Location
Located 100km south of Darwin.

Construction
This sealed strip was built by the Australians in late 1942 and named after Flying doctor Clyde Fenton, and improved into early 1943. It was used by both the RAAF and USAAF during WWII.

Jim Wright, The Flying Circus, page 95 adds:
"Aussie construction crews had finished the broad airstrip, with thirty-five revetments, semicircular patches of paving sticking out from four paved lanes that connected with the main runway."

Units Based at Fenton
5th Air Force
43rd BG, 64rd BS (B-17) Iron Range Oct 12, 1942 - ? and Daly Waters Aug 2, 1942
90th BG 319th BS B-24's
380th BG, 528 BS, 530th BS (B-24) USA April 28, 1943 - Aug 20, 43 to Darwin
380th BG, 529 BS, 530 BS 531 BS (B-24)
RAAF Units
82nd Wing - 21, 23, 24 Squadron B-24's

Japanese Air Raids Against Fenton

B-24D Liberator Serial Number 42-40504
Tail and fuselage section recovered 1970, displayed at Australian Aviation Heritage Centre

Late April, 1943
(after arrival of 380th BG) a formation of Japanese bombers from (Koepang?) TImor bomb the strip in late afternoon from medium altitude. They disable one B-24 and other property damage. Reference The Flying Circus page 98.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 1, 2009