Base Section 3 Rest ARea (Coolangatta), Gold Coast, Queensland during WW2

BASE SECTION 3 REST AREA (COOLANGATTA)
GOLD COAST, QLD
DURING WW2

visits since 9 February 2003

In 1942, the Americans commandeered the beach area at Coolangatta Beach on the Gold Coast and a number of the local Hotels to establish the Base Section 3 Rest Area (Coolangatta).

The following information is from the Military Phone Books for the Brisbane area:-

In October 1943, J.T. Hale, Jr, was the Commanding Officer of the Base Section 3 Rest Area (Coolangatta).

In May 1944, Colonel E.L. Hubbard was the Commanding Officer of the Base Section 3 Rest Area (Coolangatta).

In February 1945, the area was referred to as Base Section 3, Leave Area (Coolangatta) and Captain A.S. Haisten was the Commanding Officer.

The Tweed Heads Recreation Ground. was a rest area for the US Army. Apparently the 32nd Division spent time there. The Rest Area included vacant land up to Steep Street and including Park Street. The Croquet Hut in this park was the Picture Theatre for the WW2 rest camp.

Did you stay at Coolangatta Rest Area?

I would love to know more about this Rest Area?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Mark Hanrahan for his assistance with this web page.