Eastern Command 'G' Branch registry files

Accession Number AWM193
Collection type Official Record
Object type Official Record
Date made 1923-1946
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

AWM193 contains files from the NSW Lines of Communication Area G (General) Branch Registry. This was formerly 2 District Base, and Eastern Command, and these name changes are reflected in the files.

The files varied considerably in their item titling and numbering
style, and were probably drawn from different record keeping systems to make a composite series. When describing the series a decision was therefore made not to attempt to restore the original order of the items, but to impose a single number system for control. Where original numbers could be identified, one was listed in the alternate number field. Additional file numbers were included at the end of the ANGAM II 'title' field.

Some items were transferred to other parts of the AWM collection:
1. 'Visual training' issues 5-9 December 1943 - April 1944 to AWM Printed Records / Serials.
2. 'Demand for works or engineer services' pro forma AAF P26
(duplicate copies) to AWM Special Collections / Forms and Books.
3. 'Nominal roll of draft' Pro forma AA Form Mob.3 (duplicate
copies) - to AWM Special Collections / Forms and Books.
4. 'Publication ofmaps, NSW L of C Area. Fortnight ended ...' Pro forma (duplicate copies) to AWM Special Collections / Forms and Books.

The series is housed in 61 type A boxes, with 7 boxes of oversize items.

The series includes letters, minutes, instructions, circulars,
memorandums, reports, strength returns, notices, newspaper clippings, regulations, maps, operation instructions, plans, telegrams and other miscellaneous papers relating to the operational and administrative functions of the Eastern Command Area. The largest single group is the '2 District Base Defence Scheme', the plans for organising the defence of NSW in the event of enemy invasion. A grid showing item numbers and duplicate holdings of 2DBDS was prepared for the AWM193
series dossier.

These documents relate to local defence and security, administration of troops, relations between government agencies and the local population; etc. Details of topics covered include:

LOCAL DEFENCE - Copies of the '2 Distruct Base Defence Scheme' make up the largest single subset of AWM193. This is the defence plan devised for 2 Military District in the event of enemy invasion. It was issued in several parts and attachments, with amendments, over the period 1939-40; not all details originally envisaged for the plan were filled in. The plan provides for military requirements at different stages, from pre-war alert to full war footing:
intelligence reporting, censorship, recrutiment, training, coast
defences, security of vulnerable points, supply and transport,
medical services, finance arrangements; etc.

Some duplicate 2DBDS items were retained in the series, and the detailed descriptions are intended to help researchers identify these.

Most 2DBDS items are in the range 357-375.

SECURITY, INTELLIGENCE, CENSORSHIP, CAMOUFLAGE - There is a lot of material on these topics. Aspects include: passports, security of wharves and shippin; intelligence reports, notes on Japanese army and equipment, 'Australian intelligence diary' 1939-40 (IGS Australian Section); employment of censorship staff, broadcasting; code names.

MOVEMENTS, LOCATIONS, STRENGTH RETURNS - There are order of battle and location statements, and plans and instructions for troop movements. AIF convoys 4-17 instructions are at items 37-47.

SCHOOLS AND TRAINING - There is much material related to training in army activities, eg cooking, engineering, malaria control, signals; courses for officers, AWAS, AASC.

SEIZURE AND RETURN OF SMALL CRAFT - There are files on immobilisation and release of craft, and the related issue of claims for loss of craft and damage done; including correspondence with and records of the Watercraft Panel, State War Effort Co-ordination Commitee (NSW).

DENIAL OF RESOURCES TO THE ENEMY - This includes material on a scorched earth policy circular to industries; watercraft, coal mines, jetties and wharves; etc. Items 150-154 have completed questionnaires returned to NSW L of C from manufacturing firms in the Sydney area, and related correspondence. Questions include the number of staff, type of production facility, goods produced, and details of the firm's preparedness for destroying plant and materials in the event of enemy invasion.

CREATION OF SURVEY MAPS, PLANS - Files from the Survey Corps are mostley at itmes 375-395; they include correspondence with local and state authorities.

COMMAND OF LOCAL VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS AND GARRISON TROOPS - Topics include; organisation of VDC; guards at vulnerable points; coast defence; strength returns of garrison troops; guards at internment camps.

PROTECTION OF PROHIBITED AREAS AND VULNERABLE POINTS - There is informaton on security and protection including anti-sabotage measures for wharves and ports, aerodromes, bridges, post offices, fuel storage depots, power houses, pipelines, railways, fixed defences, etc. Item 208 has a small amount of material on Wren Force and Heron Force.

2 DISTRICT BASE OVERSEAS PLAN 401 - This was a plan for mobilisation for overseas service in the event of war. It included: force to be raised; recruiting; supply and transport and equipment; training; medical and veterinary plans; order of battle; allotment of 2 AIF quotas to 2 Military District, and elsewhere; establishment of administrative units in the Liverpool-Holsworthy concentraton area; etc.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE FILES - These files include material on Fortress Combined Operational Headquarters; disturbances between Australian and American troops; Bartholomew committee; intelligence organisation; Home Security circulars.