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   Ken Barber 1944  USN 1944  NASA 1990  Google June 20, 2016 |
Location Canton Airfield is located at an elevation of 9' above sea level on the northeastern corner of Canton Island (Kanton) in the Phoenix Island Group surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Also spelled Kanton Airfield. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Gilbert Islands. Still in use today as Canton Airport in the Republic of Kiribati. Construction During 1938 and 1939 Pan American Airways laid out and developed Canton Airfield and dredged the lagoon to prepare the area for use by flying boats as a refueling stop when flying from Hawaii via the South Pacific to New Zealand. During the Pacific War, expanded with two runway, a north-south runway and a larger east-west runway (still in use today) with a large circular turnaround area connecting the two runways. A single palm tree remained in the airfield area. The facilities included several hangers and quonset huts. Wartime History Canton Airfield was an important refueling stop for aircraft being flown from Hawaii to Canton to refuel then continued onward to Palmyra, Fiji and Nouméa to Australia. The island was known for having only one palm tree and one runway. Canton was used for some combat missions and photographic reconnaissance flights. On January 17, 1942 B-17 Flying Fortresses of Task Group 8.9 (TG 8.9) arrive from Palmyra. During the month, B-17's conduct antisubmarine search from Canton, departing on January 21 and 25 for Nandi then returns to Canton then depart on January 29. On July 23, 1942 three B-17s fly via Canton to fly a photo reconnaissance of Makin. On February 20, 1943 three 307th Bomb Group B-24s photograph Makin and attack shipping off Tarawa. On May 26, 1943 and May 28, 1943 three B-24 flew photo reconnaissance missions over Apamama dropping bombs. On June 22, 1943 three B-24's from Canton fly photo reconnaissance over the Gilbert Islands including Beru, Nukunau, Tabiteuea, Onotoa, Tarawa, and Arorae. On July 28, 1943 Japanese bombers attempt to bomb Canton are forced to jettison their bombs at sea because of intense anti-aircraft and fighter defense. During September 1-14, 1943 B-24s conduct daily sea-search patrols from Canton. On September 19, B-24s from Canton bomb Tarawa. Also during September, US Navy patrol bombers from Canton cover the occupation of Baker Island. During November-December, B-24s from Canton hit targets including Jaluit, Mille and Makin and Maloelap. During January 1944, B-24s staging from Canton to Baker hit Mille Atoll. American units based at Canton USN, Patrol Squadron 23 (PBY) arrives middle January 1942 15th FG, 46th FS (P-39) Hilo arrives March 27, 1943 - December 18, 1943 Makin 318th FG, 333rd FS (P-39) Hilo arrives March 27, 1943–April 6, 1943 departs Hilo 307th BG, 371st BS (B-24) Wheeler arrives February 6, 1943–February-12, 1943 departs Wheeler 7th AF, 531st FBS (A-24) Wheeler arrives June 18, 1943–December 1943 dep USS Nassau (CVE-16) for Makin 30th BG, 392nd BS (B-24) Barking Sands arrives November 10, 1943–January 10 , 1944 departs Apemama 7th AF, 58th BS (A-24) Wheeler arrives June 18, 1943 11th BG, 26th BS (B-24) Motulalo arrives November 12, 1943–December 31, 1943 departs Motulalo Veteran Ken Barber adds: "I suspect that B-25 we lost December 5, 1944 is in that lagoon somewhere. As I recall he would have been headed south as I was going in the opposite direction when I saw him buzzing the strip." Later, US Navy NATS (Naval Air Transport Service) transport aircraft flying from Honolulu Airfield (John Rodgers Airfield) flying via Palmyra to Canton as the second port of call on southbound flights. Today Still in use today as Canton Airport classified as a small airport. The single runway oriented 27/09 measures 6,230' x 140' is surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: ICAO: PCIS / IATA: CIS. Contribute
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