ANZAC - How Mount Isa played its part in Australia’s military history

Once World War II swept into the Pacific, Mount Isa was confronted with the physical reality of warfare as northern Australia became a frontline. After the bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942, air raid shelters were built, blast proof walls were constructed around pumping stations, additional fire-fighters appointed, and the reservoir camouflaged.

However, the starkest evidence of war was the arrival of the military in the town. The Allies’ decision to create the South West Pacific Area under United States Command turned Mount Isa into a garrison enroute to Darwin.

The town served as a temporary home for Allied servicemen involved in transporting supplies and providing medical support. Thousands of American soldiers set up camp in the suburb known today as Soldiers Hill. The streets and community spaces in Soldiers Hill are named after military men and war locations, including Kokoda Road and Gallipoli Park.

The Australian Military Force arrived in mid-March 1942 and set up its base, which became known as the Base Supply Depot (BSD).

The Mount Isa Underground Hospital was purpose-built in case of airstrike attacks and was carved into the rocky hill behind the Mount Isa Hospital. Mount Isa Mines supplied drilling equipment, explosives, timber, and a crew of volunteer miners to construct a space large enough to accommodate up to 150 patients at one time.

As part of the war effort, Mount Isa Mines was required to convert from producing predominantly zinc-lead-silver, to copper production in order to support munitions supply. The Australian Government lent Mount Isa Mines ₤50,000 at the time to enable the company to ramp up its copper production. Locally produced copper was preferred, as importing copper across oceans was dangerous due to raiders and potential submarine attacks.

After the war ended, Mount Isa Mines donated over $26 million dollars (today’s currency) in copper, to assist the United Nations in rebuilding Europe.

Both the Mount Isa township and Mount Isa Mines answered the call to war in support of our country. That is just another reason why we are proud to look back at our 100-year history.