Local Government
Exmouth
Region
Gascoyne
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Exmouth
Location Details
17km north of townsite
Other Name(s)
World War II Aircraft Warning Radar
Construction Date
Constructed from 1943
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted |
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Statement of Significance
The Vlamingh Head Radar site has historic, rarity, scientific and cultural heritage significance. The site is one of the few remaining on the Australian coast. It is an example of effort made by our defence forces to establish a defence network on our remote coastline. It has historic links with Operation Potshot (refer Place Record Form No 8). As it represents technology of the past it demonstrates a way of life no longer practiced end therefore has scientific heritage value.
Physical Description
The original transmitter and receiver were mounted on structural steel angle frames and turned by an electric motor. It was camouflaged with a high wall, sandbags, wire netting and spinifex cover. The sandbags surrounding the site and the structure itself still remain.
History
Vlamingh Head Radar was a vital part of Operation Potshot during the defence of northern Australia in WWII. The North West Cape (along with other northern districts) was chosen as the location for a coastal defence base. The construction began late in 1942 on what became known as 'Operation Potshot'. The base did not prove to be as secure as planned, and in May 1943 was bombed by two Japanese fighter planes. Further plans for a submarine maintenance base were scrapped, although the base continued to serve as a refuelling stop for submarines. (For further details, refer to the Historical Notes on Place Record Form No 8 - Operation Potshot Site). A cyclone in February 1945 badly damaged much of the base, including the aircraft warning radar. This is indicated on a nearby plaque.
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| E McNabb; "Pot Shot Profile 1942-46". | Yokine | 1995 | |
| RC Gordon; "History of the North West Cape". | Teachers Higher Certificate Thesis | ||
| "North West Cape: US Naval Communication Station and the Support Township of Exmouth". | Commonwealth Govt Printer, Canberra |
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3814 | Exmouth 31 Radar Station Conservation Plan | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 1998 |
Place Type
Other Built Type
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | OTHER | Other |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Other |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | METAL | Steel |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| OUTSIDE INFLUENCES | World Wars & other wars |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Telecommunications |
Creation Date
24 Feb 1998Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
17 Sep 2021Disclaimer
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.