Townsville mutiny

The Townsville mutiny was a mutiny by predominantly African American servicemen of the United States Army while serving in Townsville, Australia, during World War II.

Townsville mutiny
Part of World War 2
Date22–23 May 1942
Location
Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Result Mutiny suppressed
Belligerents

 United States

 United States

 Australia

Commanders and leaders
1 killed

About 600 African American troops from the 96th Battalion, US Army Corps of Engineers, were stationed at a base outside of Townsville called Kelso Field. They were a labour battalion and their main job was to build bridges and barracks. The troops had been the subject of regular racial abuse by some of their white officers, and the rumour that a black sergeant had died at the hands of a white superior resulted in the troops of A and C company mutinying. On May 22, 1942, aiming to kill their commander, Captain Francis Williams of Columbus, Georgia, the black troopers began firing machine guns at the tents of white officers, resulting in an eight hour siege. At least one person was killed and dozens severely injured, and Australian Army soldiers were called in to roadblock the rioters.[1]

American journalist Robert Sherrod wrote a report on the mutiny but it was suppressed, as future US president Lyndon B. Johnson, then a young congressman, was visiting Townsville at the time.[1] The mutiny was revealed by a historian in 2012.[2][3][4]

References
  1. Walker, Jamie (11 February 2012). "Cover-up of Townsville mutiny: black GIs turned on officers". theaustralian.com.au. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  2. Bavas, Josh (9 February 2012). "Secret documents lift lid on WWII mutiny by US troops in north Queensland". abc.net.au. ABC Online. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  3. Bavas, Josh (10 February 2012). "Townsville WW2 mutiny uncovered by Queensland historian". abc.net.au. ABC Online. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  4. Walter, Sophia (10 February 2012). "Machine gun mutiny in Townsville". brisbanetimes.com.au. Brisbane Times. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  • Report on the mutiny at Oz at War
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