Leyburn – Major WWII Air Force Base

Historical information about – Leyburn – Major WWII Air Force Base.

Leyburn was once the base for the RAAF 200 Liberator Special Duties Flight-Services Reconnaissance Department during the Second World War. The site was used as an Air Force training base and was one of the locations used by the Z Special Unit for their training.

Leyburn is located 62 km from Warwick and situated between Toowoomba and Warwick. It was one of four airfields provided for use by the USAAF’s Heavy Bomber aircraft in the event of a Japanese landing near Brisbane. The Australian War Cabinet approved the urgent construction of Leyburn Airfield on 8 May 1942. This was the direct result of the conclusion of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

It would appear that the work was already well underway prior to this approval; as of 3 May 1942, it was reported that the NW-SE runway had been cleared and graded for a length of 7,000 feet and was suitable for use in dry weather. A nearby camp had been erected and gravelling of the NW-SW runway was due to start on 5 May 1942.

All the facilities at Leyburn were completed by April of 1943. It was described as, “a heavy bomber field with buildings and services for 450 personnel (no sleeping accommodation)”. By July of 1943, it was one of 17 airfields in Queensland that were still unoccupied.

An advanced party of 21 Squadron RAAF arrived at Leyburn airfield from Camden in New South Wales on 9 July 1944. The advanced party comprised of 1 Officer, 29 Other Ranks, 2 Chevy trucks, 1 Dodge Weapon Carrier, blankets, mess gear and 7 days rations.

When they arrived at Leyburn, the camp consisted of one large building which was the mess hall and kitchen. They immediately started to dig latrines and erect tents in readiness for the arrival of the crews. The camp was about 4.8 km from the airfield hidden in a pine and she-oak forest on the Leyburn to Clifton Road.

23 Squadron RAAF arrived at Leyburn on 19 October 1944 from Menangle, NSW while 21 Squadron was still there.

99 Squadron RAAF arrived at Leyburn on 1 February 1945 and became a lodger unit there with 23 Squadron.

In June 1944, it was decided that the Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB) and the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) should have an RAAF unit allocated to it. This was to assist it in delivering agents and supplies of the Australian Army’s Z Special Unit by parachute into enemy territory. 200 Flight RAAF was formed as a Special Duties (SD) unit at Leyburn airfield on 20 February 1945. 200 Flight RAAF was equipped with B-24 Liberators to allow them to carry their planned cargoes and achieve the duration range into enemy territory. The USAAF 380th Bomb Group was also working with the Z Special Unit.

Leyburn airfield was now starting to get crowded. It was decided to move the 99 Squadron to Jondaryan/Brymaroo airfields in the last week of March 1945.

A separate Parachute Training Unit was established at Leyburn Airfield for Z Special Unit in May 1945. They worked in conjunction with 200 Flight RAAF which operated the B-24 Liberators.
200 Flight RAAF were disbanded at Leyburn in December 1945, leaving the airfield deserted.

The small township of Leyburn with less than 500 people settled back into everyday life, until it was selected as the site for the Australian Grand Prix to be held on 18th September, 1949.

“At the time, Leyburn, like every small country town in Australia, was rebuilding following the Second World War and the opportunity to host the Grand Prix provided a real highlight for the township,” said Race Director, Mike Collins.

An air of excitement and anticipation filtered through the community in the lead up, but not even the most supportive of locals could have imagined the flood of spectators that made the journey to witness the 14th Grand Prix,” Collins added.

“That occasion still stands as the most populated time in Leyburn’s history and those who have come along in recent years to the Historic Sprints will appreciate what an amazing scene it was to see 30-odd thousand people descend on a community so small.”

Today, the Leyburn community consisting of approx. 565 people is host to the Historic Sprints each year in August. Why not come and join in the fun and experience a bit of Australian history.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.