Fraser Commando School
Encyclopedia
The Fraser Commando School (FCS) was the main Services Reconnaissance Department
training facility after training operations were transferred from the Z Experimental Station
in October 1943.
The FCS was located on Fraser Island in Southeast Queensland, near to the McKenzies Jetty, just south of what is now the Kingfisher Bay Resort. The site was selected due to its seclusion and sparse habitation. At the time of the establishment of the FCS, Fraser Island was virtually uninhabited apart from a small Forestry establishment at Central Station and a Royal Australian Air Force
Radar Station at Sandy Cape, on the northern tip of the island. Fraser Island also has rainforest areas which were utilised for jungle warfare training and a series of freshwater lakes. The largest of these, Lake McKenzie
, was used for parachute
water jump training by night and day.
FCS was the basic Special Operations training facility for the Services Reconnaissance Department, Far Eastern Liaison Office
and also hosted students from the Philippines Regional Section. Students received instruction in weapons, demolitions, advanced parachuting, water operations using folboats and rubber boats, as well as extensive signals, physical fitness and unarmed combat training.
Major H.A. Campbell, one of the architects of Operation Jaywick
was in command of the FCS until January 1944, when he was succeeded by Lt. Davidson RNVR, Major L. McQuinn and later, Major S.R. Leach.
Operations at the FCS ceased in December 1945 and the school was shut down in early 1946.
Services Reconnaissance Department
The Services Reconnaissance Department , also known as Inter-Allied Services Department , Special Operations Australia and Section A, Allied Intelligence Bureau was an Australian military intelligence and special reconnaissance unit, during World War II.Authorised by General Thomas Blamey in March...
training facility after training operations were transferred from the Z Experimental Station
Z Experimental Station
The Z Experimental Station , Cairns was set up in July 1942, jointly by Secret Intelligence Australia and the Inter-Allied Services Department....
in October 1943.
The FCS was located on Fraser Island in Southeast Queensland, near to the McKenzies Jetty, just south of what is now the Kingfisher Bay Resort. The site was selected due to its seclusion and sparse habitation. At the time of the establishment of the FCS, Fraser Island was virtually uninhabited apart from a small Forestry establishment at Central Station and a Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
Radar Station at Sandy Cape, on the northern tip of the island. Fraser Island also has rainforest areas which were utilised for jungle warfare training and a series of freshwater lakes. The largest of these, Lake McKenzie
Lake McKenzie
Lake McKenzie is a perched lake on Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia.The sands around the lake are composed of pure, white silica and the water in the lake is also so pure it is unsuitable for many species....
, was used for parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
water jump training by night and day.
FCS was the basic Special Operations training facility for the Services Reconnaissance Department, Far Eastern Liaison Office
Far Eastern Liaison Office
The Far Eastern Liaison Office was a Second World War Propaganda and Field Intelligence unit set up under the orders of the Allied Land Commander, General Sir Thomas Blamey, on 19 June 1942...
and also hosted students from the Philippines Regional Section. Students received instruction in weapons, demolitions, advanced parachuting, water operations using folboats and rubber boats, as well as extensive signals, physical fitness and unarmed combat training.
Major H.A. Campbell, one of the architects of Operation Jaywick
Operation Jaywick
Operation Jaywick was a special operation undertaken in World War II. In September 1943, 14 commandos and sailors from the Z Special Unit raided Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour, sinking seven ships.- Background :...
was in command of the FCS until January 1944, when he was succeeded by Lt. Davidson RNVR, Major L. McQuinn and later, Major S.R. Leach.
Operations at the FCS ceased in December 1945 and the school was shut down in early 1946.
External links
- Fraser Commando School, Fraser Island, QLD Contains photographs of the FCS then and now
- 1944 Services Reconnaissance Department Training Film Fraser Commando School training January 1944