History of Norforce and
NORFORCE traces its
history back to the formation of the 2/1 North Australia Observer Unit
(2/1 NAOU) on 11 May 1942.
This unit was formed in response to the
threat to Australia's north posed by Japan during World War Two.
of the 2/1 NAOU deployed in small groups throughout the rugged north of
They observed and reported on enemy movements on land, sea
and in the air.
These men, who worked
often for months on end in some of the nation's harshest and most
isolated areas, were known colloquially as the 'Nackeroos'.
Lieutenant Colonel Bill
Stanner was the Commanding Officer of the Nackeroos.
Raven radios provide HF
communications in Arnhem Land
He had this to say
about the unit in 1942: