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Fortress Newcastle Collection
"Newcastle Fortress" was the official term used to describe the defence of Newcastle and its regions during World War II. The Australian Government's operations involved an extensive network of forts, Army, Navy and Airforce bases, anti-aircraft batteries and coastal guns, radar stations, searchlights, and tank-traps. The production of Newcastle's industries was critical for supporting the war-effort; to protect these heavy industries and the region's strategic importance, Newcastle was to be one of only two sites that were heavily fortified across Australia.
For a population of less than 100,000 people, the region was defended by tens of thousands of servicemen and women. Local women were essential to the success of Fortress Newcastle, operating a variety of defensive and intelligence roles, especially through the Australian Women's Army Services (AWAS) and Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). The Newcastle region was also the home to US and UK troops during the war, who were stationed in Port Stephens.
The Fortress Newcastle project has brought together members from across the Newcastle community to share the important stories of the region during World War II. This collection consists of material gathered during the project, with involvement from 10 historical societies, representing Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Cessnock and Maitland, local historians, university researchers and specialists, war-time veterans, and other stakeholders.
We are grateful to these organisations and volunteers, and those who have contributed by sharing photographs and stories.
From the project, Stories of Our Town have produced a documentary film - Fortress Newcastle: Life Under Threat - incorporating interviews with local historians and veterans who experienced the defence of Newcastle first-hand. The Fortress Newcastle exhibition, currently in production, is to be launched in 2022.
If you would like to contribute to the project, please contact archives@newcastle.edu.au
Acknowledgements
Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association
Stories of Our Town
GLAMx Living Histories Digitisation Lab
Fort Scratchley Historical Society
Maitland & District Historical Society
Rathmines Catalina Association
Stockton Historical Society
Friends of Schoolmasters Cottage (Ash Island)
Tomaree Museum
Tomaree Headland Heritage Group
Port Stephens Historical Society
RAAF Base Williamtown Heritage Centre - Fighter World
David Dial OAM Military Historian
Date Between 1st September 1939 and 2nd September 1945Other Collection Percy Haslam WWII CollectionMargaret Henry Oral History Project
