Yooroonah Tank Barrier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yooroonah Tank Barrier |
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Yooroonah Tank Barrier - Detail of concrete tetrahedra
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| Location | Waterfall Way, Ebor, Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1942–1942 |
| Architect | Eastern Military Command (Australian Government) |
| Owner | Office of Environment and Heritage; Roads and Maritime Services; Rural Lands Protection Boards State Council |
| Official name: Yooroonah Tank Barrier; Yooroonah Tank Traps; Ebor Tank Traps | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 27 November 2009 |
| Reference no. | 1803 |
| Type | Other - Military |
| Category | Defence |
| Builders | NSW Department of Main Roads, Dumersq Shire Council, local workers and miners |
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The Yooroonah Tank Barrier is a special historical site in New South Wales, Australia. It's located on Waterfall Way near Ebor. This barrier was built in 1942 during World War II to stop enemy tanks. It was designed by the Australian Government's Eastern Military Command. Local workers, miners, and government departments helped build it. The site is also known as Yooroonah Tank Traps or Ebor Tank Traps. Today, it's protected as part of the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
Contents
Why the Yooroonah Tank Barrier Was Built
During World War II, especially after Japan joined the war in 1941, Australia worried about being invaded. Japan had strong air and sea forces, making an invasion seem possible. Because of this fear, the Australian government quickly planned ways to defend the country. Even though there weren't many resources or skilled workers, Australia built defence systems along its coast and inland areas.
Protecting Key Roads
Important roads inland were used to move people, animals, and supplies. It was very important to control access to these roads. To slow down any invading enemy, the government decided to build many inland defence barriers. These barriers included anti-tank obstacles. About 50 such systems were built in eastern New South Wales. Eight of these were in the Dumaresq Shire area, including the Yooroonah Tank Barrier.
Building the Barrier
In early 1942, the Australian Military Forces ordered these inland roadblocks to be built right away. Work on the Yooroonah Barrier started in late January. Workers from the Dumaresq Council, local miners, and timber workers built the barrier. They worked under the guidance of the Eastern Command and the Main Roads Department.
The Explosives Tunnel
The main part of the barrier was a tunnel dug under the old Armidale-Ebor Road. This tunnel was designed to hold explosives. It had a main shaft and two side chambers shaped like a "T". Each chamber could hold a lot of gelignite (a type of explosive). There were also lines under the road surface for smaller explosives. Small shelters called "funk holes" were built nearby to protect soldiers if the tunnel was blown up.
Two local miners dug the tunnel by hand, working long hours. The tunnel was about 17 meters (55 feet) long and 4 meters (10 feet) deep. The plan was to seal the tunnel entrance with concrete and have soldiers guard it. However, it's believed the tunnel was never actually filled with explosives.
Anti-Tank Obstacles
While the tunnel was being dug, work began on other parts of the barrier. These included concrete tetrahedra (pyramid-shaped blocks) and rows of wooden posts.
In May 1942, work on the barrier stopped for a short time. Military officials found an old road that an enemy could use to go around the barrier. Even though the location wasn't perfect, a lot of time and money had already been spent. So, in July 1942, they decided to finish building it.
Extending the Barrier
To protect the newly found access point, the wooden barrier system was extended. It now ran across what is today Waterfall Way. Other sections of wooden posts were added to cover more ground. In areas where wooden posts couldn't be used, like marshy land, concrete tetrahedra were installed.
Concrete Tetrahedra
Only eight concrete tetrahedra were installed, arranged in two rows of four. These blocks were about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. They were made on-site and connected with a cable. Each block was poured in 11 layers. After the tetrahedra were put in place in October 1942, the Yooroonah Tank Barrier was officially finished.
Worker Buildings
During and after construction, workers and soldiers built simple buildings and lookouts. These included a "quarters" building and small huts. They were made of timber and possibly had canvas walls. These buildings allowed the workers to watch the barriers while staying hidden from any enemy.
The Yooroonah Tank Barrier was an important effort to protect inland roads during the war. However, it was never actually used in battle.
Other Tank Barriers in NSW
The Yooroonah Tank Barrier is special because it's one of the few World War II tank barrier systems in New South Wales that is still mostly complete. About 50 barrier complexes were built in eastern NSW during the war. Most of them were taken apart after the war ended. The Yooroonah site is also unique because it has both timber and concrete barriers, plus an explosives tunnel. Most other surviving barriers are only concrete blocks.
Other tank barrier sites in NSW include:
- Port Kembla Heritage Park (has a trench, timber posts, and concrete tetrahedra).
- Smith's Lake (has concrete tetrahedra).
- Paddy's Flat on Clarence River (has concrete posts).
- Mount Lindesay Road (has timber posts).
- Stockton Beach, Newcastle (has concrete blocks on the beach).
- Dee Why Lagoon (has concrete tetrahedra).
Unlike most of these, the Yooroonah Tank Barrier is an inland defence system, not a coastal one. It's also one of the most complete sites, with many parts still in place. A bypass road built later helped protect the site from being disturbed.
What the Yooroonah Tank Barrier Looks Like
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The Yooroonah Tank Barrier is located in the New England Tablelands. It's about 67 km east of Armidale. The site crosses the old Armidale-Ebor Road. It stretches from Waterfall Way into the Cathedral Rock National Park.
The site has several built structures and changes to the natural land:
- "Southern Block": A wooden post barrier south of Waterfall Way.
- "75 Block": A wooden post barrier stretching from Waterfall Way.
- "Central Block": A wooden post barrier leading to a stone lookout.
- Stone lookout: A small crescent-shaped wall on a ridge.
- Tunnel and access trench: Dug under the old Armidale-Ebor Road.
- "Tunnel Block": A wooden post barrier west of the old road.
- "Northern Block": A wooden post barrier near the creek.
- Eight concrete tetrahedra: Two rows of four pyramid-shaped blocks.
- "Quarters": A larger wooden-framed building with a fireplace.
- Two small huts: Smaller wooden-framed structures.
The tunnel entrance still has rusted parts from its old hinges.
Wooden Post Barriers
There are many more wooden post barriers than concrete ones at the site. This might be because timber was easy to find in the nearby forest. The wooden posts were sunk into the ground in rows. However, hard rock underground sometimes made it difficult to place them perfectly.
Many of these wooden posts are still there. Some have rotted or been damaged by bushfires. It's thought that Blackbutt and Stringybark wood was used. Blackbutt seems to have survived fires better.
Concrete Tetrahedra
The eight concrete tetrahedra are in the marshy area of the Cathedral Rock National Park. These permanent concrete structures were meant to stop tanks from crossing the marsh when it was dry. The tetrahedra are about 1.5 meters tall and are in good condition. They were made on site in 11 layers and reinforced with steel.
The Mined Tunnel
The tunnel under the old Armidale-Ebor Road is at the center of the site. It's about four meters deep and shaped like a "T". It has an open access trench and two chambers for explosives. Road-fracture lines and funk holes were also built above the tunnel. The tunnel is about 17 meters long. It's sealed off from public access but appears mostly intact.
Worker Structures
The site also has structures built for the workers and soldiers. These are located downstream from the tetrahedra barrier. The "quarters" building is larger and has evidence of a fireplace. There are also smaller huts. All these structures were placed to allow a view of the barrier while staying hidden from any approaching enemy.
A new bypass road (the current Waterfall Way) was built after World War II. This road cut through some wooden barriers. However, it also helped protect the main barrier complex by making it more isolated. In recent years, some unauthorized work to create a public path has caused minor damage to the site.
Condition of the Site
The wooden post barriers show some fire damage and wood rot. However, the excavated tunnel and the concrete tetrahedra are in good condition. The site is important for archaeologists who want to learn more about its history.
The main parts of the site are still complete. The tunnel and concrete blocks are in good shape. While the bypass road caused some disturbance, it has largely kept the complex safe from damage. However, some unauthorized work in 2004 created a path that caused a little archaeological damage.
Why This Site is Important
The Yooroonah Tank Barrier is very important to the history of New South Wales. It's one of the last inland tank barrier systems from World War II that is still mostly complete.
A Piece of History
This site shows how Australia responded to the fear of invasion by Japan in 1942. It also shows how different levels of government (federal, state, and local) worked together with the community to build this defence. Even though it was never used, it represents a big effort during the war.
People Who Built It
The Yooroonah Tank Barrier is important because of the local workers and miners who built it. They worked under the direction of the military and the Main Roads Department. This teamwork between different government levels and the community showed how united everyone was during the war.
Clever Design
The site is also important for its smart design and how it was built. The way the man-made barriers (tunnel, wooden posts, concrete blocks) work with the natural landscape shows clever thinking. The eight concrete tetrahedra, standing in the marshland, are a striking feature of the site.
Community Connection
The Yooroonah Tank Barrier has social importance to the local community. It's an example of how the community helped defend the country during World War II. Local groups today are also working to make sure more people know about and visit the site.
Learning from the Past
This site can teach us a lot about how inland tank barriers were designed and used during World War II. As one of the few surviving examples, it can help us understand the ideas behind this type of defence. Studying the site, including the old worker buildings, could also show us what life was like for those who worked there.
A Rare Survivor
The Yooroonah Tank Barrier is rare because it's one of the last and most complete inland defence systems from World War II in New South Wales. Most other barriers were removed after the war. But because the Yooroonah site is isolated and not easily accessed, it has been preserved. The intact tunnel, explosives chambers, and the mix of concrete and timber obstacles are rare physical proof of how these barriers worked. Since it was never used and is still mostly intact, it clearly shows how this type of defence system was meant to function during World War II. It's also rare as an inland barrier, as most other surviving tank obstacles are found in coastal areas.
A Great Example
The Yooroonah Tank Barrier is a great example of an inland defence system from World War II. When Australia feared invasion, it built defensive barriers along the coast and on important inland roads. The Yooroonah Tank Barrier is one of the largest and most complete examples left. Its location, layout, and physical parts all show the main features and operations of an inland defence system from that time.
