Espiritu Santo

Main Island in the New Hebridies (Vanuatu) chain. Located to the south is Segond Channel and Aore Isaland. Thanks to Robert Rocker for additional information.

Luganville
The town of Luganville was built by American troops during the war.

Lunganville Airfield
Located to the north of Lunganville

  Luganville Seaplane Base

 

 

Location
Located in Segond Channel off Lunganville on the southern coast of Espiritu Santo Island and Aore Island.

Construction
A seaplane ramp and tower were located at Belchif Point. Seaplanes operated in the Segond Channel.

 

Map
March 1945

 

Bomber 1 (Pallikulo, Palikulo Field, Fighter 1)
Located on the south-eastern corner of the island. Largest airfield on the island, disused today

Bomber 2 (Bomber Field No. 2, Pekoa Field
Located on the south-eastern corner of the island. Largest airfield on the island, disused today

Turtle Bay Airfield
American built airfield at the eastern edge of the island.

  SAT-6/SNJ Texan

  TBF Avenger Bureau Number 6240

  SBD-5 Dauntless Bureau Number 35946

  PV-1 Ventura

  SBD-4 Dauntless Serial Number NZ5037
    Located in 1997, recovered by RNZAF in 1998 displayed at RNZAF Museum

  PBY-5 Catalina Side Number 23-P-15 Bureau Number 2389
    MIA site located in 1994, case resolved

  PBJ-1J Mitchell Bureau Number 35087
  Crashed in bad weather, crew buried at crash site

Camp Elrod
American Camp named in honor of Captain Henry T. Elrod, the first marine earning the medal of honor in WWII at Wake. Built on a hill in the middle of a coconut grove.

Black GI's
at Espiritu Santo

US Army 54th Costal Artillery 2nd Battalion posted to Espiritu.

 

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