Taking tours out of Melbourne in the 70's, when travelling north, I would always drive into the tiny SA town of Terowie. I would stop at the end of the main street, ask the passengers to leave the coach and walk the full length of the towns main street. Then I promised to buy a drink for the first passenger to see a resident of the town. It was almost like a ghost town, but I knew there were folks living there. As it was the 70's, I asked if any of the passengers, who were obviously older than me, had they heard of the American General McArthurs statement, that echoed around the world, "I was pushed out of Baatan, but I shall return!" Many of the passengers were ex military, and were astounded, to say the least, the the good General had made that famous statement right there in this small town. I was back there a few weeks ago, and am glad to say it has been "opened up" to travellers. If you walk down to the old rail platform, you can read all about that day in 1942.
Taking tours out of Melbourne in the 70's, when travelling north, I would always drive into the tiny SA town of Terowie. I would stop at the end of the main street, ask the passengers to leave the coach and walk the full length of the towns main street. Then I promised to buy a drink for the first passenger to see a resident of the town. It was almost like a ghost town, but I knew there were folks living there. As it was the 70's, I asked if any of the passengers, who were obviously older than me, had they heard of the American General McArthurs statement, that echoed around the world, "I was pushed out of Baatan, but I shall return!" Many of the passengers were ex military, and were astounded, to say the least, the the good General had made that famous statement right there in this small town. I was back there a few weeks ago, and am glad to say it has been "opened up" to travellers. If you walk down to the old rail platform, you can read all about that day in 1942.
Regards to all
Pipes
Thanks Pipes, I knew it was in Aus but not where in Aus. Another interesting snippet. Under Melbourne's streets is a set of storm water drains that measure high and wide enough for military transport trucks to drive in. These drain run for miles and go out as far as the old Kew Cottages. Until the 1980's these drain were accessible from street level and I had the oppotunity to hav a unofficial tour under the City. These drains (although already in existence since the 1800s) were widened and extended to accomodate MacARTHUR and his entourage in case of air attacck whilst he was here. He also arranged for large caches of arms, vehicles and supplies to be hidden in strategic spots. They're all a bit of an open secret now but various historical groups are still looking.
Taking tours out of Melbourne in the 70's, when travelling north, I would always drive into the tiny SA town of Terowie. I would stop at the end of the main street, ask the passengers to leave the coach and walk the full length of the towns main street. Then I promised to buy a drink for the first passenger to see a resident of the town. It was almost like a ghost town, but I knew there were folks living there. As it was the 70's, I asked if any of the passengers, who were obviously older than me, had they heard of the American General McArthurs statement, that echoed around the world, "I was pushed out of Baatan, but I shall return!" Many of the passengers were ex military, and were astounded, to say the least, the the good General had made that famous statement right there in this small town. I was back there a few weeks ago, and am glad to say it has been "opened up" to travellers. If you walk down to the old rail platform, you can read all about that day in 1942.
Regards to all
Pipes
Thanks Pipes, I knew it was in Aus but not where in Aus. Another interesting snippet. Under Melbourne's streets is a set of storm water drains that measure high and wide enough for military transport trucks to drive in. These drain run for miles and go out as far as the old Kew Cottages. Until the 1980's these drain were accessible from street level and I had the oppotunity to hav a unofficial tour under the City. These drains (although already in existence since the 1800s) were widened and extended to accomodate MacARTHUR and his entourage in case of air attacck whilst he was here. He also arranged for large caches of arms, vehicles and supplies to be hidden in strategic spots. They're all a bit of an open secret now but various historical groups are still looking.
