 208 Radar Station at Catherine Hill Bay, which also used concrete igloo structures.
What Remains at Ash Island Today
The former 131 Radar Station is located on Ash Island, at the western end of Kooragang Island. This area is north of Newcastle, at the mouth of the Hunter River Estuary.
The site includes two semi-cylindrical buildings called igloos. They are made of concrete about one foot thick and are about 50 meters apart. These igloos were designed by the British to be underground bunkers. However, in Australia, they were built above ground and camouflaged during the war.
Inside the larger igloo, there is a mural painted by Lyn Skillings. It shows the natural environment of the area. There is also a special plaque on the larger igloo. It was put there in 1995 during a reunion for radar veterans. The plaque says:
- "Ash Island Radar Site
- This plaque commemorates the operations conducted by No.131 Radar Station from 16th December 1942 until 18th January 1946.
- No.131 Radar Station was located here and controlled the fighter aircraft based at RAAF Base Williamtown.
- No.131 Radar Station employed British MkV and Canadian RWG/GCI radars.
- This plaque is presented by the personnel of No.3 Control and Reporting Unit and the Radar Air Defence Branch of the RAAF Association in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of victory in the Pacific.
- 15th August 1995"
You can also see some old concrete foundations and a base where an antenna once stood. The original camp where officers lived was southeast of the radar station, but nothing visible remains there today. A modern toilet facility was added to the site in the late 1990s.
The two concrete igloos are in good condition, though some of the outside plaster is wearing away. The other buildings and features of the radar station are no longer there.
Why This Site is Important
The 131 Radar Station is very important to the history of New South Wales. It is one of the few radar igloos from World War II that still exists in the state.
Protecting the Coastline
After Newcastle was attacked in June 1942, Australia quickly focused on new radar technology. The 131 Radar Station was one of the first units to use "Ground Controlled Interception" (GCI) radar. This advanced technology could find and track enemy aircraft, helping to protect Australia's coastline. The strong concrete igloos were built by mid-1943 to house this important equipment.
Role of RAAF and WAAAF
The site is also important because of the RAAF and WAAAF officers who served there during the war. When the station was fully staffed, it had 25 RAAF and 22 WAAAF officers. These highly trained individuals played a key role in protecting Newcastle.
Unique Design and Social Value
The two semi-cylindrical concrete igloos have a unique design and stand out in the natural landscape of Ash Island. They were originally designed by the British as underground bunkers but were built above ground in Australia and camouflaged.
The 131 Radar Station also has social value for the community. The fear caused by the shelling of Newcastle in 1942 led to the quick establishment of this station. It then protected Newcastle from air attacks for several years. In 1995, a reunion was held for the officers who served there, and a plaque was unveiled to honor their efforts. Today, the igloos are used as an educational center, helping people learn about the island's history and the Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project.
A Rare Example of War Technology
The 131 Radar Station is a rare example of the advanced technology used during World War II to detect enemy aircraft. Over 100 radar stations were built during the war, but few remain. This site is unique because it used Ground Control Interception (GCI) technology, which could quickly determine the direction, range, and height of enemy aircraft. This made it very valuable in protecting New South Wales.
Commanding Officers
- J.R. Wallace (PltOff) - 29 June 1942
- G.P. Phillips (PltOff) - 3 August 1942
- A.W.F. Williams (FlgOff) - 9 March 1943
- K.N. Drummond (FlgOff) - 1 June 1943
- T.J. Ling (PltOff) - 15 December 1943
- W.H.C. Mann (PltOff) - 26 December 1943
- K.S. While (PltOff) - 30 June 1944
- E.G. McCulloch (PltOff) - 9 October 1944
- E.W. Lee-Steere (SectOff) - 31 January 1945
