|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
  USN November 20, 1943  USAAF December 1943  98th BS December 18, 1943 |
Location Lat 3° 5' 9N Long 172° 48' 40E Makin Airfield is located on Makin Island (Butaritari) in Makin Atoll in the Republic of Kiribati (Gilbert Islands). Also known as "Makin Island Airfield", "Antakana Airfield" or "Starmann Field". Today known as "Butaritari Airport" or "Butaritari Atoll Airport". Construction On the day the Americans landed on Makin Island, construction began of an airfield that was completed in roughly a month by the middle of December 1943. Wartime History Used by the Americans fighters and medium bombers flying missions in the Central Pacific. Japan missions against Makin February 1, 1942–December 24, 1943 On December 18, 1942 USS Nassau (CVE-16) American units based at Makin 15th FG, 46th FS (P-39) Canton arrives December 18, 1943–departs Haleiwa 15th FG, 72nd FS (P-39) Wheeler arrives December 18, 1943–April 23, 1944 7th AF, 531st Fighter-Bomber Squadron (A-24) Canton arrives December 18, 1943–March 1, 1944 15th FG, 72nd FS (P-39) Wheeler arrives December 18, 1943–April 23, 1944 Haleiwa 531st FBS (A-24) Canton arrives December 18, 1943–March 1, 1944 departs Bellows 41st BG, 396th BS (B-25) Tarawa arrives April 20, 1944–October 14, 1944 departs Wheeler 41st BG, HQ (B-25) ? arrives–October 14, 1944 departs Wheeler 41st BG, 48th BS (B-25) Tarawa arrives ?–Oct 14, 1944 departs Wheeler 41st BG, 820th BS (B-25) Tarawa arrives April 20, 1944–October 14, 1944 departs Wheeler 41st BG, 396th BS (B-25) Tarawa arrives April 20, 1944–October 14, 1944 departs Wheeler Today Still in use today as "Butaritari International Airport" or "Butaritari Atoll Airport". Airport codes: ICAO: NGTU, IATA: BBG. Serviced by Air Kiribati. There are some aircraft bits in the vicinity but no substantial wreckage remains at the airfield. B-24D "The Gremlin/Sexy Sue II Mother of Ten" Serial Number 41-23952 Pilot Cartwright force landed December 18, 1943 stripped for usable parts then scrapped F4U Corsair Located near the airfield, wings are used by locals as a pig pen Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map Fallingrain |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
