Australian WWII - Far North Queensland Metal detecting and recovery

[AT P Sweep]

Hi Blokes ~ I am posting this as an going blog for interested parties that have been following my fossicking of (extensive) WWII ~ Far North Qld Australia . This area has been described in recent past as the "Largest WWII Campsite of all "

A big call but from Townsville QLD to Cape Horn on the Cape York , large numbers of Australian and US forces occupied the area, Including extensive ground troops, air force and naval units ~ Plus large field hospital and logistical services ~

So ~

AIF and Aussie Mick


I am off tomorrow and may actually switch to a third local AIF campsite which I have been eyeing off for several months and the site was actually confirmed by "Mick" when 'you' supplied me with the maps ~ thanks mate ~


As for active munitions ~ I agree, but I actually never even gave it a thought once I established the upper steel structure was empty ~

(A bit more lackadaisical so no excuse ~ But there was a case up here in about 1959 when some whacker found a full blown mortar shell and took it home and proceeded to do surgery on it in the shed in a vice ~



I think the Body count was ~ an eye ~ an arm and lost fingers on the opposite hand plus severe leg damage ~ )

I grew up in rural NSW as a Baby Boomer with high capacity rifles including military ~ and even gelignite which was used to destroy rabbit warrens ~ and even Cyanide capsules ~ Perhaps that has produced a naive lack of respect within myself !!

So appreciate your sentiments and any further discoveries will be left intact and the appropriate authorities advised ~

Oh BTW does anyone know exactly what purpose that particular mortar shell served ~ as it is a little bizare !??

I did Google but found nothing like it ~


I am also assuming that the brass end cap is from a 2" mortar as I found it on a firing range (??)

The firing range I found was in the land spit in the distance ~ Note the underground fuel tank in the fore ground. ( a local resident told me that when the water rises above the top slab there is a noticeable oil slick on the water !) But the 2/7th Cavalry did run chiefly Bren Gun carriers ~



A nearby bunker . No one seems to know what purpose this served



And I won't mention your 20 mm round episode , AIF/ Luke as I keep assuring Ms M, my (very patient ) Lady on the home front that the extensive 303 live blanks are quite harmless ~


Time I feel to move the "Drawer collection" into the work and Brewery shop I feel ~ ~

And Yes I assure d my Boss I will Not be bringing any such sample of any sort into the workplace either ~

Fossicking web site reference/ Blog :
Fossick site Shots

[AIF]

Good stuff can't wait to see some more finds! ...I also grew up with guns and all sorts of dangerous stuff that kids now days can only dream about.
I wouldn't worry too much about live .303 blanks I think they are pretty harmless (My opinion anyway)

Keep us updated mate.

[Steve T]

I can't tell exactly from your picture but the mortar is one of three things. Practice, smoke or para illum. Can you take a pic of the top please.

Your safety cap is indeed from a 162 fuze, used in 2 inch mortars.

Your 303 blanks are indeed safe, unless you do something stupid with them.

[aussie mick]

Good one Mate,
Cant wait to see more of your finds.
Happy Hunting

[AT P Sweep]

Cheers Blokes

And thanks for your interest Steve T ~

I would imagine that being a (typical) a rest and retraining area for many of the Australian units returning from North Africa ~ then be sent to the New Guinea / Kokoda campaign and beyond ~ that the Mortar is a practice round for sure ~


But I will post a shot as requested tomorrow as I am about to leave for the Office ` (Midnight to 09.30 hours this week)

I just have difficulty getting my head around the physical concept of just how the round sits and is projected ~

[spotter]

the mortar is 2inch para illum

[Steve T]

the mortar is 2inch para illum

I was down the carboot flogging crap out of the garage, (£146 ), and initially saw this on my tiny phone screen, in glaring sunlight. Obvious on a big screen

That's my excuse anyway

[AT P Sweep]

Hey Spotter & Steve

Sorry if I am little naive but what exactly is a Para Illum ~ an Illumination , flare type bomb ?

( BTW I love your Top Tip ~ Steve

Who has not done this very thing. I have only had my Garrett AT Pro since Xmas ~ but now I feel I am extremely adept with it ~ But having said that I was digging yet another Tent site only weeks ago and the "dump " hole they apprently dug at the end of each tent site and i was down to at least a metre ~ and still not hit the gold ~ and I began to wonder if I had done this very thing ~

In these holes as i am sure you know ~ I had to remove a pile of broken beer bottles ~ The hole got wider and deeper ~ In the end I filled it in again and said.. "O'll be Baarckk!! " Real strong signal too I WILL return !!

Last time this happened it was under water and the goodies turned into a Duffle bag lock ! )

[Thanatos]

"Sorry if I am little naive but what exactly is a Para Illum ~ an Illumination , flare type bomb ?"

Yes mate a parachute illumination round.

[AT P Sweep]

Woww Wooww What a day ~

Went back to the trenches ~ and WOWWW~

Found a superb three pence and a shilling ~ and Sunday I was crowing about finding my FIRST live intact 303 round ~ man !! What does one do with a hundred 303 rounds ~

The photos are going to BLOW you away and long story short ~ A Army demolition expert is going to pick me up on Thursday to shwo him where I found the unstable 70 year old WWII ordnance in a standard military box buried at Tinaroo ~

Details and photos shortly !!