The recent visit of the USS Ohio, a guided missile submarine, brought back
memories of US Navy submariners and a link to Toowoomba.
The picture above is of a US Navy submarine docking at New Farm in Brisbane in 1943. You see Brisbane was home to the US Navy's Pacific
submarine fleet during World War II. Sailors aboard these submarines would sail for up to six months on missions far and wide. Upon their
return they would be granted up to three weeks leave to recover (RnR). To keep such specialised sailors out of mischief the US Navy
established recreation camps far away from other US Navy personnel.
Two such camps were located at Toowoomba's very own Laurel Bank and Newtown Parks. At any one time, up to 250 US Navy submariners would be
stationed at these camps.
Each camp had cabins, recreation halls and dining rooms. Luxury at the time. In fact some of these buildings are still there.
Community facilities that date back to another time. Indeed, the picture below shows two US Navy personnel at Laurel
Bank park with the recreational hall (still there) in the background and the US flag flying proudly.
So next time you are visiting Toowoomba cast your mind back to a time when Toowoomba hosted the brave young men of the US Navy's Pacific
submarine fleet. I wonder of the USS Ohio's sailors made it to Toowoomba?
Find out more about Toowoomba's fascinating WW II History on Toowoomba
Trails Toowoomba in World War II
walking Tour on September 7
