Task Force 6814 Arrives in Australia

On February 26, 1942, the convoy of men and equipment arrived safely in Melbourne, on the southeastern tip of Australia. Hurried preparations were made by the Australian military to receive this huge influx of troops.

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USAT Argentina in Melbourne

The visit to Australia was planned to be a brief one, mostly to reorganize the equipment aboard the transport ships. In the rush of packing in New York, supplies had been stowed aboard ship in a haphazard manner, unfit for rapid deployment in a combat zone. While these supplies were reorganized, the soldiers were safely dispersed to various locations throughout the Australian countryside. The Argentina is seen here, moored at a dock in Australia during her stay.

Tourists in the Countryside

The men of Company G were sent by train to Ballarat, about 70 miles west of Melbourne. Tony Dziuszko of Company G wrote home that the train was ancient by American standards. The photo of Ballarat at right is from a souvenier photo book Ed Monahan acquired at some point.

Living with the Locals

The soldiers of the 182nd spent their brief stay in Australia in a variety of different quarters. Many of them were housed with local families. Ed Monahan stayed with a family at 502 Havelock Street, in Ballarat. This photo was taken during a 1986 visit he made to Australia.

Making Friends

During their visit to Australia, the American soldiers found the local people to be warm and welcoming. Many made good friends, and future pen pals. Ed Monahan befriended Betty Wynne (at right), a local school girl, whom he traded letters with during the war, and for decades after. Other soldiers made friends of a different sort, engaging in brief romantic liasons with the locals.