Lennons Hotel, George Street, Brisbane, Queensland used by the military during WW2

LENNONS HOTEL
CODENAMED "BATAAN"
GEORGE STREET, BRISBANE, QLD
USED BY THE MILITARY
DURING WW2

visits since 1 December 2002

Lennons Hotel had it first association with the Military very early in the war against Japan. The eight ships of the American Pensacola Convoy arrived in Brisbane on 22 December 1941. Brigadier General Barnes, on board the transport ship "Republic", was welcomed to Brisbane by Colonel Merle-Smith from the American Consulate in Melbourne. By 5 pm General Barnes and his officers had established their temporary Headquarters for the United States Forces in Australia (USFIA) and their accommodation in the original Lennons Hotel in George Street.

On 12 December 1941, American troops in the Pensacola Convoy originally scheduled for the Philippines were constituted as Task Force South Pacific, and placed under the command of General Barnes, who was the senior officer in the Pensacola Convoy. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the convoy was ordered to proceed to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and General Barnes was instructed to assume command of all American troops in Australia and place his forces under General Douglas MacArthur who was at that time Commanding General, United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). General Barnes' prime role was to aid with the defense of the Philippines. When the Pensacola convoy docked at Brisbane, Australia, on 22 December 1941, the Task Force South Pacific became the U.S. Forces in Australia (USFA or USFIA) with General Barnes in command.

General Brett was scheduled to become the Commanding General but until his arrival, Brig. Gen. H.B. Claggett, an Air Corps officer on General MacArthur's staff, was sent from the Philippines to Australia to take temporary command in Australia. General Claggett arrived in Brisbane by air on 22 December 1941 and took over the command of USFIA from General Barnes on 24 December 1941 with General Barnes as his Chief of Staff.

The Headquarters for the U.S. Army Forces in Australia (USFIA), relocated from Lennons Hotel to the MacRobertson Girls High School at 350-370 Kings Way, Melbourne, Victoria on 3 January 1942.

By Special Orders No. 4 dated 4 January 1942, Headquarters United States Forces in Australia, the following officers were relieved from duty with Headquarters United States Forces in Australia and assigned to duties with Headquarters, United States Troops in Brisbane Area:-

Colonel Alexander L.P. Johnson, 0-3163, INF
Lt. Col. Geoffrey Galway, 0-5753, CAV.
Major George H. Diltz, 0-16332, QMC.
Major Jesse T. Harper, 0-297596, MC.
Captain James M. Jones, 0-277141, AC.
Captain John E. Kinney, 0-12950, CC.
Captain William D. Lakeman, 0-294867, INF.
Captain Chester E. Lange, 0-296537, FA.
Captain Emil J. Smith, 0-214077, QMC.
Captain John W. Schermerhorn, 0-193213, INF.
Captain Howard L. Steffy, 0-311381, QMD.
1st Lt. James B. Berry, 0-361784, INF.
1st Lt. Myron J. Birnbaum, 0-346233, FA.
1st Lt. Alfred J. Emard, 0-298738, INF.
1st Lt. Jesse B. Halprin, 0-336044, INF.
1st. Lt. James E. Hicks, 0-317099, INF.
2nd Lt. Mark T. Muller, 0-375668, SC.

General Brett arrived in Australia on 31 December 1941. He took over as Commanding General, USAFIA on 5 January 1942 assumed command of all American troops in Australia and reporting to General Douglas MacArthur, the Commanding General, United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

via Michael Elton

Lennons Hotel, corner George, Ann and Adelaide Streets, Brisbane

Pilots of the 27th Bomb Group and the 24th Pursuit Group landed on the Hamilton Reach of the Brisbane River in a RAAF short Empire flying boat near the ships of the Pensacola Convoy. They had departed Darwin on 23 December 1941 and travelled to Brisbane via Groote Eylant, Townsville, Rockhampton, arriving at the Hamilton Reach of the Brisbane River on 24 December 1941. Colonel John H. Davies and the pilots of the 27th Bomb Group were also quartered at Lennons Hotel in the city. During their stay in Brisbane they ran a dive bombing school for the incoming pilots. They also recruited some mechanics from the 7th Bomb Group as gunners and line crews for the 27th Bomb Group.

The entire top floor of the original Lennons Hotel in George Street Brisbane was eventually requisitioned for use by the American military forces during WW2. This was probably done by Hirings Section, No. 1 L of C, Australian Army Hirings Service .

Sketch of Lennons Hotel
There's that Palm tree again!!

GHQ, SWPA, moved from Melbourne to Brisbane on 21 July 1942 and set up their offices in the old 9 storey AMP Building in Queen Street, Brisbane. The building is now known as MacArthur Chambers.

General Douglas MacArthur and his most senior officers from his General Headquarters South West Pacific Area (GHQ, SWPA) were housed on the top floor of Lennons Hotel. Mrs Jean MacArthur and their son Arthur were also accommodated at Lennons Hotel. MacArthur had four adjoining suites for his personal use. They each had a bedroom, living room, kitchen, office and library. A red and white striped canvassed awning was erected over the entrance to the hotel in honour of MacArthur's presence in the hotel.

Michael Elton told me that the suites the MacArthurs occupied were not at the front of the Lennons Hotel building. They were Room Nos. 41 and 43 on the 4th floor. Michael was told that Room No. 41 was the suite set up for his son to play with his toys in, the other was their bed room and sitting room.

via Michael Elton

Lennons Hotel

General MacArthur would travel to his Headquarters building in the AMP building in Queen Street in his staff car USA-1 driven by his regular driver, Sgt. John J. Ulrich ("Blackie").

General Douglas MacArthur's staff car outside the Edward St. entrance to GHQ, SWPA in the AMP building in 1942. This was the normal entrance to GHQ

Technical Sgt. Clarence E. "Red" Hensley and Sgt. John J. "Blackie" Ulrick

The four stars on MacArthur's car indicates the grade of General. Later on, he was promoted to a five star General of the Army

Lennons Hotel would have been the scene for many lavish functions where General MacArthur would entertain visiting Generals, Admirals and politicians. Lennons Hotel was given the code name of "Bataan" by General MacArthur. Many Hollywood celebrities would also stay or entertain at Lennons Hotel. Gary Cooper was there at least once in 1943. Ray Bolger, the Scarecrow from the "Wizard of Oz" was another visitor. Other famous visitors include Jerry Colonna and Joe E. Brown.

First Lieutenant Richard S. Fuld was responsible for the 24 hour security watch arrangements for General MacArthur and his family. Mrs Margaret Byrne, the manager of Lennons Hotel fell in love with Richard Fuld, who was very much her junior.

"Bataan" Exchange
(Telephone Switchboard in Lennons Hotel)

Has anyone got a photograph of
the original Lennons Hotel in George Street?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Michael Elton for his assistance with this home page. Michael worked for Lennons Hotel, both in the old building and the new one, for twenty five years starting in 1959. Michael worked with a chap who was there during the time the General was there. He had a cigar given to him by MacArthur.

REFERENCE BOOKS

They Passed This Way"
by Barry Ralph

US Army in World War II - Appendix B - US Army Commanders in Major Theater Commands, December 1941 - September 1945