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In World War 2 the Japanese Navy and its aircraft threatened the industrial centre at Newcastle and also the nearby airbases . The Catalina base at Rathmines was a vital asset. The coastline to the south of Newcastle was thought to be a potential landing site for a Japanese landing.
The Australian government asked Britain for its newly developed radar technology.
Unfortunately, what was initially supplied was outdated and meant to be installed both at sea level and underground. This meant that ships close to the caost could not be observed.
The tower in the photo above was actually for the staircase down from ground level.
Photos from the Lake Macquarie Library Collection
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