WA4WD
Corunna Downs
I first heard about a secret airforce base in 1979 during my training with the Department of Aviation. A number of the instructors had been in the RAAF during WWII and were involved in the early radar sites. One such radar was at Corunna Downs. When I transferred to Port Hedland the opportunity arose to visit the old base. Over the years I have been able to research and discover more about this site and I have been able to visit often. During the years many small treasures have been found from old bullets, dixie tins, bomb fins and even an ID Disc.
From Corunna Downs Secret Air Force Base |
The base was established late in 1942 with the commencement of building the runways. During the initial phases of the allied strikes back at the Japanese, the USAF 380 Bomber Group operated from the base. As the war pushed the enemy further back, the RAAF 25 Squadron flew missions from Corunna. The planes often flew from Cunderdin into the base to fuel and bomb up, before departing to strike the enemy in Indonesia. The unit's historical records which can be viewed at the National Archives of Australia site show many missions to Corunna, including training and reconnaissance flights.
![]() |
From Corunna Downs Secret Air Force Base |
When you travel around the old airstrip and onto the taxiways it is easy to forget that the encroaching bush is reducing the width from 16m to something that causes scratches on the car as you drive through.
Munitions
were brought into
Corunna from Port Hedland on the old railway. It is arguable that the
freight loading helped deteriorate the line to a point beyond economic
repair.
From Corunna Downs Secret Air Force Base |
From Corunna Downs Secret Air Force Base |
![]() |
From Corunna Downs Secret Air Force Base |
Operational Base Unit Number | Location |
71 | Carnarvon |
72 | Albany |
73 | Corunna Downs |
74 | Yanrey? |
75 | Nookanbah |
76 | Potshot (Exmouhth) |
77 | Guildford |
78 | ? |
79 | ? |