| Type: | protected |
| Naval Base Adelaide | |
| State: | sa |
| Established: | 1942 (closed 1944) |
| Force National Map: | yes |
| Coordinates: | -34.839°N 138.505°W |
| Timezone: | ACST |
| Utc: | +9:30 |
| Timezone-Dst: | ACDT |
| Utc-Dst: | +10:30 |
Naval Base Adelaide was a United States Navy base at Adelaide and Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia during World War II. Northern Australian ports were within reach of Japanese long-range bombers. The bombing of Darwin on February 19, 1942, demonstrated that a more southern port was needed, with Adelaide, in southern Australia, being distant from the possibility of any current or future attacks. The existing port facilities at Adelaide were large enough to support the staging of future actions. Local civilians were hired to help in the unloading and loading of US Navy, US Army and Merchant Navy ships.[1] [2]
Protected by Fort Largs, Port Adelaide was an Army staging port from May 1942 to July 1942, with depots supplying the 32nd Division of the United States Army. Camps were built from the Port of Adelaide. Japan planned an invasion of Australia, but after their losses at the Battle of the Coral Sea, Japan canceled these plans. In 1944 use of the distant Port of Adelaide lessened as newer bases closer to the action were built. After the war, the US Navy and Army bases were closed.[3] [4]
The US Army set up a supply depot, Base Section 5, outside of Adelaide. The depot was run by the 84th Ordnance for the 32nd Division. The depot supplied remote advance bases. Due to port limitations, the depots were set up inland, and rail lines and trucks were used to move supplies.[6] [7]
Both the US Navy and US Army used some of the nearby Australian Airfields:
In deep gratitude to the men and women of the United States of America who joined in the defense of Australia during the war of 1939 - 1945[10]
a:. New Zealand-registered MV Hauraki was captured by Japanese armed merchant cruiser Aikoku Maru near Ceylon, 12 July 1942.
b:. Possibly SS Barossa
c:. For SS Wilbur Wright, see List of Liberty ships (S–Z)