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 USN Sept 13, 1944  USAAF c1944  417th BG c1944   Justin Taylan 2024 |
Location Lat 10° 38' 33N Long 122° 55' 47E Bacolod Airfield is located at an elevation of 25' above sea level to the north of Bacolod in Negros Occidental Province in the northwest of Negros Island in the Western Visayas Region (Region VI) of the Philippines. Some American references spell the location as "Bacalod" [sic Bacolod]. Postwar known as Bacolod Airport or Bacolod City Domestic Airport. Construction Built prewar as a civilian private airport operated by Iloilo Negros Air Express Company (INAEC). During 1942, the Japanese began expansion of Bacolod Airfield as the headquarters and center of operations for Japanese air units on Negros. One runway was oriented northeast to southwest measures 4,500' x 200' for all weather use. Taxiways and dispersals areas were around the runway. A large Japanese garrison was stationed in Bacolod. Wartime Usage Used by the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as a fighter strip and a transit depot for fighter aircraft being ferried to other areas. In November 1944, the Japanese concentrated aircraft at Bacolod Airfield and Fabrica Airfield as they were their nearest airfields to the American landing area and airfields on eastern Leyte. Japanese units at Bacolod Airfield 6th Air Brigade, HQ arrives September 1944–November 1944 HQ 12th Hikodan (Ki-84) arrives October 1944 21st Hikodan Hakko HQ Unit (Ki-46) arrives November 1944 Hakko Unit No. 2 “Ichiu” (Ki-43-III) arrives December 1944 Hakko Unit No. 6 “Sekicho” – Ki-51 (Dec 44) 5th Hiko Sentai (Ki-45) arrives August 1944–September 1944 18th Hiko Sentai (Ki-61) arrives December 1944 19th Hiko Sentai detached (Ki-61) arrives October 1944–Nov 1944 22nd Hiko Sentai reinforced (Ki-84) arrives November 1944 27th Hiko Sentai detachment (Ki-45) arrives November 1944–December 1944 38th Hiko Sentai (Ki-46-II and III) arrives October 1944 73rd Dokuritsu Chutai (Ki-51) arrives October 1944 55th Hiko Sentai (Ki-61) arrives December 1944 Starting on October 30, 1944 targeted by American bombers and fighters until the middle of March 1945. American missions against Bacolod October 30, 1944–March 18, 1945 On March 30, 1945 Bacolod Airfield was liberated by the U.S. Army. At Bacolod Airfield, Allied Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU) noted the wreckage of three Ki-45 Nicks, one A6M5 Zero, one Ki-84 Frank, eighteen Ki-61 Tonys, one Tess, fifteen Ki-51 Sonias, two Ki-49 Helens and four Ki-48 Lilys. Today Bacolod Airfield remained in use until around the early 2000s then closed when Silay Airfield opened as Bacolod Airport (new airport) or Bacolod-Silay International Airport. After the new airport was opened, the Bacolod Airport (old airport) was closed and the area developed into office and manufacturing space. References Note Bacolod Airport (new airport) is a different location to the north at the former Silay Airfield Index to Air Bases - Research Report No. 85, I.G. No 9185 - July 30, 1944 ATIU Intelligence Summary No. 281 "Planes Recovered on Airfields" July 21, 1945 page 27 via Tony Feredo "Bacolod A/D, Negros: Nick - 3, Zeke 52 - 1, Frank - 1, Tony - 18, Tess - 1, Sonia - 15, Helen - 2, Lily - 4" Doomed At The Start (1995) by William H. Bartsch pages 227 (map), 411, 488 (index) Thanks to Tony Feredo for additional information Contribute
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