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Convoys up the Track

History of 121st Australian General Transport Company (AIF) 1941-1946

Alan Smith

CONVOYS UP THE TRACK is the story of 121 Aust Gen Tpt Coy (AIF) which served across a vast expanse of Australia from Adelaide to Eucla, Mt Gambier to Oodnadatta, Alice Springs to Larrimah and Darwin and from Truscott in North-West Australia to Mt Isa in Oueensland from 1941-46.

Early in World War II Australia had 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, Mt Isa and Larrimah. Their work has been hailed as one of the greatest transport efforts of World War II.

The book tells of the life of the convoy 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.