Wartime History
On February 17, 1944 Engebi Airfield was heavily bombarded. On February 18, 1944 American forces landed on Engebi and after a six hour battle captured the area.

Immediately, the runway was repaired for use by American aircraft. Renamed Wrigley Airfield. Between February to March 10, 1944, the U.S. Army 47th Engineers expanded and improved the airfield, to support four fighter squadrons, until Eniwetok Airfield became fully operational.  On March 11, 1944 126th Battalion arrived at Engebi and relieved the 47th Engineers. Once completed, the airfield included aviation facilities, a fighter strip measuring 3,950' x 225' plus taxiways with 150 hardstands, and engine-overhaul shops. An aviation-gasoline tank farm, with a capacity of 146,000 gallons was also erected on Engebi.

On March 10, 1944 7th Air Force B-25 Mitchells used Engebi Airfield as a staging base for bombing missions against Kusaie. Engebi Airfield was used by U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) fighters and USAAF bombers as a staging base for B-25 Mitchells and B-24 Liberators bombing Ponape, Nauru and other targets.

American units based at Engebi
VMF-113 (F4U) March 1944
41st BG, 396th BS (12 x B-25) April 1944 - ?

References
History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II - Part V Marine Aviation in the Western Pacific pages 408, 413

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Last Updated
July 19, 2024