 Large
island located to the south of the Visayan Sea, and to the west of
Cebu.
Today
The island
is divided into two provinces: Negros Occidental (western half),
and Negros Oriental (eastern half). Thanks to David Mason for additional
airfield information. Thanks to Tony Feredo and David Mason for additional information.
Japanese Occupation
Northwest Negros was the Japanese
18th Army's most important base prior to the Leyte campaign. Eight
airstrips were on the island, most around the town of Bacold,
protected by 13,500 Japanese,
the largest concentration in the Visayas, commanded by Lt. General
Takeshi. Kono. After the fall of Leyte, these troops hope
to delay any American landing, but did not have the strength
to hold the airfields, instead holdout in the rugged north-west
mountains.
American Landings
There was no pre-invasion bombardment for the March 29,
1945 landing on western Negros, to give the 40th Infantry Division,
503rd Parachute RCT joined by Filipino Guerillas gained the element
of surprise, and their first
objective was the Bago River bridge. A reinforced platoon landed
ahead of the main force to prevent the Japanese from blowing this bridge,
and allowed the Americans to advance toward Bacolod town. As
the main landing force advanced, they were only stopped by occasional
defenses, liberating Bacolod and the coastal areas in a week.
Then for six weeks the Japanese fought tenaciously in the north of
the island, despite heavy air attacks and artillery. This resistance
was finally overrun by late April, and remaining Japanese
fled to
the south with isolated battles until May, and defenses in the north
until June 1945, and 6,000 Japanese survived the battle until the
end
of the war. On April 26, 1945 the Americal
Division made a landing on the south-east coast, and rapidly linked
up with elements of
the
40th Infantry division. But, it took a month to neutralize
the 1,300 Japanese in this area of the island.
Carolina Airfield (Carolina de la Paz, Luisita)
Japanese built airfield, abandoned after the war
Alicante
Lat 10° 54' 0N Long 123°
1' 0E Located on the north-east
of Negros.
Alicante Airfield (Saravia)
Japanese built airfield, abandoned since the war
Fabrica
Lat 10° 35' 60N Long 122° 1'
0E
| Fabrica Aerodrome |
Construction
Wartime airfield part of Sagay.
American Missions Against Fabrica
November 6, 1944 - August 5, 1945
Today
The former airfield is replanted
with sugar cane fields and the Faraon Institute at Sagay City.
 Japanese Memorial
A memorial to fallen Japanese
pilots was built here by the Japanese, enclosed by a concrete wall.
|
Silay
Lat 10° 48' 0N Long 122° 58'
0E Located about 10 kms north of Bocolod
| Silay
Aerodrome |
Construction
Located
8 miles inland from Bacolod. This was the main base for bombers
and fighters on Negros.
American Missions Against Silay
Decenber 17, 1944 - February 7, 1945
Today
After the war there were about
200 plus destroyed aircraft here. Most were buried. Today,
the former Japanese airfield is now a sugarcane field. It is a
part
of Hacienda Naga.
David Mason reports:
"The airfield complex is still there and they're building a new airport runway and passenger terminal for the city of Bocolod. They are
in the process of constructing a new airport here. Occasionally
they dig up a Japanese aircraft bits."
|
Bacolod
Lat
10° 40' 0N Long 122° 57'
0E
Liberation
Prior to the American assault, the Japanese destroy
part of the city and withdrew to the north-east, leaving only small delaying
groups behind. Bacolod was was relativity undefeated and liberated March
30, 1945.
| Bacolod
Airstrip |
 Location
This was a very small field located near the sea. The correct spelling is Bacolod, but some wartime references list it as Bacalod incorrectly.
Wartime Usage
Used by Japanese during the war
American Missions Against Bacolod
October 30, 1944 - March 18, 1945
Wartime Usage
It was a fighters based there and the base was used as a transit depot for fighter units in transit to other theaters. The Japanese concentrated their army air forces around the Bacolod and Fabrica area as they were nearest to the American bases in Leyte by late 1944.
Today
When
a new airport is opened in Negros, this one will be closed, and developed into office
/ manufacturing space.
|
La Carlota
Lat 10° 25' 24N Long 122° 55' 15E Town located near the west coast of Negros, located about 40km south of Bocolod.
| La Carlota
Airstrip |
Location
Located outside the town of La Carlota.
 Wartime Usage
Used as a major airfield primarily by the Japanese Army Air Force and even a training unit was assigned at La Carlota.
American Missions Against La Carlota
November 15, 1944 - January 19, 1945
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