World War II in Hobart, Tasmania

[@catherinewalks1207]

Just found your channel - a delight. My grandmother actually saw the Japanese reconnaissance flight made early one morning in Feb 1942 over the Derwent estuary by Officer Fujita in his little 'glen' aeroplane. She was a young woman at the time, up early to do the milking on her family farm near Rokeby. She recalled her slow realisation that the plane was not 'one of ours' as it circled over Hobart and the Zinc Works before heading back down the Channel. She rang the Barracks to report it, they logged it but she always felt they didn't take her seriously. Many years later, after her death, the Japanese pilot wrote his memoires, his flight over Hobart making it into the Mercury as a curiosity. Our Grandpa suggested the paper check with the Barracks for the record of his wife's sighting and sure enough, there it was. Confirmed at last.

[@spdfatomicstructure]

Looks like Hobart won’t be safe in a World War III scenario then. Ever since Brexit and the attendant weakening of the peace-preserving EU via the loss of a major member, I’ve seriously considered relocating to Tasmania should World War III break out as a result of Brexit emboldening other nations including France and Germany to likewise leave the EU, cut trade and dialogue and revive old nationalist quarrels with no way to resolve them. The good thing about Tasmania is that it’s so far away that it likely will be physically untouched by the fighting - looks like that turned out to be a myth after all

[@pilate7004yt]

The final comments; so very true. My landlady in Battery Point, around 2000, was an apple orchardist and the widow of a WWII vet, who had returned from the war, utterly shell-shocked. She related to me one day, over scones and tea, how he would never speak of the horrors and how he coped with the experience by working himself to an early death. That must have been unimaginably heartbreaking for her, and yet I detected no clear sign of anything in her but resilience and a loving dedication to her family. We were generations apart, but she was a good friend.

[@97nlfairlane]

Thanks Angus for another great video. Visited Tas in 2019 and loved it. Can't wait to get back there. But in the meantime I'll enjoy your videos. Here's a little to help you make the next one.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you so much, Hugh. That's very generous of you. And it will help me to keep making content. Appreciate it.

[@thelocal0170]

What a legend 👏

[@davelees8022]

Hi, the static pretend plane looked like a Link trainer. My Dad was at Fort Direction and met Mum at a Saturday night dance at the Sandford Hall (still there) He Also served at the (now) University site with searchlights. When the Fort at Alexandra Battery was excavated some 25 years ago he helped the research crew with locations and names of newley exposed works, as he was there during the war. There are also old reinforcements at the top of Folder St that are now a house built by the architect Dorney as well as a few on the hill side further east. The best preserved emplacements are of course at Bellerive, with a commanding view down the estuary, but out of sight from the river. I'm enjoying your videos, and adding to my knowledge, history at school was never as interesting. Cheers

[@angusthornett]

Good stuff, Dave. Thanks

[@angelag9228]

Thanks again Angus for your fantastic videos! I love learning about the history of Tasmania from you.

[@sarahmac1972]

Fantastic movie Angus - I’ll be sharing it 👍👍 I (51yrs) grew up with my grandparents, who taught me all about Hobart’s war time. Grandpa fought in New Guinea & nan stayed in Hobart. I have my Nan’s Red Cross medals & pins that she wore in the war days. She worked with the other girls doing whatever was needed for the war effort. She told me about the Land Army & the ration stamps for food & fuel (if you were lucky enough to have a motorcar). Her dad was the dentist next to Hadleys- quite wealthy until the depression hit in 1929. I have a beautiful old photograph of a parade from May 1927 for the Duke (soon to be king), marching past our family dentist surgery. Nan and great G’pa are up there in the window , watching… but I digress. I really appreciate your movie mate, well done and Thank you for all the marvellous info, esp the photos… quite moving! 🙌😊

[@siddalton5190]

Great video Angus, covers a lot of ground. One of my grandfathers was on shift at the Zinc Works during the war, and my father claimed he'd heard a Japanese aircraft fly over one night. Always thought it was a myth until I read a book publishing research about Japanese submarine operations. The did indeed launch a float plane from a submarine in Oyster Bay that flew a reconnaissance mission over Hobart looking for warship targets, which was what my grandfather had heard. Same sub also did flights over Melbourne and Sydney, only finding suitable targets at the latter that they launched their mini-sub raid against.

[@Alonsel3]

The crafstmanship of this episode is truly inspiring mate, love calling Tassie home.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate.

[@nm-mj4ez]

love all your vids Angus. Special shout-out to the co-host of the year Harry Dog!

[@ronti2492]

Thanks Angus, I'll put a comment out via the normal means- for some reason it is not letting me write anything long and donate. But just quickly, I really appreciate your videos- they are well scripted, thoughtful, informative, comprehensively researched-keep them coming! There is obviously a lot of work involved out of proportion to the average length I am sure. hope this donation will help things along, although with the cost of fuel I am not so sure!

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Ron. Very generous. Good stuff.

[@beaubarton2646]

Thank you so much brother! Lest we forget.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks and yes.

[@reneknaap1745]

Such an important, but neglected, part of Tasmania’s history. Thanks again

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Rene

[@tcpnetworks]

The Taroona High School site had a pill-box until about 1986 when it was removed to make way for the oval.

[@angusthornett]

Interesting.

[@richardandrews3244]

Thanks!

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Richard. Big help for the channel.

[@scottseymour886]

It's not a mystery why German sea mines were found at the mouth of the Derwent. These were from the German Raiders, Komet and Orion, both active ships in the Pacific Ocean in 1940 sinking many Australian and NZ cargo ships and taking prisoners as well. The German Raiders shelled the then Australian mandated territory island of Nauru who's Government Appointed Administrator was Tasmania Lt. Col. F.R.Chalmers, CMG DSO a veteran of of the Boer War, WW1 and WW2.

[@Oddone64]

The Germans payed mines of the coast here at Port Lincoln as well, one was washed up near Sleaford Bay in 1942 ? It was disarmed and put on display on the foreshore here, eventually relocated to the cliffs at Sleaford Bay , that area then became known locally as ‘the mine’, it was blown up by a couple of local d- heads in the early 80’s . One ship did hit a mine at the Neptune Islands ( where the shark diving takes place) it was towed to Port Lincoln where it was patched up the towed to Port Adelaide for repairs. A local social media page recently had discussions on activities during the war, from streets being surveyed by Japanese merchant seamen before the war began, to sighting a periscope in Boston Bay. Interesting times.

[@CowboyJojosAdventures]

Thoroughly enjoyed your documentary on Hobart during WW2.Lots of great pics and information. Whilst your puppy was wining, our little Ruby's ears pricked up to its attention. Thank you for another excellent episode Angus, Loved it. Have a great weekend. ❤️🐨🦘🇦🇺

[@offgriddreaming5403]

Very interesting mate. Sadly little is known or remembered about these times by younger generations. Thanks for sharing ✌🏼

[@vendingexpress7528]

Thank you, well done once again

[@angusthornett]

Thank you

[@ronti2492]

I have never, ever , ever given ANY $ to anyone on the internet but you are the shining exception mate! $50 is bloody mean, it costs at least a hundred to fill up a tank these days.This will make it $100 which is a decent donation.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Ron. Any amount definitely helps the cause. It’s all appreciated. I’d like to continue to produce content.

[@fixxundfertig]

Wasn't the disused railway tunnel at Tunnel Hill used to store valuables during WWII? Whilst whatever was happening at Air Force Gully was not necessarily connected to that, we at least know that there was military presence nearby at that time.

[@angusthornett]

Yes, documents were kept there.

[@pmacgowan]

Thanks Angus, another great piece of Hobart history :-)

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Paul

[@Shirkate]

Excellent Angus. So much I didn’t know. My father and grandfather were in the Tasmanian battalion. Not physically disabled but emotionally buggered. And a small shoutout, not that he can hear, to Harry for being a Good doggie…..

[@SteveMack]

I love the old Aussie history. Subscribed 👍👍

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Steve

[@simonhadolt3395]

Those concrete foundations are remains of magazines used to store ammunition just like the ones at the military base next to the Bowen bridge

[@darylburnet8328]

Really enjoyed this film Cobber. Also others you have done. I grew up in a Military family and the Tasmanian WW2 thing was pretty comprehensive. The photo of HMAS Kuttabul blown up in Sydney blew me away. Good work.

[@OllieVK]

Allegedly Cambridge/Meehan Range was used for munition storage. Relatively safe in the gully from being bombed.

[@MrChriswoo26]

Ripping ripping video mate....Top class!

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Chris

[@SnowdragonDS]

Love your vids Angus. Really enjoyed your old Hobart videos specifically. Sorry about your old dog she was the star of the show.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you.

[@bigm383]

Another brilliant video. Great drone footage. I had a little tear in my eye at the end…to think that there are probably no soldiers, or their wives left to tell their story.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers. Everything goes on eventually.

[@rodcornelius9474]

Another great video Angus. 👍

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Rod

[@oscar35575]

Very very well done!

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate.

[@maryelizabeth8839]

Another great video Angus. Will share.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you. That really helps.

[@gilbydog7350]

Great WW2 video on Hobart Angus, I learned so much about it. Have never been to Cape Direction despite spending alot of time at O'Possum Bay, but when you look at it on a map you can see how strategically located it is. Lots of time and research was spent on that video, great work, well done.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. Glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully I can continue to make more content.

[@beautifulbuds]

Brilliant content. THANK YOU

[@angusthornett]

Thank you

[@dawnmay5648]

We love Tassie. Going back for the 5th time and with new eyes open, thanks for the info. 👍

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Dawn

[@johnstorey7379]

Munitions areas typically have good road access and tend to be uniformly spaced, and that may be a clue for the area near Cambridge. The area near Dowsing Point shows a typical layout

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, John. Yeah, that would check out.

[@FranticMonster11]

brilliant video mate! love seeing history of Hobart!! Best city on earth!

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. Glad you enjoyed.

[@Layingflat]

Really interesting video and a great historical eye opener. Knowing Germanys mines were found there, the world doesn’t seem such a big place all of a sudden. Keep up the great work Angus and Dog.

[@ForgottenTasmania]

Great story really well told. Thank you.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you.

[@chrisbarwick4807]

Nice video Angus, grew up in south arm great times hanging out in the ruins at fort direction as a kid.

[@diannerowley9358]

Fantastic as always.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Dianne

[@jonveranto7303]

Thank you for this great and respectful history lesson about the fears endured and sacrifices made by the people of Hobart/Tasmania/Australia. Given the proximity to Japan and occupied areas and the very real threats of invasion/other during a significant part of the war, can't imagine what it was like. Thanks to them and to you.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Jon. Glad you got something from it.

[@johnbladesmusic]

Great work Angus. Keep them coming.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, John

[@davemasters7254]

Congratulations on another excellent production Angus ... your photographic research is unprecedented ... the new pooch is growing up fast.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Dave

[@FAR_CUE_TOO]

Just found your channel and I’m currently binging on the rest of your films now 😂😂 I moved to Tassie in 2007 and have been to most of the places you featured yet knew none of the history, very interesting subject matter and delivered well, keep it up, cheers 👍🏼👍🏼

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Peter. Yeah, I'm trying to get the subs up so that the channel can become sustainable. I'd like to make more content. Don't be afraid to share my videos. That helps a lot.

[@tazsnoop1044]

Keep up the great work, 🤙

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, mate.

[@adamwhite9872]

I miss Hobart so much, hopefully I make it there again someday. Thanks for your effort Angus!

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Adam.

[@StandbyMilko]

Great work mate, didn’t know much about what we did in the war. Great to learn about it. I’ve been to point direction multiple times. Very interesting. You’re content is top tier

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. Yeah, it's an interesting place to visit. Spectacular too.

[@waynedebnam]

Absolutely brilliant, thank you for the history lesson. I live in Hobart and was unaware of a lot of the details in this video.

[@therighttoremain]

Cheers, Wayne. Good to hear you enjoyed it.

[@catrionahall8435]

Always so interesting, the research you do is fabulous.

[@therighttoremain]

Thank you, Catriona.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, Catriona. Appreciate it.

[@gaijininja]

As always, brilliant production Angus. Something that surprised me was your visit to Point Direction. I didn't even know you could enter the area, and always thought it was a restricted Army area.

[@therighttoremain]

No, it's public access, you just have to stay close to coastline. You can work it out by studying Google Maps.

[@gaijininja]

@@therighttoremain Thanks for that. I wasn't sure if the road/track shown on Google was accessible as it appears to branch off a road within the military zone.

[@angusthornett]

@@gaijininja If you follow the beaches you'll be fine. And when you hit the headland you can cross it, not a problem.

[@lowmercy-mealypredatorhuntingg]

Thanks for all this info mate makes me want to study our history now

[@jacksonmurphy8627]

Another great video!! Thanks Angus

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, mate.

[@stripeyhorse]

What a amazing video. Very interesting. Love it.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks Zebra

[@CJArnold-hq3ey]

Cheers mate 👍

[@aussiepubsoftheday]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video! My uncles were both in the Army, my father was too young! But they told my father lots of interesting information after the war! One thing I remember after watching you in Cambridge that artillery was hidden in a tunnel on Mt Rumney...that tunnel is now on private property!

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. I know that tunnel. Part of the Sorell train line. I'd like to do a video on it but it's all on private property now.

[@aussiepubsoftheday]

@@angusthornett interesting if they utilised the Rhyndaston tunnel too... One question..which way did you walk from to get to Fort Direction?

[@angusthornett]

@@aussiepubsoftheday Go to Blessington Coastal Reserve and walk along the beaches from there. You can work it out from Google Maps.

[@AVMamfortas]

You do a great service to Tasmania, sir.

[@therighttoremain]

Thanks, mate.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, mate.

[@martinsapsitis4292]

Those shown Fort Direction buildings are for target triangulation, spot light and power generation. These were part of the revamped batteries up top in the restricted army base.

[@jb243wp]

Brilliant work once again 👍

[@therighttoremain]

Cheers, mate

[@angusthornett]

Thanks for the support.

[@longy77]

Good work Angus!!! thoroughly enjoying your videos, so much history that needs an opertunity to be explained and documented. Well done you do an outstanding job🤘

[@therighttoremain]

Thanks, mate. Appreciate the encouragement.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks you. Glad you got something out of it.

[@rushmorebig]

Thanks for the post

[@angusthornett]

Thanks for watching

[@mrfreddyfudpucker2185]

Great video. Some unsealed documents are available about Stringybark Gully / Redgate which confirm the layout and detail the purpose.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate.

[@tasmanianerd2558]

Air Force Gully was the location for Number 8 Replenishment unit - storage of bombs, fuel and equipment to support RAAF aircraft at Cambridge Airport. It was located in the gully so it would be a difficult target to bomb.

[@angusthornett]

Interesting

[@gillianshaw7944]

Wonderful video . Things I had no idea about brought to light. Keep up the the good work 👏

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Gillian.

[@cloudstreet8214]

Thank you for your effort 👌 Awesome!

[@angusthornett]

Thanks for watching

[@steedwilkinson6797]

Another great video. 👍

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, mate

[@steedwilkinson6797]

What made you start these great mini docs of Hobart history ? I grew up in Hobart and find these vids amazing, so does my Dad.

[@angusthornett]

@@steedwilkinson6797 something I was interested in doing

[@steedwilkinson6797]

You do it well ! in a style that speaks to all ages . You would make the best history teacher ever.

[@thomasfox2257]

What a great video

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Thomas.

[@pamelagahan5601]

Angus, that was so informative. I loved how you ended it, cars standing still then moving. Very cleverly done. Added a great ending to your film.keep up the good work. Your puppy is also learning to be the actor she should be, just like your other girl was.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Pamela. Glad you enjoyed.

[@aidenonfire]

These videos are great!

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Aiden

[@tomgoodful]

Excellent. And a very cute dog.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Tim

[@FiregemProductions]

Great video!

[@angusthornett]

Thank you

[@dannynolan8863]

Your best yet

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Danny

[@wombatcarey8628]

I believe there is one at Roches Beach also.

[@angusthornett]

That's the first one

[@ronti2492]

Hi Angus, the comment I wanted to make was this: Good on you for calling out the 2/40 battalion AIF! I served in Timor three times with the Army in the early 2000's and I thought about the 2/40 guys a lot when I was there. Of course a lot of the 2/40 soldiers melted into the Timorese bush ( =a formidably rugged place) together with what Dutch soldiers did not surrender. They are immortalised in Damien Parer's film, 'Men of Timor' which was made in 1942. The AIF sent troops to Ambon ( ? Gull Force), New Britain ( ? Lark Force) and Timor (Sparrow Force). Thrown like lambs to the slaughter against a ruthless, determined, experienced enemy with superior numbers and airpower., none of them had a decent chance. The 2/40 lives on today as the 12/40 Royal Tasmanian Regiment, an Army Reserve unit with depots around Hobart, as well as other parts of Tasmania ( I think).

[@angusthornett]

Interesting stuff, Ron. Thanks for sharing.

[@purplexs2506]

These vidz really are well put together. I'm familiar with a WW2 fortified emplacement on the slopes of Goats Bluff. I presume built for an anti-aircraft gun.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you. There's stuff all over the place, mostly unmarked.

[@bearcatracing007]

Great video

[@angusthornett]

Thank you

[@TasmanianDevil3]

One of the slabs at Cambridge had a house on it

[@angusthornett]

Any idea when it was demolished?

[@TasmanianDevil3]

@@angusthornett I'm not 100% sure. A family member can recall one still being in place on the other side of the hill in the 70s before it was demolished.

[@saltwater8915]

Hi, good video ... However, i think that the structure at 17:58 was built to house a searchlight, the size of the opening and the cantilevered roof are indicative of that type of structure. A 60" (150 cm) searchlight was probably originally housed in the structure, this would have allowed crews to illuminate any invasion craft trying to access the Derwent at night, allowing artillery to target & interdict. Searchlight structures will generally be a distance away from the gun emplacements as the searchlights are a hi-value target for the enemy at night (so you don't want the heat that they attract landing close to where your gun emplacements are. Coastal gun batteries usually have a pretty distinctive circular concrete mount that allowed the gun to revolve and rotate in place, and were usually part of a larger emplacement as they required an underground magazine, sometimes a generator room and depending on what size the gun is a number of secondary structures (fop's) etc. cheers.

[@angusthornett]

Interesting.

[@eriseley]

Great work Angus. Have you been to Natone Hill in Lindisfarne. Anti aircraft bunkers at the summit?

[@angusthornett]

I have. I didn't cover all of them in the video.

[@stanlyandaudrypupster3091]

So interesting, I’ve seen a lot of these bunkers, the graffiti at Tinderbox has improved. Thanks for the content, I’ll share it. Is that a Westie puppy you’re carrying?

[@angusthornett]

Jack Russell

[@MegaDRjohn]

nice to see the link trainer, i enjoyed a lot of time in one, but i enjoyed flying in a tiger moth far more

[@captmulch1]

Love the new dog!

[@jaydenritchie1992]

awesome video mate thank you is that a flak 88 @9:36?

[@angusthornett]

I don't think so, Jayden.

[@jaydenritchie1992]

@@angusthornett my mistake possibly a QF 3.7-inch AA?

[@pestwizard4155]

Hey Angus, out of curiosity, what's your opinion on the Dark Mofo festival and it's impact on Hobart?

[@tasdare6377]

I can tell you now, they have damaged yet another historical building this year. Can't say too much, but I work in a place they have damaged previously. My advice to anyone reading this, is to know exactly what they are going to do with your venue before you hold events through Dark Mofo.

[@nicktheguy2013]

This shit is so relaxing man

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, mate. Thanks

[@willdurand4026]

Masterpiece

[@angusthornett]

Very generous

[@dogcalledholden]

One man and his dog: I love it!

[@kanegull1163]

Wish I’d have seen this video prior to my last hopeful comment for a video alike this one… Feel like a billy goat now 😅

[@brodyroper8288]

G'day mate, like your videos. Do you have a degree of any kind just to ask? Interested in how you find these bits of information cause I'd like to help out or find my own info. I'm also really interested in history, particular military and infrastructure projects. I study at UTAS in Launnie. Kind regards, Brody

[@sydthegoat88]

I don't think anyone has researched and compiled these stories about our local history and presented it like this. Should be an ABC documentary as educational material. Tassie is changing fast and we need to preserve our past if not in this format.

[@angusthornett]

Cheers. I'd like to produce more content. Need to get the subscribers up. Don't be afraid to share my videos. That would legit help me a lot.

[@AWF1000]

It's crazy the brighton army Barracks is still there. Though I hope it doesn't since it became a historic site, but I assumed the gov would have turned it into a housing resident.

[@therighttoremain]

Anyone can visit easily. I think most people just don't know about it.

[@angusthornett]

Yeah, thankfully it's still there

[@marknewbold4154]

Great Video, but Fort Direction in general should be mentioned for it’s purpose in 1939 onwards

[@iaincaveney7162]

Where is the pearsons point battery that fired on the liberty ship

[@angusthornett]

At Piersons Point

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Interesting

[@lanceduke3522]

The 2/9 Field Company Royal Australian Engineers was made up entirely of Tasmanian volunteers, the 2/9 saw action in Syria and then Kokoda. On the 26 February 1942 a Japanese submarine I-25 anchored in Oyster Bay on East Coast Tas, Warrant Flying Officer Nobuo Fujita launched his "Glen Float plane and headed south and turned NW heading up the Derwent to conduct a saw 5 cargo ships at anchor but no warships. The I-25 then headed to the US, Nobuo conducted the Lookout Air Raids in Brookings ( southern Oregon) later that year on September 9, 1942, dropping incendiary bombs making him the only Axis pilot during World War II to aerial bomb the mainland of United States. After the war Fujita was invited to Oregon in 1962, after the Japanese government was assured he would not be tried as a war criminal. He gave the City of Brookings his family's 400-year-old katana in friendship. Ashamed of his actions during the war, Fujita had intended to use the sword to commit seppuku if he were given a hostile reception. However, the town treated him with respect and affection, although his visit still raised some controversy. How different would Tassie's WW2 story had been had Hobart been fire bombed by Nobuo and his modest seaplane?

[@TasHikingAdventures]

nice video I did both the bunkers back last year and made a clip on them....you didn't go to the underground ones but do you not know of them ? it's on my channel dude....great history video loved it....our history is awesome no matter what rabbit hole you go down 😎🍻👍

[@angusthornett]

I left a lot of stuff out.

[@thorfinncheney5774]

Good on ya

[@matt948]

Walk past that thing heaps of times didn't take notice of what it actually was

[@ericd7975]

Hi I would suggest the AIF that you referred to Australian Imperial Force was actually Australian INFANTRY Force

[@angusthornett]

Australian Imperial Force is correct.

[@CheekyKoala]

Sparrow force was part of the “triad” of forces that were sacrificed by the Australian government: placed in locations that they could not hold, given inferior weapons with vastly insufficient ammunition- these were lark, sparrow and gull forces - they were sacrificed by the Australian government, simply to create an illusion of defence- they had no hope against the Japanese, but the government had this romantic notion of making the Japanese fight for those territories which they were going to take anyway- Those Australian forces were simply swatted away like flies!