The gentleman on the left, wearing Pith helmet, discusses with the driver in the Dodge, the progress of the convoy which is moving the ground echelon of the 3rd Attack Group from Charters Towers to Townsville en route to Port Moresby, in January 1943.

The country is outback Queensland, and the truck in the background is the standard American 'Blitz'. The trees on either side are young white gums, so common in this part of Australia.

After arriving at Townsville, the Group's various squadrons would prepare themselves for a wholesale move to the New Guinea theatre before they boarded a steamer. They had already established themselves in Australia with A-20s, A-24s and B-25s.

The introduction of the A-24s into the New Guinea theatre was tantamount to slaughter, but that is another story . . .

The photo was taken by Jack Heyn who had obtained a position driving one of the trucks so he could get some photos along the way. The photo, according to Heyn who should know, was taken about halfway between the two Australian towns.