32nd United States Infantry Division

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"Red Arrow Division"

RSL (Port Pirie Sub Branch) Inc.

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¹The 32nd United States Infantry Division, located at Fort Devens, Massachusetts in preparation for deployment to Northern Ireland in 1940, had a quick change of orders and was sent to Australia in May 1942.

Upon arrival in Port Adelaide, South Australia on the 14th May 1942, the main body of the division camped at Sandy Creek near Adelaide while units totalling about 75 men quickly erected a camp/depot near Clements Gap, South Australia; 120 miles north of Adelaide. The Clements Gap Primary School was closed down and its students sent to nearby Port Broughton for schooling.

²The Crystal Brook District Council overseer had his tractors commandeered by military authorities. The soldiers cut down trees and made inroads into what was called Block ’F’ (The Clements Gap Conservation Park) where an ammunition depot and fuel dump was established. Crates of munitions and pallets of fuel in four-gallon drums were stored beneath the trees.  

There were two ammunition magazines built as well as latrines and a shower block, mess hall, a 40-meter-high lookout tower, and tented sleeping quarters. The school building itself was used as the headquarters and the social hall was used as a canteen and games room. A 2-inch water main was run and connected to the school along with telecommunications. 6 civil guards patrolled the perimeter of Block ‘F’ on horseback and there was a sentry posted at the entrance to the school ground.

³During this period the 4th Australian Advanced Ammunition Section, a sub-unit of the 4th Australian Advanced Ammunition Depot, occupied the Merriton Institute and grounds and was engaged in the movement of ammunition to the camp at Clement’s Gap; 12 miles away.

On the 5th of September 1942 the 32nd United States Infantry Division closed the camp and were deployed to New Guinea. The camp was dismantled at the end of 1942 and the Clement’s Gap Primary School was never reopened.

Sources:

¹ US Army Attaché Letter – USA Defense Attaché Office Canberra, Australia 15 October 1979

²Laura Standard and Crystal Brook Courier, SA Friday 3 July 1942

³Archives Letter - Headquarters 4th Military District Keswick Barracks, Keswick SA 17 April 1979

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