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 USAAF 1944 |
Location Lat 0° 29' 27N Long 173° 49' 44E Apemama Airfield is located at an elevation of 8' above sea level on Apamama Island in Apamama Atoll in Republic of Kiribati (Gilbert Islands). Also known as Abemama Airfield, O'Hare Field or Hopper. Construction On November 24, 1943 Marines landed on Apamama and overcame minor resistance from the Japanese. On November 28, 1943 the U.S. Navy (USN) 95th Naval Construction Battalion (95th NCB) "Seabees" landed and began building Apemama Airfield. Neither the terrain nor the weather presented any obstacles to construction. By December 10, 1943 they had completed a single runway 4,000' x 150' surfaced with crushed coral. On December 13, 1943 the first plane landed. By December 21, 1943 the runway was lengthened to 6,000' for bombers. The 95th Battalion continued the development of the airfield. By March 1944, the airfield had a 7,700' x 200' coral-surfaced bomber strip, with an additional 1,950' sand strip; 21,000' of taxiways, with 100' coral-surfaced hardstands, 125' by 150'; and Quonset huts for ready rooms and repair ships. Named "O’Hare Field" in honor of US Navy pilot "Butch" O'Hare. Japanese Air Raids During the construction period, there were four minor Japanese air raids, resulting in the loss of one B-24 and slight damage to taxiways and hardstands. Wartime History By March 1944, the airfield had a 7,700' x 200' coral-surfaced bomber strip, with an additional 1,950' sand strip; 21,000' of taxiways, with 100' coral-surfaced hardstands, 125' by 150'; and Quonset huts for ready rooms and repair ships. American units based at Apemama 30th BG, HQ Nanumea arrives January 4, 1944–March 20, 1944 departs Kwajalein 30th BG, 27th BS (B-24) Nanumea arrives February 26 , 1944–March 14, 1944 departs Nanumea / Kwajalein 30th BG, 392nd BS (B-24) Canton arrives January 10, 1944–March 17, 1944 departs Kwajalein 45th FS (P-40s) arrives January 4, 194–April 5, 1944 (operates from Makin Jan 15 - 24 Mar 1944) 47th BS (B-25s) arrives December 22, 1943–April 20, 1944 48th BS (B-25s) arrives December 22, 1943–April 23, 1944 7th AF, 9th TCS (C-47) Hickam Field arrives March 27, 1944–August 4, 1944 departs Saipan 41st BG, 48th BS (B-25) ? - July 23, 1944 departs Saipan 41st BG, 47th BS (B-25) ? - July 23, 1944 departs Saipan By May 1944, Apamama became a rear area base. Its mission of supporting the campaigns in the Marshalls was completed. During March 1944, CBMU 557 arrived to continue maintenance until late 1944, when the base was decommissioned and closed. Today Still in use today as "Abemama Airport" or "Abemama Atoll Airport". Airport codes: ICAO: NGTB / IATA: AEA. There is the wreckage from an F4U Corsair and B-24 Liberator that were recovered from the airfield and are displayed near the island's council offices. F4U Corsair Bureau Number 03826 Pilot Thurnau crashed February 28, 1944 F4U Corsair Abandoned at the airfield B-24 Liberator Abandoned at the airfield Contribute
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 Map 1944 |
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