10th Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot

13 Dec 1943 40mm Bofors guns returned to the Returned Stores Depot at 17 Mile for repairs AWM 061643

Brief History

This unit began life as the 8th Military District Ordnance Depot which arrived in Port Moresby with the 30th Australian Infantry Brigade in January 1942. Renamed in April the New Guinea Line of Communication Area Ordnance Depot, they expanded to form the 10th Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot in August, with personnel known as 14th Ordnance Stores Company. Over time it grew to include a Depot HQ, No 1 Sub Depot (Motor transport spares), No 2 Sub Depot, (Clothing and General), No 3 Sub Depot (Armaments), a Returned Stores Depot and a port detachment. 101 Forward Ordnance Depot was formed in November and located at Oro Bay in January 1943, and a detachment moved to Wau in February, expanding the next month to become 102 Forward Ordnance Depot. Total strength at this time was 35 officers and 555 men.

A reorganisation occurred in October 1944 with Lae the main base for further operations in New Guinea, with 102 Forward Ordnance Depot closing and the out posted men joining the units that they were attached to. other units were established at Aitape, Jacquinot Bay and Torokina with 10th Advanced Ordnance Depot's sections reducing in size accordingly, but continuing until the end of the war.

Unit Personnel

• Hector Charles Wood 12 Sep - 22 Dec 1943

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 5 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 5.333 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018