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Location
Located south east of Buna. Also known as "Old Strip" after Japanese began construction of another airfield Buna Airfield "New Strip" nearby.
Construction
Built prewar as an emergency airfield, but was in a neglected condition as of 1942. The Allies acknowledged the need for an airfield in the Buna area. As of July 1942, Theater plan "Tulsa" called for an airfield to be established for military aircraft at Buna. On July 9, a reconnaissance was planned.
Wartime History
The next two days, a Port Moresby based RAAF Catalina was used to over fly the area. On board were six officers including Lt. Col. Bernard L. Robinson, (ranking U.S. engineer officer at Port Moresby), Lt. Col. Boyd D. Wagner (USAAF 8th Fighter Group, C. O.), Col Yoder and three Australian officers. Examining the terrain of the entire area, they determined that kunai plains area at Dobodura be developed as a airfield instead of Buna.
Japanese Usage
Japanese developed Buna Airfield into a forward airfield in a month with revetments and gun positions. Buna Airfield based the shorter range A6M3 Hamp, D3A Vals and G6M1 Betty (transport) operated at the airfield. Used by the Japanese Navy aircraft during late August 1942 to stage missions against Milne Bay and combat patrols over northern New Guinea.
Japanese Units Based at Buna Airfield
2nd Kokutai (D3A Val & A6M3 Hamp) August 22 - 28, 1942
Tainan Kokutai (A6M3 Hamp & G6M1 Betty Transports) August 1942
47th Anti-Aircraft
Allied Neutralization
Immediately, Buna Airfield was strafed and
bombed by Allied aircraft, and the airfield was too difficult to keep in operation. Several Zeros and Betty transports were disabled and abandoned along the runway. Even after the airfield was neutralized, anti-aircraft guns continued to defend Buna Airfield, although no aircraft were any longer operating there.
Allied Missions
Against Buna
July 23, 1942 - January 23, 1943
Battle on Buna Airstrip
The Japanese army developed extensive fortifications around Buna Airfield, including trenches, bunkers and a battery of 75mm Type 88 Anti-Aircraft guns to the west of the strip.
During the battle of Buna, the airfield itself became a battlefield. By nightfall the 2/10th held about
one third of the Old Strip. The 2/10th was ordered to
continue the advance along the Old Strip on December 24, 1942 and
was supported by four M3 Stuart tanks. The attack began at 9.30
am with the tanks spaced at intervals of fifty yards,
the Australians on and astride the Old Strip and an American
battalion on the left flank.
Tanks and infantry advanced
steadily for half an hour. Then a concealed Japanese
anti-aircraft gun opened fire at short range and knocked
out the four tanks in quick succession. The infantry
came under heavy fire but at the end of the day some
500 to 700 yards had been gained. Little progress was
made on the next two days. The companies of the 2/10th
were then no stronger than platoons and the desperate
Japanese frequently counter-attacked.
Captured Japanese Aircraft
Two A6M3
Zeros were captured on December 27, 1942, relatively
intact from this strip, and were later transported to the beach
where they were shipped to Milne Bay, and then to Australia
for technical evaluation at Eagle
Farm.
AAF, SWPA Intel. Sum. No. 144, 6 Oct 43 - via Richard Dunn
"A total of fifteen A6M3 Zero (Hamps) in various conditions were noted at the strip: 3020, 3021, 3031, 3032, 3036, 3043, 3044 and two without numbers. Plus two Betty bomber wrecks."
After the Battle
After the battle at Buna, the area around the old
strip was used for housing by Allied forces in the area. The
only evidence of this use are occasional concrete slabs and
housing piles. Many of the local huts are built from these
former buildings, or utilize former airfield materials.
Today
The former airfield is overgrown and disused since the war. No aircraft used it since the
Japanese occupation. It was not used by the Allies. Around the
strip are many overgrown bunkers, trenches and gun pits.
References
US Army in WWII: Victory in Papua, Chapter IV, page 50-53
Japanese Aircraft Captured at Buna Airfield
Listing of aircraft captured at the airfield
A6M3 Zero Manufacture No 3018 Tail V-177
Hokoku 869 Abandoned upside down at Buna Airfield
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3020
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3021
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3024
A6M3 Zero Manufacture No 3028 Tail V-187
Hokoku 870 Abandoned at Buna Airfield, salvaged to Eagle Farm
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3029
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3030 Tail Q-102
Abandoned at Buna Airfield, salvaged to Eagle Farm for evaluation
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3031
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3032 Tail V-190
Abandoned at Buna Airfield, salvaged to Eagle Farm for evaluation
A6M3 Zero Manufacture 3036 Tail Q-104
Hokoku 878 Abandoned intact at the side of the runway
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3042 Tail Q-108
Houkoku 884 Abandoned, center section burned
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3043
A6M3
Zero Manufacture
No 3044
A6M3
Zero Wreckage
G6M1-L2 Betty Manufacture
No 613 Tail V-902
Destroyed on the ground by B-26 and P-400 aerial attacks on August 29, 1942
G6M1-L2 Betty Manufacture No 209 Tail V-903
Destroyed on the ground by B-26 and P-400 aerial attacks on August 29, 1942
Battlefield Relics at Buna Airfield
Listing of battlefield relics at the airfield
Japanese
Type 3 (1914) 76.2 mm Naval Gun
Remains at the airfield.
Japanese
Type 3 (1914) 76.2 mm Naval Gun
Recovered for Nimitz
Museum in 1973
General
Stuart M3 Tank Hull
Number 2017
Hit by
76.2mm Anti-Aircraft gun recovered for Nimitz
Museum in 1973
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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