Search For Buried WW2 Spitfires
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Facts Turn to myths, Myths turn to legend, as time goes on the past becomes long buried.
After visiting Oakey numerous times over the years and following other peoples stories I developed a passion for legend of Buried SuperMarine Spitfires at Oakey from WW2.
Although many have come before me and searched for the mythical planes the legend wont go away and after researching thousands of records I'm a strong believer that they do exist.
Although my theories differ from many before me as to why and where they are in Oakey, as my belief is although some may have been buried at the end of the war by personnel, I believe with my theory there is a strong chance that the Defence force may have actually been storing them in a secret underground Bunker for the defence of Brisbane (Brisbane Line Theory) and subsequent cover up post war due to the royal commission into the Brisbane line.
After years going through thousands of records from WW2 over the years It has become very Obvious that the Defence force had covered up the existance of many Planes during WW2 at the same time General Macarthur Had publicly come out with the Brisbane Line Strategy (March 1943).
This aligns with construction works of the 6AD Oakey airforce base as inland storage and repair of WW2 Aircraft.
The Legend of an underground bunker in Oakey has been around ever since and although Many People have searched I believe my theory is the stongest yet to actually bringing these Planes to light.
I have now Pinpointed Exact Location of of what I believe to be the underground Bunker and resting place of these War birds which would Include spitfires aswell as possible other aircraft and supplies.
To further investigations and obtain rights to start an excavation I am seeking additional funds, As negotiating land access rights, excavation plans and Workplace Health and safety Compliance to open up and explore this area will be the next step in confirming my theory.
Please feel free to follow my Facebook page Oakey Spitfires .
UPDATE ADDITIONAL DETAIL
SPITFIRES DOWN THE OLD FEDERAL MINE OAKEY QUEENSLAND
This Has been the main theory even since WW2 and is the one that is always claimed in eye witness statements over the years, and the only truly plausible explanation for a large underground storage facility.
HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL MINE
Early Mining of Upper 2 coal seams, one of 2 Foot 6 inches 50 feet below surface and a second coal seam of 4 foot 6 inches 63 feet below surface. This I believe would have had the Upper seam mined first then mining further down to get to second seam due to proximity.
This would leave an underground cavern with a height of about 5.3 meters over an area of at least 12-20 hectares. Also only being 15-20 meters below surface would only require tunnel widening on limited amount of Tunnel (depending on Slope Grade) Most Likely Underground storage area.
Later Mining went for a lower coal seam of 6-8 foot, 140 feet below ground. This would have had a cavern height of 1.8-2.4 meters. Not feasible for Underground storage.
In 1942 the federal Mine ceased Production.
In early 1943 I have evidence that suggests the Government and Military departments took over the mining Lease Area and that works were underdone on at least one Tunnel Entrance and possibly a Second.
There is also a possibility that tunnel networks were also extended from these caverns to the south of the town.
PREVIOUS SEARCHES OF THE OLD FEDERAL MINE
MOST NOTABLY – LESTER REISINGER
As Featured in the Australian Post August 21 1980.
Lester Was working off the theory that a small group had hidden 5 Aircraft down the mine 3 Spitfires and 2 Beufighters, which had been diverted from their ultimate demise and destruction from the foundry.
Lester had undertaken excavations to uncover 2 tunnels on a property Adjoining at the time the drive in theatre (Now sports fields).
The tunnels he intersected as tunnels I refer to as as No3 and No4 both of which serviced the later mining operations for the coal seam 140 feet below ground. The tunnels proved to be too small to fit a spitfire down as aligns with my theory of theses tunnels.
I believe he was on the right track just Dug in the wrong Location as tunnel’s No3 and No4 would have never been feasible to store anything other than parts.
DAVID MULKY – 2001
David Also Explored the same land in 2001 next to the old Drive in theatre and came to the same conclusion as Lester Reisinger that he was digging in the wrong spot.
THE UNDERGROUND HANGER THEOREY
AS REPORTED IN THE AUSTRALIAN JANUARY 28 2011
The underground hangar story centres on reports of a squadron of 16 to 18 Spitfires, supposedly Mk XIVs in crates, hidden in underground storage, with spares and fuel, to be used in retaking Queensland in the event of a Japanese invasion forcing a retreat to the infamous Brisbane Line.
Believers of this theory say the Mk XIVs never saw service with the RAAF because they were specially imported to be hidden.
This version of the story appeared in the Royal Air Force News in the 1980s and British authorities thought it had sufficient substance to send an RAF group captain, wing commander and a technical NCO to Oakey to investigate.
MY THEORY
My Theory Relates Around What I Call Tunnel No2 an area I don’t believe ever explored yet.
It consists on the theory which evidence I have gathered Shows that at the time the federal Mine was Under the control of the Defence Force and that works had been carried out on what I call Tunnel No2 including Rail Access utilising existing Rail Charts from the mine.
That Soil Had been removed from this area Consistent with Tunnel Widening Works and that De Watering of the shafts Continued Until At-least 1948.
That unlike other theories that revolve around Base personnel and Locals Stashing away Spitfires after 1945 to save them from the Smelter, My theory Dates back to early 1943 and is based off a covert Underground Bunker to store Fighter Aircraft to Retake Brisbane in the event of Japanese Invasion.
There is also Evidence to Suggest that an underground tunnel System may have also Been extended from this Bunker to the South of the town.
After visiting Oakey numerous times over the years and following other peoples stories I developed a passion for legend of Buried SuperMarine Spitfires at Oakey from WW2.
Although many have come before me and searched for the mythical planes the legend wont go away and after researching thousands of records I'm a strong believer that they do exist.
Although my theories differ from many before me as to why and where they are in Oakey, as my belief is although some may have been buried at the end of the war by personnel, I believe with my theory there is a strong chance that the Defence force may have actually been storing them in a secret underground Bunker for the defence of Brisbane (Brisbane Line Theory) and subsequent cover up post war due to the royal commission into the Brisbane line.
After years going through thousands of records from WW2 over the years It has become very Obvious that the Defence force had covered up the existance of many Planes during WW2 at the same time General Macarthur Had publicly come out with the Brisbane Line Strategy (March 1943).
This aligns with construction works of the 6AD Oakey airforce base as inland storage and repair of WW2 Aircraft.
The Legend of an underground bunker in Oakey has been around ever since and although Many People have searched I believe my theory is the stongest yet to actually bringing these Planes to light.
I have now Pinpointed Exact Location of of what I believe to be the underground Bunker and resting place of these War birds which would Include spitfires aswell as possible other aircraft and supplies.
To further investigations and obtain rights to start an excavation I am seeking additional funds, As negotiating land access rights, excavation plans and Workplace Health and safety Compliance to open up and explore this area will be the next step in confirming my theory.
Please feel free to follow my Facebook page Oakey Spitfires .
UPDATE ADDITIONAL DETAIL
SPITFIRES DOWN THE OLD FEDERAL MINE OAKEY QUEENSLAND
This Has been the main theory even since WW2 and is the one that is always claimed in eye witness statements over the years, and the only truly plausible explanation for a large underground storage facility.
HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL MINE
Early Mining of Upper 2 coal seams, one of 2 Foot 6 inches 50 feet below surface and a second coal seam of 4 foot 6 inches 63 feet below surface. This I believe would have had the Upper seam mined first then mining further down to get to second seam due to proximity.
This would leave an underground cavern with a height of about 5.3 meters over an area of at least 12-20 hectares. Also only being 15-20 meters below surface would only require tunnel widening on limited amount of Tunnel (depending on Slope Grade) Most Likely Underground storage area.
Later Mining went for a lower coal seam of 6-8 foot, 140 feet below ground. This would have had a cavern height of 1.8-2.4 meters. Not feasible for Underground storage.
In 1942 the federal Mine ceased Production.
In early 1943 I have evidence that suggests the Government and Military departments took over the mining Lease Area and that works were underdone on at least one Tunnel Entrance and possibly a Second.
There is also a possibility that tunnel networks were also extended from these caverns to the south of the town.
PREVIOUS SEARCHES OF THE OLD FEDERAL MINE
MOST NOTABLY – LESTER REISINGER
As Featured in the Australian Post August 21 1980.
Lester Was working off the theory that a small group had hidden 5 Aircraft down the mine 3 Spitfires and 2 Beufighters, which had been diverted from their ultimate demise and destruction from the foundry.
Lester had undertaken excavations to uncover 2 tunnels on a property Adjoining at the time the drive in theatre (Now sports fields).
The tunnels he intersected as tunnels I refer to as as No3 and No4 both of which serviced the later mining operations for the coal seam 140 feet below ground. The tunnels proved to be too small to fit a spitfire down as aligns with my theory of theses tunnels.
I believe he was on the right track just Dug in the wrong Location as tunnel’s No3 and No4 would have never been feasible to store anything other than parts.
DAVID MULKY – 2001
David Also Explored the same land in 2001 next to the old Drive in theatre and came to the same conclusion as Lester Reisinger that he was digging in the wrong spot.
THE UNDERGROUND HANGER THEOREY
AS REPORTED IN THE AUSTRALIAN JANUARY 28 2011
The underground hangar story centres on reports of a squadron of 16 to 18 Spitfires, supposedly Mk XIVs in crates, hidden in underground storage, with spares and fuel, to be used in retaking Queensland in the event of a Japanese invasion forcing a retreat to the infamous Brisbane Line.
Believers of this theory say the Mk XIVs never saw service with the RAAF because they were specially imported to be hidden.
This version of the story appeared in the Royal Air Force News in the 1980s and British authorities thought it had sufficient substance to send an RAF group captain, wing commander and a technical NCO to Oakey to investigate.
MY THEORY
My Theory Relates Around What I Call Tunnel No2 an area I don’t believe ever explored yet.
It consists on the theory which evidence I have gathered Shows that at the time the federal Mine was Under the control of the Defence Force and that works had been carried out on what I call Tunnel No2 including Rail Access utilising existing Rail Charts from the mine.
That Soil Had been removed from this area Consistent with Tunnel Widening Works and that De Watering of the shafts Continued Until At-least 1948.
That unlike other theories that revolve around Base personnel and Locals Stashing away Spitfires after 1945 to save them from the Smelter, My theory Dates back to early 1943 and is based off a covert Underground Bunker to store Fighter Aircraft to Retake Brisbane in the event of Japanese Invasion.
There is also Evidence to Suggest that an underground tunnel System may have also Been extended from this Bunker to the South of the town.
Organizer
Nick Rigney
Organizer
Rochedale South QLD
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