Convoys Up the Track: A History of 121st Australian General Transport Company (AIF), 1941-1946

‘Convoys up the Track’ is the story of 121 Australian General Transport Company (AIF) which served a vast expanse of Australia from Adelaide to Eucla, Mount Gambier to Oodnadatta, Alice Springs to Larrimah and Darwin from Truscott in North-West Australia to Mount Isa in Queensland from 1941-1946.

Early in World War II Australia and no east-west or north-south trunk roads; its rail system was hampered by breaks in rail gauges; there was no continuous rail connection between the southern states and Darwin and coastal shipping services were slow, inefficient and vulnerable to Japanese attack. Army transport units were responsible for the mammoth haulage of essential supplies, equipment and personnel. They were the vital link between the railheads of Alice Springs, Mount Isa and Larrimah. Their work has been hailed as one of the greatest transport efforts of World War II.

The book tells the life of the convoys drivers, the north-south and east-west roads, black American drivers, loads carried (including troops-in-transit), the progression from petrol-driven trucks and semi-trailers to Mack-Lanova diesels and more. There are humorous tales, names of all Unit members and over 300 photographs of historical interest.

Includes Nominal Roll

xix, 300 p. : ill., facsims., maps, ports. ; 26 cm #121221

Smith, Alan, 1922-  |  Australia. Army. Australian General Transport Company, 121st.  |  Australia. Army — Transport service — History.  |  Transportation, Military — Northern Territory.  |  World War, 1939-1945 — Regimental histories — Australia.  |  World War, 1939-1945 — Australia — Transportation.  |  Stuart Highway (N.T. and S.A.) — History.