Japanese Agents in the Darling Downs area of Queensland

JAPANESE AGENTS ON THE DARLING DOWNS
IN QUEENSLAND

visits since 15 April 2002

The head of the Brisbane Investigation Branch, Inspector Robert Wake revealed details of Japanese agents in the Darling Downs area of Queensland. These agents were interested in gathering information on the pastoral produce available in this rich agricultural area. The garden city of Toowoomba was of particular interest to them.

The Japanese were also interested in the large swarms of locusts that sometimes invade the Darling Downs. They had some views that they may be able to use locusts for some chemical warfare experiments.

The Japanese interest in Toowoomba was confirmed when a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft carried out a spying mission over Toowoomba during WW2.

REFERENCES

"Shadows Dancing - Japanese Espionage against the West 1939 - 1945"
by Tony Matthews