Location
Located near the prewar Anglican Mission at Waigela (Waingela). Another spelling is 'Wanigela'
Construction
Built by Australian authorities in July 1942 that cleared a single grass runway. It was then barricaded
(presumably so Japanese could not land there),
Allied Troops Arrive
On October 5-6, 1942 the
Australian Army 2/10 Battalion of the 18th Brigade and US Army
engineers and anti-aircraft gunners were flown from Milne Bay area to
Waigela by C-47 Dakotas of the 21st and 22nd TCS. These advance
troops further developed the airfield.
Reinforcement From the Air
The 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd
Infantry Division was flown from 14-Mile Drome to
Waigela on October 14, 1942. Also, the Australian 2/6 Independent
Company. By October 18th, this movement was complete with the
exception of the 128th's band, anti-tank company and two companies
of the 1st Battalion left at Port Moresby due to rain
that caused the Waigela strip to become unusable.
Today
The grass runway is still in use today for regional flights by light aircraft only. Airport code AGL.
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