Don Bowen
Posts: 8183
Joined: 7/13/2000 From: Georgetown, Texas, USA Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: JeffK Plus a Naval Base Force? (I'm unsure of the size/readiness of the airfield at the time) Two Mobile Naval Base Defense Organizations were sent to Addu Atoll in September, 1941 (left Med 20 Sept, 1941 - arrival date not given). Units code named Piledriver and Shortcut, total about 1000 men. By December 7, 1941 had installed CD guns and a defensive minefield, refueling station, general shore facitlities, small seaplane base but no airfield. One of the MNBDOs (Shortcut) left 26 November, 1941 for work on other Indian Ocean bases. By inference, Piledriver left as base force at Addu. No breakdown of components, other than the 1000 total for both. Code Named Port T. Excellent anchorage, with a number of tankers and base ships of various types stationed there. Work started on airfield at end of 1941 but suspended after Ceylon raid. Work resumed August, 1942 (by Royal Marine Engineer Company "Q" - 720 men), airfield operational Feb, 1943.
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