An army searchlight lights up the skies again

@JudyEv (376500)
Rockingham, Australia
April 5, 2026 2:13am CST
We’ve just returned from Nungarin In West Australia’s wheatbelt, where we watched a World War II searchlight in operation. There was a very large army camp in the town at the time. Most of the buildings are now incorporated into an army museum although there are many other exhibits as well. At its busiest, there were around 100 tanks and over 2,000 troops housed there. It was the largest storage facility in WA for army ordinance at the time and believed to the largest timber-clad building in the state. Contrary to what I thought, the searchlight was purchased from elsewhere and was never used at Nungarin during the war years. It was in pieces at the time and volunteers eventually managed to build it to the point where it is lit up once a year at Easter. It’s interesting how the light seems to go so far then just stop. The yellow dot over on the right and just above the beam was a very lovely and quite large moon.
11 people like this
10 responses
@LindaOHio (218164)
• United States
7h
Interesting. Have you ever flown in a WWII plane? Hubby and I did that in Key West on one of our trips there.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (376500)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
No, I haven't. I bet you enjoyed that experience.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (171225)
• United States
10h
Flashlight beams seem to do that, too, especially if there's a little bit of fog forming at the time.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (376500)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
So Anna says. I hadn't really noticed that.
1 person likes this
• China
4h
The searchlight beams bring back memories of World War II .Anything is preferable to war !
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (376500)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
I heard today, although I've heard it before, that there are no winners in war. I think that is very true.
@jstory07 (147979)
• Roseburg, Oregon
10h
Thanks for sharing this information.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (376500)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
You're very welcome.
@LadyDuck (497439)
• Italy
6h
Beautiful bright moon! I noticed that flashlight beams produce a very bright light, that suddenly stops instead of fading.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (497439)
• Italy
3h
@JudyEv - I never thought of that.
@JudyEv (376500)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
There was a really lovely moon that night. I hadn't thought about flashlight beams stopping suddenly too.
2 people like this
@rakski (151148)
• Philippines
5h
I bet it's nice to see that personally
1 person likes this
@rakski (151148)
• Philippines
4h
@JudyEv that is great! They have more interesting stuff there for sure!!
@JudyEv (376500)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
I'm pleased we went. The museum is very comprehensive but seeing the light was the icing on the cake.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (116706)
• United States
7h
That would have been cool to see in person.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (376500)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
It was pretty neat. There were dozens of people taking photos.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (132278)
• Marion, Ohio
3h
That would be interesting to see
@Shiva49 (28091)
• Singapore
2h
The increasing use of drones has changed the rules of war now. Of course, there are no rules or rhyme or reason for wars nowadays.
@Ronrybs (21221)
• London, England
37m
They must consume a heck of a lot of electricity and get hot. Never seen one myself